The rain drizzled against the windshield, as Sophia Hyde and her host family drove up the coast of Taiwan. The car sloped over mountains and volcanos, teetering alongside the rocky edge.
Stopping to take pictures, Hyde stood on a platform overlooking the water. It was monsoon season on the Pacific island, and although the sky was gray, the ocean shined blue like a sapphire.
She breathed in the salty air.
“Literally, at that moment, I felt my heart grow,” Hyde said. “In that moment of life, I realized my heart and soul were not stagnant. They can grow.”
The moment came during Hyde’s trip as part of a Rotary Club International called the Group Study Exchange. A Tampa club selected a group of four young professionals from the area to participate. Although the participants are not Rotary members, they were selected for their ability to make presentations about the club to about 40 Rotary clubs in Taiwan.
The trip was a monthlong cultural experience, during which the four travelers experienced their chosen profession in another country. Hyde, along with her husband, Brandon, own a media-production company, RisingSky Productions. Her companions included a nurse, a photographer and public administrator.
“I can’t even put into words what the experience was like,” Hyde said, who returned April 26, to Plant City.
Staying with seven different host families for 28 days, Hyde adventured her way through 112 different activities.
“It was a whirlwind,” Hyde said. “Within the first 24 hours, I was swept away.”
THE FIRST 24
From the moment the group got off the plane at 9:30 p.m., they knew it was going to be a trip full of surprises. One of the member’s luggage didn’t arrive with the rest. After straightening out the mess, the group left for the hotel.
In the morning, they attended a welcome party, with banners and a traditional Chinese feast. The Rotarian host families attended the party, where the group gave a presentation.
After the presentation, everyone left with their host families.
“Until that point, I hadn’t felt like I left America,” Hyde said. “Taiwan was like New York City, except instead of 20-story buildings, there were 40-story buildings and signs in Chinese.
“But then I found myself following people I had never met before who barely spoke English,” she said. “I was getting in their car; they have my luggage. It just got real.”
Hyde stayed with Merv, a wealthy businessman, and his family. She had her own apartment above the family’s home.
After chatting with her new host family, they asked her what she wanted to see while she was in Taiwan. Hyde’s first choice was the Buddhist and Taoist temples.
“I thought we were just making conversation,” Hyde said. “But all of a sudden, they made me grab my purse, and we were off.”
While visiting with Merv, Hyde also was able to go to a well-known restaurant, famous for its dumplings, and a night market.
“It’s like the Strawberry Festival, except without rides,” Hyde said. “And it happens every night.”
During her trip, Hyde experienced much. She went to a special dinner party reserved only for CEOs and presidents of publicly traded companies. She went to Sun Moon Lake. She even dined on the delicacy, pig’s blood-soaked rice.
In addition to sightseeing, Hyde and the group met with many professionals in their fields. For Hyde’s media field, she visited two television stations, the biggest advertising agency in Taipei and a movie theater that showed only independent films.
CULTURE SHOCK
Before Hyde left for Taiwan, she wasn’t even sure where it was on the globe, much less that it was an island.
“The people of Taiwan are so respectful and courteous — way beyond how they are here,” Hyde said.
When they use cell phones in public places, they cover their mouths, talk quietly and keep the calls short. They also willingly help those in need. After one group member got lost, he asked for directions. A bystander walked him six blocks to his destination.
Each host family showered the group with gifts and hospitality. And although Hyde became accustomed to the gifts, she never got used to the crazy traffic.
“Every lane was a turning lane,” Hyde said. “There were people cutting each other off and weaving. But it was a normal thing.”
While dining, Hyde learned there are no individual plates. Everything is served family-style. The person who picks up the check gets the leftovers; eating is a time of celebration; and alcohol is served with every meal.
Her host families were equally enthralled with her. An 8-year-old in one family was in awe of Hyde’s green eyes. When Hyde told her they actually were hazel and changed colors, the young girl couldn’t believe it.
Coming back to the United States, Hyde said she knew the trip was a life-changing one.
“It definitely put a bug in me,” Hyde said. “Traveling has always been a priority. But now, I want to start making plans. I want to stop saying, ‘one day,’ and just do it.”
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
ABOUT GSE
The Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange program is a cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for businesspeople and professionals between the ages of 25 and 40, who are in the early stages of their careers. The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits in paired areas of different countries. For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country’s culture and institutions, observe how their vocations are practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas.
Source: Rotary International
