How time flies! I can’t believe I’ve been here for nearly ten weeks. It feels like just a couple days ago I was checking into the Eight Elephants Hostel ready to embark on a new adventure. When I came here back in November, I was planning on staying for three school terms with the hope of getting my Mandarin to working-level proficiency. Since then, I’ve had an ongoing internal debate whether to stay the course and be here through August, or change my plans and return early.
I finalized my decision during the CNY break. I decided not to enroll for the spring term. Several reasons prompted my decision to end my stay earlier than expected. I came to Taiwan for two main reasons: for the experience of living abroad and to increase my fluency.
After considering the costs/benefits of staying here for another term, I realized that staying here would not be worth the money. I’ve already gotten the experience of living in Taiwan. Although I wish I could be more fluent, I don’t think time spent here can justify the opportunity cost of not working. Not to mention I still have a ton of student loans that I still need to pay down, and that I’ve spent much more than budgeted for Taiwan. I plan to hire a tutor to provide discipline around my studying efforts once back in the States.
Instead of using the tuition + housing money for another term in Taiwan, after the current term ends, I’ll be heading down to Singapore to embark on a visit around Southeast Asia. I’ve already booked my tickets to Singapore, but am currently in the process of figuring out where to visit. Any trip suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
A part of me feels guilty for traveling even more considering I still have loans to payoff, but I figure I’ve already spent a lot chasing my language fluency goals, might as well spend time traveling before returning. I’m really excited about what SE Asia has to offer, but truthfully I am a bit terrified of backpacking around a region alone. I can only think of the interesting experiences that’ll happen.
Here’s to hoping everything works out!
Glad to hear you’re enjoying your journeys. I do think 3 months is a pretty lengthy enough time to explore and spend time abroad, and your travels in Singapore sound quite amazing as well! I think you’ve had a great time and there’s nothing wrong with coming back to the States to get back into the working world. I’m hoping to travel for at least 3 months this summer and then, hopefully during law school as well during the summers. For me, travel isn’t a “one time” thing but something I want to pursue throughout my life, so I hope I can somehow do that! =)
Thanks AK for responding! That’s an interesting perspective to take. While working back in DC I think I lost sight of the possibility that there are careers that combine traveling and working for something that is personally meaningful. Hopefully I can eventually find a career that combines all these interests!