While managing the coursework of the program, I had a lot of fun in HTA’s extracurricular and cultural activities. One of my favorite memories was getting paired with local students from National Taiwan University and meeting my host family. After our weekly Friday test, I went with a classmate and an NTU student to the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and a nearby restaurant, and it was just the break I needed from the classroom to meet someone new and learn about their life in Taiwan while exploring an essential piece of Taiwanese history! This weekend, I also had the opportunity to experience a Taiwanese breakfast with my host family. I got to try 豆漿 (dòujiāng) and 蛋餅 (dàn bǐng) for the first time! These activities were both immersive and, of course, a great way to practice my Chinese speaking and listening skills with native speakers. The HTA program also offers fun excursions on Saturdays, and this weekend, my classmates and I visited Yingge District (鶯歌區) to create pottery and then explore the old architecture and buildings in Taiwan at the Lin Family Mansion and Garden.