All You Want TAIWAN Tour 2025 Course B)
From a father who participated with his family on their first trip to Taiwan
This Taiwan trip was the first overseas journey for our entire family. Since none of us spoke Chinese, we felt as much anxiety as excitement before departure. Our younger daughter, a fourth grader, was especially worried, asking, “Will we really be okay?” But those concerns vanished immediately upon arrival. The teachers provided constant warm support, allowing us to relax and enjoy ourselves. Taking that step forward despite our worries turned this trip into one filled with learning and growth.
In Taiwan, we first had the chance to experience Taiwanese music and art. The music we heard in the theater was powerful, resonating not just in our ears but in our hearts. Also, when we wore traditional costumes for photos, it felt like we became part of Taiwan’s history and culture, bringing smiles to the whole family. The experience of eating authentic dim sum is also unforgettable. The aroma and taste were completely different from anything I’d known before, making me truly feel, “I’ve come to Taiwan.”
Staying at Jiaoxi Hot Springs instead of Taipei was another unique benefit of this educational trip. At the night market, we challenged ourselves to place our orders in unfamiliar Chinese. Though nervous, wondering “Will they understand?”, the shopkeepers responded with smiles, giving us a great sense of accomplishment. Experiencing the tension and joy of actually using the language, something you don’t get from sightseeing, was a huge learning experience.
During the mountain hike, we counted our steps in Chinese as we climbed. When we reached the summit, our accompanying teacher introduced us to local hikers in Chinese. Thanks to that, unexpected conversations started, and we felt the warmth of the locals firsthand. If we had come just as a family, I’m sure we wouldn’t have had that kind of interaction. Furthermore, knowing we could always consult our teachers when in trouble gave us peace of mind, allowing us to take on this first overseas trip without anxiety. We were also deeply grateful that our teachers actively spoke to us in Chinese and made efforts to help us use the language even a little, which greatly boosted our motivation to learn.
After descending the mountain, we visited a cold spring—a place only locals seem to go to—making it a special experience unavailable through regular tourism. Being taken to a place we would never have found on our own is a tremendous asset. Furthermore, they guided us to Jiufen at our request, where we were captivated by its fantastical streetscape. Incorporating our wishes like this was another reason this trip became a “special memory.”
I’ll also never forget interacting with the many volunteer teachers. When choosing souvenirs at shops or 24-hour supermarkets, they’d tell me, “This one’s recommended,” sharing insights only locals possess. Thanks to this thoughtful support, I gained learning experiences and joys impossible on a typical sightseeing trip.
Participating as a family offered significant advantages. We could review the Chinese we learned together at the hotel each night and challenge ourselves again the next day, sharing the learning experience as a whole family. Even after the trip, we could reminisce about moments like, “Remember when we said this?” making the learning feel less temporary and more like a part of our daily lives. For the children, the tangible experience of “being able to use what we learned right away” fostered a desire to learn more Chinese.
Over these five days, we experienced Taiwanese culture and the warmth of its people while discovering the joy of learning Chinese through actual use. Packed with activities from morning to night, it deepened our desire to learn more about Taiwan and visit again. Precisely because it was such a fulfilling experience, we strongly hope there will be a “Second Taiwan Experience Tour” – we absolutely want to participate! It truly became an unforgettable educational journey.
