1027.jpg)
In cooperation with IC Voice FM97.5 【New Students Registration-We are in Taiwan】, a series of exciting stories about new immigrants in Taiwan is launched. This episode features the second generation of new residents from Thailand - Wang Qiu Wen (王秋雯) who submit her writings on The News Lens (關鍵評論網) under the pseudonym台泰鹿妹.
Wang’s mother comes from a small city near Bangkok, Thailand. There is a yard at home, where many fruit trees, flowers and plants are planted. The most special thing is that the whole family lives nearby each other. The big family often go out for meals, travel together and take care of each other.【Taiwan Immigrants' Global News Network】presents this episode in 5 languages including Chinese, English, Vietnamese, Thai and Indonesian, enabling more readers and listeners to explore Wang Qiu Wen’s experience and her wonderful journey.
1027.jpg)
Wang misses the time traveling to Thailand every year. (Photo / Provided by Wang Qiu Wen)
The pandemic is still going strong, and the border controls of most countries still remain strict. Wang recalled that before the COVID-19 outbreak, the whole family would plan a family trip for the long holidays. There was once they went to Thailand for a remote mountain trip, they did not bring enough garments for cold weather because they thought there is only summer in Thailand. On a morning when they woke up for sunrise, they were surprised that the local temperature is very low. This is therefore they need to run around to keep their bodies warm. She even saw tourists covering themselves with quilts while watching the sunrise.
Wang proudly said that she is very much loved by her relatives in Thailand, and she cherishes this sense of belonging. As long as there are holidays, she will arrange a two-week trip to Thailand and take a breather.
1027.jpg)
Wang learns Thai diligently and integrates into her mother's hometown culture. (Photo / Provided by Wang Qiu Wen)
Because Wang had to take care of her schoolwork in the past few years, so she seldom went back to Thailand with her mother. During that period, she almost lost contact with her relatives in Thailand. However, she fostered stronger bonds with her relatives again through Facebook. When she became financially capable, she started saving money for trips to Thailand, and also spending quality time with families.
At first, she was unable to communicate with the Thailand family due to language barriers so that she tried to improve her Thailand language skills by communicating Thai with her mom and watching Thai drama series.
1027.jpg)
Wang's family members are in a close relationship and often organize family trips. (Photo / Provided by Wang Qiu Wen)
Practice makes perfect and now she achieves a good level of Thai Language proficiency. For future career planning, Wang wants to become a professional translator, serving as a bridge between Taiwan and Thailand. At the same time, she also wishes to help her Thai fellow sisters and migrant workers living in Taiwan.
She highly praised hospitals in Taiwan for being considerate and caring as medical information is also in Thai. The medical and health education information is a great and useful knowledge for new residents. Besides, the information reduces information gaps among new residents like them which assists her mother in taking good care of her father.
Finally, Wang especially recommends to readers the friendly city of Taiwan-Tainan City. The "Buddhabaramee Thai Buddhist Temple Taiwan" located in Yongkang District, Tainan City, regularly holds "Wan Ok Phansa", which is also known as "Candle Festival" every year.
This festival mainly consists of believers offering robes to the temple, monks reciting and transferring their merits. Parades were also held with many special Thai foods prepared by the temple. If you are interested, please contact the "Buddhabaramee Thai Buddhist Temple Taiwan".
