My second week in Taiwan and I really thought I had the hang of it. I mean, I had already battled stinky tofu, taken the wrong bus, and sweated like a broken tap in front of Taipei 101. So surely… SURELY… things would get easier, right?… 😭, the joke was on me. Taiwan was still ready to show me flames. The culture shocks started hitting hard and I kept asking myself, “What is happening, and when will I get it right?” Fall semester had started, I couldn’t be a confused girl forever. I needed to focus on my books, do assignments, and still find my way around campus and the country.

I thought I’d be used to the humidity by now, but no. I’d step out for five minutes and come back drenched like I’d run a 21km marathon. Meanwhile, Taiwanese people walked around looking fresh, unbothered, and moisturized. How? Teach me your ways, please.

Then came the rules: keep right on pavements, escalators, everywhere. I wasn’t used to that at all. Before I learned that, I kept bumping into people and wondering why they couldn’t see me… meanwhile, I was the one on the wrong side 😭😂.

Then came the recycling system. Listen… I thought I knew how to recycle until Taiwan handed me seven different bins and a truck that plays music like an ice-cream van. The first time I heard the recycling truck song, I genuinely thought someone was selling snacks😭😂.

Back in class, my Taiwanese classmates would ask, “Dibo, have you eaten?” or “Have you had dinner?” For a whole month! As a plus‑size girl, I thought maybe I looked hungry or they think I am always hungry 😅 until someone explained it’s a Taiwanese way of showing love, and just wanted to recommend food to try out. After learning that, I appreciated every food recommendation they gave me.

But through all these shocks, I found myself smiling more than stressing. Slowly, the chaos turned into curiosity… and curiosity into comfort.

This was the week I realized: I wasn’t just surviving Taiwan; I was starting to live in it.

Stay tuned for more diary sessions of an African girl living in Taiwan 🇸🇿➡️🇹🇼……..