Mandy Lubinski
About My Study Abroad Program
Major/Minor: Information Science major, Chinese and data science double minor
Program: CET Taiwan at National Taiwan University
Location: Taipei, Taiwan
Email: mandyvl@unc.edu
Term: Summer 2024
Why did you choose to study abroad and how did you select your program?
I chose to study abroad because I wanted to grow closer with my Asian heritage and improve my Chinese skills. I ended up selecting CET Taiwan because it seemed like the perfect balance of challenging classes while also giving ample time and opportunity to explore Taiwan and practice my language skills in the real world.
What did you learn about yourself?
Studying abroad will test your ability to adapt and expose to you what parts of your life you deem most important. For me, it was both my education and love of adventure. Navigating both meant that I really had to trust myself and my decisions—I learned that I am much more resilient and independent than I once thought and that I will always rise to the challenge. I also learned that I absolutely LOVE Asian food, but I suppose I already knew that 🙂
What is one of your favorite memories from your program?
One of my favorite memories was a weekend solo trip where I went to Yilan, Taiwan. While I was there I was able to explore local parks, learn about the Japanese imperial rule of Taiwan, and explore more of Taiwan's indigenous culture through museums, workshops, performances, and eating some delicious food!
What advice do you have for future study abroad students?
I recommend to connect with your program advisors while you're abroad! They're a great resource for if you ever run into any issues, including academic, health, and other personal circumstances. Also, imposter syndrome is real. But just remember, you had to apply to this program just like everyone else and you wouldn't be here if the admissions committee didn't think that you couldn't thrive!
How do you identify?
Heritage Seeker
Could you share any experiences where your identity played a role in your time abroad?
As someone who is half white and half Chinese, it was interesting going from a place where one half of my identity was part of the majority to a place where the other half of my identity became the majority. It felt freeing to fully embrace the Chinese part of my identity, the identity that half of my family identifies with, without the fear of judgment that I have back in the United States.
Is there any advice you would give to other students who share your identity?
For mixed Asians going to Asia, especially heritage seekers, know that there will be an adjustment period; it's going to feel weird being in a place where all of a sudden the things that you were judged for are the norm. But lean into that! Try and embrace this part of your culture as much as possible—go to the restaurants that you can't find on Google Maps and order in the native language, explore museums both historical and modern, and ask local friends and roommates to tell stories and show you around.
Memories
