1. Thesame airport, the same journey. But it didn't occur to
me that the feeling between comes and goes are so different. In
those moments did I drop my tears there were two kinds of
different thoughts were in my feelings. The excitement and
anxiety before the journey are as well lovely and hateful, the
sadness became stronger and stronger while leaving
Bucaramanga. During the travel on the airplane, I can't bear any
more time on the air. Every hour on the sky and on the airport
felt like it's one day long.
Traceback to three months ago, I was just a normal and ignorant university
student. While a month before summer vacation, I acknowledge about the AIESEC Global
Community Develop Program. In that moment I decided I will have a special and unique
summer vacation. Finally I matched to the country which is 16,000KM far from Taiwan and
located in the South America--Colombia. I never thought that I would be in that kind of
country which I used to think there are drugs and gun fights all over the nation. But in a
matter of fact, I didn't see any of the negative aspect of Colombia. In
stead of it, I saw the beauty and passionate of their heart. In
Colombia, they don't have the race discrimination and the
stereo type. And they not only have high curiosity about Asian
people but also super friendly with me as well.
Idid encounter the culture shock in the first week being in
Colombia, there are really different from Taiwan. For
instance, the first day in my host family I was surprised by
their lavatory.
There aren't any hot water during taking a shower and no
desks or tables in their house. I thought it's only for
temporary residence, but the truth is that I have lived there
for around ten weeks. Although the water for taking a
shower is cold, the heat from my host sister is warm enough for me and it
felt like the love for family. Only after the experience in Colombia that I realized we have
really a good life in Taiwan. I become more simple than before, and I learn how to cherish
what I owned. In Latin America I can feel free, and do everything I want. Go singing,
dancing, partying and drinking, I had such a joyful time in Bucaramanga city. But time is
always cruel, it brings me back to the reality after the program
is over. What now? The urgent thing I want to do is to share my
fulfilled heart of Latin spirit with all my family and my friends.
Asmy project in Colombia is to teach English for young
people in the World Vision. I thought the English education in
Colombia is popular, but the fact is that only five percent of
people can speak in English. In these eight weeks I have
learned lot, and I taught many things for my students,too. I
saw how they made in progress, they have learned from the
basic alphabet to English grammar. Later I realized that I the
major goal for me is not only for teaching English but also
offer an opportunity. The opportunity to speak in English, to
meet with Asian people and to know about other countries
and cultures. I want to give them a vision, a vision to learn one

2. language. And I told them to use this ability in the future for knowing
the world to get familiar with other cultures. I taught them the
idea about how to broaden the vision and explore the world by
learning the second language.
Ofcourse the GCDP is not only
the volunteering work but also
experiencing the beauty of another
country. In these ten weeks, I have
visited many beautiful spot in
Colombia and tried new extreme
sports in the mountains and rivers.
For example, I went for cave
exploring, paragliding, and rafting. I told
myself "it's now or never", if I didn't hold this opportunity
to do those things I would never have those great memories
forever. Especially the experience during the paragliding for me
is super awesome, I would be regret about it if I didn't fly
throughout the sky. The bird view on the blue sky is
magnificent, I can see all Bucaramanga city. All buildings and
people became so small, I finally realized how tiny we human being are. It felt
like while I was in the air, I can hear the voice from the universe. Now I have more open
mind and courageous that one needs. The environment changes one person, I would
never do those dangerous activities in Taiwan. But my friends told my that you did take a
travel for such far distances, why not try it out? So, I was persuaded. And I am very glad I
have made the choices.
Besidesthe exotic and extraordinary experiences
in Colombia,I knew one group of special friends. Their
passion, kindness, and good heart motivated me deeply within
these two months. Even they were busy for school and their
work, they still devoted to the English conversational club
with me and took me the know more about Bucaramanga
city. I think everyone in here has love in their heart, the
generous heart. For me it's a little difficult to imagine they
could have gave their love to a traveler form a far far away
country. Are there any poverty in Colombia? I don't think so, in their heart they
are rich than any one around the world. Because they know how to cherish what they got
and they know how to stay happy. I always told them that I want to be a Latin Taiwanese!
The stories that I had in Colombia are always full of joy, and the experiences during these
two months is-- priceless.
Inthis journey I see the world, well part of the world. My vision
now is not only restricted to the island of Taiwan but the whole
world. Meanwhile I spread or name or nation to the world. I am
proud of myself to do diplomatic connection in another country.
Every-time when I was answering "I am from Taiwan." I spoke
with pride. I never felt embarrassed and under-pressured using
our national flag in Colombia. I took our flag to each corner in
Bucaramanga to show them the flag with blue sky, light sun and

3. the passion of our people. Even I am alone in South America, but being a representative of
twenty three million people. I had my mission, I wanted to do the deepest culture
interaction by doing it myself. Let my friends out there will remember me forever and
where I was from. And I hope there would be someday, I could go back the beautiful land
of Colombia. And there could have the chances that they can visit Taiwan, seeing how is
the life in this beautiful island. To here, it somehow felt sad for leaving my friends and what
I love. But we can't force what destining let us go, if we can we will meet again. I will
always pray for that. And now the memories are left only the pictures and videos, but those
memories just like one brand on my mind forever.
Ifyou finish this article word by word, if you can feel the same thing that I did or if
you want to change about yourself. Please do not hesitate, get rid of all the excuses and
burdens. Just go with brave, release the wild side of you, and try any of the possibilities.
Try to resolve all the obstacle that in front of you and makes it to help you during your
travel. Go to embrace the travel alone, there are some certain things that can only be
experienced while travel by one person. That is the only beauty that one backpackers can
see. I regret that I started my first step only when I am nineteen years old. But I know it's
never too late to have the adventure. So, my dear friends. Shoulder your luggage, no
matter how difficult is the road will be, how hard will the travel will be. Please face it with a
humble heart. There is one saying that" If you really want to do something, the whole world
will help you to accomplish it" Go for it! Go for challenging yourself!