A Recap On My Taiwanese Adventure

Well, it is official; the little life I built for myself in Taiwan is over! I left on the luxury bus yesterday night and headed out to Taipei, once again. Only this time I left after having quit my job, leaving my apartment and saying good bye to the friends I had made in Kaohsiung. Not only was I leaving the city, I was leaving my new life. I headed to Taipei and hopped on a plane to the Philippines.

Perhaps this would be as good of a time as any to debrief my experiences in Taiwan. You have heard many of my adventures in previous posts but lets talk about the overall experience. I know, once I return I am going to get the age old vague questions – “how was Taiwan?” I will respond with an equally vague response – it was interesting!

There were many aspects of the experience that were disappointing, or rather, not what I expected. Teaching the children was a task that proved difficult. This had nothing to do with the children, but it was how I was expected to interact with them that proved problematic. I was to be stern, strict and regimented when all I wanted to do was hug them and have tons of fun! Also, the food was not so great. It appears that the Chinese people eat all the parts of the animals that the rest of the world simply does not want. Perhaps there was really good food there, but due to the language barrier I certainly could not find it!!

The one thing that I found wonderful about Taiwan was the people. They were incredibly friendly and, for the most part, always willing to help you out, even if they had a hard time due to the language barrier. The children were particularly cute. There was one little girl who totally stole my heart and I miss her a little. Her name is Kitty and she is 5 years old and the tiniest thing you have ever seen. Having 20 kids run up to you when you leave saying “good bye teacher Jordan,” “see you tomorrow,” “teacher Jordan good” or “teacher Jordan look” as they point to whatever random thing they think is interesting at the time (often a sock or their shirt!). There were the odd times where they would try their very best to hit you where it hurts because, apparently, a large white guy in excruciating pain is hilarious!! Despite these minor flaws, I will miss the little children very much.

I was able to see an island, experience a culture, and, most importantly, undergo some good old fashioned personal development in what I am going to describe as a great adventure. Though not everything went perfectly, it turned out for the best.

I missed Joelle a lot and it was very hard to be apart. However, we were able to get to know each other on an entirely new level and I would not trade our time apart for anything. It is going to make being together all the better when I get home.

I missed my family very much as well as the many comforts of home. But, being away from them makes me appreciate many of the things we take for granted everyday.

It was personally very hard at times, however, I am a stronger person for my experience. I learned a lot about myself and have much more confidence in my ability to cope with many things.

There were ups and downs, but it is through the fusion of these that I was able to have my true adventure. It was great and I am so glad I went on the trip. I am also going to be very glad to be home!

As I sit here in Manila, I am awaiting my brand new adventure to begin tomorrow in the Philippines. Stay tuned for more on that…