Welcome to my humble abode. As some of you may know I’m currently on a 6-month(?) stint in the land where I was born, Taiwan. I started this blog to record my journey- my travels and travails. During my time here, I will be enrolled at the Mandarin Training Center (MTC) at National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU).
Mastering Chinese has always been a goal of mine, for reasons both personal and professional. With Chinese being increasingly important on the world stage, this was an easy choice if I wanted some kind of international career. But just as importantly, I feel a need to communicate with my parents better. Often times I will miss out on some really interesting anecdotes. Also, it would allow them to understand me better, because usually I don’t tell them jack shit about my life.
I took two years of Chinese while I was in Binghamton University, which I guess puts me at an “intermediate” level. Far from the level of fluency I desire. I’m hoping to vastly improve my reading and writing at MTC, while being immersed in Taipei will obviously help my conversational skills. I created a section in my blog just for my studies at MTC, so people can use that section as a resource. Who knows, this might prove useful for future Bing kids who want to do something similar? Or they might find out the program is shitty, and I’ll end up saving them money. Either way, you’re welcome Tung Laoshi =)
Classes will only be for a couple of hours a day but the rest of the time I will be out and about in the city, if not exploring the rest of Taiwan.
How did I get here? After graduating college and joining the working world for about 2 years, I realized something: I’m just not ready to spend the rest of my days sitting in front of a computer and, in my opinion, wasting my youth away. Eventually I want to go to business school but I’m far from being able to put my best foot forward as an applicant. I consider this the next step in my goal towards B-school. Hopefully I’ll emerge from this escapade stronger than before and with clearer direction.
So, in what may turn out to be either my greatest idea or stupidest idea, I decided to just pack up and go.
Enjoy the ride.
The Chronicles of Greg 
sick. balls of steel and the passion of a future legend.
Hey, I just graduated from New Paltz and am heading to Taipei this August. Enrolling at NTNU as per advice from my Professor who went there like 15-20 years ago. Seems like the best choice as far as reputation, cost, and location.
Just found this blog, so I’m off to read the rest of the posts before asking you questions about your experiences.
Hey Lianna,
Cool! I’m glad whatever I wrote provided a resource for you. I’ll be happy to answer any questions or offer some tips as best I can.