Living in the dorm was a whole new experience. Back home, I was used to space, routine, and familiar faces. Here, I had new neighbors, new sounds, new rules, and a tiny room that somehow became my safe little corner. Evening classes were another shock. In Eswatini, I was used to day classes, sunshine, the noise from chirping birds, and the energy of campus during the day. But here, I found myself walking to class at 6:30 PM like a character in a university drama series 😂. It felt strange at first, but slowly, I started to enjoy the calm of nighttime learning.
And then came Mandarin class. Listen… I clung onto “Ni Hao” and “Xie Xie” like my life depended on them 😭😂. If I could squeeze those two phrases into a conversation, I did. I just wanted to stay relevant, okay? Hahaha.
The best part was having free afternoons. I used that time to explore campus, wander through different libraries (yes, plural, NCCU has libraries for days), and learn more about Taiwanese culture. Some days I sat outside with a snack and watched students rushing around, speaking Mandarin at lightning speed, and I would think, “Wow… I wish I understood what they are saying.” Other days, I used my afternoons to tour the island. I visited nearby towns, explored new places, and slowly discovered the beauty of Taiwan beyond the campus gates.
I met new classmates, new professors, and slowly, new friendships began forming. Every conversation, every lecture, and every walk across campus made Taiwan feel a little more like home.
This was the period my student life truly began, not just academically but emotionally too.
Stay tuned for more diary sessions of an African girl living in Taiwan 🇸🇿➡️🇹🇼.
