Brian’s Journals

September 11, 2025

First Impressions

(大溪老街) Walking on famous old road and getting some food.

Me farming with my Grandpa at his house.

Me with my Grandparents and uncles hiking.

Me and my brother and other exchange students playing basketball which quickly became a muscle contest.

Me, my sister, and my brother at the night market getting food and playing games.

Me praying inside the buddhist temple. 

你好 ,

Its been 2 weeks since I arrived to Taiwan, and before going to Taiwan I been to Asia only twice, Singapore in 2019 and Japan this year. Since arriving I quickly realize Taiwan is unique, its a blend of East and South East Asian culture. With a rich Chinese history extending from the Ming dynasty.

I couldn’t wait until I got to Taiwan, so excited in fact I didn’t sleep or eat almost the entire flight. This sleep strike that I went on quickly backfired because I arrived at 6am and I had the whole day ahead of me. After passing through customs and getting my bags from the carousel I was quickly greeted by my father, sister, and brother- who was also in RYE and was going to Spain the week after. My family quickly fed me, and we headed to 苗栗 to drop off my sister for RYLA camp. Then we stop by IKEA where me and my brother laid on all the beds and couches for our comfort. During the first few days me and my brother were very confused with each other. On one hand I speak very poor basic Chinese to him and he reciprocated with his English. There was a lot of eye brow raises and me saying 我不明白 (I don’t understand) plenty of times but as the week closed me and my brother began to get really closed and our language skills kept improving.

Before arriving to Taiwan I had misconceptions that Taiwanese people are typically shy and are not loud. I was very wrong, its kind of like the US except everyone speaks Chinese. I think I talk to more strangers this past week in Taiwan then I have in the past year in the US. That being said Americans are very popular in Taiwan, everyone wants to talk to you! Now in the US I would describe myself as an introvert but in Taiwan I started opening up my wings due to the numerous interactions I go through every day.

I think one thing I really enjoy here is talking to older people. The last few days I been with my grandparents due to my brother leaving for his own exchange and my family is busy with their jobs or school. So I spend a lot of time with my grandparents and we just go out on quests. Its funny because my parents let me know right before I go asleep my grandparents are coming pick me up in the morning and I have no clue what we’re going do until we land at our destination. The other day I went to my grandpa’s farm where he took me farming. It was a lot of fun and he showed me the house he was born in. My grandparents are Hakka, if you don’t know the Hakka people please look it up they have a rich history and have some of the best food. He showed me his parent’s beds which is just a wooden board with a blanket on top. I don’t think it’s very comfortable personally, but I know this is normal for the elderly in Taiwan. Then he shows me all his farming tools from the early 20th century. When you go into the house you will bump your head many times because all the entrances were built for short people! Me and my grandpa then ate breakfast and drank some tea discussing his role as mayor of this tiny town and his parents living during the Japanese occupation. I really appreciate him and his kindness because in the US I never has a grandpa to talk to, so I found this very heartwarming. Another one of our adventures was going to this special old market called, 大溪老街 a street loaded with vendors selling all types of delicious food. Ranging from fried octopus’ balls to stinky tofu. Speaking of Stinky tofu, I tried both version and I absolutely hate the fried style but the soup is very good.

I think my first week in Taiwan was very unique compared to the past exchange students. Due to the fact that I believed I got cursed! So, it all began on Sunday where I went to a Chinese church. I understood 0% but I was definitely enjoying singing in Chinese. Actually, going to Chinese Catholic church was very nostalgic to me because when I was younger I would go to Catholic church, but also in language I didn’t understand (Spanish). I find many weird connections like this all the time here in Taiwan. Another one is the name of my city, “ 桃園 ” literally means “Peach garden” and I grew up in Georgia, the peach state. Anyways the day after, me and my brother walked by a Buddhist temple and I said I wanted go in then I later followed the prayers from one of the Monks. Now I’m not a very superstitious person but I believe I made one of the gods very angry maybe because I went and prayed to two religions. I guess it’s like having two girl friends at the same time. The very next day I broke a personal promise with myself I had since I was 13, playing basketball in the RAIN. I knew this was like playing with fire but part of our training in rotary was to say yes to every experience so I decided go with my Taiwanese friends to go play basketball and behold I slipped on a puddle and all my body weight landed on my wrist and my right hip. I went to a doctor a week later and thankfully my bones weren’t broken just a minor muscle pull and it should be healed by next week. Now when this happens. I didn’t think much of it. However, the next day we went to the night market, a MUST DO in Taiwan, I was waiting for my friends to finish ordering their food when all of suddenly BAMMM. One of the serving carts hit the back of my head and butt. Thankfully my body was SO STONG enough to repel it for a split second then it started pushing me forward. My friends quickly helped get the cart off my back. Apparently later we found out the wheels unlocked itself and decided to go on joy ride and crash into me. Thankfully, I believe Rotary prepared me very well for obstacles on my exchange. The resilience training really helped me get through things like this and keep an open mind, that everything will be alright.

Tomorrow, I start school and I’m very excited. I’m very grateful to all Rotarians who made this happen, Rotex for their support, my Mom and rest of my family for always believing in me, and my friends. I’m sure the next journal will be filled with more adventures!

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