Today is October 10th, 2021. It may seem like an ordinary day for most of us, which I suppose should be. Today is also the national anniversary of Taiwan, where my parents are from.
But for my family, it marks the end of a two-year journey; a time of perseverance, strength, endurance, and friendship. But I also see this day as a beginning of a hopeful and new era for all of us.
Two years ago on this day, my family and I moved back to Taiwan after a cascade of events; goodbyes from my friends, the temporary end of my education in my school district, and a transfer into a country that I have only visited for vacations and not for living. I left as a student in the class of ’24.
One year ago, after one year of homeschooling, I was well acquainted with the environment there and have moved from Taoyuan to Taipei. I had my first growth spurt and grew almost a head taller than I was when I left America. I competed in a local swim team and was lonely for most of my days. The coronavirus had hit the United States very hard and as a result, the country shut down for a long time. The cases were rising everywhere, the numbers getting higher every day I went on the news. Luckily, I avoided most of that studying in Taiwan.
Today, I write this article in the United States. I joined high school in my old school district with an additional year; I enrolled in the class of ’25. I remember all my friends, coaches, and acquaintances back in Taiwan and still chat with them on Instagram. I see my old friends again at school. I swim on my previous swim team again.
So much can change over two years. But it was definitely worth the adventure.
I am so proud of you that you have learned a lot and made friends in Taiwan. It was definitely wroth the adventure indeed.