Bridging Cultures: Saffron's Study Abroad Experience in Taipei

February 4, 2025

High school student Saffron visited Taiwan for four weeks last summer to study the Chinese language and Taiwanese culture with CIEE (ciee.org). When she was younger, she understood intermediate Chinese, and she saw this program as an opportunity to relearn the language and connect with Taiwanese culture. Her initial nervousness about traveling far from Pennsylvania was eventually eased by the kindness of her host family and the Taiwanese people.

Initially, Saffron was concerned about the language barrier, but she found Taipei, Taiwan, to be an English-accessible city. She lived with her host family, including a fellow classmate. She spent her first week getting to know her host family and bonding over tasting cuisines, sightseeing, and hiking together.

Saffron attended classes daily, and her assignments required her to speak Mandarin Chinese to people on the streets, who were friendly and eager to know that she was learning the language. She met classmates at Guting Station after lunch, and they would go and experience Taiwanese culture firsthand. She valued seeing the nearly 300-year-old Longshan Temple, which means “Dragon Mountain Temple.”

On Fridays she and her classmates could travel anywhere within the metro system so long as they returned to their host families before curfew. A favorite destination of hers was the Taipei City Mall, which runs one mile underground. There was so much to see: a plethora of anime merchandise, retro game systems, and beautiful jewelry.

The most valuable lesson she learned abroad: “Even if you don't speak the same language or come from the same background as your classmates or host family, the care and kindness people have for one another is universal,” she says. “I also learned to take positive opportunities without fear as to not have any regrets.”

Saffron is in her third year at PA Cyber, and she says, “The online learning environment is one I work best in. I am able to travel and take opportunities to explore the world while still keeping up with my education.” Ultimately, her goals include traveling more, connecting with people abroad, and learning languages.