Made In Taiwan: from island to Deutschland

Hi everyone, I’m Jo-Yu Wang, though Jo works just fine. Originally from Taiwan—a dynamic and democratic society—I currently split my time between pursuing a Ph.D. at National Chengchi University (NCCU) in Taipei and teaching Chinese at a local high school. I take pride in Taiwan’s progressive stance, being the first in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage and electing a female president. In addition, I am a bookworm, with a particular interest in non-fiction, sociology, biographies, and investigative journalism. As for documentaries, I’m especially drawn to those centered around food and crime. I used to go out for a good meal or try to taste something new with my friends, so yes, I am a foodie by definition!

Why Munich? It’s almost a ‘must-ask’ question for every exchange student. For me, the reasons are clear. LMU is well-known for its academic performance, and I’m looking forward to a meaningful study experience there. On top of that, Munich’s reputation for safety and its international vibe really appeals to me. It offers a unique chance to delve into Bavarian culture and traditions, which are more pronounced here than in larger cities like Berlin. Last but not least, Germany’s central location in Europe makes it super convenient to travel to other countries, a factor I just couldn’t ignore.

To be honest, I didn’t hold any prior expectations for this semester; I think I will just be open to everything. I never believed that things would go exactly as planned, so for me, it’s important to embrace every challenge or opportunity in life and seize the moment. However, since I’m already in Germany, I think I will try my best to immerse myself in German culture and appreciate the inspirations that arise from cross-cultural communication.

Since arriving in Germany in March, I’ve started learning German. Although it’s challenging, I find the process of learning a new language exhilarating. Here, I’ve met many people who fluently speak more than three languages, which is both astonishing and enviable. With so many resources available for self-study, I’ve also begun teaching myself Korean recently. Over the next three months, I hope to make significant progress in my language skills, gain a deeper understanding of Germany’s media landscape through this course, and travel to more places.