Just like that, my time in Taiwan had come to an end. I remember being unable to say NCU in Chinese to taxi drivers when I first arrived, and before I knew it, I was a daily commuter on the morning and afternoon trains. My time in Taiwan changed me in the best of ways, I grew more independent, I learned and experienced Taiwanese and other Asian countries' cultures, and most importantly, I got back to my roots to understand more about my beginnings.
The week before leaving was a whirlwind of packing, goodbyes, and last-minute get-togethers with friends. On my last night in Taiwan, I walked around campus, recalling all the memories I had created. The first time meeting my roommate and friends during orientation, the sleepless nights when my friends and I would stay up practicing our dances, and the midnight snacks we would buy from the late-night vendors, and, of course, I cannot forget to mention the countless hours of laughing at 7 Eleven. Even though there was pain in my heart and tears running down my face, I knew I had made the most of my time in Taiwan. I did not regret anything, and I would be going home with newfound friends that I was looking forward to visiting one day. Taiwan has become a big part of my life, and in the future, I will visit again. I left some parts that I still need to go and explore.
The whole flight home, I cried, the people sitting next to me must have thought I was crazy. Even though it saddened me to leave Taiwan, my heart yearned for home.
