志工感言 (Reflection) >> Los Angeles
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Pan, William (潘永為)
When I signed up for this program, I was a bit indifferent about it. From past experience, I’ve learned not to raise my expectations too high, as it usually results in disappointment.

Perusing the website didn’t help much. The English on the site was impeccable—as was, of course, the Chinese. But that didn’t help much: the overwhelmingly orange interface annoyed me, and the site navigation was a labyrinth. The photos, taken out of context, were quite strange: a generic group picture of Taiwanese teenagers standing in a field; blurry depictions of orange-garbed students in what seemed like a giant classroom; a random posed picture around a smiling cow-lantern; a large ball-point cursive rendition of the name “Irene”. It was really quite confusing.

So I arrived at Chientan not knowing what to expect. At our first gathering, I was simply overwhelmed by the sheer amount of English-speaking Taiwanese teenagers, each with their idiosyncratic accents that distinguished if they were from California or the South or Canada.


During the week that followed, I met many new people—specifically the seven other volunteers assigned to the same school I was and the instructor from the school, who had come north to Chientan for this express purpose. So that was definitely a good experience: being surrounded by English speakers from around the world with the same heritage, the same background.

However, the lectures were definitely not the most entertaining things. Training week, as they called it, comprised of several lectures taught by English teachers from around the nation, and some were more informative and interesting than others. A white Canadian immigrant teaching English in Taiwan gave a very entertaining lesson on teaching techniques, but there were definitely a few lectures that were less informative and less interesting. A lecturer on classroom management apparently wasn’t able to control the rowdier teenagers among our group, which was disappointing.

Don’t get me wrong: the week, however boring and monotonous, was extremely informative. If we hadn’t undergone such extensive training, we would indubitably have failed when we arrived at our respective schools. But being confined to the same activity centre for a straight five days—other than a brief trip to the Shilin night market (which is amazing, by the way)—definitely becomes tedious.


The school: It was spectacular. I really can’t describe it very well without understating things. Our teaching group got really close, obviously, as we stayed up until 11 every night to plan the next days’ lessons. Which reminds me: teaching is a lot more work than you would think. We definitely under-planned the first day: there were not nearly enough activities planned, as the kids get bored extremely quickly. So, especially the first few days, we had to work a lot just to fill the days up with the necessary amount of curricula and activities.

You also get really close to the students, of course. They definitely were a lot of fun, and acted exactly as you would expect grade school students to act. Not much to say, really. The final parting was extremely heart-wrenching.

Also, the administrators and teachers at our school were extremely nice as well. We slept at the school, so everything was nicely prepared for us when we arrived, and of course they chose the classrooms with air conditioning for us to sleep in. They'd also bring us drinks every afternoon after school, so we had more than enough pearl milk tea during the two weeks.


Then, finally, the tour week. The great thing about Taiwan is that it's so small that you can tour almost the entire nation in one week, which is what we did. Although I'd been to Taiwan several times, the tour really exposed me to the rich culture in different areas of the island, as I mostly stayed in Taipei during past visits and was not privileged to explore other areas. The country has a very rich culture in all areas of the island, and it was great to tour and learn.
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Tsao, Po Chun (曹柏鈞)
AIDS Summer was an unforgettable and amazing experience that was beyond my expectations. When I first got to Chientan I was a little nervous because I was in an unfamiliar place with so many different people from all over the world. The first day was a little overwhelming seeing everyone from all areas and backgrounds but at the same time it was exciting to be able to meet all these people. As the next couple of days passed by, I got to know more and more people and participate in cheesy but fun activities and lessons. As orientation week finally came to an end my group members and I were sad that we had to leave the people we met at Chientan but at the same time excited to finally be teaching after 5 days of long lectures and activities. I was a little worried at first on whether or not I would be able to communicate with my students and the host families there seeing as my chinese was not good. However, as we began to talk and get to know our host families and students I found that communicating with them was not a problem. Though there were cultural and language differences the students and the people there were not much different from us. We all had different music tastes, interests in celebrities and food tastes but we found common ground in the classrooms and homes in Pingtung. Even though my mandarin wasn't that good the students and host families used a combination of chinese and english to try and communicate with us. Teaching was both fun and tiring waking up at 7:30am and ending class at 5pm in the afternoon. The lessons plans that we made at chientan we had to constantly revise as most of the games and topics planned were rearranged and changed to fit the schedule better. Unfortunately, the typhoon hit Taiwan and reached Pingtung on the first weekend so we couldn't really go out and tour but the school still took us to Pingtung's biggest mall (it had a theme park right next to it!!!!). Touring week was fun but extremely exhausting, my group members and I spent most of our free time just settling at a restaurant and almost always getting sweet tofu or shaved ice. Most of the attractions and tourist areas we went to were really interesting as we got to learn more about Taiwanese culture. Overall, I think this experience was extremely rewarding and memorable as I got to meet people of different backgrounds and experienced so much of Taiwanese culture thanks to my students, host family and fellow AIDers.
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Cho, Sean (曹秀彥)
To finally come to the realization that the country and culture that I had called as my own was a great and pleasant shock. For the longest time I had believed that the entirety of Taiwan consisted of places like Taipei, new and wonderfully modern. However, my experience this summer with the 2013 AID Summer Program has taught to me how little I knew about the country I learned to cherish. From the imposing temples and bustling night markets to the faces of students eager to learn of places far beyond the the horizon, the experience of Taiwan has changed how I treat others and how I see the world.

Prior to arriving at Chientan Youth Activity Center I had no idea what would happen in the next 4 weeks, like the energetic and enthusiastic counselors, fascinating volunteer teachers and stellar students. Moreover, I did not think I would learn so much from the experience this summer. Perhaps it was the 2 weeks of teaching that taught me how to be patient, or the people that I will not soon forget. The people that I met during this trip have become people that I consistently talk to, and it makes me so happy to know that there are other people in this world that have a similar commitment to constantly expanding their horizons and that have a passion for reaching out to the world beyond our own lives.

I have learned how much Taiwan means to my cultural heritage, as well as how many friends and irreplaceable memories that I have made at this trip. I sincerely thank the 2013 AID Summer Program for giving such a wonderful opportunity to reach out to the world and expand my horizons.
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Lin, Bryan (林彥庭)
I am so glad to not only have the opportunity to travel to Peng Hu, but also have the opportunity to teach kids English. This will definitely be an unforgettable experience because of all the good times I've had with the kids. I love how they are so full of energy and are mostly enthusiastic about learning English. Having fun with them while knowing that they are learning is the most rewarding feeling in the world. After seeing the results of my post-test and seeing that many kids have done better than they have on the pre-test, I felt proud of myself, but more impotantly, proud of the kids. I sincerely hope that they will find the English we taught them to be useful later and I hope that I will have a chance to visit Wen Ao elementary school in the near future. I also cannot forget the hard work of the teachers and counselors who have made this opportunity possible.
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Lin, Michael (林關洲)
During the past four weeks of AID Summer 2013, I not only had the opportunity to experience the wonderful island of Taiwan for the first time, but I also was able to widen my scope of academic and life skills. The first week at Chien-tan, despite having some resemblance to high school, was still a refreshing experience, for the fresh scenery, people, and even weather all had a rejuvenating effect me. Although I slept late and got up early, I still had energy throughout the day. Spending the day with my group mates, my teacher, and my counselor helped create an impervious bond between each of us. I remember the night when our group won the night market trip and when I saw the dazzling lights of the open shops for the first time of my life.

After reluctantly saying goodbye to the friends I met during the training week and arriving at our school in Chia-yi, I was able to experience a new part of Taiwan: the countryside. In contrast with the vivaciousness and spirit of Taipei, I found Chia-yi to be calming and tranquil. Although during the night before the first day of teaching I had a mild case of butterflies in my stomach, when the next day came and when I found myself standing in front of a classroom, the anxiety suddenly left me and was replaced by excitement when I met my winsome, little children who mostly were equally as excited to learn English. Two weeks of teaching passed slowly as almost ever night my group members and I stayed up late modifying teaching plans. At the end of the third week as I reluctantly leave the people I befriended at Chia-yi, I thought that despite the exhausting efforts spent during my teaching, the past two weeks were worth it because of all the amazing people I met and my new experience of being a teacher.

Saying goodbye to my teacher was hard, but the thought of tour week reminded me the joys of meeting new people and exploring a foreign country. Despite the initial awkward tension between strangers, most of the people on our tour bus became comfortable around each other. Throughout the week from the Formosa amusement park to the Taiwan Presidential building, those riding in Bus D became closer and were able to create memories that we will carry with us during our daily lives. AID Summer 2013 was truly one of the most memorable, one of the most impacting, one of the happiest experiences of my life.

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Liao, Joanna (廖佳柔)
Throughout this month of being in AID, so much has happened. The good, the bad, all of these events have molded themselves into one memory - a beautiful memory. From meeting my group members on the first week, to leaving ChienTan for Pingtung, to meeting the students on the first day, and then crying and saying goodbyes on the last day, everything seems to have all gone by in a blur. But as fast as the month went by, the bonds that were made between my teaching group and my students have become much stronger than I ever imagined it would be.
Instead of living at the school like many other AID groups, my group was split into pairs to live with host families. I ended up living with one of my students and TAs. And they just happened to own a pig farm in their backyard – to which the hundreds of pigs woke my teaching group buddy and I every morning at 5am. But that aside, my host family has really become my Taiwan family. They took us out almost every night to explore the village, eat the local foods, and shop around. The student and TA I was living with loved playing card games and chatting with us every night, they were like my little brother and sister. My host parents were somewhat strict, but their protectiveness made us love them so much more. They took us to the city when they could and spoiled us with all the foods we wanted to eat. I could not be more thankful for all they have done for us.
I taught in Li-Gang, Pingtung at Li-Gang Junior High School. Having chosen the oldest students, my teaching partner and I taught 9th graders. They were mature and studious, yet still silly and adorable at the same time. Our class has really become a team; a family - and I'm sure in the future I will be headed back to Li Gang, Pingtung to see them again. The kids are all so thoughtful, so smart, and so sweet. Even more, I didn't know what to think of my teaching partner at first, but he ended up being the best partner I could ever ask for. I cannot imagine teaching any other class or with any other partner. My students all had their own little quirks; they were all so lovable. Teaching them, talking to them, and playing games with them, each moment is bittersweet, and I hope that they will never forget us as we will never forget them. I can honestly say that the two weeks teaching in Pingtung were one of the most memorable and heartwarming moments of my life. Being with such sweet kids, teaching with a great partner, and exploring the village with the rest of the group was pure fun. It was simple. It was sweet. And it was those 2 weeks that really made my summer.
My students always complain that I didn't cry on the last day... even though I did cry on the bus ride leaving (they just didn't see). And to that, I remind them, "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." AIDSummer 2013. J.H.&D

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Li, Irene (李霭玲)
When I first stepped into LAX through the departure gate, what I felt at that moment was dread. I was leaving my family for a month, by myself, to a country I have no knowledge about. When I first landed I had no idea what to expect. What was Taiwan like exactly? Was it like California? Was I going to regret going there? The answer after a month is no. I do not regret going through with this program. I have had many firsts with this program, including seeing a spider as large as my palm, and all the experiences I have encountered will stay with me forever. When I first met my teaching group, I felt out of place and afraid of how I would spend a month with them, but now I feel so close with them and I was sad to leave. I am so glad we all live in California so that one day I can see them again. The training week was tough and cruel. We had to sit through hours of lectures and to be truthful it was quite hard to stay awake at some times. Although there were instances where groups got competitive and it was fun to compete with the other groups. When we were to leave for our school Song May Elementary the truth finally hit me, I was about to teach children. I had no clue what I was about to dive into. Who was I to teach children English, and how was I going to. My Chinese was not too well off and I had no teaching experiences besides tutoring middle school students. When I first saw the city where I was going to be teaching, my mouth dropped open. I have never been to a rural area where many people were farmers. I was definitely nervous. When we started teaching, it was the most tired I have been in a very long time. We would wake up at 7:30 AM and sleep around 3 AM. Most of our time comprised of compiling teaching materials and getting ready for the next day. The students we taught at first were very shy, but as the weeks went by they became more and more rowdy and outgoing. By the end of the two weeks I was afraid we could not control them. After two weeks I realized that I would probably never see these children again. I had hoped I made an impact on them and that I have changed their lives. Or at least I hope I would remain in their memories. After teaching we had tour week which was a constant get on and off the bus. Most of the time I slept on the bus, but the counselors did try to make things fun for us. The actual places we visited were not completely exciting although we did visit a theme park. Even though I was not blown away, it was still quite an experience. Past the 100 mosquito bites I got and the hot and humid weather, I will miss AID very much. Thank you for this great experience.


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Yang, Jocelyn (楊喬婷)
If you're anything like me, you're here to pad your college apps. Lucky for you, you're getting more than just that. You're getting more than the cliche'd "once in a lifetime experience" that everyone's been talking about. Then again, if you're anything like me, you're thinking that these reflections aren't that accurate for you to gauge whether you can grit your teeth through a month long camp just to scribble in an extra paragraph on your resume. Here's some good news for you: there won't be any teeth-gritting in this program (but that's excluding bug bites and extreme humidity).
The best way I can convince you that this program is worth your while is by walking you through my story. Here goes.
Not gonna lie to you; the first week wasn't the highlight of anything whatsoever. During the first few days, I met my roommates, groupmates, and your school's teacher (these people become your life in AND out of the program) and we were taught how to teach. We got guest speakers who talked us through the teaching process. By the end of the first week, they told us a lot of important pointers that actually proved useful when we taught at the schools, but still, who likes lectures? Good thing you have your new buds to complain together with.
Then the fun really kicks in. You're dispatched to your school and you're greeted like royalty. Obviously we didn't get five-star-hotel style rooms; we got the best air-conditioned room in the school, which was five-star style enough. All the preparation and lesson plans you made for the kids actually do come in handy. The students my teaching partner and I were assigned to were quick to attach to us. I think by the end of the first teaching week, they were dragging us down to the playground to play with them. Protip: grab a bottle of coffee at the nearest 7/11 and down it before each class every morning. The day you leave the kids is a day you lose a piece of your heart, basically.
If you weren't already immersed in the Taiwanese life by the end of the third week, brace yourself 'cause the fourth week is tour week and that's when the party really starts. Alright, I'm gonna let you in on a little secret: when you spend literally 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 4 weeks a month with your group, you're bound to bond together quickly or repel each together just as quickly. Protip #2: DON'T BE THAT GUY/GIRL. Don't be that guy/girl who doesn't clean up after himself/herself. Don't be the dirty roommate who doesn't wash his/her clothes well after those t-shirts have turned ripe enough to attract a colony of flies. And worst of all, don't be that teaching partner who makes the other teaching partner do all the work. It's gonna be hard on your groupmates to live with you, but it's gonna be harder for you to live with yourself after.
This program is a chance for all us introverts to step out and do something that means something more than just getting good grades and putting in worthless community hours. No hype here, so seat your booty down on a plane ASAP and pray for hygienic groupmates.

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Kuo, Kevin (郭凱文)
If you are wondering whether signing up for the AID summer program is a good choice or not, I'll just say that making the decision to join gave me one of the most memorable summer's of my life. The goal of the program is to teach English to disadvantaged children who otherwise wouldn't have the chance to learn it. You do that, but also so much more. Almost a sort of cultural exchange goes on as you learn more about Taiwan and it's people during the month long period you spend in the country. My experience as a teacher has also given me a new found respect for teachers in general because I realized how hard it is to teach effectively. While this is all going on, you also get to meet so many amazing people who share this unforgettable experience with you. You will form strong friendships with those you work and live together with, friendships that will not be forgotten. So what are you waiting for? Go apply. You won't regret it.
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Duan, Katherine (段敬芝)
Stepping off the plane at Taoyuan Airport on the first day of the program, I had no idea what to expect. I had been to Taiwan a grand total of nine times before, but this was the first time I had traveled here by myself. I had been persuaded/forced into doing the program by my parents, who insisted that I would otherwise be wasting my summer watching Netflix and eating the entire contents of the pantry. Reluctant to lose any precious time in this last summer before college, I resisted their goading and coercion as long as I could. I, of course, gave in at the last minute, and was shipped off to Taiwan on the eve of the check-in day.
Arriving in Chientan, I was apprehensive of everything—from the friendly counselors to the other volunteers standing in line with their baggage. However, upon walking into the hostel room for the first time, I realized that everyone else in the program was in the same boat as me—we were all strangers in a foreign country with the same mission. Before long, I was joking around with my roommates and teaching group as if we had known each other for years. The week at Chientan was a blur: nodding off in class (because of jet lag, I swear), lame but effective icebreaker games, ramen nights on our beds, and working with my teammates. The next thing I knew, I was standing in front of nineteen middle school kids with my teaching partner and hearing the school bells ring for class to start.
No amount of training could have prepared us for the two weeks; after all, experience is the best teacher. We basically spent the entire first week adapting to our new environment and scoping our students out. They were, like me, reluctant and somewhat unwilling to participate in this program initially, but in the end, they had decided that we were okay and that they would humor us. We played Mafia and watched SpongeBob and danced and sang the Banana Song together, and we were seeing the world through each others’ eyes. We had a gigantic water balloon fight on Barbecue Day, and we screamed like small children as the students pelted us with balloons and buckets and soaked our polo shirts and pants all the way through. Though teaching could be difficult on a daily basis, in retrospect, this program was the most rewarding thing I have ever done. Completing the two weeks and watching all the students clamber to the front desk saying, “Teacher! Facebook! Sign my shirt! Picture!” was simply indescribable—the feelings were too overwhelming.
Of course, what we did outside of the classroom is extremely important as well. Our school was in a rural area, but we were lucky enough to have a 7-11 around the corner. The host family was extremely kind and welcoming, and our teacher helped us out around the area as well. Our school group spent many nights trying new food stands and wandering around town, getting to know the scene. During tour week, we spent the long hours on the tour bus together playing Assassin and other group games. A small hint: don’t get caught in other people’s rooms after bed check, especially on the first night of tour (woops). The people I was with enhanced my experience extraordinarily, and we had so much fun eating, drinking “Sprite,” practicing dancing, touring, and simply being together.
If I were to impart any pieces of advice to any prospective volunteers, it would be that the AID program is not so much about teaching as it is about the exchange of culture and ideas—not just between the Taiwanese students and us volunteer teachers, but also within the volunteers ourselves. The most important things I took away from this program were the friendships I had forged with the other volunteers. By removing myself from my niche in the ever comfortable Southern California, I was exposed to different backgrounds, cultures, relationships—everything. I learned new slang words from all over the world—the scope of this program is truly amazing. I became friends with talented, cool people who I want to be friends with for a long time. After all, after living with someone for four weeks, how can you not be either mortal enemies or best friends? Looking back on everything, I am so incredibly glad that I stepped out of my comfort zone this summer. And also, every time I hear “Count on Me” by Bruno Mars, my soul withers a little.
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Jenn, Ivy (簡艾)
I am so grateful to have been a part of the 2013 AID summer team. I worked in Miao Li for 2 weeks. When I first met the kids I thought we were going to have difficulties communicating with the students, but the students were as eager to teach us Mandarin and Taiwanese as we were eager to teach them English. The students are mischievous but they are mostly enthusiastic. I learned to love my students ans my team. Thank you AID for this opportunity. You gave me a summer to remember.
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Chu, Gloria (朱瑞媛)
A week before June 30, I panicked. A sudden thought entered into my mind -- "What have I done?" I wasn't ready for a summer full of surprises and people I didn't even know. What scared me even more was the fact that this is the longest time I've been away from my family and the longest time I'll have spent out of my comfort zone. I wasn't sure how to proceed, but I did.

After that one month spent in Taiwan at AID Summer, I'm extremely grateful. First and foremost, I'm grateful that I've met such wonderful people who have opened my eyes to the world and showed me that there's so much more to the world that I have perceived in the past. I've met people from different continents and from lifestyles completely different from my own. I've experienced many "firsts" -- first time teaching students, first time living in a dorm, first time talking in Chinese more than English, and many other "first"s that I encountered while exploring and touring. I've learned to respect and appreciate diversity, and I've learned to manage my fear of public speaking. I've also learned to appreciate Taiwan even more (if that's possible) and to admire its omnipresent beauty. I have forged friendships with numerous volunteers like myself, as well as with the counselors, teachers, supervisors, and my students.

Overall, this program has given me priceless memories, everlasting friendships, and unforgettable moments. I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend my summer. If you're debating on whether you should apply or not, my advice: do it.
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Chen, Christine (陳宇恬)
During AidSummer 2013, I learned the meaning of responsibility and teamwork. The biggest struggle I had was determining how much effort I was willing to put into lesson plans and teaching. It was often tempting to just wing it, because then you didn’t have to spend all night writing lesson plans. However, I learned that it was worth it to plan ahead, even if it meant losing sleep. It was a very new experience for me, because for the first time, I felt like people were depending on me. If I didn’t do a good job as a teacher, the students would learn very little. If I put in a lot of effort, they could learn so much. Thus, I learned the meaning of responsibility. I also experienced what it meant to be on a team. While my teammates were from all over the USA, and had pretty different backgrounds, we were forced to get along and work together. In the beginning, there were tensions and misunderstandings, but we learned to talk to each other and work things out. It was amazing how close we felt by the end of the camp.
During AidSummer, I also learned a lot about Taiwan and culture in general. Being in an unfamiliar country is strange, at times uncomfortable, but altogether dazzling. It’s like being in another world, but at the same time, the people there are still people and it’s so cool getting to know them. Teaching and touring around Taiwan was an amazing experience in that we got to know the easy, friendly, food-loving Taiwanese culture. We got to have tea with the principal, learn how to play ukulele, and eat so much inexpensive delicious food! We also got to experience the hot, extremely tropical island of Taiwan. This island is so full of life, with many exotic animals and plants that I have never seen before. There were fireflies at the school that I taught in, and salamanders everywhere, and cockroaches, and beautiful birds, and huge ferns and crabs and pretty beaches! I definitely recommend this summer camp to everyone!

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You, Michelle (游雅婷)
Admittedly, I had reservations upon arriving at the Chientan Activity Center for the beginning of the AID program. The prospect of meeting an entirely new group of people and being in an unfamiliar environment was especially daunting. The first week was especially tough; strict curfew hours, early mornings, and long periods of time sitting in lectures halls was, at the time, frustrating. But, it was during that week that I was able to really interact with the people around me, forging friendships that will undoubtedly continue on beyond this one summer. Having the opportunity to teach was truly a unique and profound experience. The students I taught always seemed to have an unending stream of curiosity, and were never afraid to speak up in class. They were eager to learn, and their enthusiasm was infectious. I looked forward to everyday, to the laughter, questions, and memories. Though I was a teacher, I was also a student. They taught me about their culture, and they offered new perspectives for me to look at through their own way of thinking. The teachers went beyond their duties; they were always open to questions and made sure we enjoyed out stay at Taitung; interacting with them and the residents of the city on a daily basis was truly a pleasure. Though being out in the countryside made me feel like a fish out of water, I gradually became accustomed to living there, and came to enjoy the breathtaking views and local sites. Teaching was truly an unforgettable experience, and the bonds I formed with all those I met will be something that I will treasure forever.
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You, Melinda (游雅筑)
When I first arrived at Chientan Youth Center, I was admittedly nervous being in an unfamiliar environment. However, my worries soon dissipated upon meeting new friends, and forging bonds with those I met during the program. These friendships I made during the duration of the program are ones that will undoubtedly last beyond this one summer. I could not have asked for a better teaching group, and our time together made the experience even better. The opportunity to teach was the highlight of the program, and was truly a unique and enlightening experience. The students I taught were always eager to learn, and were not afraid to ask questions, often peppering me with requests to explain further. Each had their own personality, and I looked forward to the memories that were created every day. Though I arrived to teach, I also became a student. The kids taught me about their culture, their community, and most importantly, they helped me to grow as an individual. Being immersed in a culturally rich environment also taught me a little bit more about the world beyond the bubble I grew up in. My experience was not just limited to the classroom, but also extended into the community and surrounding areas. The residents of the town were all friendly and welcoming, and more than accommodating. Our teachers went beyond their duties, organizing activities for fun and always willing to offer advice or answer questions. I entered AID with hesitancy, but in the end, I was not ready for it to be over. Though the two weeks were, in hindsight, too short, I am very thankful for this experience and will always treasure the friendships I made this summer in 2013.
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Tsao, Austin (曹盛柏)
I never expected that this program would leave me unhappy.

I assumed that I would leave AID Summer full of happiness and new experiences after meeting a lot of new, friendly and smart people, teaching a class full of energetic kids and having fun on tour week.

Actually, I did experience all of the above.

The problem is that I met a lot of new, very friendly, very funny and incredibly smart people. I taught a class of 17 kids that was never silent - they were always so excited about what they were learning. Oh, and I also had fun on tour week. I really thought that I would have the most fun on tour week, and I did have a great time. However, the place where I had the most fun was at my elementary school - Sandi Elementary School in Pingtung. My teaching group was amazing; the soldiers at are school were our best friends. The school advisors always helped us out if we were experiencing problems in the classroom. The kids were... kids. They were sometimes too loud, too lazy, too annoying, too energetic, but they were the best group of students I could have dreamed of.

But why was I sad? Teaching sounds like a lot of fun, but it is actually really time-consuming and tiring. Some of us stayed up until 4 am drawing up teaching plans (though we procrastinated, of course). Sometimes the food was bad. Sometimes it was just too hot. Sometimes a typhoon decides to make landfall in Taiwan the day we were supposed to go to Kenting. It's all worth it, though, as the experience, relationships and knowledge you will gain on this trip will be unforgettable.

It's just that it's really hard sometimes to say goodbye to everyone.

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Lee, Cynthia (李潔如)
As I stepped through the doors of Chientan, I did so not knowing how much of an impact AID 2013 would have on me.
The people, the program, and the country made this summer unforgettable for me, and the fond memories of Taiwan I already had prior to AID were only bolstered by this incredible experience.
In all honesty, two weeks is not sufficient to teach any substantial English skills to a group of rowdy elementary schoolchildren, but I hope, and know in my heart, that my group and I at least instilled in the students of Hot Springs Elementary a new passion and enthusiasm for their education. Some kids were more difficult than others, but if the tears we all shed at the Closing Ceremony were any indication, those two weeks were a success.
Training week introduced to me a world of new people and friends from all over the globe and was incredibly fun. I met a new best friend and so many more friends of all ages! Words can't describe how happy I was when we all reunited in Kaohsiung for training week, which was, again, amazing. We got to see all the beauty of Formosa with all of our closest friends, and the memories we made there are priceless.
Through AID, I feel that I've become a better person and expanded my own horizons by opening myself up to these new experiences. The heat was smothering and the bugs terrifying, but it was definitely worth it. The kids, the counselors, and all the teachers made my time at this program unforgettable and I've never cried so much, and probably never will again, as I did during the last four days of the program, when I said goodbye to the members of my group, during the Goodbye Party, and on the last day, when it was all over.
Thank you Hot Springs Elementary School, Yvonne, Diego, Anderson, Curry/Pablo, Valerie, Kelvin, Hubert, all the other counselors, Group B3-3, Shannon, Juiliann, Tessa, Sharon, Kevin, Allen, and Joseph, I love y'all and will never forget any of you!
With that being said, I really, really miss all my fellow Aid-ers--students, teachers, and counselors alike. : (
Pink and purple shirts forever!
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Lai, Kevin (賴廷愷)
Over the 4 weeks of AID, I do not regret participating in it one bit. At first, when I came to Taiwan, I was very reluctant to attend. Becasue I recently graduated from high school, I thought to myself "Wow,one entire month away from my friends. Friends that I may not see again after this summer." The first week of training, however, started to change my mind. Even though I have to admit that sitting through class while locked up in Jiantan Overseas Activity Center was quite boring, and the counselors started off rather strict against us, I was still glad that I had made new friends from all over the country. As the week progressed I was glad to be spending time with new people, and I eventually changed from "reluctant to be a part of AID" to excited to go teach in Gao Shiung.
The second and third week of teaching went by too fast. Though teaching middle school kids required a lot work and planning, I still enjoyed teaching English and American culture to the more disadvantaged kids of rural Gao Shiung. Outside of the business and teaching inside the classroom, I enjoyed getting to know the young kids of Taiwan during breaks. I also enjoyed the opportunity to see Hakka culture in southern Taiwan as well as the city of Gao Shiung on the weekend.
As the 4th week stumbled upon us, I began to begin have a reluctant attitude again. When I stepped off the bus to meet with our tour group, I thought to myself "this next week is going to be rough with these counselors" because the last impression I had of counselors was at Jiantan, where I thought of them as strict people. This attitude was quickly turned around within the first hours of touring. The counselors turned out to be more conversational and showed us that they had a lighter side. Throughout tour week, I had the time of my life. Not only did I have the opportunity to tour the famous spots of Taiwan, but I also got to meet and befriend more people including other fellow teachers from all over the U.S. and Canada, as well as the counselors from various parts of Taiwan.
In conclusion, I do not regret a single moment of AID 2013. It is a once in a life time experience to meet so many great people as well as explore the culture of both the city and rural life of Taiwan while helping those in need of an English education. I would definitely reccomend this program to many others, for it turned me from upset to attend on the first day, to tearing up that I had to leave this program on the last day.
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Sun, Michelle (孫士璿)
AID Summer has definitely been a great experience. It gave me a chance to see all the different sides of Taiwan from the vibrant city life to the rural mountainous one. I didn't have any expectations coming to Taiwan but I did hope to not get eaten alive by mosquitoes. I was fortunate enough to be with a group of people who understood and got along with my personality and for that I thank them. We spent a lot of long nights and days working together and playing together and I got a chance to get close to a lot of my group members.
I feel extremely blessed to have been able to be a part of this program. The tour week was amazing even though it was also incredibly tiring. I made a lot of friends and although almost none of my group members live near me or remotely close, I know that this experience has created life long friends.

Bus4Ever. #wecantstop. I got a really big mosquito bite.
I love my girls <3.
Stay ratchet, love mommy.
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Chen, Lily (陳亭利)
When I applied to the 2013 AID Summer Program in mid-February, I was both excited and nervous. I couldn't wait to be notified of my admission status, but at the same time I thought about the possibility of being disappointed by a rejection letter. After a month of weekly visits to the AID Summer website for new updates, the time came for me to find out about my admission status. I was hesitant at first to click on the AID Admission tab, but I knew I had to find out sooner or later, so I braced myself for the possible bad news and clicked on the tab. The page immediately loaded and I started to read: “Dear Lily,” … I immediately stopped reading after I saw the next word. “Congratulations!” it stated. I screamed triumphantly at the top of my lungs, then spent the next few minutes taking deep breaths and calming down before continuing to read the rest of the letter. I wanted to click on the “Accept” button at the bottom of the page right away, but I knew I had to discuss it with my parents first. After much discussion, my parents decided to let me participate in the summer program.
Months and months passed before I started thinking about all the possible hardships I would have to face during the program: from living and working with my roommates to teaching English to children. However, these thoughts slowly began to fade during the first week at ChienTan and were completely gone by the end of the second week at Houbi Elementary School in Tainan where 7 other girls and I lived and taught.
It has been three weeks since the program ended and one thing I know for sure is that the four weeks that I spent in the 2013 AID Summer Program in Taiwan was unforgettable.
The first week was filled with classes and workshops that taught us about different topics on teaching, including English teaching and learning in Taiwan, English learning behaviors and characters of young learners in Taiwan, thematic camp planning, teaching activity design and example, camp and classroom management, use of teaching resources, and teaching activity presentation. Every day of the first week seemed monotonous because we had to wake up and get ready before 8 o’clock in the morning to avoid being late to breakfast, and sit through the rest of the day listening to lectures and working with our partners during the workshops, except for free time after lunch and dinner. However, little did I know that all the classes and workshops were going to be helpful during the next two weeks when we will be teaching.
When I stepped off the tour bus at Houbi Elementary School in Tainan, I was surprised by the beautiful school buildings and campus. We were warmly welcomed by the school principal and other staff members, who quickly showed us the way to our living quarters. When I stepped into the classroom in which we were to live for the next two weeks, I was again surprised by the spacious room, neatly placed mattresses, blankets, and pillows, and the presence of an air conditioner. Once we got settled, we focused on getting ready to meet and teach the children on the first day.
My teaching partner and I faced a lot of challenges during the first few days of teaching. The kids were unresponsive at first and we had to come up with games to keep them interested and to get them to participate. After a few days, we got to know the kids better. They became much more comfortable around us and began coming up to us during breaks and begging us to go to the playground with them. After the first week, they saw us not only as their teachers, but also as their friends, visiting us during after school hours and accompanying us to dinner and the nearest 7-Eleven at night. They seized every chance to hang out with us and were reluctant to leave when it got late. This strong bond between the teachers and students made it extremely difficult for all of us to say goodbye at the end of the two weeks. As if the closing ceremony did not provide enough time for the kids to say their farewells, some of them woke up early the next day to send us off on our tour bus to our first destination of tour week.
Tour week was fun and amazing, and even that would be an understatement. It opened my eyes to the culture and beauty of the country. From all the beautiful, historical places we visited, I learned the many different aspects of Taiwan that make it a unique country.
I feel lucky to have been chosen to participate in this summer program and I want to thank the Overseas Chinese Affairs Council, R.O.C. (Taiwan) and Ministry of Education for being behind the AID Summer Program.
It has been three weeks since the program ended and I still think about the memories I made during those incredible four weeks. I think about all the places I went during my time in Taiwan, and I wonder if I’m ever going to visit them again. I think about the huge impact I had on the kids in Houbi, and I wonder if they are doing alright. I think about the friends I made during the program, and I wonder if I’m ever going to see them again. Nothing I can say can ever fully express my experience in the 2013 AID Summer Program in Taiwan. But I can confidently say that my journey in Taiwan and the memories I made with the kids and my new friends all combine to make a summer that I will never forget. I will hold these memories close to my heart and cherish them forever.

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Chen, Sonya (陳小文)
This was a good experience, though much more tiring than I would have expected. I definitely should have spent more in making my teaching plans. I think that there isn't much we could have prepared before seeing our kids' English levels. There was a wide range in the school and even just per class. Our school didn't split the kids by level, which complicated things because then we had kids who can read simple phrases and kids who could barely read the alphabet together. The kids were all so obedient and cute though. I think all the teachers loved their kids, no matter what level they were. All in all, this is not an experience I would have missed for the world, though it might not be an experience I would like to have again. Too tiring if you want to do a good job.
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Zhi, Cassandra (支楠)
AID Summer has been such a rollercoaster, with its ups and downs. But overall, I have to say that it was a genuinely wonderful experience that taught me many lessons. I learned how to work with friends. I learned how to work with kids. But more than that, I gained a type of independence that will help me later in life with every step I take. The best weeks were spent at the individual elementary schools. The people, the students, the friendships were the best part.

Even today, my heart hurts when I see the old videos and pictures of all my Taiwan adventures. You have no idea how attached you get to the school, the students, the teachers, and most of all, your fellow teachers. I guess a tip I would like to give to future AIDers is that expect the unexpected. You may or may not have expectations of the trip before. However, it will not turn out as you imagined. There is so much more involved. Overall, I want to thank the coordinators of this program for planning out each and every step along the way.
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Tu, Sydney (涂心瑜)
To be honest, I don’t even know where to start. From meeting new people to making new friends, from learning to teaching, and from staying up late nights to prepare for class the next day to just staying up talking with roomies; it was all in all worth it. I still remember the first day being a part of AID – the warm welcome from the counselors, instant connection with my roomies, the conversations with my eating mates, and most definitely the ice breakers.
Fortunately for my group, the principal of my school has always been with us since day one; she took care of us like we were her children, was there for us like a friend, and disciplined the children that got out of hand. I can’t possibly leave out the vice principals, teachers, and our lovely security guard Max for giving us such great hospitality and making our time at Song May Elementary School the best time yet. The girls in my teaching group and I bonded like we were long lost sisters – we shared and did everything together, which also included our fear of bugs and mosquitoes.
Teaching was definitely a bitter sweet experience. I would be lying if I said that my students were perfect little angels; they were definitely a handful at times and at times made me want to give up, but in the end, even the most troublesome kids and I made a connection. Although the students that my teaching partner and I were given to teach weren’t the most motivated of the bunch, most of them still proved to us that our hours of preparing and teaching didn’t go to waste. I’m grateful for the chance that they gave me to become their teacher and friend. Most of them found me and still keep in contact with me on Facebook. I still hold my promise of visiting them one day, hopefully sometime next year. (:
As for the people that I met outside of my teaching group, I’m so glad I was able to meet you. Of all the things I received from the program, it’s the friendships I made that I cherish the most. All of you guys are such down-to-earth people, which made it so hard for me to say good bye to all of you. I definitely didn’t waste a month of my senior year summer vacation and still wish that they program lasted a bit longer. So although the program is over, the memories that I’ve created and pictures I’ve taken will stay with me forever. To anyone new to AID trying to read through the reflections for advice, I guess the best piece of advice I can give is for you to keep your mind open and don’t try to over plan anything; just go with the flow and you’ll be surprised at what you’ll receive. Oh, and never be afraid to try new things. (;

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Wei, Kevin (衛嘯天)
These two weeks were incredibly fun for teaching, and these four weeks were a very rewarding experience, getting to know more about my culture and Taiwan. I was very fortunate to have such a wonderful, enjoyable teaching experience the two weeks at Penghu, for I felt that I could transform many kids' lives. Even though those two weeks may not have been enough time to adequately learn much English, at least I hope I instilled in the kids the love and passion for learning, as well as served as a role model for living out life in general.
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Hsu, Leland (許立廉)
At An End's Journey

I was finishing up my last quarter in college for the year when I heard about the AID program from my parents. My parents insisted that I should apply since it would be beneficial for me to gain some new experiences. Since I serve as violin teacher to beginning students, I found it would be an interesting opportunity to teach the English language to children. Little did I know that I would obtain more than the joys of teaching.

On the first day, I checked myself in at Chientan Youth Activity Center. The check in process seemed quite busy. Counselors in pink colored shirts helping with registration while parents expressing their goodbyes .On the second day, I met my teaching group. All of us came from California. I found it surprising that one other member in my group was also attending her sophomore year at the same college as I was. I also had the pleasure of working with our school's principal. Our whole teaching group bonded and we learned how to coordinate with one another. Serving as the team leader, I put in my effort to make sure that we would have a successful teaching experience.

During training week, we learned several new methods to teach English. I found a lot of the material that the speakers taught were similar to the guidelines I followed for teaching my violin students. The speakers brought about new points that I had never used before. One of the speakers stated to "use the situation in the classroom to our own advantage". He was explaining when things get out of hand, it is important to keep the class environment stable by using the problem as a tool to continue the class activities. As well, we were asked to take part of simulations regarding the classroom environment and to come up with a solution. Training week ultimately prepared me with new material for the two weeks of teaching.

My two weeks at Song May Elementary School can be described as unsuspected. Our principal told about the school's situation and about the children who attended the school. Accounting for the information that the principal gave us, our teaching group took the weekend to make necessary adjustments before the first day. All of us were nervous for teaching to begin. Geared with our knowledge from training week, we hoped that the experience we gained would be useful.

The first day was unaccounted for. Children were screaming, hitting each other, and talking among themselves. When my teaching partner and I tried to get our student's attention, they would not cooperate at all. I was worried that there was no way our students could learn anything since they were not concentrating. But the situation got better. After some discussions with the class, the students were more attentive and ready to learn. The first week showed us that we needed to change even more if we wanted to be successful in the classroom. At the start of the second week, we implemented changes in our teaching styles . In result, I found the students were more focused and wanted to engage in the lesson. I enjoyed watching our students display their interest in learning the American culture. Whether it was singing along to Bruno Mars or making cupcakes, I could tell our students had fun. Two weeks soon passed by, and we said our farewell.

AID has given me the one lesson that I will cherish the most: supporting our younger generation. The program has allowed me to be more passionate about helping adolescents exceed with their education. There is always room and opportunity to grow. Aid given in the form of education is a powerful tool that benefits everyone. The reward in teaching and helping children improve is when they can feel confident, take on challenges, and be successful. I feel that the AID program has given me the ultimate experience in helping our younger generation today succeed. If I was given another chance to teach, I would be most graciously accept the role of educating our younger generation.

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Liu, Sophia (劉玉婷)
Looking back at my trip, I have no regrets at all about my entire experience with AID Summer. Like many others, I didn't know what to expect coming into the program. Navigating the website, I saw some photos here and there but overall, the next few weeks in Taiwan were a blank slate in my head. The first week at Chientan, it was a big change to get used to but I soon found myself in a comfortable routine. Despite having a schedule that was like school (complete with lectures), it hardly felt like school. It was a nice change to be such a huge crowd of unfamiliar faces, everyone equally wide-eyed, curious, and excited about what the next day would bring. Before I knew it, we had finished our training and were each being whisked off to our homes for the next two weeks. And home it was. Little did I know how attached I would become to a small town hidden in the mountains of Taichung. The first couple of days, I fell into a relaxed rhythm, convincing myself that there was no rush and that two weeks was a lengthy amount of time. Fast forward to the last half of my second week and I am suddenly very, very reluctant to leave my home at Dalin Elementary. Teaching the kids was a difficult task with so much to keep in mind: being flexible around our lesson plan, orienting the lessons to the students language comprehension, setting aside and managing our time, and possibly the most important, attempting to keep the students amused. But with every challenge came its rewards. I was rewarded with seeing shy and reticent students slowly being to open up to this stranger from worlds away, as well as seeing a spark of interest in learning in certain students. Being an AID volunteer had its ups and downs, but it certainly is a collection of memories that I won't soon forget. AID has offered me a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do something I never pictured myself doing–flying thousands of miles across the globe to teach English to a small but spirited class of thirteen elementary students.
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Wang, Kimberly (王君君)
AID Summer was honestly a really challenging, yet loveable experience. From the hyper kids to the constant moving of our luggage, I was extremely exhausted. And yet, the program has given me so much more than just friends, memories, and exhaustion. I've learned the difficulties of teaching and to appreciate the dedication that teachers have for their kids. I've learned the hardships of having to stay up late to plan things and to alter and be flexible when troubles arose. I've learned to be patient and to wait for things I want to do rather than to charge straight on for them.
Overall, AID Summer didn't alter my life, but it gave it a wake-up slap to be more open to the world and to enjoy different cultures and new people. The friends made here will always be my best friends, and I know that we won't ever lose touch. And even if there comes a day when my group mates and military friends that worked in Sandi Elementary stop talking to each other or move on with our lives, the footprints they have made upon my memories are, without a doubt, everlasting. AID Summer 2013, thank you for everything.
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Tsui, Emily (崔芸)
When I first got to Jientan, I had no idea what to expect. Then, I met my roommates and I knew it would be a great experience. My roommates were all nice and funny, and I loved hanging out with them; we clicked immediately. My group mates were no different, especially since half of them were already my roommates. That week of training was boring, to say the least. It was hour after hour of continual lectures, but I think going through that first week was worth it because of the amazing experience I had at my teaching school. Surprisingly, the lectures and activities we learned at Jientan actually did come in use when I was teaching. Sleeping at the school was a new experience all together. My group and I all became really close because we were together 24/7; it was like a giant sleepover. Before, during, and after classes we were always together. The boys would come to our huge room, which was actually an English classroom, and we would play card games, watch movies, eat, and do whatever else we wanted. It was almost as if we were a family. Of course we worked on our lesson plans as well. I would have never guessed how hard it is to be a teacher. We were sometimes up at 1am making worksheets, crossword puzzles, or whatever else we thought we’d need. It all became worth it when we walked into the classroom in the morning and all our kids would smile, saying, “good morning, teacher. Despite loving the school and my group mates, there was one downside: the bugs. One time, I woke up at 2 in the morning, screaming because there was a giant beetle in our room, and I could hear it scraping the door trying to get out. Not to mention, there were dozens of cockroaches in the laundry room, so I refused to go in that room for the rest of the two weeks. Other than the bugs, everything was so fun. Our teacher and school directors all treated us really well, as if we were part of the community. They bought us drinks and food and always made sure we didn’t lack anything. On the weekend, we took a charter bus and all the teachers and directors of the school as well as their children took us to a museum and then a water park. All the school staff and my group and I bonded, and it was a really cool experience.
I didn’t expect to be so sad when we had to leave the school. Our kids gave us letters and little gifts that were so thoughtful. The teachers and directors were hard to say goodbye to as well. They had been great hosts, and they always made sure we were well taken care of, but we made sure to stay connected over Facebook. The tour week was a fun time because I was able to tour Taiwan with seven of my closest friends. We actually became even closer during the tour because we were still together 24/7, but we no longer had the pressure of making lesson plans or needing an adequate amount of sleep. I was so sad when we all arrived back at Jientan because I knew our experience was almost over. The last two nights, we stayed up late playing games and just enjoying ourselves. When we all had to say goodbye, we all teared up a bit because we had all formed such a tight bond with each other. Luckily, we’re still chatting over Facebook now and already planning a reunion. That month together with those seven people was one of the best experiences of my life, and I definitely won’t forget it.

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Chen, Ching-Hwa (陳靜樺)
The opening ceremony at Wen Ao Elementary in Penghu, an island off the coast of Taiwan, was memorable because my teaching partner and I had put together our violin-cello duet in 2 days. We also had magic tricks and a group song, along with some embarrassing self introductions in which we talked about our interests and plans for the futures and, of course, our geographical histories (2 NorCal, 3 LA and 1 San Diego). Then class started.
We discovered that our Penghu kids were good with speaking and some reading, but writing for them was hard. We had to modify some of our teaching plans since the kids also refused to go up to the board and do presentations in front of the class. That being said, they were very affectionate and pretty eager to learn. At break, even on that first day, they all wanted to hang out with us teachers and play games with us. It's what I would define as unconditional love in my limited 18-year life experience.
Each night we went back to our dorm and planned teaching materials for the next day from 8 or 9 pm till 12 or 1 am. In the morning we had an hour to get ready before class--while we were washing our faces or eating breakfast, we could say hi to the students, who were already at the school ready for the day to begin. At 9 we would all rush up to class, sometimes using the elevator on our teacherly authority and other times being chased up the steps by the kids.
Teaching became a smoother process as the days went on. We always had to stock up on activities just in case we finished things too fast. We also had a lot of leftover activities because things like writing in the journals took longer than expected. And then of course, we had to modify a lot of our plans along the way, if the mood wasn’t right for a certain activity or if we thought of something more fun. We discovered that the children really love art, even all the boys. They also liked Youtube videos and games that didn’t involve direct competition.
Instead of having one teacher grade papers and the other do a boring lecture, we learned that having the two of us teaching together at the board, answering questions at the same time, and helping each other with explanations was the best and most interesting method, for both us and the kids. Thus two weeks passed...
I remember especially that one of our class’s students had red eyes on the second-to-last day. He told us that he had an infection, but we learned that he was crying because we would be leaving the next day. On Thursday night, I stayed up till 4 am making good-bye presents for the kids. I knew they wouldn’t be able to read the notes I composed for them by themselves, but here was another incentive to either ask their parents or learn more English in the future. I did, however, also draw them each an individual picture since I knew they were all fond of my drawings during class and art is a universal language that they could understand.
The actual closing ceremony was fun for all of us dancing ourselves silly on stage, and afterward came the goodbyes--except that they weren’t goodbyes. They were hugs, pats on the head, giving of cards and presents, exchanges of contact information, and talk of meeting together again in the future. We left just before lunch for the airport, a little sad of heart but hopeful that this was not the end of neither our times together, nor of our students’ journey toward mastering English. At least we were fairly confident that we had convinced them English was fun and worth learning. In these 2 short weeks not much actual writing English had gotten done: We had instead planned our lessons around American culture, and I think that it was the best thing we could have done.
And so we arrived at Jientan, ready to start the tour. That last week was a chance to see if the bonds my group and I had made at Penghu would hold in the midst of so many people and distractions. Now that AID is over, I’m happy to say that I’ve made some friendships that will last for quite a few years to come. Thank you for this opportunity!

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Wang, Rita (王宇)
Coming into AID Summer, I didn't know what to expect. I was born in Taiwan but I moved to America when I was 5 and this was my first time back to the country in 12 years. But now, reminiscing about my summer in that beautiful country, I miss it so much. AID Summer not only made a lasting impression on my mind but also something that I will urge many others to apply to.

My school was Shanlin Junior High School, located in the Kaohsiung Municipal. Having taught kids before, I was still nervous because it was the first time I had to self-craft a teaching plan but also in a completely different language. Though I was competent in Chinese, I was still worried that the kids would not understand me. All my worries were definitely washed away in the first couple of days as the kids not only were so curious and attentive about learning English but also so easy to talk to outside of the classroom as just companions.

My first two weeks in the program were, admittedly, miserable because I was terribly sick. However, the teachers at my school, who were not only incredibly helpful in everything, were so compassionate and helped me obtain the right medicine to take. They are very understanding and taught me so much about the kids. Our principal was truly so kind and all of their hospitality is something I'll never forget.

As for my group members, I really miss them all, having created many indelible memories. From walking to the 'local' supermarket 20 minutes away at night, eating chua-bing everyday after the shopkeeper had already closed, having karaoke nights in the classrooms, visiting the food stands in front of stores, taking naps in the teacher's lounge by pushing together three chairs, having one of my group members teaching us Taiwanese history, playing in the river dam at the 'crazy monkey man's' house, and spending hours just talking, planning, thinking about food, we bonded so much as a group, though most of our commonalities were based on food topics. They are each amazing individuals and exploring Shanlin with them was amazing.

Tour week was definitely the highlight of the month long program, though teaching was great! Visiting a million locations in one day, eating at a dinosaur themed tour restaurants, taking sneaky naps on the bus, learning about Taiwanese history, there seriously aren't enough words to describe how much fun tour week was, especially since I got to meet so many people in other groups through the program.

AID Summer is such an amazing experience and I'm glad that I had the opportunity to spend my summer in the beautiful place of Taiwan through this program! :)
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Tsai, Sunny (蔡欣孜)
When I was first accepted into AID, I was just really excited to go to Taiwan, and also to meet new people, especially my kids. Right from the start, I wanted to become a role model for these children, to make a difference in their lives and hopefully influence them in a positive way. These were my hopes that I brought across the ocean with me. When I first arrived at the school, I still didn't know my group too well, nor did I know what to expect. People told me that the students would be rowdy and very disobedient However, when I walked into my classroom, each child showed me respect and were adorable. I was very fortunate to have such a great class. One problem that we had was that the students would feel tired and bored as we drilled and repeated our English lessons. I felt really discouraged because each day after school, we would put in a lot of time and effort into our power points and lesson plans. At this point, I was tired, the students wanted to go outside to play, and my hopes were crushed. Thus, I decided to bring even more enthusiasm on my part into class, to energize the students, and to cheer me up. Each day, we continued to teach new English lessons, and each day the students would learn diligently. Although my students were very well behaved, I couldn't see or feel any impact that I had upon them. It was the very last day, that my eyes were finally opened. An impact isn't something you can see. However, on that last day, my children all gathered around me, asking me when I would come back to visit again, and that if I would miss them and remember them. It suddenly hit me, that impact isn't necessarily something you can see right away. It's hidden deep inside, within the receiver's heart and mind. I miss my kids a lot, and their cheerful attitude whenever they see me. AID Summer 2013 has been a one of a kind memorable experience that I will always keep with me wherever I go.
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Shen, Jeffrey (沈守山)
In all honesty, the AID Summer 2013 program has been a difficult yet exhilarating four weeks. From the beginning I was too quick to judge because the lectures and seminars were relatively boring. However, during my teaching weeks, I realized just how important teaching plans and techniques just were. My partner and I found out that developing effective methods to teach our students was extremely time-consuming. Overall, since our teaching group was located in Pingtung region, I learned first hand that this could very well be the only exposure and opportunity my students had to the English language. Therefore, my partner and I tried to implement American culture into our teaching plans. Partaking in this program, I have gained a worldly view of Taiwan, and its citizens. From this perspective, I will return to America with the knowledge that I have furthered the education in English language of not just one but many students.
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Chu, Jonathan (儲天句)
The four weeks I spent in the AID Summer program contained the most fun and satisfying moments of my life. I not only met seven amazing people who I will always treasure as close friends, but also had the opportunity to see young students eagerly learn English under my instruction. Although training week could get dull at times, the information received there proved extremely useful during the two weeks I spent teaching. The many games, songs, and management techniques passed onto us helped make class time interactive and enjoyable for the students.
Personally, I believe I flourished in the teaching environment. My energy never wavered as I enthusiastically led my class in new vocabulary words and activities. Though at times, teaching them English without speaking Chinese was challenging, my teaching partner and I eventually got the message across through repetition and motions. My students became my friends as nearly everyday we incorporated competitive activities with their lessons so that they did not have to spend all six hours of school sitting at their desks. Saying goodbye to them, giving many piggy-back rides, and receiving many hugs on the last day of camp nearly brought tears to my eyes.
After teaching, tour week was time for my group to bond outside of school. We took many pictures and were able to experience the different sites that Taiwan had to offer. One week, however, was too little time to fit all the places we visited. A few stops we only stayed for fifteen minutes due to time restrictions. Overall the tour was extremely fun and well worth it.
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Wang, Austin (王宇航)
When I first arrived at the AID camp at Taoyuan airport, I was already pleased with the energy levels of the counselors who were assigned to escort us Chientan Youth Center in Taipei. I was not exception almost every counselor to be jumping out of his or her seat ready to lead groups of student volunteers to each and every lecture of the training week. I am thoroughly impressed with this camp, namely the money, time, and effort Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commissions of Republic of China(Taiwan)(OCAC) has put into it. To be able to house so many student bodies and teach them all about the magics and tricks to teaching Taiwanese children and then escort them to their respective teaching sites is a huge feat. I enjoyed every lecture speaker during training week, each announcement during the dinners, and having our teaching school site's teacher come up to Chientan just to personally coach us.

Introducing us primarily "ABC"-Chinese and English speaking students from U.S. and Canada to the Taiwanese culture was not simply accomplished by the counselors alone. Host families and the school site's communities ferried us from ignorance to cultural integration. In simpler words, us foreign "大哥哥大姐姐" became really part of the families as we delved into difference Taiwanese cuisines and karaoke nights. I tell myself that Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commissions of Taiwan has the people it can trust to take care of strangers, I having once been one of these strangers. I appreciate this commissions' organizing each volunteer's hospitality.

We had 350 國外的 student volunteers. In the end, I made more than 349 friends. I will not forget our diligent and hardworking counselors that live in Taiwan who volunteered to lead and morally support us, nor will I forget the families who took us under their wing to support, clothe, and feed us. I say thank you, 真的謝謝, OCAC, 中華民國僑務委員會, for offering and giving us such an opportunity to teach English, to be taken into a new culture where the food is some crazy piece of pork in 豆做的 bun, where night markets are a sweaty mass of entertaining mahjong gambling rounds, and where the people love to teach, and to be taught.
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Lee, Yvonne (李明明)
To be honest, it’s taken me a long time to write this reflection, simply because I don’t think a few sentences can do my AID experience justice. For me, I’m happy that I participated in AID Summer, largely because I got to meet seven amazing people within my teaching group: Dustin, Hanna, Alvin, Carolyn, Jennifer, Monica, and Steven. We endured teaching in 100% humidity, survived multiple water balloon attack by dozens of little kids, and together, we bonded and enjoyed every memory we made together at AID Summer. Experiencing everything with these seven people defined my time at AID.

Of course, the memories we made together are immeasurable. We assembled an Easter egg hunt for the kids, were chosen to go on stage to present our teaching plan, and used Chinese phonetic spelling to teach the children how to pronounce English words. On tour week, we bonded on the long bus rides and enjoyed learning how to haggle at the vast night markets. Together, we taught over 50 kids not only the English language, but also about our various cultures and lifestyles. While we may have been the teachers, I believe that we were truly the students. We learned about true Taiwanese hospitality, from the gifts that our students gave us to the great meals from our school. We learned about true academic passion from our students who pushed us to teach them English in new and inventive ways every day. Together, we learned about a different world. As a result, even as we are now going about our separate lives, the strong bond we made at AID holds us together forever.

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Lin, Nathaniel (林宇軒)
Well it’s been a fast two weeks and it’s hard to believe my time in Mu Dan is already coming to an end. They say time flies when you’re having fun but quite honestly these last two weeks have been some of the most challenging experiences I’ve had. Prior to arriving in Taiwan I envisioned spending the two weeks teaching as carefree and free of responsibilities. When the teaching week actually began I found it difficult to accept the reality I was confronted with. Although the sightseeing in Mu Dan proved to be an unforgettable experience the responsibilities placed upon me as a teacher has impacted me in a far greater way.
It appears to me that I’ve undergone tremendous personal growth and thus the proper question to ask is, “In what ways has teaching caused this personal growth?”. The answer to this requires a dual pronged approach. First would be the responsibility of preparing the lesson for the next day which entailed tasks such as making a PowerPoint presentation, and devising various activities and games for the children to play. Part of the struggle lay in the fact that me and my partner were teaching 9th graders which proved to be a daunting task in and of itself. It appears that the difficulty of teaching English as a second language to these children increases as the children grow older – my teammates’ experiences teaching the younger grades as well as the Mu Dan teachers’ experiences corroborated the fact that 9th graders are the most difficult to engage in class through their unwillingness to participate. I managed this problem by attempting to construct a lesson plan with the intent of engaging every single student. This succeeded on some days more than others and required a lot of contingency planning for the problem students who disliked participating.
The second part of this answer lies in the fact that we as AID teachers are not attempting to teach the children English per se but more so to teach the children that English can be a fun and enjoyable subject. I’ve grown personally as I’ve come to realize that I’ve been entrusted with an important part of these students’ future as the ability to speak English will heavily influence their success as adults in the 21st century. The struggle lay in making each day informative yet fun and engaging so that students wouldn’t lose interest. How successful was I? Only time will tell as these students continue to mature. In a society where learning English appears dull how do we, in two weeks, inspire these students to love learning English? For me personally the difficulty presented itself in the form of students who disliked participating as this proved totally counterproductive to our goal of inspiring them. It was terribly disheartening to see a student with his head down as you taught the class or a blank stare as you played a game; this caused a lot of second-guessing as to the efficacy of my methods. This has taught me to realize that us teachers cannot be there for every single student and must instead focus on the ones who are willing to learn.
The last two weeks have taught me that the life of a teacher is much harder than it appears. The many hours spent planning the lessons as well as the time spent teaching have caused me to grow tremendously as well as develop a greater appreciation for teachers and the difficult jobs they have. To teach is simple but to inspire motivation requires a completely different approach as I have discovered. I hope I have impacted the students’ lives as much as they have impacted mine as everything was made possible by the students.

Nathan Lin
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Teng, Stephennie (鄧莉鳳)
Aid Summer was definitely an amazing experience. I never imagined how close I could get with my students in such a small amount of time. It made me wish it was longer! Aid Summer truly gave me a chance to both experience more what it is like to be a teacher, which is something I hope to pursue in the future, as well as have the opportunity to know students I would have never had the chance to know without the program.
It was such a joy to work with my team of teachers as well as learn how to improvise when needed. The program taught me that even when we may plan lessons a certain way, we need to be always flexible and patient when it does not always go so accordingly. I cannot fully express how much I enjoyed working with the students, my fellow teachers, the TAs, and the other school staff. I truly miss all the people I have met and hope to return to Taiwan, in all the night markets, beautiful landscapes, and of course the moisturizing humidity it has to offer!(:
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Wu, Erica (吳炫寧)
To be honest, at the start of the AID program I was very apprehensive. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to control the kids, that I wouldn’t be a very good teacher, that the kids wouldn’t like me, etc. And since we were going to be the teachers, not the teacher assistants, I wondered whether it was a good idea to place a whole classroom under my responsibility.

As it turned out, I had the time of my life this summer. First of all, I was extremely lucky with who I was able to work with. I loved our counselor (shout out to Sophia!), our teacher (吳老師!), and the five other awesome volunteers in my group. I loved my group, and we quickly became best friends.

As for teaching, it was definitely a bit stressful. We had to rewrite our teaching plan every night, and the planning and preparation of materials took a lot of time. It was rewarding, though, to see the kids apply what we had taught them. And although the kids were rowdy, we didn’t have too much trouble keeping the class quiet most of the time.

All in all, I loved this experience. I got to meet tons of amazing new people, gain a greater understanding of Taiwan, and I am currently recommending all of my friends to give this program a try!

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Lin, Stephanie (林姿妤)
First of all, I'm really thankful for all the friends I got to meet on this camp. I never knew I would have gotten close with all my teaching partners. Teacher Tina and military officer Leo were also two of the adults that made my trip worthwhile. After going to Taiping Elementary, I realized how fortunate I am. The students up in the mountains in Chia Yi have a disadvantage in education, and I'm glad I had the chance to teach them English. Those kids will forever be in my heart. They were so cute, intelligent, respectful, and most of all, unique. If possible, I would definitely recommend AID to some of my friends next year! I'm grateful to have had the experience of a lifetime.
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Huang, Lilith (黃鈺婷)
Upon meeting the students, I was very impressed by their English level. Howard and I decided to teach the upper grade (4th and 5th graders) and the students were more advanced than we had imagined. However, we also realized that there was a huge learning gap. In the beginning, when we asked questions, the same two students would answer. To overcome this gap, we chose kids at random to answer questions. We also did more review to ensure that the lower achieving students would be able to memorize the vocabulary. To motivate the students, we had a stamp chart to track their behavior and performance in class. This method worked on most of the students, but as time passed, we experienced more and more defiance from one of our students. We tried sending him outside to time-out and confiscating various items that were distracting him from learning. Nothing seemed to work. As he got away with more and more, he got bolder and bolder. It is a relief that we do not need to deal with him anymore. Yet, at the same time, I wish we could spend more time with the children. They are so eager to learn, and I know that given more time, I could teach them so much more; expose them to so much more American Culture.
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Cahn, Emilyn (簡良瑾)
“Congratulations! We are very pleased to inform you that you’ve been accepted to the 2013 AID Summer Volunteer Program!” Although I was stunned, a wave of relief passed through me. I could have committed to any local volunteer organization, but I had turned down many in order to try something brand new. In joining AID Summer, I hoped to polish my Mandarin Chinese and Taiwanese speaking skills. On a deeper level, I was eager to explore the teaching field. When the time came for me to start my new life in Taiwan, however, I had my doubts. Heading towards airport security and away from my family, all I felt was fear of being alone and abroad for the first time.

Having arrived at劍潭, I encountered the seven kindhearted volunteers that accompanied me throughout the month I spent in Taiwan. We whizzed through the good and the bad: We shared 7:00 AM mornings; 豐富, delicious Taiwanese food; cold showers; and nighttime visits to 士林夜市. Every waking moment we spent together.

With our relationship dynamic came change. We all honed in on our Mandarin and improved every step of the way. We gained an appreciation for Seven Eleven, the Taiwanese language, Taiwanese religions and rituals, and Aboriginal dances. By way of our late-night talks with our host families and one another, we gradually transformed. In turn, we became more mature, more open-minded, more drawn to our AID Summer community, and even more Taiwanese.

For the last few days of tour week, we no longer had to stress ourselves over our responsibilities to daily lectures, as we did during training week; or to our children, as we did while teaching at 里港國中. We just had spirited fun. Bus C!

Thank you for a positively unforgettable experience! Thank you to all the 善良, unique individuals I met along the way, particularly my AID Summer group, my 九個寶貝 students, and my host family. My heart goes out to you because I love you all.
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Chiao, Ping-Hsuan (Daphne) (喬品璇)
AID Summer 2013 was an amazing experience. I didn't even want to leave on the last day because I made some awesome friends, cute students, and such kind teachers. After this program, we might not ever see each other again, and the idea of that made me really sad.

This camp was really, really special to me because even though we were only at the school for two weeks, everyone already knew each other really well already.

Our teacher, Peter, was so generous and helpful to us ever since we started training at Chien Tan. Even though we were always crazy and loud, Peter was always super nice and patient to us (he even laughed at our lame jokes)! He was always taking pictures for us, for which I am really thankful, because I really do want to capture those precious memories and be able to look at the later.

My students were amazing. On the first day, I was so scared because they were all so quiet and shy. I was scared that I wouldn't get to know them and play games with them. But by the end, we had so much of the same memories and inside jokes. Even though the dance that I made up for our closing ceremony, they still learned it and tried really hard to perform it.

My teaching assistants were so nice. They helped us keep order in class and made sure that everything went smooth. Without them, the camp would have definitely been more difficult.

My one and only teaching team became my best friends even though I only knew them for three weeks. And those three weeks could not have been more amazing. I thought that it's hard to meet even one amazing person, but I was lucky enough to meet seven of them. They were always hilarious and always made me laugh like crazy. They were talented and so, so nice.

I really do miss everyone and the experience was definitely unforgettable.
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