Written by Riley Tsai, Local Roommate for CET Taiwan
Yesterday marked the end of the three-month CET roommate program. It’s a journey that feels like an extended summer camp, filled with laughter, cultural communication, and genuine connection. While saying goodbyes are never easy, my heart is filled more with gratitude and the quiet joy of having grown through this beautiful experience.
Cultural Encounters
As a local roommate, this was the first time I shared a home with American students in my own hometown. At the beginning, I worried about potential clashes in living habits, but looking back, I’m so glad I made this special choice. Over these months, I lived with the kindest roommates who respected one another and cherished our shared daily moments.
What I’ll never forget are the evenings we spent around the dinner table, doing homework, gossiping, sharing our thoughts, and celebrating even the smallest victories—like learning a new word, successfully ordering food in Chinese, or landing an internship. We uplifted one another in difficult times, offering emotional support and sincere encouragement.
Experiencing Taiwanese Cultural activities
Together, we also participated in many traditional Taiwanese cultural activities I had never experienced before —like making pineapple cakes and picking tea leaves in the mountains. Although these are signature parts of Taiwanese culture, it was my first time engaging with them so personally.
Through these shared adventures, I rediscovered the beauty of my own homeland. I realized that while I thought I knew Taiwan well, there was still so much to learn. Cultural richness doesn’t lie in facts alone, but in lived experience and heartfelt connection. Through this journey, I’ve grown more proud of where I come from and more grounded in my identity as a Taiwanese.
Cross-Cultural Understanding
Our conversations at home were eye-opening. We talked about everything from American slang and pop culture to differences in parenting styles, religious beliefs, gender. These discussions helped me see the world through new lenses and taught me to respect diverse viewpoints. What’s normal to us may be novel to others—and stepping outside of my own assumptions opened the door to unexpected realizations and deeper empathy.
Embracing Every Version of Myself
One of the most beautiful things I learned from my roommates was the art of expressing appreciation. Compliments on outfits, kind words of thanks, and open displays of gratitude were daily gestures that gradually taught me to see and accept myself more fully. Their warmth inspired me to dress the way I wanted, try new styles, and take bolder steps toward goals I once hesitated to pursue. I began to understand that being sincere to myself is something that is worth celebrating.
An Ending That Marks a New Beginning
On our final night together, we once again gathered at the dinner table—our favorite place—to reflect on everything we’d gained. One roommate shared how this was their first time living so far from home, and despite missing loved ones, they had learned resilience and independence. Another said they discovered strength they never knew they had and a newfound ability to take charge of their own life. As I listened and shared my own thoughts, I felt like I had accompanied a group of brave travelers on an incredible voyage of discovery.
I accompany these students who arrive in Taiwan with limited Chinese, navigating unfamiliar foods, public transport, and customs. Through cultural immersion and daily effort, they began to find their rhythm. They grew more confident, more curious, and more courageous—and I felt genuine pride in engaging their growth.
People come and go, but love always remains.
At the end of the day, I gifted each of them a personalized stamp carved with their Chinese name—a present of their unique journey. I hope that when they hold it in the future, it will remind them not just of their name in another language, it will symbolize their footsteps in Taiwan, where they lived, learned, and grew. It will be a print of how they became braver and more independent.
A few days have passed since we moved out. I still missed the cheerful “Hello!!!” that greeted me when I open the door, or late-night talks about life’s questions. Although every encounter will come to an end eventually, I know the warmth we shared will stay in my mind forever.
“To me, every encounter is a special gift, tracing the path of love as it flows. Thank you all for being the brightest sparks in this chapter of my life.”