From Sobia Hussain_Pakistan

It feels surreal to reflect on my final week in Taiwan—these four months have been nothing short of extraordinary.

Academic Presentation

One of the most fulfilling aspects of this program was working on the academic project. I thoroughly enjoyed this part as the research area was closely aligned with my major, making it even more engaging and meaningful. I truly admire Prof. Dr. Hsing Jasmine Chao for her expertise and inspiring mentorship throughout the project. Her guidance made the research process not only manageable but also deeply enjoyable. The final presentation day was both exciting and rewarding, and I felt proud of the effort we all put into our projects.

Medical Courses

The final three medical courses were a wonderful learning experience. I especially loved Prof. Jasmine’s lecture on air quality, which gave us profound insights into its impact on public health. It’s a topic I’ve always found fascinating, and the lecture deepened my understanding of its significance in promoting overall wellbeing.

MOFA & TMU Closing Ceremonies

The closing ceremonies were a bittersweet reminder of how far we’ve come. The MOFA ceremony marked the end of our New Southbound Policy journey, where we celebrated as one united group. At the TMU ceremony, we performed the traditional Hakka umbrella dance in colorful, floral-patterned aprons and scarves—a beautiful way to embrace Taiwanese culture. Receiving certificates for the medical and Mandarin courses from TMU and MTC felt like a fitting conclusion to this transformative experience.

Yangmingshan Trip

Our final adventure, a trip to Yangmingshan, was the perfect way to end our journey. The bumpy bus ride was worth it once we arrived at Qingtiangang, with its stunning cow-grazed grasslands, and Xiaoyoukeng, where we marveled at the post-volcanic vents. The weather was ideal—sunny with a cool breeze—which made the experience even more memorable.

Final Words

As I say goodbye, I’m filled with gratitude for this incredible opportunity and the friendships I’ve built along the way. A heartfelt thank you to Yuri and John for their unwavering support, patience, and kindness—you both were the backbone of this program. To everyone I’ve shared this journey with, I hope our paths cross again someday.

It’s hard to believe that at the start of this journey, I didn’t feel much of a connection with Taiwan. But after just one month, I truly fell in love with this beautiful country. Now, I can confidently say that I will definitely visit again—maybe even for my PhD. Taiwan, I will miss you so much; in fact, I’m already missing you. You have given me the best memories and introduced me to the most wonderful people. Thank you for everything!