A recap video of my year in Taiwan living abroad as a Fulbright grantee!

My last weekend as a Fulbright Grantee in Taiwan was filled with family, friends and so much happiness. I don't feel ready to leave!

I just finished my last day of school as a Fulbright grantee and English Teaching Assistant ): It was a weird mix of emotions.

Some of the odd things about Taiwan, I will just never adjust to...here's a continuation of the oddities I've found in this country (I love)

I say my goodbyes as my students graduate and I get ready to head back to America for graduate school. My time as a Fulbright is almost over

Trying to barter and sell things at the local market with minimal Chinese is a disastrous combo....but an experience none the less!

I ran the International Olympic Road Race in Taipei! My first half marathon was (mostly) a success!

I went to Taitung, Taiwan where I went hang gliding and spelunking all in one weekend! Adventure!

As my time as a Fulbright grantee winds down, check out some of my most interesting events of the past month!

My Taiwanese host family took me to a local hot spring to cook veggies! We also stopped at a mochi factory! A wonderful and food filled day!

A trip to Nantou ended up being one of my favorite weekends in my entire year in Taiwan! Filled with sheep, roller coasters and gondolas!

You can't experience a Chinese New Year in Taiwan without attending the lantern festivals! We went to the Taipei and the Pinxi Festivals!

Living abroad in Taiwan all alone can be lonely...but my entire family came to visit! Check out the ups and downs of our trip here!

A short vacation to Vietnam had me falling in love with Mui Ne and reflecting on my time as a Fulbright grantee in Taiwan.

For the first day of 2015, we headed west to Taichung to visit the inventor of bubble tea!

I thought Times Square New Years was cool...but the fireworks at Taipei 101 were absolutely amazing!!!

As a Fulbright ETA, I try to bring American culture to Taiwan...which definitely includes Christmas...the only problem is I know nothing...!

In a school completely surrounded by nature, you're bound to get a few visitors...today I got my first one!

In true Taiwanese fashion...I got my hair braided at a local salon...and couldnt look more local if I tried

I took my first trip to the South of Taiwan to Kaohsiung and explored the big city!

I love a good museum but let's just say I was totally underwhelmed by the Taipei Fine Arts Museum...in fact, I even called PETA on the place

We had a giant town wide celebration to commemorate Su-Ao Elementary's 114th birthday!

I had my first observation by the Fulbright committee and it went better than I ever could have hoped!

I had the honor of being chosen to attend the National 10/10 celebration in Taipei along with the President and other high ranking Diplomats

This weekend I got to experience Ting's 1st birthday! And a visit to the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial in Taipei!

I had my first experience with a typhoon. But for locals like my host family, it was apparently no big deal! We went on a full day adventure

Today I got my host family for my time as a Fulbright grantee. Mine just happened to be my school principal and his family! SO HAPPY!

I'm a huge advocate of smoothies and fresh fruit juice...but sometimes...it's just not worth it.

Yuan-Chi and his family have taken me in yet again and this time we had a day packed full of adventure...and Chinese lessons!

I took my first trip to Haulien and it was a more fantastic day than I ever could have imagined! We stumbled upon a surprise parade!

I explore Su-Ao Taiwan with my school's principal...and it is gorgeous!

When you move to a foreign country, everything is a bit weird. Culture shock is real. Read about my list of my weirdest Taiwan-isms.

I experienced my very first Moon Festival as a Taiwanese resident, with BBQs, monkeys and more!

We had our first official Fulbright event with every Fulbright grantee in Taiwan in attendance. There was lots of learning and lots of wine!

So…not so long after my first major mistake...here comes a second one. This one also somehow involves a call to the police...sorry Taiwan!

My first day teaching 7th and 8th graders in Taiwan...and big surprise...I actually loved it!

My second day as a teacher in Taiwan found me standing up in front of the entire school!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!! Monday, September 1st. I wake up at 5:30am (ew) and get ready for my first day of school! I take the shuttle bus...

As an expat I'm curious about everything...but I learned sometimes it's better to not be so curious....

Becoming acquainted with the local culture is easy when you have colleagues like Yuan-Chi. He went above and beyond after just meeting me!

A day in Taipei isnt complete without a visit to the zoo and a ride up the famous Maokong Gondola 貓空纜車

My first day exploring my schools (and attempting to memorize the routes to get there and the Chinese symbols on the maps along the way!)

So I know it is 5am in America and no one is awake to read this but….I GOT MY NUMBER ONE CHOICE SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!!

Landlords in the United States are not known for being especially nice. But here in Taiwan, ours is the absolute best.

These three experiences made me feel like I'm really integrating into Taiwanese life!

Visiting the aboriginal villages in Taiwan was an experience different from all other places I've been so far.

Today I rode a scooter from the first time, which was mildly terrifying...but I lived to tell the tale!

Hot pot is the coolest. You sit down and there is a hole in your table. They come put a big metal pot in there and it is filled with water.

Today was the first day of touring schools! In Taiwan's gift giving culture, we were greeted with gifts at each school...namely bubble tea.

We went to see Taipei 101. It is formerly the world’s tallest building and it is one of the most beautifully constructed building.