UF (the first 3 days)

It's been only three days since my life in UF as a Gator, but the experience is exceptional.

First of all, people here look more mature than Asians their same age. The way they dress is very different. People here tend to resort to the casual looks. Yet sometimes I feel that any type of attire is acceptable here because I see people wander around nearly topless and no one seems to find it unfit or improper. To be honest, you will not find someone dressed up like that in Taiwan. I guess this is one of my culture shocks.

Another difference is the way professors teach. Some professors are extremely straight forward (attitude-wise), they can be really blunt (in Asian standards or in my standards actually) but they are still professional. Other professors speak extremely fast because they have so much to offer to us. Every professor has his/her personality, but what amazes me is how up to date everything here is. Course material here is parallel to world events. When I take classes here, I learn more than just Marketing and Teams, I learn about the world, about people. It is so amazing how much I get out of class here.

What's more, I really enjoy taking classes with Americans and other foreigners. People here have different trend of thoughts than Taiwanese students. From the discussions in class I have come to notice that for American students, classes are a form of intellectual conversation, whereas for an Asian student, classes are reservoirs that students/sponges come to for water.

I'm really grateful for the opportunity to come here because never in my life can I meet so many people from so many different countries. Being able to live in Weaver Hall and take class in the Warrington College of Business really allows me to be in touch with different cultures. Today, I was able to listen to 7 or 8 Europeans speak about their countries' positions about the European Union. That is something you won't get in Taiwan.

Besides these Europeans, I also met a couple of Chinese students who I am getting along with very well. It turns out that I do have preconceived notions about Chinese people that are not true. I nearly made the mistake of judging them based on my limited understanding of their culture. It turns out that they are unique, each of them is unique. Of course, some Chinese people do fit with my preconceived notions, but not all Chinese people are as such. These Chinese friends of mine, Mindy and Leo, are really friendly. They won't impose their polical ideologies on you. In fact they respect you (to a certain degree) for who you are.

I thank God for all these wonderful, mind opening moments. Ever since before my departure from Taiwan, God has been guiding me and protecting my every footstep. When we got here, God prepared a place for me to rest and a place for me to be close to Him. He understands my personality of not wanting to bother other people or ask other people for help, so He brought help to me. He gave me the warmest church with the warmest and friendliest brothers and sisters. They care about my life here more than I do about my life here.