An unforgettable summer in lovely Kaohsiung (:

HELLO!! I am Carissa and I’m from Singapore! (: This summer, I spent a really meaningful and enriching 6 weeks at Ling Ya Junior High School in Kaohsiung. The following picture is a group shot of me, my fellow AIESECer Shalyn, the school principal and the teachers from my department.

Despite having been in Taiwan for vacation before prior to this AIESEC trip, this time, I had a whole new experience by soaking in the local culture and making many new Taiwanese friends. First up, of course, is my first host family

- they were ever so warm and friendly towards me, often bringing me out to sightsee and shop, and always ensuring I felt right at home in a foreign environment. Meals with them were never dull as we would chat about Singapore and Taiwanese ways of life, and even help them to improve their English by conversing in English. It certainly helped that I knew Mandarin! (:

School was also equally fun as I could look forward to attending the students’ classes everyday. It was indeed reminiscent of my secondary school days, and I soon grew accustomed to the fact that all their lessons were conducted in Mandarin.

Some of their lessons were particularly exciting, such as Health Education, Scouts and Home Economics. I got to try my hand at tying bandages in Health Education class, and was so touched in Home Economics class when the students specially prepared sandwiches for me! Taiwanese are truly hospitable people J

I also had a great time preparing lesson plans to introduce my culture to the students.

My favourite activity was doing henna (an Indian tradition) for them and letting them play with it themselves!

I even learnt how to draw the flower motif (left in picture below) for students!

The following picture shows one of my collaboration with a teacher to come up with an interactive lesson about Singapore’s ethnic races. It was an eye-opening experience to be teaching such bright students and having the chance to conduct fun yet educational games for them.

Outside of school, I was fortunate enough to be treated to the wonderful sights and sounds of Taiwan, including the annual Dragonboating Competition where I cheered Ling Ya Junior High School’s sports students on (and who eventually won champions)!!

Some teachers also brought us around; they were certainly awesome local guides to have!

Another highlight of my 6 weeks must have been the school’s Graduation Ceremony. It was a very touching yet happy occasion for all the Year Three students whom I had gotten to know, some even by name, as they got ready for the next chapter of their lives.

Last but not least, my second host family welcomed us with open arms for the last week of our stay. Having meals with the whole family at home gave me such a homely feeling that it became increasingly harder to say goodbye to everyone.

Nevertheless, as the Chinese idiom goes, “天下无不散之宴席 (All good things must come to an end)”. These past 6 weeks have been a blast for me, and all the memories I have made in Taiwan will surely be etched in my mind forever. :’)