Studying abroad is no simple task, especially when crossing from one side of the world to another. Cultural differences abound, the language is foreign and strange, and all familiar faces are a world away. Add to that the academic pressure from attending one of the top universities in one of the top test-scoring countries in the world, and the difficulty level is insane. Even in all this turmoil, you still want to meet people, make new friends, and get to know the culture. This can often be an extraordinary challenge in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people; being accepted into a group can be really hard, especially if you are constantly viewed as an outsider.
I am David, an international student who has studied Mechanical Engineering at NTU for the past five years, four years of undergraduate study and one year of graduate. Although I am as white as any other Westerner, I was born and raised in this country and have lived here my entire life. Although all my prior schooling was done in an international school, my mastery of the Chinese language is near-native. Although my classmates were all foreigners like myself, my best friends were always those that I made outside of school. This article is about a foreigner’s experience, but it is also written for other foreigners. From the perspective of someone who is simultaneously both an outsider and an insider, here are a few tips from my experience that will help any international student get on the inside with the Taiwanese.

█ Drawing lots for seats with my mates from school.

Forward and Proactive
The first time I talked to Mike Tsao, my first impression was not great. He didn’t talk much, appeared distant, and was difficult to hold a conversation with. But, we were often in the same class together and happened to like the same corner of the classroom, and so I often initiated conversation with him, or invited him to have lunch with me after class. Fast-forward a few months and he is the funniest guy I know. During recess or while eating lunch he constantly cracks jokes and pokes fun at us. Many people who are now some of my best friends took a lot of work to get to know and get close to. This is particularly true of the Engineering type students here at NTUME. Before they get to know you better, Taiwanese people can be extremely passive and shy, especially when faced with a stranger from overseas. This inactiveness does not mean they are antagonistic or disinterested, and does not indicate a lack of personality. At heart the Taiwanese people are warm and outgoing. Sometimes you just need to break through the ice a bit more.

Cliques
Often I am asked, “hey David, why do you prefer to sit here with us instead of over there with the other international students?” I typically make some excuse about preferring Chinese-speaking friends or something of the sort, but in fact the reason I seem separate from other international students is that more often than not, they tend to keep together very tightly. Very often in class or around school you’ll see groups of international students walking together or having lunch, or sitting only with each other in class. There is nothing wrong with being close with others of your country or language. It feels safe and comforting to know someone like you is here too. But step out of your comfort zone. To be honest most Taiwanese would love to get to know you, but a tight group of foreigners keeping to themselves appears very aloof and unapproachable.

Pick up some Taiwanese
It gets them every time. Whenever I meet someone new, the first time they hear me drop some Taiwanese slang or mix Taiwanese in with my Chinese, the reaction is always the same: eyes bulge, jaws drop to the floor, and a wide grin accompanied with an expression of pleasant surprise. Learning Mandarin Chinese is definitely a necessity if you expect to get along with the locals, and will make everyday life a hundred times easier. However, it is not particularly special to see a foreigner speaking decent Chinese, as more and more people are learning the language. To really stand out and give everyone around you a big surprise, try to pick up a few phrases in Taiwanese. It is a really fun language and sounds hilarious when spoken properly, but is a deep and complex language, and people will really appreciate you going that extra mile to learn even just a little.

Experience Taiwan
Although I have lived here my entire life, I have stayed almost entirely in Taipei City. I haven’t been to the beautiful beaches in KenDing, I haven’t seen the lush mountains of HuaLien, and I haven’t tasted the many delicacies of TaiNan. Taiwan is a wonderful place. If it is your first time coming here, go exploring. Ask your classmates to take you to places. Invite them on trips. Eat some stinky tofu. Very soon you will see why I wouldn’t trade my residence here for any other country in the world.

█ The misty tea plantations of AliShan, summer 2016.

Taiwan is a beautiful country filled with friendly people. As an international student, if you are going to stay here any reasonable length of time, then you might as well make the best of it. Get to know the culture. Get to know the food. Above all, get to know the people. You won’t regret it.

The brief profile--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am David Daley, South African on paper but Taiwanese at heart. My parents have lived in Taiwan for 26 years, so I was born and raised here my whole life. Consequently, I am fluent in both English and Chinese, and know some basic Taiwanese. For the past five years I have studied Mechanical Engineering at NTU, four years of undergraduate study followed by one year of graduate, and am heading into my second year of masters. My hobbies include various musical instruments, drawing, and computer programming, and I love going out into the lush nature that Taiwan has to offer, whether it be seaside or mountainside.