🌸Hirodai Ambassador [Study Abroad Newsletter] Maika Ito, 2nd year, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine No.7

Hirodai Ambassador Activity Report

 Ms. Maika Ito, 2nd year student, Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine

[Destination] National Taipei University of Education (Taiwan)
[Study abroad period] August 2023 to January 2.
[Type of study abroad] Long-term study abroad at a partner university

I am currently studying abroad at Taipei University of Education in Taiwan for one year.

In October, 10 months have passed since my trip.

Currently, I am participating in Chinese classes and regular classes that started in September. This time, I would like to write about regular classes, the differences between Taiwanese and Japanese universities, what I noticed, Beitou, a tourist destination, and my current life in Taiwan.

First, regarding regular classes, I am taking a ceramics class at the University of Education, where I am an exchange student, and I am also taking a class in geriatric nursing and cancer nursing at Taipei Medical University, where we have an interfaculty agreement. I am taking a science class. I have been taught pottery by kneading clay, but it is very difficult to knead it into a basic mold (chrysanthemum), so I would like to practice for the midterm examination. While studying abroad, I interacted with students majoring in art, which is not available at Hirosaki University, and I was overwhelmed by their sensitivity and taste. I once again feel that this is a very interesting and valuable opportunity.

Class 1. Ceramics

Although this is a class at a medical university, it is basically a lecture class. However, in Taiwan, there are many practical classes where students can think about nursing through simulation classes using VR and the experience of becoming an elderly person. As you can see in the photo, the slides for geriatric nursing are written in English, but the teacher teaches in Chinese, so it's a little difficult to find out the pronunciation by looking up English translations and Chinese medical words. . She hadn't learned many medical words in Chinese class, so to be honest, she couldn't understand any of them during September. She does her best by recording her lessons and reviewing them, and by reading the slides as much as possible before participating in class. After taking classes at medical university, I once again realized how difficult Chinese is. I don't have to take any tests like regular students do, but I'm participating as an observer, so I feel a little more at ease, but I want to do my best until the end.

Class situation 3

Next, I would like to introduce Beitou, a tourist spot that I visited on my day off.

This area is famous as a hot spring area, and there is a hot spring spot called Jigokudani as shown in the photo, as well as many hot spring inns. Unlike Taipei city, there is abundant nature and the air felt delicious. There are also food stalls along the way that look like Taiwanese night markets, making it a recommended sightseeing spot. There were many Japanese restaurants nearby, including Japanese chain stores such as Ootoya and Sukiya. (It's a little expensive, though.) Lately, I've been missing the taste of Japanese white soup stock and sushi, so I feel relieved when I see Japanese chain stores and Japanese brand stores. I think this is a recommended tourist attraction for those who like hot springs and also want to enjoy Taiwanese cuisine.

Lastly, I would like to introduce some interesting Taiwanese food that I ate recently.

First, I ate shrimp at the night market! ! As you can see in the photo, they are steamed in a pot-like container, and you peel off the skin yourself. There are several flavors, I had the garlic and pepper flavor and it was very delicious. My hands got dirty, but it was fresh and very interesting. The next photo is The Taiwanese food! The photos are of han bon, tang bao, and Kishi egg cake.

Fian tai is said to be a Taiwanese rice ball, but unlike Japanese onigiri, it is made with glutinous rice, and contains the crunchy tofu (you can see in the photo), pickled radish, and meat sauce, making it a highly nutritious dish. The satisfaction level afterwards is high. Tangbao is similar to wrapping in a small basket, and Kishi Dumpling is a chewy pastry that I introduced earlier with eggs and cheese inside. At first glance, it looks heavy and might make your stomach feel heavy, but it's actually light and easy to eat, and it's one of my favorite Taiwanese dishes.

During the remaining period of my study abroad, I would like to enjoy my studies, daily life, and delicious Taiwanese food. I would be happy if you were interested in studying abroad in Taiwan.