2012
University Exchange to Taiwan
September 13, 2012
Me at the front entrance to the NKUHT campus
Leah Olesen
University of Waikato
January 11, 2013
Table of Contents
Ni Hao Wai Shi Oh Li Ya (Hello my name is Oh Li Ya) ...................................................... 2
The First Two Weeks ............................................................................................................. 3
Memories to Last a Lifetime .................................................................................................. 6
Kenting ............................................................................................................................... 6
Puli and Sun Moon Lake .................................................................................................... 7
7th LRT Trip ........................................................................................................................ 8
Tips and Tricks ................................................................................................................... 9
Bye-Bye (Zia Jen) ................................................................................................................ 12
1
Ni Hao Wai Shi Oh Li Ya (Hello my name is Oh Li Ya)
If someone had told me at the beginning of the year that I would travel over 9,000 km to the
other side of the world and experience life in a whole new culture, I wouldn’t have believed
them. However, here I am having experienced in just 15 weeks, what I never thought I would
have in my life.
Taiwan. A place that my friends and family constantly confused with Thailand before my
departure. A place that, in all honestly, had not been on my must visit list; but a place that has
won me over. In the 15 weeks I spent in Kaohsiung, studying at the National Kaohsiung
University of Hospitality and Tourism (NKUHT), I experienced life from a whole new
perspective, visited some of the Taiwan’s most beautiful locations and met the most amazing
people who are what made the exchange the unforgettable experience that it was.
2
The First Two Weeks
I guess that if I had done more homework on Taiwan and what to expect upon arrival my first
two weeks would not have been the mess that they were. However, I am glad that we
experienced what we did so that no one ever has to go through the same thing.
After nearly 14 hours of travel I found myself at the National Kaohsiung University of
Hospitality and Tourism's (NKUHT) back gate, being ushered into the dorm building and
being shown to our room. The days that have followed, the experiences I have had and the
things I have seen are hard to summarise or to even put into words. Here are some of the
lowlights and highlights of my first two weeks.
As much as I wish the lowlights had not taken place, I can see that they have allowed me to
see the highlights for what they truly are, have made me grateful that I can learn from them
and thankful that future people who go on this exchange can reap some benefits. Being the
guinea pigs in any process is a nerve racking thing and of course comes with some expected
bumps in the road. But being the guinea pigs on an exchange to a country where you don't
speak the language, have been told one thing back home and the administration at the other
end was told another thing, and trying to function on four hours sleep in roughly two days,
and get your head around just what's going on, makes for a very upsetting and confusing
experience. Luckily the issues we had over enrolment, paper selection, and uniforms were
sorted quickly within a few days so we were able to breathe a small sigh of relief.
The heat. The heat. The heat. Nothing prepares you for it; it hits you, whenever you go
outside, and even when you’re inside too. Temperatures ranged from 30 to 36 degrees Celsius
in those first two weeks. Only in air conditioning could you experience the delight of 26
degrees Celsius. I must say I never thought I would say that 26 degrees Celsius was lovely
and cold. But there you have it; there is a first time for everything.
The biggest lowlight of the first two weeks for me was being left behind in Tainan on a
school field trip. Although we had planned on staying with a friend in Tainan that night, it is
impossible to describe the feelings that I went through when we got told that the bus,
everyone else and some of our things were already heading back to NKUHT, without a word
from the teachers or other students. Not Emma, nor me, nor our friend Daisy were called in
an attempt to find out where we were, that we had everything we needed and that we were
still planning on staying with Daisy. It was devastating to think that we could mean so little
3
or were not even worth a phone call to double check that everything was still going according
to plan. And we were so lucky that none of the possible ‘what ifs’ happened.
The highlights when they happen are somewhat unexpected but amazing just the same, and
they are why I went on this exchange in the first place. For me our first trip out without
anyone from school, on the buses and the subway (MRT) was a major highlight. Although we
didn't go anywhere major, the confidence we gained in realising that yes we could just hop on
the bus and go sight see was a great boost to our self-esteem after the first few days.
Emma Wu, a previous exchange student to Waikato, took us to Central Park, the Sandu
Shopping District, and our first night market. It was an amazing day that reinforced why we
had come to Taiwan. The people everywhere, driving like crazy on their scooters or walking
among the stalls and shops of the night market, the sounds of the stores music or sellers with
microphones trying to get shoppers to buy, the buildings all lit up at night and our first look at
the Tuntex Sky Tower, will stay with me for a long time to come.
September 16, 2012. Emma Langman and Leah Olesen at the Shin Ku Chan Night Market
Our first meal with chopsticks, having never previously learnt how to use them, was
definitely a highlight. I think I must have laughed and had the locals laughing (at my
frustration at dropping the food just before I got it in my mouth, or my delight at being able to
get even the smallest of mouthfuls successfully from the bowl to my mouth) more than the
amount of food I actually ate.
4
September 27, 2012. Mastering the art of chop sticks at Dream Mall, Kaohsiung
That is the thing about this country. The people are amazing. They are friendly, helpful,
welcoming, and so happy to talk to you, that you just cannot help but feel like this is the best
place to be. There is no judgement from them, yes we did get stared at, a lot, but it was more
from curiosity than animosity. You just couldn’t help but feeling somewhat like a celebrity
when you first arrive, with everyone saying hello and wanting to know your name, or invite
you out to dinner, picnics, or to stay in their home so you can visit their home town. There are
not many other places out there where the people make you feel so... good.
The culture shock and the differences between Taiwan and New Zealand were immense and
sometimes extremely eye opening. But slowly and surely we adjusted and began to see just
what Taiwan and its people had to offer.
5
Memories to Last a Lifetime
It’s amazing how much we managed to pack into our 15 weeks: so many activities and
highlights that will stay with me forever. But for me, there were three trips that were the most
amazing experiences. These were the department trip to Kenting, our trip to Puli and Sun
Moon Lake, and the 7th Leisure and Recreation Tourism Management (LRT) class trip to
Alishan Mountain.
Kenting
On the weekend of October 12, 13, and 14, we travelled the roughly three hours south by tour
bus to Kenting for the welcome to the LRT department trip for the freshmen class members.
Just a heads up if you are a fan of Karaoke, you will enjoy the bus trips. If you are not a fan
of Karaoke then take some head phones. What followed was a busy weekend running around
in groups competing in games designed to extract the greatest amount of humiliation
possible, in one of the most beautiful settings Taiwan has to offer. The beach, the mountain,
the sunshine, the students, all made for a great weekend.
My group: Group 2 (Er Shou) after completing a singing game - we came second overall in
the competition.
6
Emma and myself holding the Leisure and Recreation Tourism Management Department flag
on the beach in Kenting.
Puli and Sun Moon Lake
If you get the chance to visit Puli or Sun Moon Lake, do take it. It is such a beautiful area - the theme
park is so much fun and their cultural performances are awesome. A classmate took us to stay with
her family in her hometown of Puli which is about a 30-40 minute drive from the theme park which
has the gondola that takes you to Sun Moon Lake. It was definitely one of the best weekends of my
exchange.
Freya, Emma and myself at Sun Moon Lake.
7
7th LRT Trip
December 13 and 14 2012: 7th LRT Class from on our class trip to Alishan Mountain and
surrounding area.
In our second to last week we travelled with the rest of our class to Alishan Mountain and the
surrounding areas to see a fellow classmates’ hometown and see one of Taiwan’s must see
locations. I can understand why it is one of the top places to visit. It was stunning. And it was
so much fun hanging with the rest of the class mates. It was definitely a trip to remember.
8
Tips and Tricks
Here are some handy tips for getting around and living in Taiwan;

7Elleven, or “7” as it is locally known, and Family Mart are great places to pick up
bottled water for cheap as well as toiletries and any snacks you want. Also good place
to get microwave meals, although if you go during lunchtime on campus (12.10 –
1.20pm) you will have less selection and a much longer wait.

The basement store on campus, located below the boys’ dorm, sells uniforms, the
university pins, some stationary items, and some grocery items such as laundry
powder, toiletries, snacks and drinks. The printing shop is also there and printing is $1
TWD a page (single side A4) for any assignments etc.

For getting around Kaohsiung, to the High Speed Rail (HSR) station and to the local
trains you can’t beat the MRT (Kaohsiung’s subway). It’s cheap and easy to navigate,
the signs are in English (as are the announcements) so it’s very easy to get around. A
typical MRT fair would be roughly $20-$30 TWD. To buy a single fare they have
ticket machines, which is a large touch screen so you just touch the button of which
station you want to travel to, input how many tickets you want, it then gives you the
total and then you simply insert the amount required. The machine should give you
change and the ticket comes out as a blue circle chip (see picture). To get through the
barriers you touch the blue ticket to the sensor pad and then on your way out at the
destination you insert the ticket into the slot.
Single trip ticket from Kaohsiung MRT

To get to the MRT station and around the Xiaogang district (where NKHUT is) Red 1
is your friend. It stops at the back gate to the campus (gate closest to the dorm
buildings) and takes you through the main centre of the district, past some good
9
places to eat and a supermarket. And announcements for the stops are in English also.
It is one price for any single trip (no matter how many stops) - $10 TWD for students.

Also, if you can get the MRT card for students. It’s roughly $200 TWD to buy and
that includes $100 TWD credit for your use. The cards can be used on any bus and the
MRT network within Kaohsiung City. It’s very handy so you don’t have to carry a
bunch of coins around with you. It also discounts the bus fare if you travel by bus and
then by MRT or vice versa. To top up the card you just go to any MRT station and
they have the machines usually next to the standard ticket machines and follow the
instructions, there is an English option there as well. And to use, you simply touch or
swipe it by the sensor pads on the bus or barriers at the MRT station.
Student MRT Card

The HSR system is super easy to use. You take the MRT to the HSR station where
they have ticket machines. All you have to do is follow the instructions and they have
an English option as well. So it is very easy and convenient to use for longer trips.
Beware - it is a lot more expensive than the MRT or local trains. To get from
Kaohsiung City to Taipei costs from $1,445 TWD. The website for Taiwan’s HSR is
www.thsrc.com.tw and there is an English version so you can check the cost and
timetable online.

Staying on campus. It is extremely different than what it is like in New Zealand. The
rooms are made up of four bunks above a desk, and one bathroom. There are no
cooking facilities in the dorm so you have to find alternative places to eat. On each
floor there is a water filter machine that has cold and boiling water available on tap,
which will definitely become your best friend if you arrive in Taiwan’s summer.
There are also laundry facilities on each floor; a load in the washing machine costs
$10 TWD and a load in the drier costs $20 TWD (you have to buy your own laundry
powder). A random note: if you have clothing you do not want to put in the drier,
10
simply hang it in your room from the bunks and leave the fans on overnight, it will be
dry by the morning.

Every Tuesday there are room inspections which involve one of the heads of the dorm
coming in and checking the cleanliness of the room. All you need to do is make sure
if you have any food in the room it is away in a cupboard, that the floor is swept and
mopped, that the toilet and bathroom is clean, that the beds are tidy and that there isn’t
too much dust on the desks or shelves.

There is also a curfew in the dorms - at the time we were there it was 11pm. You have
to be in the dorm and in your room by then and there is a nightly roll call. If you are
going to be late back then make sure you tell someone at the dorm so they let you in
when you return (yes, they lock the doors so your key cards don’t work after 11pm).
You are allowed to stay off campus on any night however, for Sunday night through
Thursday night you must inform the dorm that you will not be there. For Friday and
Saturday night you do not have to do this.

The school address for anyone to send mail to you:
National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism
No. 1 Songhe Road
Xiaogang District
Kaohsiung City 812
TAIWAN
11
Bye-Bye (Zia Jen)
In spite of some major upsets throughout the trip, overall the exchange was a once in a
lifetime trip and one that I am glad I got the opportunity to participate in. The people I met
became in a way my Taiwan family, looking out for us, showing us around and introducing
us to aspects of Taiwan life. They were so welcoming, friendly and helpful. They are what
made this exchange so amazing.
For anyone thinking of participating in the same or a similar exchange, I have three words of
advice for you: just say yes! The experiences you will have and the people you meet will far
out-weigh any fear or uncertainties you have about leaving New Zealand.
December 22, 2012. Emma Wu, Leah Olesen, Daisy Chen and Emma Langman at the
international departures gate Kaohsiung Airport, Taiwan.
12