Leland Blanchard
Provider: Project GO
Kaohsiung, Taiwan
2024 Summer
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the university administering my study abroad program, managed to find a hotel that was equally convenient to our host university, National Kaohsiung Normal University, and Kaohsiung’s MRT/subway system. In total, the walking commute is about half a mile – which can take up to 30 minutes due to the number of crosswalks and curving paths.
Leland and one of his tutors, Selena. His program requires daily 30-minute tutoring sessions with graduate students from National Kaohsiung Normal University’s Center for Teaching Chinese as a Second Language. During these sessions, they only communicate in Mandarin Chinese.
The streets of Kaohsiung are always packed. On the roads themselves, scooters are the main vehicular method of transportation — but walking is also common. Oftentimes, schoolchildren fill the sidewalks during their breaks. For the most part, elderly people are the most visible throughout the workday. On my way to class, I pass by 7/11s, four parks, two schools, and at least two dozen dogs. My tutor tells me the Taiwanese are cat people, but they sure seem to have a strong affection for dogs.
Kaohsiung can be smelly. Most cities don’t smell great, but Kaohsiung also suffers from terrible air pollution – in 2019 it was ranked as the “second most polluted city in Taiwan,” according to IQAir. The scent of Kaohsiung reminds of sulfur.
A picture from dinner at one of Kaohsiung’s many 夜市, night markets, in which Leland and his classmates (left to right: Leland, Chris (Leland’s roommate), Jared, Hannah, and Monty) were able to try many of Taiwan’s signature foods: 臭豆腐 (stinky tofu), 芒果冰 (mango ice), and 小笼包 (soup dumplings). Leland was not a fan of the stinky tofu.
The first regret I had was not packing a bag. By this, I don’t mean a backpack or a suitcase (those I did pack), but, rather, a going out bag – something capable of holding a passport, portable charger, and water bottle. Going out in Kaohsiung often entails dinner, multiple MRT rides, 10,000+ steps, and a U-Bike (Taiwan’s public bike rental system) back to the hotel. Therefore, a convenient way of storing the essentials for a long night out is necessary. I was able to pick up such a bag at Adidas, when our program took us to Taipei for the weekend.
芒果冰, mango ice, is a Taiwanese specialty food. Mango is topped with sweetened condensed milk and tapioca, served over shaved ice. 乐宁 (Leland’s Chinese name) 爱芒果冰！
Perhaps the second-best thing I’ve bought has been my “chag,” a portmanteau of chair and bag. I picked mine up at a Taiwanese military surplus store, about a 30-minute walk from my hotel. The store itself reminded me of an American military surplus/resale store, such as Ranger Joe’s in Columbus, GA, except this one was family run, open air, and had far more than just military surplus for sale. Taiwan has an abundance of everything stores – in which just about anything you can think of is for sale, such as chargers, snacks, clothes, and pet supplies.
The “chag.” At the military surplus store, Leland was also able to get workout shorts (that didn’t fit), a Taiwanese special forces coin, and a Diet Coke!
Overall, Taiwan has been an absolute blast so far. I’m looking forward to exploring more “off the beaten path” places, hopefully with some of my classmates.