Upper School Students Discover Culture, Language, and Adventure in Taiwan

Teachers Cory Moy, Joy Lai, La Sripanawongsa and Errol Flynn accompanied Upper School students to Taiwan over spring break, where they traveled to Taipei and Yilan. Highlights included bathing in hot springs, shrimp fishing, taking art and cooking classes, going shopping, and trying authentic, local cuisine everywhere they went, including at Raohe and Shilin night markets. Students took in beautiful views on hikes to Yangmingshan National Park and Shifen Waterfall, and learned about Taiwan's vibrant cultural life by visiting museums such as the National Center for Traditional Arts, the National Palace Museum and Lanyang Museum. 

Junior Ryan Musial was especially moved by the visit to Taipei 101, one of the tallest buildings in the world. “The elevator ride to the top was insanely fast, and when I stepped onto the observation deck, it felt surreal. Everything seemed so small from up there, but at the same time, the city looked so big and alive. I could see the mountains in the distance and how the city blended skyscrapers with temples. It was one of those moments where you just stop and take it all in.”

For junior Natalia Modzelewski, the trip was a powerful opportunity to put her language skills into practice. “I was able to practice my Chinese with native speakers, while also learning about and experiencing their culture. I ordered shop items and bubble tea in full Chinese for the first time. At Longshan Temple, I was fascinated by the Gods that locals prayed to for different purposes such as for compassion, matchmaking, or health. I was also amazed by the accessibility of prayer regardless of religious affiliation. Lastly, I loved the night markets, which portrayed Taiwan's diverse culture through food, street clothing, games, prizes, and more."

For many students, this was their first time traveling abroad, and it made a lasting impression. “This trip really opened my eyes to how big and diverse the world is. Just walking through JFK Airport was eye-opening,” said Musial. “Seeing people headed to places like Seoul, São Paulo, and Tokyo reminded me the world is huge, and these aren't just names on a map or places you hear about in class. People live there, travel there, and have stories. Being in Taiwan made that idea even more real. Everything from the food to the way people interacted, to the temples and city streets, reminded me that the world is full of different ways of life. It made me curious and excited to see more of it." 

The students’ openness and curiosity struck Chinese teacher Cory Moy. "I was impressed and deeply moved by how much zeal my students had for harnessing their language skills and learning from their surroundings," he said. "Arriving in Taipei, seeing Chinese characters in every direction was quite the shock, and their questions were ever-flowing. There was a lot of bravery around trying new foods, new cultural norms, and exploring a new world. There were countless instances where my students were putting in incredible effort to make the most of this life-changing opportunity, and I could not have been happier. They should be very proud of themselves."