09/01/2024-09/03/2024

09/01/2024: Today, we arrived in Taiwan. I ended up on the same flight as eight other students from the program. Navigating our way together from the airport to our hotel in Taipei turned into a great bonding experience, as we all got to explore Taiwan for the first time as a group. The view from the train, with mountains rolling by, offered a breathtaking glimpse of the adventures that lie ahead. Once we arrived, we had a welcome dinner as a class. This was our first taste of traditional Taiwanese cuisine, and the family-style setting allowed us to share the meal in a way that's unique compared to individual portions. Family-style dining is very common in Taiwan, so sharing food with my classmates provided valuable cultural insight into the local way of life. I could even taste some of the influences from other cuisines which melded together to create something uniquely taiwanese. We finished the day by checking out the bustling Shilin night market, which had a lot more clothes and games shops than I expected. I am curious as to the reasoning for the abundance of said shops, though, especially since a lot of the games were the same with similar prizes but just in multiple locations. 

09/02/2024: Today was much more eventful as it was our first full day of class. We began with a tour of the Taiwan Design Research Institute (TDRI) and learned about their mission. TDRI not only hosts design events and exhibitions but also integrates design into various aspects of life, such as the Taipei stadium, courtrooms, ships, and more. This highlighted how design is relevant in so many areas of life. I was particularly struck by how the projects seemed to revive the space, as evidenced by the photos in their presentations. The redesign of courtrooms stood out to me the most—they worked to make them more accessible to the general public, with accommodations for physical and mental disabilities. It’s fascinating how design can have such a significant impact on these areas. They also mentioned using generative AI to enhance the design process. As a computer science student with a strong interest in AI, this caught my attention as a potential application I hadn’t deeply considered before. 

Later, we visited the Trash Kitchen, a workshop that creates upscale items from recycled materials. This was definitely a highlight of my day, as I had never seen anything like it. The entire room was furnished with items made from recycled materials, from chairs made with recycled jeans to stylish sunglasses crafted from various pieces of plastic waste and even coffee. They focused on reusing these materials in a non-toxic way. We even got to make a pair of sunglasses, which made me wonder if there could be ways to make this process more accessible to the public beyond just workshops. If people could create their own unique items from recycled trash, it could lead to a reduction in overall waste. However, there’s also the possibility that interest might fade over time as people run out of ideas or lose enthusiasm.

09/03/2024: Today, we had a lecture from a professor at Shih Chien University that I found particularly fascinating. He showcased a variety of projects, including printing photos onto vases and designing shoes that can’t pass through certain magnetic barriers, along with other intriguing ideas. What stood out to me was how much his work is driven by personal interest, which is a refreshing approach. His talk emphasized the importance of being true to yourself in design, rather than trying to conform to predefined norms. It made me realize that even if the practical application of a creative project isn’t immediately clear, it can still have valuable real-world implications. And even if it doesn’t, you’re left with something cool and unique.

He also discussed how people from different backgrounds can view the same object in entirely different ways, highlighting how culture and upbringing shape our perceptions. This reinforced the importance of collaborating with individuals from diverse backgrounds, as it brings perspectives you might not otherwise encounter. Learning about other cultures fosters mutual understanding while allowing us to maintain our unique viewpoints.

The other highlight of the day was exploring the Ningxia Night Market. This market offered more—and better—food options than the others I’ve visited, allowing us to experience a wide range of flavors. Wandering through the market felt like the city was revealing its culture to me, and I felt a deeper connection to Taipei than before. The food here carries a rich history, influenced by neighboring countries, and you can taste that history in every bite. Learning about food is one of the best ways to begin understanding a culture, as it’s a daily part of life and reflects the heritage of the people who came before.