“Ready for takeoff – ready for new acquaintances, new experiences and r six great weeks in Taiwan”
My trip already started with a little shock to me: After getting back to
Ho Chi Minh City (from Phu Quoc Island) the bag I left there was gone... – and
guess what was inside: my host families’ present, of course. Anyway I got on
the plane and arrived safely at Kaohsiung airport. With a very queasy feeling I
passed the gate.
But when I saw my name written on a colourful sign it took a
load off my mind. And after a couple of minutes chatting with my host family on
our way back home I already felt soothed and relaxed and knew that I would really
enjoy my time here in Taiwan.
To not be thrown in at the deep end, “Fu An Elementary schools’” English
teacher, Cathy, came for dinner and
explained what we’re about to do within the first week, what special days are
ahead and pleased me not to worry too much about anything but to enjoy my
experience.
First Day of school:
After some curious looks and shy “hellos” my welcoming introduction by
principal Wu, Ting- Yu clarified why there is a white girl strolling around the
playground: The following hours I was surrounded by so many new faces: I felt
like a little star, gathering all the attention.
I was immediately asked to join the game “Hide and seek”, to race for
sixty metres and to even give signs!
The students were very keen on getting to know me that’s why I prepared
a presentation in which I introduced my family and friends, hobbies and life
back in Germany. We clarified the meaning of the famous “sugar bag” each first
grader gets on their first week of primary school and figured out that Germans
don’t throw their birthday cake in the swimming pool when it’s their
anniversary...
In the evenings teacher
Cathy came for a chat or my family and I visited their friends to whom I was
introduced later. I also made friends with our neighbours and went for some
hikes in the national park nearby in the evenings. Moreover I got to know Eva
(a Taiwanese girl who spent two years at an American High School and is back in
Taiwan for spring break) an we discovered a lot of similarities. One afternoon,
Eva’s family, she and I went to Kaohsiung city to visit “Cijin Island (Qijin)”.
We saw the sun set at the black sand beach and visited Kaohsiung Lighthouse and
“Qihou Fort” from where we had a stunning view to Kaohsiung’s harbour and its
skyline. Later on we went to the old railway station and Banana harbour. We
finished the day with some Taiwanese ice (crushed ice with green tea and
beans), fish candy and a dinner at a Taiwanese restaurant.
In the following days there were some reading and writing competitions
at our school which I checked and also some preparations for the up-coming
“Pre-children” day at school. Almost every student got a present (142 presents
in total!) and the event was accompanied by different highlights like the Yo-yo
class and choir.
Because I am really keen on sports I was invited to several activities
like Basketball and Soccer games and even asked whether I would like to try the
Junior High Schools weightlifting class- which I had to attempt to! It’s like a
personal training to me I never had and I will definitely continue working on
my posture and flexibility, haha
On Easter Sunday I went to church in the morning and was invited to join
the teachers for lunch – which was amazing (I got to try a variety of Taiwanese
food (especially the different styles of chicken))! Moreover, a teacher invited
me to have a look on his Jujube farm and with a full stomach I went back home
(just to change my clothes to go for a hike in the national park with John and
our neighbours while our ladies went out for a movie).
Exhausted I am writing this report right now but can hardly wait for the
new week to start.
Lia Wiedenbein (19,
volunteer: 25.05.2018-06.05.2018)