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trukesehammer
Joined: 25 Mar 2003 Posts: 168 Location: The Vatican
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Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2003 7:46 pm Post subject: Finally Coming "Home" |
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My Dear Friends:
It has been a wonderful three years back in America, but my time in the University of South Dakota's English-PhD program is just about done, thanks be to God!
I hope you don't mind me "venting" here, but maybe some of you might be able to relate --and also give me some good "homecoming" advice, as I plan on returning to Taiwan immediately after my last class.
Okay, so first off: I think Taiwan did something to me. Seriously! For example, my American friends and students always tease me because they say I BOW TOO MUCH. And they cannot figure out why I hand and accept things with TWO HANDS instead of one, or why I always take off my shoes before coming into their houses. Worse still is when I showed the movie, EAT DRINK MAN WOMAN to my "Introduction to Literature" class. That movie made me so homesick that I actually had tears streaming down my face and had to leave the room and make up some excuse about allergies!
And while we're on the subject of health, I am so anxious to return that I am actually looking forward to doing battle with SARS! What has Taiwan done to me?
Okay, I know you guys are busy, so I will cut this transmittal short and get to the questions. (1) Has anyone else ever gone through this, or am I just a lone ESL crackpot whistling in the dark? (2) Now that I am joining the wonderful realm of ABD PHDs and returning home, how do my job prospects look? Got any good leads? Although I prefer to teach at universities, I really *DO* love teaching junior and senior high school kids. Well, thanks a zillion. Write back soon.
Respectfully,
Chieftain
PS: Has anyone noticed the night sky lately or is it too smoggy in Taiwan these days? The planet Jupiter is right next to the moon --so lovely. My people call this month "Moon of the Carrying Crows." |
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Okami
Joined: 25 Jan 2003 Posts: 121 Location: Sunny Sanxia
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Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2003 5:40 pm Post subject: Zanadu?? |
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I don't know. I think you're kind of strange, but most long termers who stay here are. Venting is perfectly acceptable and good for you. I still don't undertsand why you bow though.
Taiwan is Taiwan. I've gotten use to it and have developed coping strategies and counter-manipulation strategies. I'm too disgusted by local habits and attitudes to actually blend in well. I speak enough of the language to get by and can read enough to accomplish most tasks(Wenlin software, is great). I've gotten use to being sick for months at a time and not having good medical care(as in the doctor doesn't guess and prescribe me at least 5 drugs). SARS is pretty much a non-event so far. I say give it another 2-6 months.
When I did go back to the US(St. Louis) for a visit after living in Taiwan for 2 years. I couldn't wait to get back to Taiwan. I would of stayed in Phoenix though. You'll be able to have the pick of jobs with a PhD. Colleges and Universities are trying to upgrade so they are hiring anyone with a PhD. As it helps them when the MOE decides how good they are. Are you an ABC? You'll get use to it and miss all the things you left in the US.
Okami |
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