A Learning Journey from Michael’s Story: Connecting Through Mandarin, Culture, and Family
A Learning Journey from Minnesota to Taiwan
In 2025 Fall, I received the Huayu Enrichment Scholarship to study Mandarin in Taiwan. I applied through the education department of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago, applied to the Tunghai University Mandarin Language Center, and completed my visa process through Chicago TECO.
Once I arrived in Taiwan, I needed to open a local bank account to receive the scholarship. Because my wife is Taiwanese, I was able to open one easily, while some of my classmates opened accounts through the post office. Finding a place to stay was also manageable. I was able to stay with family, while other classmates found apartments through websites, through the school, or stayed in dormitories. I also used an affordable eSIM for my phone, which made communication easy.
Discovering Taiwan Beyond the Classroom
In addition to taking three hours of classes every morning, I participated in cultural field trips to a farm, a temple, and a museum. One of the most memorable experiences was hugging a water buffalo at a farm, which was both surprising and fun. There were also optional cultural classes where we learned about traditional Chinese opera and attended a performance of 京劇《夢紅樓》 at the National Taichung Theater.
Learning Mandarin in an Immersive Environment
The class environment in Taiwan was more rigorous, and being a full-time Mandarin student helped me learn quickly. There were also more opportunities to practice Mandarin outside of class. Over one semester, I made a lot of progress in reading, writing, speaking, and listening, and I was able to hold reasonable conversations with my wife’s family. Having a foundation in Mandarin from TCML–Twin Cities Chinese Language School before going to Taiwan was very helpful. Both Tunghai and TCML–Twin Cities Chinese Language School have similar class sizes and cover many of the same characters, grammar patterns, and cultural topics. TCML–Twin Cities Chinese Language School teachers also incorporate games and interactive activities, which makes learning fun.
Traveling and Experiencing Taiwan
Most people in Taiwan were friendly and welcoming. I never felt unsafe, even at night, which made exploring the island enjoyable. Public transportation was convenient and safe, and several classmates traveled across Taiwan each weekend without a car. I also enjoyed spending time with family and traveling with my wife. On our last full day, we visited Liberty Square, Taipei, a meaningful conclusion to the semester.
Continuing the Mandarin Journey
I’m grateful for the opportunity to study in Taiwan, but I’m also grateful to return to TCML–MN. My favorite part of TCML–Twin Cities Chinese Language School is how kind and fun all my classmates are, and the teachers find many creative ways to study and practice Mandarin. TCML–Twin Cities Chinese Language Schoolalso hosts many fun cultural events throughout the year. Minnesota is my home, and TCML-MN is the best place for me to continue studying traditional Mandarin and learning more about Taiwanese culture. I plan to continue my Mandarin journey at TCML–Twin Cities Chinese Language School and prepare for the Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language (TOCFL), aiming to speak more fluently with my wife’s family and connect more deeply through language and culture.
Michael’s learning journey shared with us that language learning is not only about communication, but also about building relationships and deeper cultural understanding between people. At TCML–Twin Cities Chinese Language School, we also hope to promote opportunities such as the Huayu Enrichment Scholarship, encouraging more students to study Mandarin in Taiwan and experience its language and culture firsthand.
If you would like to learn more about the courses offered by TCML–Twin Cities Chinese Language School, please visit the school website: https://tcml-mn.org/
Or join the TCML center closest to your city now: https://www.tcml-mandarin.org/find-a-center
