日期：2025年8月8日
作者：安瑞希 Avery Adams
隨著我在台灣的實習即將結束，我心中充滿感激與省思。我之所以選擇回到台灣，是因為我之前在高雄的留學經驗帶給我深刻的影響。我希望這個暑假能開啟新的篇章，不僅在專業上有所挑戰，也能更深入了解台灣文化。回顧這段時間，這次的經驗遠遠超出了我的預期。我在個人與專業方面都有了成長，也建立了許多有意義的人際關係，對台灣以及對自己的理解也更為深入。
在這段時間裡，最令我印象深刻的莫過於我在「台灣公民參與協會」（TCPA）的實習。當我在四月接受這個職位時，其實非常緊張。我將進入一個陌生的專業環境，使用的語言不是我的母語，所從事的領域我也缺乏實務經驗。我擔心自己無法為組織做出貢獻。然而，從第一天踏進辦公室開始，TCPA 的同事們就以熱情與耐心歡迎我，讓我逐漸適應並成長為這個團隊的一份子。
其中最大的挑戰是使用中文在專業環境中溝通。即使語言能力尚可，我的自信心卻常常不足。我時常懷疑自己的聽力理解，也因為害怕犯錯而遲疑開口。不過，在 TCPA 團隊的支持下，我逐步建立了自信，並學會在華語職場中更加自在地交流。雖然我仍在學習當中，但這段語言與文化上的成長已經帶給我極大的收穫。除了語言能力的提升，TCPA 也提供了許多寶貴的實習機會。我參加了會議、協助翻譯工作，並與政府官員、教育機構與 NGO 的工作人員交流。這些互動雖然有時簡短，卻非常深刻。我不斷學習，不僅了解了公民參與的實務面，也感受到台灣民主發展背後的熱情與堅持。即使我所做的貢獻不大，能夠參與一個致力於人權與民主的組織，讓我找到了一種前進的動力。
這個暑假最有意義的經歷之一，是我得以深入了解台灣的政治與公民社會環境。秘書長何宗勳特別用心地將我納入討論，並介紹我認識許多來自不同領域的專業人士，包括環境正義、人權法、政府問責等領域。這些對話讓我更了解台灣民主化的歷程與當前面臨的挑戰，也讓我接觸到跨國的公民社會網絡，拓展了我的視野。來自美國的我，過去很容易用國內的視角看待世界。這次在台灣的經歷讓我跳脫了這種思維方式。與本地台灣人、東南亞移民、歐洲學者及美國外籍人士互動，讓我學會從更全球化與同理的角度思考問題。
我非常感謝 CIEE 和 TCPA，尤其是何秘書長在這段期間給予我的支持與指導。這段實習經歷不僅讓我獲得了新的技能與知識，更讓我對世界有了更深層的理解。這份收穫將伴隨我回國，並持續影響我未來的道路。
Final Internship Thoughts
As my internship in Taiwan comes to an end, I’m left with a sense of gratitude and reflection. I initially chose to return to Taiwan after a previous study abroad experience in Kaohsiung had such a profound impact on me. I hoped this summer would offer a new chapter, one that would challenge me professionally while continuing to deepen my understanding of the culture. Looking back, the experience has exceeded all expectations. I've grown personally and professionally, built meaningful relationships, and gained new insight into both Taiwan and myself.
The highlight of my time here has undoubtedly been my internship at the Taiwan Citizens Participation Association (TCPA). When I accepted the position back in April, I was nervous. I was entering a new professional environment in a foreign country, operating in a language that I was still learning, and working in a field where I had limited hands-on experience. I worried about how I could contribute meaningfully. But from my very first day, the staff at TCPA welcomed me with warmth and patience. Their encouragement allowed me to grow into the role, little by little.
One of the greatest challenges I faced was using Mandarin in a professional setting. Even when my actual skills were sufficient, my confidence often lagged. I second-guessed my listening comprehension and hesitated to speak for fear of making mistakes. But over time, and with the support of the TCPA team, I became more comfortable navigating Mandarin-speaking spaces. While I’m still learning, the growth I’ve experienced in linguistic and cultural fluency has been incredibly rewarding.
Beyond language development, the opportunities I had at TCPA were invaluable. I attended meetings, collaborated on translation projects, and engaged with government officials, educators, and NGO representatives. These interactions, though sometimes brief, were deeply enriching. I was constantly learning, not only about the technicalities of civic engagement but also about the passion and commitment driving Taiwan’s democratic efforts. Being able to contribute, even in small ways, to an organization working for human rights, democracy, and civic participation gave me a renewed sense of direction.
Perhaps the most impactful aspect of this summer was being brought into conversations about Taiwan’s political and civil society landscape. Secretary General He Zongxun went out of his way to include me, connecting me with professionals across a range of fields such as environmental justice and human rights law. These conversations expanded my understanding of Taiwan’s democratic history and its current challenges. I also gained exposure to international networks of activists, which helped me place Taiwan’s situation within a broader global context.
Coming from the United States, it’s easy to develop a worldview shaped solely by domestic politics. My time in Taiwan helped me step outside of that framework. Engaging with people from different backgrounds, including local Taiwanese, Southeast Asian immigrants, European scholars, and American expats, helped me think more globally and empathetically.
I’m immensely thankful to CIEE and TCPA, especially Secretary General He, for their generosity and guidance. This internship has left me with not just skills and knowledge but a deeper awareness of the world around me. That is something I will carry with me long after I return home.
