MY STUDY EXPERIENCE IN TAIWAN
By
Raphael K.M. Munthali

My name is Raphael Munthali hailing from Malawi, “The Warm Heart of Africa” in the Southern Part of Africa. Am pursuing a Master of Science Programme in Civil Engineering and Management at National Cheng Kong University (NCKU)
I can describe the why am in Taiwan as “being in the right place at the right time, a long awaited opportunity and a dream come true.”
It was after a 23 hours air travel mode on 27th August, 2007 that the gurus from “The Warm Heart of Africa” landed on this articulated island, at Taiwan Tao Yuan International Airport. What I can remember is that it took us another 1 hour bus travel to reach National Taiwan Normal University, an acclimatization centre. I appreciated the 2 weeks scheduled initiation activities both in and out doors. Some of the activities were in the arena of Culture and Tradition, Religion, Tourism, Language, Education, Ethics and Social values of Taiwan and the day to day exposure to Taiwanese food. The initiation was a wonderful one in that I learnt many things amongst which are grasping some basic Mandarin, acclimatization in Taiwan, reshaping personalities, crosscutting tourism promotion and not forgetting the active participation in Lion and Dragon dances and finally the wonderful rituals in the Confucius Temple. The most unique thing I learnt is that each and every development sector in Taiwan has an aspect of culture which gives a special Taiwan identity, wonderful. Till that hour, I did not have an idea about the giant Banyan.

I was full of wonders as to why it was only three of the foreign students for NCKU. Many assumptions could come to my mind including the tough going. It took us close to seven hours road travel to trickle down to Tainan. I enjoyed the journey, though tiresome, and appreciated the culture enshrinement. When I arrived at NCKU I had a warm welcome from all walks and not forgetting the giant Banyan. I find the study environment at NCKU conducive with friendliness hailing from different sources, ranging from pal students, members of staff and distinguish professors, not forgetting the giant Banyan.
In the arena of food, I have tried a wide range but not forgetting to start with the familiar ones. While in Taipei, I started with a benchmark of Jamaican food and that my description of food is anything living things eat to keep themselves alive, I ventured in testing a variety foods. The first of the Taiwanese food I tried is Stinky Tofu because wanted to find out why this stinky food is preferred despite the name stinky. I found out that the name stinky is misleading and since then am yet to substitute this name, possibly before bidding bye to wonderful Banyan. In a jokey manner I say to my friends, “as far as food is concerned I can eat anything that people eat to keep them alive, even well seasoned stones.” I have tried all walks food like the historical walks of wonderful Banyan, both on land and in water but the yet to be enjoyed are crabs, frogs and snakes so watch out. All in all, my favourites are instant noodles served with yolky eggs and fried rice served with shrimps but not forgetting the starting point of rice served with fried or stewed chicken. Fortunately, there are a lot of restaurants around the University campus but not forgetting the University restaurant. Oh, I salute Banyan.
Some differences in food utilization aspects between Taiwan and Malawi lay in the hands of preparation like sweet corn taken as a vegetable in Taiwan while in Malawi can either be roast/cooked and taken independently or served with other relish. I describe Taiwanese food as aquatic related from horticultural crops to sea food which makes me think that the aquatic foods in the sweet waters of Lake Malawi and other water bodies are underutilised. Wonderful eye opener. As per my food slogan, more discoveries are yet to come as wonderful Banyan.
I appreciate the practical courses offered at The Giant NCKU and believe that the multidimensional civil – works’ skills and experiences assimilated, not belittling efforts by fellows, will boost the metropolitan economic development baby of the equally endowed country, Malawi. After saluting Banyan.

Finally, it would mean nothing to end up the article without saluting the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) that enabled me mix with wonderful and friendly Taiwanese people, cultural walks of Tainan and salute the giant Banyan
Note: Banyan quotation in the article is none other than a personification of a symbolic tree that has been there since the birth of NCKU, it plays different roles from welcoming freshmen to bidding by to graduates. This tree tells stories about NCKU.