在台灣留學 Studying in Taiwan (ROC)

大家好！(Dàjiā hǎo!)Hello Everyone! 

Upon Elephant Mountain and gazing at Tapei 101 at sundown :)

Almost three months has past since I left Hawaii. So far, it has been an interesting adventure! What I remember from my first week in Taiwan was nothing I really prepared for. After all, the summer was a bliss and my Chinese was not polished enough for what was in stored for me. Upon arrival to Taoyuan airport (that's the often main international airport to get to Taiwan), I was able to use my Chinese the first time while ordering breakfast at the airport. It was horrible. However, over time my Chinese had progressed to at least to an extent where am I able to speak and listen to it a whole lot more. 

I currently dorm at the Shui Yuan dorms (C; mixed gender with certain floors for boys  and others for girls) a little outside National Taiwan University. It's a decent place that's clean and has internet (though the wifi is quite bad :( ).  I also got a roommate from Hong Kong! He's a nice guy and I am glad they roomed us together because it's great to be with another Cantonese speaker (hearing and speaking it, reminds me of my parents). 

The best thing about the dorm however is its diversity. Every where I go, there are local Taiwanese students, mainland Chinese students, Germans, French, Dutch, Spanish, Japanese, Koreans, and other nationalities. An interesting fact: NTU has about 432  international exchanges students from 28 different countries, and representing 149 universities. If you don't believe me check out their site: http://www.oia.ntu.edu.tw/students/incoming.students.list/year/104

Speaking of other nationalities, I forgot to mention that many of my classmates and fellow dormmates can speak Mandarin really well!!! It's not rare to see westerners speak Chinese to each other or see Koreans and Japanese speak Chinese like they have been speaking it like forever. I guess I should not be surprise, NTU is after all, the so called "Harvard of Taiwan." It makes sense that it will draw top students from around the world to study here. 

As for my travels in Taiwan, so far I have been in the North and exploring Taipei to the fullest. I have been  to neighboring towns like Kee Lung, Jiu Fen, Shi Fen, Mao Kong, and Wu Lai. I hope I can explore the Southern cities more later, and even see the north and east coast beaches of Taiwan (can they compete with Hawaii?).  I still have plenty more to see. 

At the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial. Here is a memorial dedicated to the former leader of the Republic of China between 1928 and 1975 

At the Presidential Building 

Taiwan is quite the modern city. There are subways (MRT), High Speed Rail, Taxi, and Buses 

At the Martyrs' Shrine 

A Taiwanese Loco Moco?

My ride in Taiwan!!! I got him for only $400 NTD (about $12.50 USD)

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In front of National Palace Museum (the "Louvre of Taiwan"

At KeeLung

Just Chilling in a Hot Spring (41 degrees Celsius) no big deal....

In Jiu Fen, the almost Japanese-like old mining town that was said to inspire settings in the movie, "Spirited Away." 

Jiu Fen

Some Taiwanese Shave Ice :P

Got here just in time for the boat ride

An aborigine village in Wu Lai (after Taiwan's recent Typhoon) 

Some Coffee while you wait? 

At Shi Fen. A waterfall fit for Nymphs and Mermaids! 

Flying my first sky lantern with my Taiwanese friend

If you want to fly lanterns, Pingxi and Shifen are the places to go! Hop on board! 

Safety first! 

At the Taipei Zoo. I saw Pandas! (I do mean actually ones!!) 

That's all for now. Stay tuned for more!! 

Mint tea and a nice piece rghaif :D

Salam, Everyone:D
It's Carina again, and I am now on week six of my semester here in Morocco and so i believe with that said  i am local enough to tell you all about Morocco now :D Ha ha okay maybe not but i will provide you with some awesome information!!! First things first....Mint tea....its delicious and everywhere!!! second thing rghaif.....Kuli, Kuli, Kuli....eat, eat , and eat...its truly "benin"... as the Moroccans say"tasty"
Words to keep in mind: benin- tasty, and Kuli- eat...see your already learning Darija its the Moroccan dialect. Your almost ready for Morocco just a few more things to keep in mind.

   

  Person : Sweet, savory,... and wait is that powdered sugar on top...Eww...What is  that anyway?

Carina: The best thing you've had I swear....I and the rest of my friends day dream about this stuff!!! 

Person : Wait something is totally wrong here...How can something good be sweet, and savory you gotta tell me more!

Carina: Yupp....Its called Pastilla and it is truly amazing!!! 

person 1: I'm ready...I'm ready ...sign me up already!

Carina: Wowaha...this is just some of the foods....you haven't even heard about the rest that Morocco has to offer.

 Adventures:  Casa Blanca, Fez, Chefchaouen, Al Houceima, and etc. ...you have to go visit why not:D.... theirs a cheap train ticket.... fresh air in your lungs, and...your young...so go...explore, and sing.. sing? yes sing....why not...if your  really bad you can always blame it on your friends anyway lol ;D

Okay, now your almost ready to study in Morocco:D The last piece of advice i would like to give you...is to not eat the shwarma on the street...really? yes really or you will be in the bathroom for along time. Okay... now on a serious note... really?  Okay not really...have fun, make Moroccan friends, go to the souk, barter with the locals...do everything ha ha...really take every opportunity that comes your way:D "What you put into your trip is what you really will get out of it"...so remember your Passport...and WELCOME to MOROCCO!!! 

P.S. If you want any more advice from a local;D feel free to NOT contact me lol...okay  just kidding yes please....if you really are interested in Morocco even if its just a small inkling...email me, I can try and answer all your questions for you.

Sincerely,

 Carina (clara1@my.hpu.edu)