My name is Lindy, and I'm going to be participating in a musical theatre exchange program at Shu-Te University in Taiwan! This is a solo trip, so I thought i'd start up a blog to document the experience! For my family, but also for myself. I like to document experiences, whether it be pictures or written down memories.
To those of you who so very, very graciously donated to help pay for the expenses. When making this decision, it was something I, and my family, knew we could not do alone. From the bottom of my heart, I say a huge thank you.
Slowly but surely, I've been preparing for this trip. Between school, extra curricular activities, and learning Mandarin Chinese, It's been pretty busy! I've been in constant communication with my two friends who came to visit Shenandoah last year, Neon and Shin I, and they've been helping me learn Chinese, arranging a small trip to Taipei, and organize my living situation while I'm there. I'm super excited, because i'm going to be staying at Shin I's house! She send me some pictures of it, and it made me very excited to know exactly where i'd be staying.
I purchased my plane ticket in September, and booked my hotel near the airport for my arrival and departure a couple of minutes ago! Yay! My travel plans have been the same, up until recently. United changed one of their flight times, and makes it risky to catch my flight across the pacific. My flight originally left IAD at 8:00am, in time for an hour connection in San Fran, and then onward to Taipei, but when they changed the flight to 8:20, and I only had 30 minutes to get on my Taipei flight, I knew I had to do something. So now, I leave IAD at 6:25am (which means I have to be there at 3:30am.... YUCK.) with plenty of time to catch the 14 hour flight. Talk about a wonky sleep schedule.
As I've been preparing, I decided I wanted to make a list of goals for my two week trip. Here's what i've come up with so far. These are subject to change and morph.
GOALS FOR TRIP TO TAIWAN
1) To learn what I can about my chosen profession in a new environment
2) To experience a new and exciting culture
3) To strengthen self confidence by traveling to Asia solo
4) To make as many new friends as possible
5) To become more aware of musical theatre as it applies globally.
6) To make Shenandoah proud and represent my school and America well!
I can't wait to update this blog further! This is just the start of, what I know will be, a life changing experience! Follow the journey! :)
Lindy
Have a wonderful trip to Taiwan. I was a part of an All Girl Stage Band/College/USO Tour to Taiwan in 1969-70. It was an interesting country and I enjoyed it. Transportation was a little scary but I'm sure that they have improved in the last 50+ years. Again, have fun and enjoy your Asian experience.
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