Hi, My name is Paola, but all my friends call me Pao. I'm from Bolivia (South America) my mother tongue is Spanish. I'm doing a master program at the Civil Engineering Department. Since I can remember, I dreamed of going to an Asian Country. Since 2004 the Taiwanese Office in Bolivia and government agencies have jointly sponsored the Taiwan Scholarship Program for outstanding international students. Bolivian students who returned to Bolivia were delighted by this beautiful country, not only by the academic level but by the hospitality and kindness of their people. With such a good reference I made my decision. The country that I had chosen it was Taiwan.
Chienkuo Technology University is listed as one of the best universities in Taiwan, I read all the information about it and I wrote to the International Affairs Department asking if I was able to apply, the answer was positive and quite encouraging and kind. Miss Iris Chen director of that department was the bond between me and the University. All this would not have been possible if without her help. In my country is common to give a hug when you are grateful or happy or when we see a good friend (If I were in my country I would give her lots of hugs) and we are greeted by a kiss on the cheek. In fact I would spend most of my time here giving hugs to all the people that help me.
Since I arrived here everything is wonderful, my roommates are awesome (Special thanks to Dominique, Ying Show and U-Ting, Ee Kean, my “Aunty”, my Advisor Mr. Chen, all my professors and all the people who look after me). My new friends here always make me try Taiwanese and Chinese food. Although the food here is very different from my country I like Taiwanese food.
My friends here always ask me “Do you miss your family? (with a sad expression on their faces” and I always say “No”. I think about them every day but that does not make me sad, it makes me stronger.
Even our language, culture and customs are different that has not been an obstacle to make good friends here.
I love Taiwan, I like my University….this is my dream coming true.