In the summer of 2018, I left Taiwan to attend a summer camp in San Francisco. I loved the way the teachers taught and the learning environment they created. I also met many international friends—from Brazil, Japan, Korea, and more. It was the best summer vacation I’d ever had, and it planted a seed in me: the dream of studying abroad in the United States.
When I began my studies at Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan, one of my goals was to apply for an exchange program in the U.S. In my senior year, I finally made it. There was a few options, but only one spot available for the 2024 fall semester at Le Moyne College. By chance, I was placed there. I had never heard of Syracuse before and had no idea where it was. After doing some research, I learned that Le Moyne is a relatively small college compared to Fu Jen, which has around 30,000 students. I thought, “This must be a completely different campus life—one I’ve never experienced before.” I told myself, “I’m ready. My adventure is beginning.”
According to DataUSA, Asian students account for only 4.4% of the student population at Le Moyne, which means I’m part of a minority group on campus—especially since English isn’t my first language. Amy Kennedy, the Associate Director of Global Education, mentioned that there were 62 international students at Le Moyne in the 2024-25 academic year, and only two of us are from Taiwan. For me, this was a valuable opportunity to improve my English-speaking skills and to learn about other cultures firsthand. However, I didn’t realize just how difficult the journey would be. It turned out to be a major challenge.
When the fall semester started, I often couldn’t keep up when professors spoke too quickly. Sometimes, I completely lost track of what they were saying. When I was called on in class, I would freeze—my mind didn’t have enough time to translate from Chinese to English. I worried about saying the wrong thing or not expressing myself clearly, and I was afraid of being laughed at. The first month was especially hard. I felt lonely and missed my family and friends deeply.
But I had no choice — I had to face it. I started trying my best to catch key words and understand what the professors were saying. When I didn’t understand something, I asked my classmates directly. I also pushed myself to speak up in class, even when I was nervous. I can’t say I’ve made dramatic improvements in my English, but I do know this: I had the courage to take the first step. Now, as my final semester is coming to an end, participating in class discussions no longer feels intimidating.
Taiwan is a very small country — only 1/270 the size of the United States. But I didn’t truly understand that until I came here. I came to realize the truth behind the saying, “There’s always someone better out there.” Over the past academic year, I’ve learned how difficult it is to study in a country where the language isn’t my native one. I had to leave behind everything familiar, adapt to a new lifestyle, and learn how things work in a different culture.
Still, I don’t regret my decision at all. Studying abroad allowed me to step out of my comfort zone, experience American culture beyond what I had seen on Netflix, and meet people from all walks of life. It helped me recognize where I need to grow and what skills I lack. More importantly, it taught me independence. I learned how to cook, how to take long-distance buses to other cities alone, and how to face and solve problems as they arise. Even though this country is 6230 miles away from home, if I ever get another chance to study or live here again, I would embrace the challenge all over again– with no hesitation.
