In this episode of Looking South, Eric Gau speaks with a Thai student studying in Taiwan: Aphisit “Tona” Tran, currently at National Taiwan Normal University.
Transcript:
Eric Gau: Good morning, I’m Eric Gau, and welcome to this episode of Looking South, exclusively on ICRT. Today, we’re speaking with Aphisit “Tona” Tran, a student from Thailand who is studying here in Taiwan. Tona, welcome to the show.
Aphisit Tran: Hi everyone.
Please tell our listeners a little bit about your history, where you come from, what you’re studying, things like that.
Aphisit: Okay. First, my name is Aphisit Tran, but you can call me Tona, which is my nickname. I come from Thailand, and I studied at Chulalongkorn University, majoring in Chinese Language. But now I’m studying at NTNU, which is called 師大 in Mandarin, majoring in Taiwan Culture, Languages, and Literature.
Eric: What did you know about Taiwan before entering the exchange program? How did you find out about this exchange opportunity, and why did you decide to join?
Aphisit: Actually, this is not my first time in Taiwan. I visited Taiwan many times, so I know that Taiwan has beautiful tourism attractions, for example Taroko Gorge, Kending, Hualien. And Taiwan has a lot of delicious food. Taiwanese also have their own Mandarin accent. But what I didn’t know about Taiwan as its culture and history and geography. That is why I wanted to come and join the exchange program this year.
Eric: How did you hear about the program to begin with?
Aphisit: My home university has cooperation with universities around the world, including NTNU. So I just paid some tuition fee in my home university, and I can exchange with other universities around the world, and I chose NTNU, because I want to know more about Taiwan, and I chose the department where I can learn more about Taiwan.
Eric: How would you describe your experience in Taiwan so far? What have you learned, what surprises have you encountered?
Aphisit: I think it’s an unexpected experience. I have overcome my limitations and my fears. I’ve become a person that I never thought I could be, a more independent person, and I have to overcome my fears and try a lot of things. For example, today, I went to the mosque to do alms for Muslim people. I had never tried that before, and I had never thought that I would want to try it. I do a lot of things, I have a lot of opportunities here, for example I joined a club at NTNU that I have to visit aboriginal villages in January, so I have to prepare a lot of work with my Taiwanese friends. I also helped a teacher do some research, it was a great experience that I never thought that I would have.
Eric: You’re saying that these kinds of opportunities and experiences were not available in your hometown? These were things you could only do after coming to Taiwan?
Aphisit: Yes, because, in my home country, I was an introvert, and I didn’t a lot of activities, I was a shy person. But in Taiwan, I realized that you can’t be that person, you can’t be so introverted, shy, or depressed. You have to step out of your comfort zone and do some activities, and find out what you like and what you want to do in your life, what can fulfil your dreams. I decided to join a lot of activities so I can know who I am. I want to know who I am.
Eric: What knowledge or learning do you look forward to taking back to your home country, and how will it help people back home?
Aphisit: A lot of people ask me about Taiwan, kind of political questions and history questions. And I cannot answer them. So I am looking forward to knowing more about Taiwan politics, history, culture, and society, so when I go back home, I can explain it to then, and give them a correct understanding of Taiwan.
Eric: Do you have anything you’d like to say to other people who might be thinking of coming to Taiwan under a similar program?
Aphisit: I want to say that please don’t hesitate, step out from your house, step out from your comfort zone. You can explore a new world, and you can become a new version of yourself.
Eric: We’ve been talking with Aphisit “Tona” Tran about his experiences studying here in Taiwan. Tona, thank you for joining us on the air.
Aphisit: Thank you, you’re welcome.
Eric: And that’s it for Looking South this week. I’m Eric Gau, thank you all for tuning in.