by Winston Chua
Some 16 youth ambassadors from Taiwan stopped by San Marino last Friday to learn a bit about how the City is run and how it compares with their native country. For many of the 19 to 29-year olds, it was their first trip to Southern California.
The delegation on Saturday took part in a special cultural performance that combined Chinese opera with modern drama, classical dance and contemporary dance at the University of Southern California.
“The best part of the experience has been exchanging culture with young leaders in California universities and having panel discussions with university students,” said Isable Wang, a Taichung native who is majoring in international communications. “The campuses are much bigger here. It’s great to be overseas and challenge ourselves to adjust to different cultures.”
The delegation of students spent six weeks in Taiwan before coming to the States in preparation for their trip abroad. Most of the students had not met before their trip, but all appeared observant of what makes Southern California unique.
“There’s a cultural difference, but also the roads and buildings are different,” said ambassador Vivian Chen. “There are taller structures in Taiwan but the roads are narrower. I think this encourages people to think more broadly.”
Before departing for the Caribbean Monday, the students toured UCLA, USC and Stanford.
On Saturday the group shared a meal at the California Pizza Kitchen on Los Robles in Pasadena and took a tour of Old Town Pasadena, a departure from how they would normally spend an evening in Taiwan, where “the place to be” would be the night markets.
“In the night markets we might eat at 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. and spend time with friends after a busy day,” said Chen. “It’s a way to relax and be with family.”
The youth ambassadors represented one of eight groups visiting various parts of the United States including Chicago and New York and other international destinations.
The group will return to L.A. on the 18th before heading back to Taiwan on the 20th. The sister city of San Marino in Taiwan is called Dan Shui, a small city which is also a part of New Taipei City. Most of the delegates were either from Taipei, Gaoshong or Taichung.
