Wendy in Munich

My name is Jing-wen (Wendy) Lo, and I’m from Taiwan, a small island in the Pacific Ocean near China. I used to feel a bit insecure when introducing where I’m from, expecting people to either confuse Taiwan with Thailand or assume it’s part of China. But to my surprise, most people I’ve met in Europe have heard of Taiwan and have been understanding when I talk about my national identity.

That wasn’t the only pleasant surprise I’ve experienced so far. Since it’s my first time in Europe, I’ve been completely captivated by the richness of the culture and history, not to mention the stunning architecture. Munich already holds a special place in my heart. Some of my favorite things about the city are the one-euro museum entrance fees on Sundays and the beautiful lakes and small towns on the outskirts. A perfect weekend here for me would be a short hike around a lake, a museum visit, enjoying a cappuccino and pastry at a cozy café, or having a beer with friends at a Biergarten.

I chose to do an exchange program in Munich because I’ve been learning German for a few years, but I never really had the right environment to practice it (though so far, my practice has mostly been saying ‘Mit Karte, bitte’ at the supermarket!). I’m also a graduate student in journalism, specializing in international communication, with a research focus on the use of AI in journalistic practices. That’s why LMU became my top choice—it offers a wide range of English-taught courses and aligns with my research interests.

While I’m here, I hope to immerse myself in the academic environment, but more importantly, I want to explore Munich, travel around Europe, and make new friends. Six months already feels too short!