Sienna Chen, Grade 12
UWC Robert Bosch College
“What makes a person the very person that she is, herself alone and not another?”
The integrity of one’s identity is challenged every day, especially in the era of rapid globalization, where contact with cultures that differ from ours is easily accessible through social media and news outlets.
In my first year at UWC RBC, I felt my identity undergo changes strongly against my will. The exposure to multiple cultures, personalities, and values overwhelmed me. I tried to adapt to the social norms that differ from mine and forced myself to “go out of my comfort zone” so that I’ll make friends.
But one thing that changed the most was my Taiwanese identity.
A survey conducted in 2022 by the National Chengchi University of Taiwan, shows that over 63.7% of Taiwan citizens identify as Taiwanese. But what does it mean to be Taiwanese?
Food?
I always thought that food was an important aspect of the Taiwanese culture, and it is known to many as a tourist attraction, too. One of the most famous Taiwanese cuisines is bubble tea, aka. boba. Strangely, boba has become one of the symbols of Taiwanese identity over these 10 years, and it has also become one of mine as I often made boba for our South/ East Asian dinner.
But is that all?
Another thing I have felt strongly, especially in the current state quo, is political helplessness.
I still remember that night with my lovely Ukrainian roommate. We were sitting on my bed as I listened to her story and I told her mine. We looked at each other with tears rolling in our eyes. And for the first time in my life, I was scared that my country wouldn’t exist in 10 years.
When Pelosi visited Taiwan, I waited in front of our television with my computer open to chats with my Chinese friends. They sent me news screenshots that China had begun sending military tanks in FuJian province, the province closest to Taiwan. I remember my father jokingly said how China wouldn’t dare to do anything as he stayed up until 12 am just to watch Pelosi land. Memes of how China was just a “paper tiger” boomed over the media, and screenshots of twitter ,winnie the pooh stickers were sent to me, but I, I was on the verge of tears. Although I laughed along with my Dad’s jokes, and replied 笑死 ( lol) to the memes and stickers, I was terrified, because deep down I knew, and everyone knew, there would be something.
Indeed it did, China announced that they will be having military drills around Taiwan, not only in the Taiwan Sea as before. Although things are the way they are, a ticking clock appeared. We know that we cannot win if China does decide to take over Taiwan by force, and we, and I, cannot do anything if that day happens.
But now, whenever I see a Taiwanese flag, my heart blooms with pride. Taiwan isn’t a perfect country, but when I remember in some situations, to avoid a conflict, I cannot even address Taiwan as a country, I cherish the freedom to say that it is even more. I am thankful that I was born in Taiwan, a place that provides me with healthcare, a place that has rich culture, a place that I can walk in the streets at night, a place where the breakfast shop lady calls me pretty girl, a place that has a convenience store every 50 meters, and most importantly, a place where I am from, because I am proud to say:
“Hi! I’m Sienna. And I am Taiwanese.”
Citation
https://www.thoughtco.com/taiwan-facts-and-history-195091
The integrity of one’s identity is challenged every day, especially in the era of rapid globalization, where contact with cultures that differ from ours is easily accessible through social media and news outlets.
In my first year at UWC RBC, I felt my identity undergo changes strongly against my will. The exposure to multiple cultures, personalities, and values overwhelmed me. I tried to adapt to the social norms that differ from mine and forced myself to “go out of my comfort zone” so that I’ll make friends.
But one thing that changed the most was my Taiwanese identity.
A survey conducted in 2022 by the National Chengchi University of Taiwan, shows that over 63.7% of Taiwan citizens identify as Taiwanese. But what does it mean to be Taiwanese?
Food?
I always thought that food was an important aspect of the Taiwanese culture, and it is known to many as a tourist attraction, too. One of the most famous Taiwanese cuisines is bubble tea, aka. boba. Strangely, boba has become one of the symbols of Taiwanese identity over these 10 years, and it has also become one of mine as I often made boba for our South/ East Asian dinner.
But is that all?
Another thing I have felt strongly, especially in the current state quo, is political helplessness.
I still remember that night with my lovely Ukrainian roommate. We were sitting on my bed as I listened to her story and I told her mine. We looked at each other with tears rolling in our eyes. And for the first time in my life, I was scared that my country wouldn’t exist in 10 years.
When Pelosi visited Taiwan, I waited in front of our television with my computer open to chats with my Chinese friends. They sent me news screenshots that China had begun sending military tanks in FuJian province, the province closest to Taiwan. I remember my father jokingly said how China wouldn’t dare to do anything as he stayed up until 12 am just to watch Pelosi land. Memes of how China was just a “paper tiger” boomed over the media, and screenshots of twitter ,winnie the pooh stickers were sent to me, but I, I was on the verge of tears. Although I laughed along with my Dad’s jokes, and replied 笑死 ( lol) to the memes and stickers, I was terrified, because deep down I knew, and everyone knew, there would be something.
Indeed it did, China announced that they will be having military drills around Taiwan, not only in the Taiwan Sea as before. Although things are the way they are, a ticking clock appeared. We know that we cannot win if China does decide to take over Taiwan by force, and we, and I, cannot do anything if that day happens.
But now, whenever I see a Taiwanese flag, my heart blooms with pride. Taiwan isn’t a perfect country, but when I remember in some situations, to avoid a conflict, I cannot even address Taiwan as a country, I cherish the freedom to say that it is even more. I am thankful that I was born in Taiwan, a place that provides me with healthcare, a place that has rich culture, a place that I can walk in the streets at night, a place where the breakfast shop lady calls me pretty girl, a place that has a convenience store every 50 meters, and most importantly, a place where I am from, because I am proud to say:
“Hi! I’m Sienna. And I am Taiwanese.”
Citation
https://www.thoughtco.com/taiwan-facts-and-history-195091
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