 Ni hou (Hello)! My name Is Vivian, actually my real name is
CHANG Jung (張容) which Is a meaningful name. The English name Vivian was given
when I was little, just like the meaning of the name “Vivian”, I am energetic
and vivid J. Taiwan is my motherland, a small but plentiful and colorful island.
In fact, Taiwan (Republic of China, ROC) is really different from China
(People’s Republic of China)! Taiwanese have more freedom than Chinese because
our country is really democratic. However, the culture background of the two
countries is quite the same; we all speak Mandarin Chinese, have the same
customs and holidays, study ancient Chinese literature. But the politics are no
longer the same now. I love my country a lot; there are friendly people,
convenient traffic system, nice stores and shops everywhere with great prices,
special architectures, fun night markets, high technology development, etc. I am
proud of being a Taiwanese anyway.
I was born in the capital Taipei city in 1992. Several
years ago we moved to a city called Yilan which is a beautiful county near
Taipei for 1 hour driving. The reason why we left Taipei is my parents
preferred a better and natural place to live. I live with my Dad, Mom,
13-year-old brother Lion and a doggy Loffy. Both my parents are high school
teachers; they encouraged and helped me join this exchange program a lot.
Before I came here, we hosted a Brazilian brother for several months,
learned so many cultural differences between Taiwan and Brazil which were
really cool. And right now a Mexican brother Chuy is in my house in Taiwan,
hope we both will have a wonderful year in foreign countries!
In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with friends, doing
family activities, watching movies, reading, shopping, visit exhibitions or
performance. Art, literature, drama, musical and music are my favorite! I’d
love to visit all the museums, art galleries, musicals (Oh Broadway!!!!)!
Also, I like sports although I am not really an athlete haha. I usually go
jogging, play volleyball, go swimming with my brother and friends, it’s the
only way to keep in good shape and stay healthy but I really worry about
gaining weight through the year because the food here are sooooo tasty but
with high calories awww!!!
I am living in Sarasota, Florida, just a short drive from
the beach. Though it's sunny and HOT all the time we have “afternoon
showers” of rain every day. I like to call Florida paradise because it is
like being on holiday everyday with the blue skies and white beaches. Here
in Florida I live with my host parents Steve and Karen Panitch, although
they have a daughter, she is now in Finland on a Rotary exchange also. So
that’s makes me the only child! They are sooooooooo nice, and very
welcoming…. They really know how to give a “warm” feeling! And I love them
so much! As for friends, my host parents introduced me to very many people
before school started, then on the first day of school I recognized a lot of
familiar faces and that made me feel like I fit in.
I am very grateful for all the things I am seeing and
learning in the new American way of life. I thank my family, my host family
and the entire Rotary exchange program for such a cool opportunity and I
think this will be the best year of my life and I am sure I will experience
many things. I will learn more things about the culture of the United States
and share some things from my country so others can appreciate what I have
here. |
Jung "Vivian" Chang