My Study Experience in Taiwan- a reflection on the past 4 months
By Philip Nyouky
INTRODUCTION
 After lengthy preparations that seem to last for eternity and marked by thoughts of what lies ahead, I finally embarked on my journey to a place that is to be my home for at least a period of two years. The departure date was August 25th 2007 and point of departure: Banjul international Airport. Final destination: The people Republic of China on Taiwan and main reason for the journey: in pursue of knowledge under the sponsorship of Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (Taiwan ICDF). Reference to the journey I would keep at: long and tiring. Finding ones self on board a plane for a total of 17 hours, one is bound to be drained and my case was no exception.
  Any one who had made such a distance journey would agree with me that the announcement on board the flight signaling the end has at least one effect and that is, it makes you at least for a while, to forget about the excruciating nature of the trip and awaken all your senses for the task of absorbing the realities that one would soon be confronted with. I must confess that what unraveled before me at the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport as well as what my senses could gather in the night setting of the route to my first lodge-  National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU), was impressive.
MY FIRST STOP  
From the airport I was taken straight to NTNU and there my study experience in Taiwan began. Taiwan ICDF planned orientation for all participants in her scholarship in a way, ushered in my study experience in Taiwan. The activities of the orientation which included: a visit to Taiwan ICDF headquarter-where the vision of Taiwan ICDF was related to us; lectures on topics like “ethic and social values of Taiwan”, personality development study and basic mandarin; tours of pinglin Tea Museum and Shilin Night Market and visit to the National Palace Museum, among many highlights of the orientation, would remain printed in my mind for eternity. While having the effects of introducing me to life and living in Taiwan as well as to her rich culture heritage, the orientation offered me the opportunity to meet other beneficiaries to the Taiwan ICDF higher education scholarship program. This encounter I would always hold dear. Only a few in their life time are opportune to be in the mist of a “rainbow” of cultures and so am I. Parting after the end of the orientation was hard to accept. Questions that came to mind included: Why should the wonderful time I’m sharing with my new found friends have to end Will I have better tales to tell of my experience in Taiwan Least did I know that more is yet to come.
LIVING IN THE BEAUTIFUL CAMPUS OF NATIONAL CENTRAL UNIVERSITY  
At the end of the orientation I with a few other participants boarded one of the many buses provided for our transportation from NTNU to our various universities. Being the first to onboard the bus I could not on seeing my designated living sanctuary- the National Central University, appreciate it aloud. I was not alone however others on board appreciated the nice setting of NCU. Its strategic position on the high grounds on the outskirts of Jhonli city, the scripted logo and name designed by a maze of plants makes it adorable for a distance.
  Well, after almost four months of living at NCU, I could only say that NCU still remains magical to me. It has not ceased to enrich my Taiwan experience. While holding on to her cherish ideals of academic excellence, NCU also offers its family members the opportunity to interact with one another. Extra curricular activities such as games and special club functions (Yoga, Ti-quando, English cafe and Toast Master) are part the life of a student at NCU. Through these activities I’m privilege to meet and interact with people from every part of the world. Americans, Asians, Africans, Caribbean islanders, Europeans are all represented here and learning from them is delightful and a blessing to me. Friends and lasting friend for that matter am making from all over the world.
The teaching methods at NCU’ in contrast to my undergraduate studies’ is sharpening my presentation skill. The use of power point in delivering lectures and the request for its use in effecting presentations on assigned topics is another enriching experience.   Waa! Least I forget, I am learning a new language- mandarin, and despite the challenge it poses am enjoying ever bit of it.     
 Trying Taiwanese food is another experience. Coming from a part of African where salty and spicy foods dominated local dishes to a place where spicy food are not so much love, makes my every first taste of a Taiwanese dish an adventure. 
 NOT ALL IS ROSES
I could not end this reference to my experiences in Taiwan without mentioning the early morning of August 27th when for the first time I felt the earth shaking. Despite my theoretical knowledge of earthquakes, experiencing a tremor that shook a seven storey building is quiet a phenomenon.
The Taiwanese weather with its typhoons and non stop rains and the local coping strategies to their restraining nature is unique. I wonder if I would ever grow to passively look at its debilitating nature but shall always look with admiration on how the locals cope.    
 CONCLUSION
Since on arrival in Taiwan, I have been enjoying two things at a time and that is education and fun. I would return home a different person and shall always look back at my stay in Taiwan as defining moment in my life. In summarize I would say of my experiences: so far so go.