I leave Taipei today for America. It’s a bitter-sweet goodbye. The past few weeks have been absolutely wonderful, mainly because of two exceptional people, Emily and Cindi. During the past few weeks, the three of us have explored the city, laughing, eating, criticizing (each other), flying kites (and getting purses stolen), hanging out at Cindi’s (amazing apartment), and loving every minute. I will miss Cindi and Emily dearly. Luckily, both girls will spend the next four years in America attending college. Visits are definitely in store.
The last six weeks of teaching, as difficult as it was, will also be missed. Even though I struggled with coaching the SAT, I think I found a perfect balance of practice and actual English education. I wanted to show the students the power of reading and writing, especially beyond the SAT. Those moments my class discussed short stories like “Indian Camp” or “The Yellow Wallpaper” and poems like “The Young Housewife” or “Phenomenal Women” trumped the moments I gave out SAT practice sheets. What is better than seeing a group of kids “get it” through discussion? The educational achievements of all my students not only brings me pride but also happiness that these smart kids will one day lead the world. These students make me want to teach for the rest of my life.
More importantly, the poems, short stories, and essays students read opened, I hope, their minds to the larger idea of citizenship and education. What does it mean to receive a top-notch education (they all attend a very expensive American school in Taipei) in a world dominated by poverty, and to what degree must my students “give back” (in whatever way they can) to the often talked about “global village”? These question do not have any one answer. Each student must formulate an answer as he or she gets older. I hope, though, that I cracked a door open in their minds for them to one day enter and explore more fully. Education is the most awesome gift youth can receive. I hope I delivered…
The family I lived with will also be missed. They have been the most welcoming family for the past three summers. From taking me around the city as a tourist to taking me out to wonderful dinners–they have been nothing but exceptional. More importantly, they balanced “family time” with giving me freedom to experience my Taipei. I am not sure when I will return, but one thing is for sure: the Hsu family will always be my second family. On the employee side, I am grateful that Ming Ya gave me the freedom to teach the SAT in my counter-intuitive way: through short stories and writing–not rote learning. (I always considered my teaching as the backdoor approach.)
I can’t wait, however, to return home. So much work has to be accomplished in the next month before school starts. Here is what’s on my plate: (1) Kelly A. and I are trying to start a joint newspaper between a local middle school in Bethlehem and Lehigh University; (2) Lehigh Engineering Professor San Gupta wants me to work with him to start a Non-Profit; (3) My internship at the United Nations Department of Public Information begins in August; (4) I’m still trying to connect Culture of Conversation with iEarn.org; (5) and–most importantly–I can’t wait to spend time with my entire family! August will be very busy. I can’t wait to return–as much as I will miss Taipei.