by Nien-Tsu Nancy Chen
In January 2017, my colleague Kimmy Kee and I led twenty-three students on a trip to Taiwan as part of our UNIV 392 International Experiences course. This course focused on comparing Western and Eastern approaches to communicating about health and mental illness. For first-hand observation of Taiwanese healthcare and health communication practices, we visited several hospitals, a public health agency, and a television station. We also engaged in exchanges with the local university and high school students, volunteered at a recycling station, and toured cultural landmarks.
Most students in our class had never travelled abroad, and among those who had, none had been to Taiwan. There was palpable excitement but also trepidation as we waited for our outbound flight at LAX. In fourteen hours, the students would arrive at a place that they had only read about. English would no longer be the main language, and American cultural norms could not be assumed. I felt as equally anxious as the students but for a different reason. I was born in Taiwan and lived there until adolescence. Thrilled to introduce the students to my homeland, I also worried that my introduction might not do justice to this beautiful island and its people.
Soon after arrival, I realized that my concern was unnecessary. Whether the students were with me on official visits and after-hour excursions, or exploring Taiwan on their own, the locals greeted them with warmth and hospitality. I was heartened to learn how much the students appreciated the generosity extended to visitors by the Taiwanese. I was also surprised – in a good way – by comments regarding interpersonal interaction in Taiwan compared to the United States. Students constantly remarked that Taiwanese people expressed much more kindness and concern toward each other, and much greater respect for their elderly. Growing up in a collectivist society that emphasized filial piety, I had taken these social norms for granted. The students’ fresh perspectives helped me recognize the beauty of my cultural values and highlighted that intercultural exchanges benefit both hosts and visitors. What follows are reflections on that trip from four students who visited Taiwan with me.
