My Fulbright Year in Taiwan

We’re enjoying a slight break in the heat, with temperatures “only” in the upper 80s instead of the mid-90s that we endured in August. I still break into a sweat walking to work, but the idea of hot coffee didn’t seem ridiculous to me this morning. Unfortunately, with the lower temperatures comes the reminder that winter in Taiwan is rainy and dank. We have some rain this morning. I got caught in a downpour when I snuck out for a cup of coffee this morning. Luckily I had my umbrella.

Evan is doing much better at school. His classmates have worked up the nerve to talk to him. What I really like about Taiwan is that the people are genuinely friendly and not mean at all. Even when kids are “naughty,” they’re really just being rambunctious, not mean-spirited. I was never concerned that Evan would be ostracized or picked on. That just doesn’t happen here. In addition, Americans are held in such high regard here, that I knew it was only a matter of time before the kids in Evan’s class would start to talk with him.

Yesterday Evan came home and reported that several kids talked with him, and two kids bought him a cold drink at the school’s store. Today he brought money to school so that he could buy drinks for them in return. This looks like the beginning of friendship.

Evan was so apprehensive about starting school. Hearing that he is starting to interact with his classmates and make friends gives us a huge feeling of relief.