Student Spotlight: Khalea Johnson in Taiwan

What parts of your daily life abroad now feel normal to you that once felt unfamiliar — and what does that shift reveal about your ability to adapt?

After being in Taiwan for a month, I don’t think I’ve adjusted to my environment just yet. But, I do believe my ability to comprehend spoken Chinese has improved. I think after being here for a little bit and going to a class with classmates and teachers who only speak in Chinese has made it feel normal to hear the language and understand it a little bit. This shift reveals that I’m more than capable of adjusting to my environment; I simply need to give myself more grace and time.

How has living in your host country challenged or reshaped something you previously believed about yourself, your culture, or others?

Before, I thought that I was confident in holding a conversation with strangers, but after being in Taiwan for a month, I quickly realized that I’m still very timid and afraid of social interactions. Also, not being able to communicate or form relationships through speaking Chinese has lowered my self-confidence and made me feel like I’ve become a shell of the person I once was. However, as April quickly approaches, I’m hoping to get out of my comfort zone a little more and place myself in more social situations so I can build my confidence.

What parts of your culture or personal story have you felt most proud to represent while abroad, and why do those feel important to share?

Being the first one out of my family to study abroad has made me feel the most proud while studying abroad. I feel the most proud about this because I will have the knowledge and experience to help someone else when I get back home. This feels important to share because I can gain more insight in how I can best help others who want to do the same thing as me.