Jade 🥺 it takes so much courage to share so much about your life online. I appreciate the genuine openness you are sharing with your viewers. I hope Taipei is everything you could imagine and more. I’m sorry things back home are turbulent, but remember that not everything is within your control. I KNOW you are the kind of person who does everything to help those you care about, so don’t feel too guilty. We are both entering our final semesters of uni, and I wish the best for the both of us. There is so much uncertainty and change in our lives right now, but I am a firm believer of “what’s meant to be will be.” Everything happens for a reason, and everything works out in the end. Good luck, Jade! I can’t wait for the vlog updates ✨❤
Gahhh you're so lovely, thank you Lynne! 💐 your words mean a lot. I'm trusting that Taipei will be everything I need it to be and that everything else will work itself out too 🦋
It’s so okay to not be excited for big changes when your life feels turbulent , it doesn’t make you ungrateful or mean you’ll enjoy it any less once you’re there! The sense of loss you can feel from moving away from somewhere you love is very real so I really admire your bravery to start over again so many times.💜
As a vegan Taiwanese, I can proudly say that being a vegan in Taiwan is one of the best things you can have. If you like nature, go to the east part of Taiwan where you can embrace both ocean and mountain. There is one popular thing people will do is to travel around Taiwan a whole circle to celebrate their graduation or just casually. So I suggest you to do the same. Btw, I am studying abroad in California and I feel you. Hope you have a great memory in Taiwan.
Minerva sounds like the kind of university that should feature in a YA novel, where you guys are learning how to take over the world when you graduate. Like the academy in Ender's Game or something. It must be an amazing, yet incredibly stressful. Glad you're making the most of it, Jade!
I’m leaving Taiwan this week after 4 months studying in Hsinchu- Two hours from Taipei. I’ve had an amazing time here and I’m sure you won’t regret the next semester in Taiwan. It’s not a perfect place but I’ve fallen in love with this country so much. I recommend Songshan district in Taipei and if you get a chance to travel south Kaosiung is beautiful and full of traditional culture. Taipei is an amazing city with a great underground system that’s so easy to navigate - buy an easy card as soon as you can! Songshan district has some vegetarian restaurants and many people here are so happy to edit dishes if you ask them. I hope you have the best time here!
Would love to hear your reflections on what it means to be British after having lived abroad over the course of your programme! Wishing you luck in your final semester and hope you manage to find that inner peace and stability after such a long turbulent period x
I am from Taiwan and currently study in France now. I think you are already well-prepared, the books you had read and the knowledge you have about Taiwan really surprise me 😆. Mandarin is hard to learn, but I think Taiwanese will be happy to speak English with you🤣. There is a Taiwanese drama called The World Between Us, it is very popular and mentioned lots of social issue in Taiwan, and the plot is based on the big crime that had impacted Taiwan’s society very much. Also there’s one singer called Xing Zheng, I like his songs very much and most of the songs contains the description about the places in Taiwan, like Rain in Taipei, The Room by the Sea, you can listen if you want🥰. Hope the information will be useful to you, and enjoy your time in Taipei :)
'just let it unfold' this is such a wise approach and it feels so grounded hearing you say it. Often we forget the power of having pure childlike wonder and this comes from the space of the unknown. Jade I hope you find true joy in just playing and allowing yourself to be free in Taipei for your final semester 💚💚
I really can relate to what you said at the beginning of the video and the fact that you crave stability and a sense of home. I have been twice on Erasmus exchange, and lived in Finland as an au pair and after spending a very intense month traveling in Mexico I also wanted to spent my last months of uni at home, writing my dissertation in the peace of my own home. The saddest part Jade, an you probably already understood it or you will after you graduate and decide to stick to a place, is that you’ll never feel that sense of home the same as you feel it now. I think we will probably have to move to a new home and create it from scratch because our old homes will fit very tight… at least this is for me. I’m moving to Berlin this year and I plan to stay there for a while, hope to see you there one day 😊
Yes, your home before uni won’t feel the same after uni, even if everything stayed the same while you were away - because you’re not the same person. We have to build our own “home” within ourselves and then extend that to our physical spaces when we physically settle. It’s a spiritual journey alongside the physical one. We all go through this if we grow into independent adults.
I very rarely leave a comment but I was just thinking that really Jade, watching you living and growing and sharing what you think or dream it's such a joy and a blessing. Watching your videos it's always refreshing, it feels like you have so much love and curiosity for everything that you can pass that on to everyone of us through the screen. I wish you the very best for this final semester of uni and I'm really grateful you'll take us along 💫
Hi Jade! As a person who is about 10 years older I wish I had heard some of your internal dialogue earlier in my life. Through your videos over the years you have honed the skill of being able to condense and express your inner thougts in a way that resonates with people. And that is powerful! Everytime I hear from you, I try not just file your incedible journey under "things-I-wish-Id-known-sooner" but to challenge myself in the point of life where I am in right now to simply be a kinder person towards myself and to focus on personal growth. Thank you for that!
Not me crying at almost the very first seconds of this video, knowing what it truly means to you saying "it's the first time I don't want to study abroad". Been missing your videos for so long. I am so happy to be back❤
Hi Jade, as one of your enthusiastic Taiwanese subscribers, it is more than pleased to know that you are coming to Taipei, Taiwan, which is currently where I live in. One of our publicly known cultures is hospitality that can make you energized during your stay here. =D And I know the Mandarin characters can scare many foreigners off at the first sight, but trust me the local here will feel surprised and more passionate to have a small talk with you even if you only know a few phrases. In addition, I have seen not only vegetarian but also vegan restaurants growing popularity these few years so food should not be a worry item. Since you mentioned Elephant Mt., it is truly convenient to reach it in Taipei area via metro or bus (depending on where you stay) and one of a best vintage point to view Taipei 101. There are more things I can introduce to you but I will instead refer you to some of my Foreign and Taiwan RUclipsr lists who have filmed many Taiwanese Vlogs for you. Hope you enjoy it. The list is shown as below ("name"-->"intro"), just copy the name and they are all covered with Eng sub. Feel free to comment me if there's anything you wanna know. 1. 莫彩曦Hailey --> American RUclipsr whose Mandarin is near native speaker and she is also a vegetarian person 2. 莎白Elizabeth-->American RUclipsr with perfect Mandarin with her lovely child and Taiwanese husband 3. lifeintaiwan --> I am not very familiar with this guy but he's British so perhaps it will come into handy 4. TGOP (This Group Of People) --> they are Taiwanese but since they offer Eng subtitles and the topics are very local-like, it can give you a quick approach into what a Taiwanese life looks life in every aspect in an entertaining way Enjoy your stay! 😃
@@maggiekao4464 Hahaha I like Soya the most because she is so funny 🤣🤣🤣Tristan’s Chinese is so standard, she is just in Taiwan for 5 years?! ( I guess 5 years)
At the end of the video you reminded me of what I felt 10 years ago when I was finishing university. I called it: ""el abismo" the abyss, because it felt that way, like the road that was on sight ended and it was my turn to carve a path for myself. Now I have a beautiful life that I woudn't change for anything :) So if you ever feel hopeless or scared about the unknown just Trust that the universe has your back! And all things fall into place. lots of love!
Thank you for being you and making people who feel a little lost less alone. Change is sooo uncomfortable and scary. It makes me feel a little less frozen when i know others are experiencing it to. A big hug from Israel
I left Taiwan for the Netherlands and have had an amazing experience studying abroad but I promise you’ll have a good experience in Taipei ❤ There’s so much to do and the people are lovely
omg!!! Greetings from Taiwan! I spent my entire university in Taipei and 3 years working in this beautiful city. I miss it so much after moving out! Hope you'll have a good time here :)! Welcome!
I hope you are able to experience all the joy you deserve during your time in Taipei! I am sixteen and have been considering doing a year-long exchange through Rotary, as I am passionate about travel and language. I haven't pursued the possibility because my mum has cancer - so I understand your guilt to an extent, even though I haven't yet studied abroad. I hope you and your family are able to work through whatever life's thrown at you
Thank you so much for your honesty! You are such a real person and that makes you so beautiful! You really add a lot of value to this world, I hope you know that ❤
Omg I'm so excited to hear you're moving to Taiwan! I'm currently teaching in Japan and previously studied and taught in China, but next year I'm planning to move to Taiwan - really looking forward to hearing what you get up to during your time there 🤩 Love your insights into your language learning experiences, I'd not heard of Lingoda before so definitely going to check them out! I've always found that actually living in the country, making friends there and having that direct incentive to learn / opportunity for authentic practice is so important. A few useful apps I'd highly recommend for Mandarin learning: - SuperChinese - Chinese Zero to Hero - HSKOnline - Skritter (I have some videos on my channel about some of these with discount codes btw, if you do want to check them out!)
I completely empathise with the difficulty of deciding to study/move abroad when your family situation is somewhat turbulent, I'm currently in the midst of applications to an overseas doctoral program but the prospect of leaving my family is terrifying. I wish you all the strength and perseverance to finish college and know that your family will love and support you, and they're always just a phone call away when you need them most (which isn't the ideal situation but sometimes we all just need to hear our mum saying everything is gonna be ok).
Jade, I believe that you will have an amazing semester. You are sweet and kindhearted; I hope everything you need will be available during your last semester of college. I am going to say a prayer for you and your family, whatever the situation may be I pray you all will have an abundance of love, peace, healing, and resources! Thanks for sharing.
I think it takes a lot to live this kind of way, never really settling and learning how things work just for it to change again shortly after. U are really strong and inspiring
I can only agree with all the warm-hearted comments here. Jade, thank you so much for sharing your adventurous life with the world! I can imagine how hard it must be to adapt to all the changes after such a short period of time. I also study abroad (but only in one foreign country and it's a neighbouring country of my home country) so I know all your feelings soo well! Especially during Christmas time in the last weeks, I felt the need to hug my siblings, to talk to my parents in person, cuddle the cat, chill on the couch, etc. And I also know the feeling of leaving the loved ones behind and not being with them, although it might be important for the family... So, I just want to let you know that you are not alone and this time of uncertainty & sadness will pass. You're so blessed to have the chance to live in so different cultures as a young woman, this will mark and enrich your life incredibly! I couldn't imagine a better personality as yours that would fit in this kind of international degree. And at least you habe always the same class mates with you :) So you got this!! I wish you a good start in Taipei and I'm looking forward to watching your content 🫶🏼 Love from Paris ✨
As a senior also in her final year of university, I completely understand the sudden desire for stability and home. Personal life changes can add so much excitement and stress to the graduation period. Sending all the love, strength, and good vibes your way 💛✨
Jade i love your videos so much- they really embody and speak about the chaos and wonder of life in late teens/ early twenties. Remember looking back on this semester, it’s the good parts that will stick with you forever; mountain sunrises and stinky tofu. I’m also moving to Taiwan this month after studying Mandarin on and off for a few years! Cant tell you how excited i am and i hope you love it as much as i think i will
I still can't believe that you are coming to Taiwan! I hope that everything we have to offer will make your stay here most special and unforgettable. My favourite band is Mayday (五月天) and as a native, I can confidently say that the lyrics are very poetic and a great window into the beauty of Mandarin! Taipei is very easy to travel around with the MRT and that also allows you easy access to nature. Another hiking route I like beside the Elephant Mountain is Fuyang Eco Park (富陽公園). When you come, do give it a visit!
this fall, while leaving to the US from Russia (to study) during the war i felt exactly the same: guilty to leave my family when i was needed ❤️🩹 thank you Jade for your videos. such an inspiration to live the life with a widely open mind and heart 🫂
i never comment, but i just wanted to say that i really enjoyed this video. i can really relate to the ambivalence you are displaying and that not everything is shiny and perfect but we trust the process. so i hope you dont feel pressured to always share only the positive sides, i think it's way more relatable to see that you are struggling to (as we all are!!) i hope you won't stress yourself too much with all your work, mental health is the most important thing!!! best of wishes from berlin :)
It's so so inspirational watching how aware you are of the way you're feeling, and not letting it take you down but instead embracing it. I'm in such a similar situation, nearly exactly the same in some ways, and I will definitely try and take on your energy. I can't wait to watch your journey in Taipei, with anything and everything that entails. I know you'll be amazing, thank you ❤️
Jade! Thank you for sharing your genuine feelings and concerns. It really instills courage in me to be truthful with myself about everything I go through AND ultimately go through it, make progress. Please, hang in there, I keep my fingers crossed for you)💪
Whether you're studying abroad or not, university is always overwhelming and draining if you're giving 100% of yourself to studying in order to get the best grades possible. I attended uni an hour away from home and still in 3rd and 4th year I was completely burned out. The best comforting words I could give you, and I'm sure deep down you know what they are already, is that in the end it won't matter how exhausted you were in the process. You'll barely even remember the pain. All that will matter is the result and the beautiful memories you made in between. Make those memories worth it, Jade, we are always here to support and cheer you up
Your growth is astounding, may your next semester be a time for calm introspection, and may you build a home like no other in Taiwan. My heart is with you jade ❤☽
hi jade im taiwanese and ive been watching your videos for a while, its so exciting to hear that you are going to taipei. taiwanese ppl are really welcoming and the food is good! im sure that you will have a great time!
Since i followed you and be inspired by your mindset, i have seen you traveled to many countries in different parts of the world. You had chances to immerse yourself in these cultures and see the beauty of them. Then you will grow dramatically. Thanks for going along with me for probably about 2 years. Hope to see your video in my hometown -Viet Nam. Big love to you💓💓🙆🙆
I have been living out of a suitcase for a few weeks over the holidays and am so glad to come home today. I am looking forward to seeing your last year abroad. Have the best time in Taiwan!
hey Jade, I’m a taiwanese living in taichung(middle of taiwan), I really recommend the yangmingshan national park, the beautiful mountains and hot spring!! I LOVE the there! and for bubble tea I recommend the original one, called Chun Shui Tang. Hope u enjoy everything here!! So happy that u can be in my country🥰
I've been studying in Canada for 5 years now. I moved from home (France) when I was 18 and so much of what you said resonates! My situation is different in the sense that I built a routine and a "home" here as well, I haven't been moving every 4 months. But after my bachelors (3 years) I started to observe a shift. I felt more & more guilty not to be there for my family, missing out on key moments (my nephews growing up, my grandma getting sick & tired) and not being there to support my closest family members (mom, brother). I don't know what happened in your family but it helped me to be "selfish" in a way? I chose to come here and to study here and it wasn't an out-of-the-blue choice, I had (and still have) many reasons to prefer Canada over France. What also helped me is telling myself that once I'll graduate from my masters, I'll be free to find a job where I can have flexibility and go home often and travel (the opposite of you, I crave change at this moment). So I would say that realising we have more control on our lives that we think, that everything is temporary but that we are here because we chose to and we should embrace that... can really help getting through tough times. I'm sure you'll look back at those times fondly... And as much as it is an amazing and priviledged experience to travel so much, you have the right not to be excited all the time. Once this semester is over, I hope you'll have your slow routine 🍃 That you'll be able to shift your way of life so that it fits more to where you're at now. 2023 will be full of transitions but also of choices and freedom 💛
I am currently working as a postdoctoral researcher in NTU, and I can promise you that you will love it here! My recommendation: make sure you check out the hot springs - they are so special to Taiwan, as a country lying on a major tectonic fault line. In the winter and early spring, they are a way to really relax and give yourself some love, and experience local culture at the same time. Winter and early spring is the perfect time to appreciate them, while the temperature is not horrible 😅The best nearby places are Beitou, which you can get to on the MRT, Wulai, a beautiful indigenous village in a nearby mountain valley reachable by bus, and Jiaoxi, a hot spring town across the mountains in the neighbouring county of Yilan, also a bus ride away. All three have great options. Let me know if you want some advice or someone to hang out or hike with, and good luck!
Hey Jade! I’m from Taipei and currently studying here in the UK. Congrats to your new adventure and I can’t wait to see your vids in Taiwan! I highly recommend Wu Ming-Yi’s (吳明益）novels! Many of them have been published in English. And when it comes to music, I’m really into indi singer-songwriters Deserts Chang (安溥）and Enno Cheng (鄭宜農）😊
Thank you for your honesty and showing the realness of studying abroad. I’m just learning to embrace my curles and would love to know which products you use and your hair care routine - your hair is incredible! Xx
Wish you all the best Jade, you're truly an unjaded, beautiful girl. You're gonna make it. I learned so much things from you . Proud of you Jade, you should be proud of you. ✨ 🌻🌷💛
I'm leaving in less than 2 weeks for a study abroad semester in BRIGHTON (any recoms welcome)!! This is the first time I'll be abroad for a longer period of time and I'm so grateful for that opportunity and to the past me who decided to apply :). I've been following you for so many years and your optimism and bravery inspire me so much!! Thank you for sharing the negative sides of studying abroad as well, because eventhough it's a great opportunity, those things are real and valid
I never had the words to explain how it feels to study abroad and you just said exactly how I feel that just made me cry. thank you for being so honest and making me feel not alone and not insane
I always feel that your videos come into my path when I need them the most ❤ I am in the same boat as you, travelling but contemplating whether I should be home for a while. I think we need to trust what the universe has planned for us, and where ever we end up is the right place at that time! Thank you so much for being vulnerable, raw and truthful 👏🙌
Each time I am amazed by the quality of the video ! The way you adapt the editing to the content is really impressive. For instance, the pace of this one is quite different from those filmed in Buenos Aires, and it really reflects the melancholy feeling you talk about. Also, as always, the photography is beautiful, and you always select meaningful shots. It must requires a lot of work to develop such a personal aesthetic. It's really original and unique on YT. I love it :) Thanks for all the things you're giving us !
HI! I am from Taiwan and am super excited for you to be studying there! You mentioned that you'd like to explore the nature, there is a park within the city 大安森里公園 that is super accessible via metro. Also, you mentioned many things within Taipei and a little beyond such. Because Taiwan is tiny, it is very easy to travel throughout the country and I highly encourage you to see the obligatory 阿里山 and 日月潭 as well as the AMAZING cuisine in 台南. best of luck in all your travels and studies!!!
Hi, Jade It's Chelsea. And I’m from Taiwan!!! Things to look out for, there will be a referendum this year where every citizen can vote on specific events and determine whether it gets passed or not. In terms of places to go, if you can travel outside of Taipei, there are many islands (Orchid， Penghu, etc.) There are many SPA hotels in Taipei as well. Keelung Night market is amazing. Hope you have a great time there!!! I have been following you for more than a year now. Thank you for your motivating videos on life and study. It really lift me up when I was down. Send you Love.
So happy to see your update!!! It's definitely a blessing to be able to study in so many different countries/cities, and it was so so nice of you to take us on this journey with you. You can't imagine how excited I am to hear that you're coming to Taipei. I can't believe you're going to be so close to me (I went to school in Beijing). I hope you have the best time while you're in Taipei and if you have time, plz plz visit the rest of China!!! We love you so much!
Hi Jade! I've been watching you video for a long time. Happy to know that you'll spend your next semester in Taipei!!🤠I'm from the mainland and didn't learn that much about Taiwan. Don't give yourself too much pressure by diving in its history, bacause many of us don't even know that much.😂And I've never been there before, so it would be special to learn more about Taiwan from you video! You should just explore and have fun. Good luck ~🥳
it was beautiful to see at the end of the video how uncertainty crossed your face as you spoke about your future, and then how you pushed through that with a smile of determination
I am with you every step of the way! This is the final year of my degree as well and so the looming graduation is super exciting but really scary. I feel all of the family, societal and personal pressure to get good grades, make the most of it and have a social life on top of drowning in work. Thankfully I have an MA programme set up for afterwards but that means moving to a new city and university again and going through the whole making friends process again. It's so nerveracking but your videos help to ground me and know that I am not alone in my feelings. We can make it through this year 🥰
Oh my god, Jade!!! I can relate to you so much!! For the last 3 years Ive been on Leadership Experience Program for graduates at Mars, and travelled every 10-12 months to new city all by myself, changing factories, projects, people. It's my 3rd year and I am so extremely tired of change it doesn't bring me joy anymore. I started craving home, stability, long-lasting friendships. and am planning on finishing program and taking a break.
I’m sending your you and your loved ones all my strength, you’re a such a lovely and wonderful person, and I wish you courage and joy in this new start❤️
Thank you for sharing, Jade! This really resonates with me, as I've also been doing a fair amount of traveling and studying abroad these past few years, and leaving home a few days ago had me feeling similarly burnt out and craving more long-term stability, despite being incredibly grateful to continue experiencing new places in this way. Sending love for a wonderful semester
Welcome Jade! I am so happy your coming to my hometown Taipei. I only found your channel in 2022 while I am preparing for my three month trip in Europe this summer. I love how you have such great spirits and enthusiasm for your life and plans. I can relate to the tiredness after long travel and not being able to do enough research. But sometimes I feel an open heart is all we need to embrace a new culture and city, and let it surprises you. And from what you mentioned in the video, you seem well prepared to me. No need to worry too much about the language barrier, most people in Taipei can speak enough English and are willing to help people even if we don’t. And we do have a lot vegan places to eat, I heard we are a very vegan friendly country😂 The mountains, hot springs and beaches are usually an hour or two away by public transportation in Taipei. If you have time, try visit the east side Hualien and Taitung for sea side view and nature; or try down south to Tainan for more traditional food and history. I hope you enjoy your time in Taipei. 😃
I’m studying abroad this semester and I don’t know how you do it every semester. It’s been a whirlwind of emotions and the prep is a lot. Props to you and thanks for sharing. Nice to know i’m not the only one feeling these emotions.
hey Jade, thank you for this video, even though I'm not quite in the same position as you, I'm going through a similar -ish- experience and this video is exactly what I needed to hear. I'm starting my last year of high school next week (I'm from Aotearoa :P) after getting burned out (not sure if that's the right term but I'm gonna go with it) from last year. I'm really scared because this is the last year of high school and I know I'm not going to 'achieve' the way I did last year because I'm still exhausted from the year and my ongoing chaotic personal life. But anyway, hearing your approach as you're starting your final semester and reading these lovely comments about just trusting and letting things unfold is just so perfect and and just thank you all. sending trust, love & lavender 💐💜
What you say is so important, that you are allowed to embrace your feelings, the good and the bad! Although you have been abroad for much longer than I have, I do recognise that feeling of craving stability, a sense of home and slow living (I feel like if you're abroad you want to make the most out of it, seeing everything while you're there, which can interrupt slowliving - but it doesn't have to!). While at home, "getting the most out of life" can mean something different. Since you have a more stable basis, you can prioritize what you REALLY need at the moment, even if that means doing nothing adventurous for a while. I'm sure that with your gratitude mindset, you'll have an amazing semester in Taipei. Hopefully you'll find that peace you're looking for there as well, perhaps in a different way than in the UK, but you know what they say, home is where the heart is, and you'll always have your heart with you. Being home at myself is something I've learned during my time abroad 💛✨🌍
Every time I watch your content or read your book (I just became a fan of yours, hence the lateness), I seem to find myself in you so much. Your preferences and approach and thinking and personality; I feel refreshed that I can relate to so well to you. I lack the social aspect of your persona: the friends and enjoying life with people, but I am working on it. Thanks for making me feel this way 🙏! Sending lots of love and optimism from Pakistan!
Oh my god Jade. This video is a conspiracy of the universe. I study in a different state from my home, and have to intern in other states/cities every 6 months. I just left home today for internship and I feel like I have avoided crying the whole day today. Not to your level, but establishing and uprooting your life every 4 months is hard. I can closely relate. Scary even. Also draining, ofcourse. And my personal life has been a little turbulent as well lately and I was so so so guilty the whole day for having to leave and disengage from that. I am sending you so much love and power. I needed this video today, thankyou so much. I don't feel alone in this feeling. I have been with you since 2020 and you inspire me. Love from India ❤️
Best wishes on your final semester. Prayers for your family situation. Can’t wait to see your vlogs on Taipei. I’ve thought about traveling there. Right now I’m looking at a trip to Cambodia. Life after you graduate will be open for you to choose a place to call home. You will do well. I found i fondly remember my uni days snd later grad school days. But travel can still be part of your life too. Your generation has so many travel opportunities. When I was in my twenties I was extremely lucky to visit Europe. I still remember arriving into the UK and being excited. I’ve been fortunate to still be able to travel now.
I think you´re incredibly brave for facing the challenges of uni and living away from family in another country, and not only that, a different one every semester??!! just mind blowing, and shows how strong you are. Some days during uni terms I feel so sad, guilty, lost, tired, for being away from my family, and I´m only in a city 3 hours away, so what you´re doing is awesome. Thanks for sharing!!! Much love from Chile
I just hope you have a great semester and it's ok to feel guilt sometimes for not being able to spend much time with our loved ones, but I know we'll get through this and hey it's new year and I am damn sure it's going to bring lots of love and blessings into everyone's life. I hope all the issues you might be facing now fade away and you'll get through it. Don't worry everything'd going to fall into place and hakuna matata lol..LOVE YA ♥
Hey jade, I am so proud of you. You are like my big sister (eventhough I have 2 elder sisters, we are not that close ).and I really appreciate the way you express you feelings genuinely. And sis you got this❤️. Wish you all the best
Jade I’m so excited for you, I really hope you enjoy your time there!!!! I’ve been introducing all of my friends to you and explaining Minerva to them because we’ll be applying to uni soon and they’re really interested in the idea and scared lol :D
Hi Jade! Welcome to Taiwan ❤ For music, I recommend Abao (阿爆), Aljenljen, a Taiwanese indigenous (Paiwan tribe) singer who sings in her mother tongue. For movie, I recommend Edward Yang’s movies which I think captures Taipei’s 60s-80s era very well. Also, to learn more about Taiwan’s postwar history, I recommend Hou-Hisao-Hsien’s film “A city of sadness” or a 2022 movie, “Untold Herstory” by Zero Chou. Taiwans population is not only dense, but full of diversity, the indigenous peoples who are most likely to be the common ancestors of the Austronesian peoples across the world, the Han people who migrated over the course of 400 years, postwar immigrants who followed the KMT regime to Taiwan, and new immigrants from mostly Southeast Asia, etc. so there are many languages spoken on this island, I think it’s one of the most beautiful thing about this small island country. thank you for being so open minded to learning about new places and cultures, you’re such an inspiration!!
I love your sight of your living conditions!!! You really focus on the privilege of choosing and even over some drawbacks you always point the fact that you have the chance to choose. Such a privilege. Thanks for your inspiration in that mood!
I am a local in Taipei! Your video really inspired me to enjoy the casual magic in Taipei. I’m sure you will love this city. There are so many good things about it. The food here is amazing and relatively cheap compared to other countries. I recommend taking Youbike or Metro if you wanna travel around the city. It’s super convenient and cheap! I hope I can see you in real life. We could hang out hahaha
Just remember that in the future, it will be so worth it, you may not have the motivation now but studying in this other city will grow you as a person and your studies
I've been following you since you were in highschool and I was starting highschool seeing your life through the screen has been a light for me many times, now I see you and you still being an inspiration for me to strive to be better, I'm going to college next year since I took an unsolicited gap year but I cannot thank you enough for sharing your story, life, struggles here! You are a sunshine Jade
I’m studying abroad next year and I feel grateful that I’m able hear the genuine thoughts of another student studying oversees. Thanks a lot for being brutally honest and I wish you the very best on your journey ✨
Jade, I too miss being away from my family but this fact of growing into a better n responsible person pushes me every day to make this stay count N u know what, the unplanned stays are the best n I hope this stay turns out to be the best in ur whole grad I've seen you growing into this confident, young woman n I hope this semester brings a lot of peace n happiness in ur life. Sending you all the positive energy n love Jade❤️
I hope you enjoy your stay in my birth country! Taiwan is a lovely country to live in ❤as for being vegan in Taipei, it shouldn’t be much a problem. Buddhists in Taiwan are vegetarian/vegan and there will be lots of places accommodating that. There are also definitely vegan only food places too
So excited to see the next videos! Moving to Taipei myself for a year exchange from France in August and I'll appreciate your guidance and content a lot!
u got this jade ,u have come such a long way we are with u on this journey ,i always practice daily gratitude and mindfulness like u do and it does wonders for me 💫
everything you said in the intro?! I can relate SO MUCH!! I'm not exactly in different country for each semester, I study in Edinburgh and am from Slovakia, but each year I'm moving to different accommodation and I'm so tired of it
I studied in Finland last semester and I had a lot going on at uni and in my personal life in the months before I left so I had no energy to really prepare myself for Finland. I did not know much about the history nor the language. When I arrived I felt very unprepared but eventually, I was confronted with all the important things and my curiosity started to come back. I just let this semester to surprise me and it was a really cool experience at the end:)
Hi Jade - I love your videos so much they have literally helped me so much with starting sixth form and my first part time job at the same time, it's been a really hectic time of my life and watching your videos is such a relief for me. Your academia videos help me so much with my revision as well. You are my travel and academic inspiration!! I hope you enjoy Taiwan ❤❤❤
Your feelings - needing more stability in your life - are absolutely valid! I kinda feel the same, probably not to the extent that you do. In my experience, once the feeling of craving security starts to set in you need to keep going just for a little longer. I always went back home when that happened to me and the feeling of "Fernweh" set in again really quickly and I wanted to go away again only to be stuck in this cycle. I now moved out of my parents house a second time, but decided to stay in the country, haven't been home for months now, not bc I wasn't missing home or my friends but to give me the time to develope a certain level of secureness within myself, rather than finding it in my environment. My friends and family understand and I hope to kinda like balance it out over time - being free and secure :)
I can relate to so much of what you’re saying Jade. For the last year both parents mobility has declined. I have been in Canada for 8 months. I felt a deep need to come home. Even my husband and immediate family felt that we needed to come home. It is a weird feeling - like your being drawn somewhere. I literally arrived home yesterday and soon after my sister was admitted to hospital.
A friend of mine studies in Tainan in Taiwan at the moment and he was in the Alishan forest and really enjoyed it so much! The pictures look amazing so I’d really recommend going there 😄 And thanks for your honesty about being a bit tired of traveling.. it’s really understandable :)
It’s totally understandable to feel like that. Going without any expectations and just letting things unfold will suit just fine. I’m sure it will be filled with lots of gems and experiences which will be all the more exciting. Enjoy and take pressure off yourself. Xx
OMG!! I can’t believe you are coming to Taiwan, my hometown😭 I’ve been watching your videos since I was in high school and they encourage me a lot. Hope you enjoy here and this is so magical, Taiwan is a beautiful place, I hope you will love here!!
Jade, I love your videos and their introspective and inquisitive nature. I am currently living in Taiwan, going to an American school. Taiwan is an absolutely wonderful place to visit, the food, culture, people, and natural places are incredible. If you ever need ideas or places to go, let me know! Looking forward to seeing your videos about Taipei!
I'm studying in Taipei rn too! Ok this one is different to what everyone else talks about, but the healthcare here is so good and pretty different to the NHS! I can walk into any hospital and immediately get an appointment on the spot for any specialist doctor. Yesterday I went for a routine eye test and they noticed problems with my optical nerves - well I was in an entire opthamology department and immediately had more tests done and specialist eye drops prescribed and was on my way home within less than 2 hours. So maybe this is a less typically 'fun' aspect to Taiwan but it is SUCH a great quality of life Edit: The karaokes here mostly have songs in Chinese or Taiwanese but there's a korean-style karaoke in Da'an district called Sori Noraebang which has korean karaoke machines with a bunch of English songs in them :) really recommend!
I loved my time in Taipei and really enjoyed ‘just living’ there during my semester abroad. There is a lot to do, but just being there will offer so much in itself to you. There are amazing vegan places and loved how vegan-friendly it was because of the large buddhist community. Let me know if you want more specific recommendations!
Oh and I also have curly hair and my products from Europe did. not. work. there. I was cowashing at the time and it just wouldn’t wash out as well. My guess is that the water is a lot softer there than in The Netherlands and I ended up buying a low poo over there and I didn’t even need a conditioner (still can’t believe it)
We're with you Jade 🧡🥺 you're enough, you're strong and you're valued as you are, I appreciate you sharing your approach as I'm also struggling with doubt and newness and I know it's hard to embrace uncertainty. Sending you lots of hugs 🧡🧡 ily, don't forget to take care of yourself
Hi Jade, im in my last year of highschool abroad in Tanzania (I'm from Germany and Kenya) and I'm feeling similarly to you. Thank you for the video, it made me feel seen.
![How I See the US After Living Abroad for 15 Years [CULTURE SHOCK]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/DO5x_tJBn7w/mqdefault.jpg)
Jade 🥺 it takes so much courage to share so much about your life online. I appreciate the genuine openness you are sharing with your viewers. I hope Taipei is everything you could imagine and more. I’m sorry things back home are turbulent, but remember that not everything is within your control. I KNOW you are the kind of person who does everything to help those you care about, so don’t feel too guilty. We are both entering our final semesters of uni, and I wish the best for the both of us. There is so much uncertainty and change in our lives right now, but I am a firm believer of “what’s meant to be will be.” Everything happens for a reason, and everything works out in the end. Good luck, Jade! I can’t wait for the vlog updates ✨❤
Gahhh you're so lovely, thank you Lynne! 💐 your words mean a lot. I'm trusting that Taipei will be everything I need it to be and that everything else will work itself out too 🦋
It’s so okay to not be excited for big changes when your life feels turbulent , it doesn’t make you ungrateful or mean you’ll enjoy it any less once you’re there! The sense of loss you can feel from moving away from somewhere you love is very real so I really admire your bravery to start over again so many times.💜
As a vegan Taiwanese, I can proudly say that being a vegan in Taiwan is one of the best things you can have. If you like nature, go to the east part of Taiwan where you can embrace both ocean and mountain. There is one popular thing people will do is to travel around Taiwan a whole circle to celebrate their graduation or just casually. So I suggest you to do the same. Btw, I am studying abroad in California and I feel you. Hope you have a great memory in Taiwan.
Minerva sounds like the kind of university that should feature in a YA novel, where you guys are learning how to take over the world when you graduate. Like the academy in Ender's Game or something.
It must be an amazing, yet incredibly stressful. Glad you're making the most of it, Jade!
I’m leaving Taiwan this week after 4 months studying in Hsinchu- Two hours from Taipei. I’ve had an amazing time here and I’m sure you won’t regret the next semester in Taiwan. It’s not a perfect place but I’ve fallen in love with this country so much. I recommend Songshan district in Taipei and if you get a chance to travel south Kaosiung is beautiful and full of traditional culture. Taipei is an amazing city with a great underground system that’s so easy to navigate - buy an easy card as soon as you can! Songshan district has some vegetarian restaurants and many people here are so happy to edit dishes if you ask them. I hope you have the best time here!
This is SO helpful thank you so so much Ciara!! I'm glad you had such an amazing time 🥰
@@UnJadedJade You’re welcome :) Good luck and I hope you enjoy Taiwan as much as I did!
Would love to hear your reflections on what it means to be British after having lived abroad over the course of your programme! Wishing you luck in your final semester and hope you manage to find that inner peace and stability after such a long turbulent period x
I am from Taiwan and currently study in France now. I think you are already well-prepared, the books you had read and the knowledge you have about Taiwan really surprise me 😆. Mandarin is hard to learn, but I think Taiwanese will be happy to speak English with you🤣. There is a Taiwanese drama called The World Between Us, it is very popular and mentioned lots of social issue in Taiwan, and the plot is based on the big crime that had impacted Taiwan’s society very much. Also there’s one singer called Xing Zheng, I like his songs very much and most of the songs contains the description about the places in Taiwan, like Rain in Taipei, The Room by the Sea, you can listen if you want🥰. Hope the information will be useful to you, and enjoy your time in Taipei :)
Oh wow thank you so so much for these recommendations and the warm welcome!! I'm so excited to explore Taiwan 💌
'just let it unfold' this is such a wise approach and it feels so grounded hearing you say it. Often we forget the power of having pure childlike wonder and this comes from the space of the unknown. Jade I hope you find true joy in just playing and allowing yourself to be free in Taipei for your final semester 💚💚
Yes yes yes to this! Big thank you for affirming this🦋
@@UnJadedJade you're welcome x
i love this comment
I really can relate to what you said at the beginning of the video and the fact that you crave stability and a sense of home. I have been twice on Erasmus exchange, and lived in Finland as an au pair and after spending a very intense month traveling in Mexico I also wanted to spent my last months of uni at home, writing my dissertation in the peace of my own home.
The saddest part Jade, an you probably already understood it or you will after you graduate and decide to stick to a place, is that you’ll never feel that sense of home the same as you feel it now. I think we will probably have to move to a new home and create it from scratch because our old homes will fit very tight… at least this is for me. I’m moving to Berlin this year and I plan to stay there for a while, hope to see you there one day 😊
Hi! I can relate so much to what you said. When are you coming to berlin? I’m here right now as well!
I live ~ 3hrs from Berlin by the east coast if you ever need a buddy😁🌸
@@Anna-nt3qt I’m coming in march/april! 😊
Yes, your home before uni won’t feel the same after uni, even if everything stayed the same while you were away - because you’re not the same person. We have to build our own “home” within ourselves and then extend that to our physical spaces when we physically settle. It’s a spiritual journey alongside the physical one. We all go through this if we grow into independent adults.
I very rarely leave a comment but I was just thinking that really Jade, watching you living and growing and sharing what you think or dream it's such a joy and a blessing. Watching your videos it's always refreshing, it feels like you have so much love and curiosity for everything that you can pass that on to everyone of us through the screen. I wish you the very best for this final semester of uni and I'm really grateful you'll take us along 💫
This is so kind and reminds me why I share at all. Big thank you for your words 💐
Hi Jade! As a person who is about 10 years older I wish I had heard some of your internal dialogue earlier in my life. Through your videos over the years you have honed the skill of being able to condense and express your inner thougts in a way that resonates with people. And that is powerful!
Everytime I hear from you, I try not just file your incedible journey under "things-I-wish-Id-known-sooner" but to challenge myself in the point of life where I am in right now to simply be a kinder person towards myself and to focus on personal growth. Thank you for that!
I hope you will have a beautiful journey in taiwan. Good luck with everything you've been going through. You are strong and fierce. Welcome to Taiwan!
Not me crying at almost the very first seconds of this video, knowing what it truly means to you saying "it's the first time I don't want to study abroad". Been missing your videos for so long. I am so happy to be back❤
Hi Jade, as one of your enthusiastic Taiwanese subscribers, it is more than pleased to know that you are coming to Taipei, Taiwan, which is currently where I live in. One of our publicly known cultures is hospitality that can make you energized during your stay here. =D And I know the Mandarin characters can scare many foreigners off at the first sight, but trust me the local here will feel surprised and more passionate to have a small talk with you even if you only know a few phrases. In addition, I have seen not only vegetarian but also vegan restaurants growing popularity these few years so food should not be a worry item. Since you mentioned Elephant Mt., it is truly convenient to reach it in Taipei area via metro or bus (depending on where you stay) and one of a best vintage point to view Taipei 101. There are more things I can introduce to you but I will instead refer you to some of my Foreign and Taiwan RUclipsr lists who have filmed many Taiwanese Vlogs for you. Hope you enjoy it. The list is shown as below ("name"-->"intro"), just copy the name and they are all covered with Eng sub. Feel free to comment me if there's anything you wanna know.
1. 莫彩曦Hailey --> American RUclipsr whose Mandarin is near native speaker and she is also a vegetarian person
2. 莎白Elizabeth-->American RUclipsr with perfect Mandarin with her lovely child and Taiwanese husband
3. lifeintaiwan --> I am not very familiar with this guy but he's British so perhaps it will come into handy
4. TGOP (This Group Of People) --> they are Taiwanese but since they offer Eng subtitles and the topics are very local-like, it can give you a quick approach into what a Taiwanese life looks life in every aspect in an entertaining way
Enjoy your stay! 😃
I study in a non-Chinese speaking country as well! Her study videos help me a lot 😊 by the way, I watched some of those videos that u typed😊
@@daisyinaustralia9295 Hope you find some useful pieces of info in those as well =D
@@maggiekao4464 I do! Hahaha! But I personally preferred 崔璀璨Tristan & Christina 靠右邊走 ☺️☺️☺️ and Sonya’s plan 手癢計畫🤣🤣🤣
@@daisyinaustralia9295 I recognize 崔璀璨 cuz she's been on talk shows before and also heard of Christina 靠右邊走 this channel. Sounds great too!
@@maggiekao4464 Hahaha I like Soya the most because she is so funny 🤣🤣🤣Tristan’s Chinese is so standard, she is just in Taiwan for 5 years?! ( I guess 5 years)
At the end of the video you reminded me of what I felt 10 years ago when I was finishing university. I called it: ""el abismo" the abyss, because it felt that way, like the road that was on sight ended and it was my turn to carve a path for myself. Now I have a beautiful life that I woudn't change for anything :) So if you ever feel hopeless or scared about the unknown just Trust that the universe has your back! And all things fall into place. lots of love!
this. feels. SO. accurate!! 🥺👉👈
Thank you for being you and making people who feel a little lost less alone. Change is sooo uncomfortable and scary. It makes me feel a little less frozen when i know others are experiencing it to. A big hug from Israel
I left Taiwan for the Netherlands and have had an amazing experience studying abroad but I promise you’ll have a good experience in Taipei ❤ There’s so much to do and the people are lovely
As someone who lives abroad, I totally relate to the wanting of having a sense of stability. It is so real.
omg!!! Greetings from Taiwan! I spent my entire university in Taipei and 3 years working in this beautiful city. I miss it so much after moving out! Hope you'll have a good time here :)! Welcome!
I hope you are able to experience all the joy you deserve during your time in Taipei! I am sixteen and have been considering doing a year-long exchange through Rotary, as I am passionate about travel and language. I haven't pursued the possibility because my mum has cancer - so I understand your guilt to an extent, even though I haven't yet studied abroad. I hope you and your family are able to work through whatever life's thrown at you
Thank you so much for your honesty! You are such a real person and that makes you so beautiful! You really add a lot of value to this world, I hope you know that ❤
Omg I'm so excited to hear you're moving to Taiwan! I'm currently teaching in Japan and previously studied and taught in China, but next year I'm planning to move to Taiwan - really looking forward to hearing what you get up to during your time there 🤩
Love your insights into your language learning experiences, I'd not heard of Lingoda before so definitely going to check them out! I've always found that actually living in the country, making friends there and having that direct incentive to learn / opportunity for authentic practice is so important.
A few useful apps I'd highly recommend for Mandarin learning:
- SuperChinese
- Chinese Zero to Hero
- HSKOnline
- Skritter
(I have some videos on my channel about some of these with discount codes btw, if you do want to check them out!)
I completely empathise with the difficulty of deciding to study/move abroad when your family situation is somewhat turbulent, I'm currently in the midst of applications to an overseas doctoral program but the prospect of leaving my family is terrifying. I wish you all the strength and perseverance to finish college and know that your family will love and support you, and they're always just a phone call away when you need them most (which isn't the ideal situation but sometimes we all just need to hear our mum saying everything is gonna be ok).
Jade, I believe that you will have an amazing semester. You are sweet and kindhearted; I hope everything you need will be available during your last semester of college. I am going to say a prayer for you and your family, whatever the situation may be I pray you all will have an abundance of love, peace, healing, and resources! Thanks for sharing.
I think it takes a lot to live this kind of way, never really settling and learning how things work just for it to change again shortly after. U are really strong and inspiring
I can only agree with all the warm-hearted comments here. Jade, thank you so much for sharing your adventurous life with the world! I can imagine how hard it must be to adapt to all the changes after such a short period of time. I also study abroad (but only in one foreign country and it's a neighbouring country of my home country) so I know all your feelings soo well! Especially during Christmas time in the last weeks, I felt the need to hug my siblings, to talk to my parents in person, cuddle the cat, chill on the couch, etc. And I also know the feeling of leaving the loved ones behind and not being with them, although it might be important for the family... So, I just want to let you know that you are not alone and this time of uncertainty & sadness will pass. You're so blessed to have the chance to live in so different cultures as a young woman, this will mark and enrich your life incredibly! I couldn't imagine a better personality as yours that would fit in this kind of international degree. And at least you habe always the same class mates with you :) So you got this!! I wish you a good start in Taipei and I'm looking forward to watching your content 🫶🏼 Love from Paris ✨
As a senior also in her final year of university, I completely understand the sudden desire for stability and home. Personal life changes can add so much excitement and stress to the graduation period. Sending all the love, strength, and good vibes your way 💛✨
Jade i love your videos so much- they really embody and speak about the chaos and wonder of life in late teens/ early twenties. Remember looking back on this semester, it’s the good parts that will stick with you forever; mountain sunrises and stinky tofu. I’m also moving to Taiwan this month after studying Mandarin on and off for a few years! Cant tell you how excited i am and i hope you love it as much as i think i will
Wait no wayyyy! So so exciting, I hope you have the best time there too 💌 I'm glad my videos resonate
I still can't believe that you are coming to Taiwan! I hope that everything we have to offer will make your stay here most special and unforgettable. My favourite band is Mayday (五月天) and as a native, I can confidently say that the lyrics are very poetic and a great window into the beauty of Mandarin! Taipei is very easy to travel around with the MRT and that also allows you easy access to nature. Another hiking route I like beside the Elephant Mountain is Fuyang Eco Park (富陽公園). When you come, do give it a visit!
this fall, while leaving to the US from Russia (to study) during the war i felt exactly the same: guilty to leave my family when i was needed ❤️🩹
thank you Jade for your videos. such an inspiration to live the life with a widely open mind and heart 🫂
i never comment, but i just wanted to say that i really enjoyed this video. i can really relate to the ambivalence you are displaying and that not everything is shiny and perfect but we trust the process. so i hope you dont feel pressured to always share only the positive sides, i think it's way more relatable to see that you are struggling to (as we all are!!) i hope you won't stress yourself too much with all your work, mental health is the most important thing!!! best of wishes from berlin :)
It's so so inspirational watching how aware you are of the way you're feeling, and not letting it take you down but instead embracing it. I'm in such a similar situation, nearly exactly the same in some ways, and I will definitely try and take on your energy. I can't wait to watch your journey in Taipei, with anything and everything that entails. I know you'll be amazing, thank you ❤️
Jade! Thank you for sharing your genuine feelings and concerns. It really instills courage in me to be truthful with myself about everything I go through AND ultimately go through it, make progress. Please, hang in there, I keep my fingers crossed for you)💪
Whether you're studying abroad or not, university is always overwhelming and draining if you're giving 100% of yourself to studying in order to get the best grades possible. I attended uni an hour away from home and still in 3rd and 4th year I was completely burned out. The best comforting words I could give you, and I'm sure deep down you know what they are already, is that in the end it won't matter how exhausted you were in the process. You'll barely even remember the pain. All that will matter is the result and the beautiful memories you made in between. Make those memories worth it, Jade, we are always here to support and cheer you up
Checking in again hearing the end of the video, I hope everyone in your family is healthy, stay strong!
Your growth is astounding, may your next semester be a time for calm introspection, and may you build a home like no other in Taiwan. My heart is with you jade ❤☽
hi jade im taiwanese and ive been watching your videos for a while,
its so exciting to hear that you are going to taipei.
taiwanese ppl are really welcoming and the food is good!
im sure that you will have a great time!
Since i followed you and be inspired by your mindset, i have seen you traveled to many countries in different parts of the world. You had chances to immerse yourself in these cultures and see the beauty of them. Then you will grow dramatically. Thanks for going along with me for probably about 2 years. Hope to see your video in my hometown -Viet Nam. Big love to you💓💓🙆🙆
I have been living out of a suitcase for a few weeks over the holidays and am so glad to come home today. I am looking forward to seeing your last year abroad. Have the best time in Taiwan!
hey Jade, I’m a taiwanese living in taichung(middle of taiwan), I really recommend the yangmingshan national park, the beautiful mountains and hot spring!! I LOVE the there! and for bubble tea I recommend the original one, called Chun Shui Tang. Hope u enjoy everything here!! So happy that u can be in my country🥰
I've been studying in Canada for 5 years now. I moved from home (France) when I was 18 and so much of what you said resonates! My situation is different in the sense that I built a routine and a "home" here as well, I haven't been moving every 4 months. But after my bachelors (3 years) I started to observe a shift. I felt more & more guilty not to be there for my family, missing out on key moments (my nephews growing up, my grandma getting sick & tired) and not being there to support my closest family members (mom, brother). I don't know what happened in your family but it helped me to be "selfish" in a way? I chose to come here and to study here and it wasn't an out-of-the-blue choice, I had (and still have) many reasons to prefer Canada over France. What also helped me is telling myself that once I'll graduate from my masters, I'll be free to find a job where I can have flexibility and go home often and travel (the opposite of you, I crave change at this moment). So I would say that realising we have more control on our lives that we think, that everything is temporary but that we are here because we chose to and we should embrace that... can really help getting through tough times. I'm sure you'll look back at those times fondly... And as much as it is an amazing and priviledged experience to travel so much, you have the right not to be excited all the time. Once this semester is over, I hope you'll have your slow routine 🍃 That you'll be able to shift your way of life so that it fits more to where you're at now. 2023 will be full of transitions but also of choices and freedom 💛
I am currently working as a postdoctoral researcher in NTU, and I can promise you that you will love it here! My recommendation: make sure you check out the hot springs - they are so special to Taiwan, as a country lying on a major tectonic fault line. In the winter and early spring, they are a way to really relax and give yourself some love, and experience local culture at the same time. Winter and early spring is the perfect time to appreciate them, while the temperature is not horrible 😅The best nearby places are Beitou, which you can get to on the MRT, Wulai, a beautiful indigenous village in a nearby mountain valley reachable by bus, and Jiaoxi, a hot spring town across the mountains in the neighbouring county of Yilan, also a bus ride away. All three have great options.
Let me know if you want some advice or someone to hang out or hike with, and good luck!
Hey Jade! I’m from Taipei and currently studying here in the UK. Congrats to your new adventure and I can’t wait to see your vids in Taiwan!
I highly recommend Wu Ming-Yi’s (吳明益）novels! Many of them have been published in English. And when it comes to music, I’m really into indi singer-songwriters Deserts Chang (安溥）and Enno Cheng (鄭宜農）😊
Thank you for your honesty and showing the realness of studying abroad. I’m just learning to embrace my curles and would love to know which products you use and your hair care routine - your hair is incredible! Xx
Wish you all the best Jade, you're truly an unjaded, beautiful girl. You're gonna make it. I learned so much things from you . Proud of you Jade, you should be proud of you. ✨ 🌻🌷💛
I'm leaving in less than 2 weeks for a study abroad semester in BRIGHTON (any recoms welcome)!! This is the first time I'll be abroad for a longer period of time and I'm so grateful for that opportunity and to the past me who decided to apply :). I've been following you for so many years and your optimism and bravery inspire me so much!! Thank you for sharing the negative sides of studying abroad as well, because eventhough it's a great opportunity, those things are real and valid
I never had the words to explain how it feels to study abroad and you just said exactly how I feel that just made me cry. thank you for being so honest and making me feel not alone and not insane
I always feel that your videos come into my path when I need them the most ❤ I am in the same boat as you, travelling but contemplating whether I should be home for a while. I think we need to trust what the universe has planned for us, and where ever we end up is the right place at that time! Thank you so much for being vulnerable, raw and truthful 👏🙌
Each time I am amazed by the quality of the video ! The way you adapt the editing to the content is really impressive. For instance, the pace of this one is quite different from those filmed in Buenos Aires, and it really reflects the melancholy feeling you talk about. Also, as always, the photography is beautiful, and you always select meaningful shots.
It must requires a lot of work to develop such a personal aesthetic. It's really original and unique on YT. I love it :) Thanks for all the things you're giving us !
HI! I am from Taiwan and am super excited for you to be studying there! You mentioned that you'd like to explore the nature, there is a park within the city 大安森里公園 that is super accessible via metro. Also, you mentioned many things within Taipei and a little beyond such. Because Taiwan is tiny, it is very easy to travel throughout the country and I highly encourage you to see the obligatory 阿里山 and 日月潭 as well as the AMAZING cuisine in 台南. best of luck in all your travels and studies!!!
Hi, Jade It's Chelsea. And I’m from Taiwan!!! Things to look out for, there will be a referendum this year where every citizen can vote on specific events and determine whether it gets passed or not. In terms of places to go, if you can travel outside of Taipei, there are many islands (Orchid， Penghu, etc.) There are many SPA hotels in Taipei as well. Keelung Night market is amazing. Hope you have a great time there!!! I have been following you for more than a year now. Thank you for your motivating videos on life and study. It really lift me up when I was down. Send you Love.
So happy to see your update!!! It's definitely a blessing to be able to study in so many different countries/cities, and it was so so nice of you to take us on this journey with you. You can't imagine how excited I am to hear that you're coming to Taipei. I can't believe you're going to be so close to me (I went to school in Beijing). I hope you have the best time while you're in Taipei and if you have time, plz plz visit the rest of China!!! We love you so much!
“The rest of China” 🤡🤡🤡
Hi Jade! I've been watching you video for a long time. Happy to know that you'll spend your next semester in Taipei!!🤠I'm from the mainland and didn't learn that much about Taiwan. Don't give yourself too much pressure by diving in its history, bacause many of us don't even know that much.😂And I've never been there before, so it would be special to learn more about Taiwan from you video! You should just explore and have fun. Good luck ~🥳
it was beautiful to see at the end of the video how uncertainty crossed your face as you spoke about your future, and then how you pushed through that with a smile of determination
I am with you every step of the way! This is the final year of my degree as well and so the looming graduation is super exciting but really scary. I feel all of the family, societal and personal pressure to get good grades, make the most of it and have a social life on top of drowning in work. Thankfully I have an MA programme set up for afterwards but that means moving to a new city and university again and going through the whole making friends process again. It's so nerveracking but your videos help to ground me and know that I am not alone in my feelings. We can make it through this year 🥰
Oh my god, Jade!!! I can relate to you so much!! For the last 3 years Ive been on Leadership Experience Program for graduates at Mars, and travelled every 10-12 months to new city all by myself, changing factories, projects, people. It's my 3rd year and I am so extremely tired of change it doesn't bring me joy anymore. I started craving home, stability, long-lasting friendships. and am planning on finishing program and taking a break.
I’m sending your you and your loved ones all my strength, you’re a such a lovely and wonderful person, and I wish you courage and joy in this new start❤️
Thank you for sharing, Jade! This really resonates with me, as I've also been doing a fair amount of traveling and studying abroad these past few years, and leaving home a few days ago had me feeling similarly burnt out and craving more long-term stability, despite being incredibly grateful to continue experiencing new places in this way. Sending love for a wonderful semester
Welcome Jade! I am so happy your coming to my hometown Taipei. I only found your channel in 2022 while I am preparing for my three month trip in Europe this summer. I love how you have such great spirits and enthusiasm for your life and plans. I can relate to the tiredness after long travel and not being able to do enough research. But sometimes I feel an open heart is all we need to embrace a new culture and city, and let it surprises you. And from what you mentioned in the video, you seem well prepared to me. No need to worry too much about the language barrier, most people in Taipei can speak enough English and are willing to help people even if we don’t. And we do have a lot vegan places to eat, I heard we are a very vegan friendly country😂
The mountains, hot springs and beaches are usually an hour or two away by public transportation in Taipei. If you have time, try visit the east side Hualien and Taitung for sea side view and nature; or try down south to Tainan for more traditional food and history. I hope you enjoy your time in Taipei. 😃
I’m studying abroad this semester and I don’t know how you do it every semester. It’s been a whirlwind of emotions and the prep is a lot. Props to you and thanks for sharing. Nice to know i’m not the only one feeling these emotions.
hey Jade, thank you for this video, even though I'm not quite in the same position as you, I'm going through a similar -ish- experience and this video is exactly what I needed to hear. I'm starting my last year of high school next week (I'm from Aotearoa :P) after getting burned out (not sure if that's the right term but I'm gonna go with it) from last year. I'm really scared because this is the last year of high school and I know I'm not going to 'achieve' the way I did last year because I'm still exhausted from the year and my ongoing chaotic personal life. But anyway, hearing your approach as you're starting your final semester and reading these lovely comments about just trusting and letting things unfold is just so perfect and and just thank you all. sending trust, love & lavender 💐💜
What you say is so important, that you are allowed to embrace your feelings, the good and the bad! Although you have been abroad for much longer than I have, I do recognise that feeling of craving stability, a sense of home and slow living (I feel like if you're abroad you want to make the most out of it, seeing everything while you're there, which can interrupt slowliving - but it doesn't have to!). While at home, "getting the most out of life" can mean something different. Since you have a more stable basis, you can prioritize what you REALLY need at the moment, even if that means doing nothing adventurous for a while. I'm sure that with your gratitude mindset, you'll have an amazing semester in Taipei. Hopefully you'll find that peace you're looking for there as well, perhaps in a different way than in the UK, but you know what they say, home is where the heart is, and you'll always have your heart with you. Being home at myself is something I've learned during my time abroad 💛✨🌍
jade u never miss, u capture what studying abroad is really like so well ❤️❤️❤️
Every time I watch your content or read your book (I just became a fan of yours, hence the lateness), I seem to find myself in you so much. Your preferences and approach and thinking and personality; I feel refreshed that I can relate to so well to you. I lack the social aspect of your persona: the friends and enjoying life with people, but I am working on it.
Thanks for making me feel this way 🙏!
Sending lots of love and optimism from Pakistan!
Oh my god Jade. This video is a conspiracy of the universe. I study in a different state from my home, and have to intern in other states/cities every 6 months. I just left home today for internship and I feel like I have avoided crying the whole day today. Not to your level, but establishing and uprooting your life every 4 months is hard. I can closely relate. Scary even. Also draining, ofcourse. And my personal life has been a little turbulent as well lately and I was so so so guilty the whole day for having to leave and disengage from that.
I am sending you so much love and power. I needed this video today, thankyou so much. I don't feel alone in this feeling. I have been with you since 2020 and you inspire me.
Love from India ❤️
Best wishes on your final semester. Prayers for your family situation. Can’t wait to see your vlogs on Taipei. I’ve thought about traveling there. Right now I’m looking at a trip to Cambodia. Life after you graduate will be open for you to choose a place to call home. You will do well. I found i fondly remember my uni days snd later grad school days. But travel can still be part of your life too. Your generation has so many travel opportunities. When I was in my twenties I was extremely lucky to visit Europe. I still remember arriving into the UK and being excited. I’ve been fortunate to still be able to travel now.
I think you´re incredibly brave for facing the challenges of uni and living away from family in another country, and not only that, a different one every semester??!! just mind blowing, and shows how strong you are. Some days during uni terms I feel so sad, guilty, lost, tired, for being away from my family, and I´m only in a city 3 hours away, so what you´re doing is awesome. Thanks for sharing!!! Much love from Chile
I just hope you have a great semester and it's ok to feel guilt sometimes for not being able to spend much time with our loved ones, but I know we'll get through this and hey it's new year and I am damn sure it's going to bring lots of love and blessings into everyone's life. I hope all the issues you might be facing now fade away and you'll get through it. Don't worry everything'd going to fall into place and hakuna matata lol..LOVE YA ♥
Hey jade, I am so proud of you. You are like my big sister (eventhough I have 2 elder sisters, we are not that close ).and I really appreciate the way you express you feelings genuinely. And sis you got this❤️. Wish you all the best
Jade I’m so excited for you, I really hope you enjoy your time there!!!! I’ve been introducing all of my friends to you and explaining Minerva to them because we’ll be applying to uni soon and they’re really interested in the idea and scared lol :D
Hi Jade! Welcome to Taiwan ❤
For music, I recommend Abao (阿爆), Aljenljen, a Taiwanese indigenous (Paiwan tribe) singer who sings in her mother tongue. For movie, I recommend Edward Yang’s movies which I think captures Taipei’s 60s-80s era very well. Also, to learn more about Taiwan’s postwar history, I recommend Hou-Hisao-Hsien’s film “A city of sadness” or a 2022 movie, “Untold Herstory” by Zero Chou.
Taiwans population is not only dense, but full of diversity, the indigenous peoples who are most likely to be the common ancestors of the Austronesian peoples across the world, the Han people who migrated over the course of 400 years, postwar immigrants who followed the KMT regime to Taiwan, and new immigrants from mostly Southeast Asia, etc. so there are many languages spoken on this island, I think it’s one of the most beautiful thing about this small island country.
thank you for being so open minded to learning about new places and cultures, you’re such an inspiration!!
oh my god!! You're coming to Taiwan!! I'm from Taiwan too and it's so amazing to hear you coming to Taiwan! Welcome!!
I love your sight of your living conditions!!! You really focus on the privilege of choosing and even over some drawbacks you always point the fact that you have the chance to choose. Such a privilege. Thanks for your inspiration in that mood!
Thank you for sharing so much of you beautiful Jade 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 we love and appreciate you so much!! All the very best wishes for an amazing time in TaiPei
I am a local in Taipei! Your video really inspired me to enjoy the casual magic in Taipei. I’m sure you will love this city. There are so many good things about it. The food here is amazing and relatively cheap compared to other countries. I recommend taking Youbike or Metro if you wanna travel around the city. It’s super convenient and cheap!
I hope I can see you in real life. We could hang out hahaha
Just remember that in the future, it will be so worth it, you may not have the motivation now but studying in this other city will grow you as a person and your studies
I've been following you since you were in highschool and I was starting highschool seeing your life through the screen has been a light for me many times, now I see you and you still being an inspiration for me to strive to be better, I'm going to college next year since I took an unsolicited gap year but I cannot thank you enough for sharing your story, life, struggles here! You are a sunshine Jade
I’m studying abroad next year and I feel grateful that I’m able hear the genuine thoughts of another student studying oversees. Thanks a lot for being brutally honest and I wish you the very best on your journey ✨
Jade, I too miss being away from my family but this fact of growing into a better n responsible person pushes me every day to make this stay count
N u know what, the unplanned stays are the best n I hope this stay turns out to be the best in ur whole grad
I've seen you growing into this confident, young woman n I hope this semester brings a lot of peace n happiness in ur life.
Sending you all the positive energy n love Jade❤️
I hope you enjoy your stay in my birth country! Taiwan is a lovely country to live in ❤as for being vegan in Taipei, it shouldn’t be much a problem. Buddhists in Taiwan are vegetarian/vegan and there will be lots of places accommodating that. There are also definitely vegan only food places too
This is so helpful thank you! I'm so excited to get to know your country eeeep 💐
Keep up with what you can control, Jade. Keep up with your journey to be the best you!
So excited to see the next videos! Moving to Taipei myself for a year exchange from France in August and I'll appreciate your guidance and content a lot!
u got this jade ,u have come such a long way we are with u on this journey ,i always practice daily gratitude and mindfulness like u do and it does wonders for me 💫
Taiwan will welcome you with open arms
everything you said in the intro?! I can relate SO MUCH!! I'm not exactly in different country for each semester, I study in Edinburgh and am from Slovakia, but each year I'm moving to different accommodation and I'm so tired of it
I studied in Finland last semester and I had a lot going on at uni and in my personal life in the months before I left so I had no energy to really prepare myself for Finland. I did not know much about the history nor the language. When I arrived I felt very unprepared but eventually, I was confronted with all the important things and my curiosity started to come back. I just let this semester to surprise me and it was a really cool experience at the end:)
Welcome, welcome, WELCOME to Taiwan! Looking forward to your Taiwan vlogs in the near future!🤩
Hi Jade - I love your videos so much they have literally helped me so much with starting sixth form and my first part time job at the same time, it's been a really hectic time of my life and watching your videos is such a relief for me. Your academia videos help me so much with my revision as well. You are my travel and academic inspiration!! I hope you enjoy Taiwan ❤❤❤
Your feelings - needing more stability in your life - are absolutely valid! I kinda feel the same, probably not to the extent that you do. In my experience, once the feeling of craving security starts to set in you need to keep going just for a little longer. I always went back home when that happened to me and the feeling of "Fernweh" set in again really quickly and I wanted to go away again only to be stuck in this cycle. I now moved out of my parents house a second time, but decided to stay in the country, haven't been home for months now, not bc I wasn't missing home or my friends but to give me the time to develope a certain level of secureness within myself, rather than finding it in my environment. My friends and family understand and I hope to kinda like balance it out over time - being free and secure :)
Oh wow this is so interesting, thank you for sharing!!
I can relate to so much of what you’re saying Jade. For the last year both parents mobility has declined. I have been in Canada for 8 months. I felt a deep need to come home. Even my husband and immediate family felt that we needed to come home. It is a weird feeling - like your being drawn somewhere. I literally arrived home yesterday and soon after my sister was admitted to hospital.
A friend of mine studies in Tainan in Taiwan at the moment and he was in the Alishan forest and really enjoyed it so much! The pictures look amazing so I’d really recommend going there 😄
And thanks for your honesty about being a bit tired of traveling.. it’s really understandable :)
It’s totally understandable to feel like that. Going without any expectations and just letting things unfold will suit just fine. I’m sure it will be filled with lots of gems and experiences which will be all the more exciting. Enjoy and take pressure off yourself. Xx
OMG!! I can’t believe you are coming to Taiwan, my hometown😭 I’ve been watching your videos since I was in high school and they encourage me a lot. Hope you enjoy here and this is so magical, Taiwan is a beautiful place, I hope you will love here!!
Jade, I love your videos and their introspective and inquisitive nature. I am currently living in Taiwan, going to an American school. Taiwan is an absolutely wonderful place to visit, the food, culture, people, and natural places are incredible. If you ever need ideas or places to go, let me know! Looking forward to seeing your videos about Taipei!
I pray Lingoda gets a Mandarin Sprint!!! Good luck in your last semester Jade!!
Please !!!
Me too 😊
YES YES YES!! me too 😌
I'm studying in Taipei rn too! Ok this one is different to what everyone else talks about, but the healthcare here is so good and pretty different to the NHS! I can walk into any hospital and immediately get an appointment on the spot for any specialist doctor. Yesterday I went for a routine eye test and they noticed problems with my optical nerves - well I was in an entire opthamology department and immediately had more tests done and specialist eye drops prescribed and was on my way home within less than 2 hours. So maybe this is a less typically 'fun' aspect to Taiwan but it is SUCH a great quality of life
Edit: The karaokes here mostly have songs in Chinese or Taiwanese but there's a korean-style karaoke in Da'an district called Sori Noraebang which has korean karaoke machines with a bunch of English songs in them :) really recommend!
I loved my time in Taipei and really enjoyed ‘just living’ there during my semester abroad. There is a lot to do, but just being there will offer so much in itself to you. There are amazing vegan places and loved how vegan-friendly it was because of the large buddhist community. Let me know if you want more specific recommendations!
I genuinely want to go back, there’s something magical about the country and the people in it 🥰
Oh and I also have curly hair and my products from Europe did. not. work. there. I was cowashing at the time and it just wouldn’t wash out as well. My guess is that the water is a lot softer there than in The Netherlands and I ended up buying a low poo over there and I didn’t even need a conditioner (still can’t believe it)
hello Jade ! I sincerely hope that your family is going ok
We're with you Jade 🧡🥺 you're enough, you're strong and you're valued as you are, I appreciate you sharing your approach as I'm also struggling with doubt and newness and I know it's hard to embrace uncertainty.
Sending you lots of hugs 🧡🧡 ily, don't forget to take care of yourself
i can't tell you how much this means, thank you so so much 🥺
jade, thank you for sharing your journey with us 💫 and for being real and raw and authentic! Sending love to you 🫶🏼
Hi Jade, im in my last year of highschool abroad in Tanzania (I'm from Germany and Kenya) and I'm feeling similarly to you. Thank you for the video, it made me feel seen.