Friendship in Taiwan
By Judith Shakira Gonzalez
“No soul is desolate as long as there is a human being for whom it can feel trust and reverence” George
Eliot.
People everywhere are looking for friendships whether they are kids, adolescence, single or married.
As a married individual, I have come in touch in realizing the value of friendships once again in my
journey through life. Ever since I have landed on this beautiful country friendship have been forming
everywhere like never before in my life. This is partly due to the warmth of the Taiwanese and the
eagerness of the internationals to make friends. The greatest friendships have been formed where I
spend most of my time and that is at my university, National Central University. NCU International
Student office has played a crucial role in organizing events and cultural trips where friendship are
continuously being formed with other international students and the Taiwanese students ambassadors
such as John Chen. Because communication is imperative in maintaining friendship, I keep contact
through MSN or Facebook. These social networks are there to provide infrastructural support my new
friendships. The favorite choice of NCU students is Facebook since it has features where your friends
can keep abreast of your happenings, travels in Taiwan or Asia and social events attended.
Furthermore, the very famous English Café is where everyone wants to be for interacting and speaking
English. Weekly for two hours Taiwanese and International students gather to chat and have delicious
coffee and snacks. The café is not sedentary. There are many interactive games and activities which are
opportune for you to make acquaintances. The cultural and social interaction is like no other at the
English Café and keeps you wanting for more. So I say, “Thanks English Café! See you Wednesday at
five!”.
National Central University has a multitude of clubs like music, sports, dog care to dance club. Being
involved in Yoga &Tae Kwando myself has helped me meet Taiwanese people. I would advise anyone to
get out of their room and join these clubs. Apart from entertaining they are fun and a once in a lifetime
experience. By my part it was a first time experience with these physical activities and I very much
enjoyed it.
Friendships have been responsible for all my good times in Taiwan. They have made me laugh when I
am sad, comfort me when I am feeling lonely, cleared up the materials taught when I am not assimilating,
took care of me when I am going from place to place and relieved me from my camera shyness.
Furthermore, we all know that that being away from your family and the place your lovingly call home is
not easy to endure but by just knowing that you and your friends are sharing the same moments it provide
some comfort and the strength to persevere until the end of this program.
In regards to great friendships, I cannot fail to mention the friendship I have developed with my managers
Joanne, Joyce, Diana and Hanna. They have proven to be caring and genuinely interested of my well
being: health, finances, and emotions and true ambassadors to their county. These ladies have gone
beyond the call of duty and have given my companions and I a good impression of Taiwanese people. I
take this opportunity to publicly recognize these ladies good work and express my gratitude.
The Taiwanese professors have also given us the knowledge we signed up for. They are stiff in giving us
work and also show their human side in offering their friendship to us. I cannot forget Professor Liang,
Chi-Yuan of Academia Sinica, Professor Liao Wan-Li, Professor Yu, Shu-Wei and Professor Jun Wu.
Their knowledge fascinates and impresses me but their concern for my companions and I make us feel
special. Other people who are responsible in making this experience an unforgettable one are Joseph
Huang, and Cathy Wang of ICDF. They take their jobs seriously and their sincerest interest for our well
being is evident from afar. People and friendships like those are inspiring and motivating. I know that
when I go back to Belize I will have many wonderful stories to tell my children and grandchildren of my
stay in Taiwan. When relating the stories names shall be given to those characters and those names will
be the very ones that I have mentioned above. Names which they will never connect a face but my loved
ones will know that they forever will be dear to me. Thank you ICDF Taiwan for the wonderful people and
friendships you have brought into this life.
XieXie Taiwan.