Adventures of a Language Partner
For those who are unfamiliar with the American Councils TISLP program, during our time in Taiwan each student gets assigned a language partner - a student who volunteers to spend time enduring through our broken Chinese. While each student is required to meet with their corresponding language partner for at least two hours per week, what one does with his or her language partner can be anything. Some students like to go to various cafes or restaurants and chat, while others prefer to do an activity together to initiate conversation. Either way, it is a great way to enforce active learning and quick reaction skills in the target language.
Before I get into specific galavants, I wanted to give a special shout out to my language partner. I have particularly enjoyed my meetings with my language partner. Not only do we manage to have a good conversation (despite the slight language barrier), but the memories made are truly unforgettable. As it happened, the language partner of a closer friend in the program is pretty good friends with my language partner. With that being said, group activities have been especially fun as we all carry a similar energy and have similar interests.
One evening, a couple language partners took us to the Costco in Taipei. Yes, I was also quite surprised - a Costco! It was so interesting to see the differences in the products being sold. Seeing the same brand of cashews my family normally buys in between the seaweed corn puffs and dried squid jerky was certainly surreal yet brought a comforting sense of familiarity. We even saw large stuffed animals promoting Zootopia 2, which was really fun. Regarding conversation, it bounced between the differences between the Costco in Taipei to the Costcos in the US, to specific food vocabulary, to just simply getting to know each other.
[Image 1 : Fun in Costco ]
Our language partners have even taken us to the university food hall. At least in my university back home, the layout is similar to a food court, but all food is supplied by the same organization and prepared in house. However, the Tamkang food hall reminds me more of a food court found in an American mall. It seemed like local restaurants partnered with the university to provide students with a variety of cuisines. Thankfully, our language partners were there to explain which was which cuisine and help us order correctly.
One of my favorite days with my language partner was when we went to the city center to hike. I have always enjoyed the outdoors, and coincidentally my language partner also does. We went as a group with another student and her language partner. The sharp incline led to such an incredible view. We took our time on the trail taking in the sights and really getting to know one another. I felt as if the relationship was moving from language partner and assigned student to friends, which was a really neat feeling. After the hike, our language partners took us to a local night market. If you aren’t aware, Taiwan is famous for its open air night markets. It is very common to eat out in Taiwan, so the night markets serve as a hub for where to get fast, convenient meals. Some even have stores where you can get clothes and other souvenirs. It was such a cool experience to go to a more local night market, because as our language partners pointed out, we were the only foreigners on the street! I felt like I was getting a glance at everyday culture in Taiwan - an opportunity I probably never would have gotten without my language partner. After that, we enjoyed the Taiwanese classic dessert of shaved ice. It is the most refreshing after a day out in the hot, humid weather. Overall, the language partners have made my first part of the program truly unforgettable. I am so glad to have them, and I look forward to more amazing memories together.
