Arrival
Trip Start
Jun 10, 2006
1
8
Trip End
Aug 01, 2006
Hsinchu, Taiwan
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
I arrived yesterday at 6:05 am after a very long journey. I flew from Dayton, Ohio to Chicago, Chicago to LA, LA to Taipei. The last flight was 13 1/2 hours -- long but very comfortable. Unfortuantely, at LA the airlines lost my luggage! I did plan for it in case it should happen, so I'm lucky I have some spare clothes in my carry-on. Still, I'm hoping for my luggage to come today... most especially because the "proper" shoes to wear to work are in it. And I say this because my boss has pointed out to me that my outfit is fine with the exception of my shoes! (I've been wearing flip flops.)
I was picked up at the airport by the other intern in my department, Scott. He's been here for about 1 1/2 weeks and showed me around yesterday. I'm still in the process of getting paperwork done and have yet to become an official employee since I haven't gotten a photo id yet.
The housing is very nice. All interns have single rooms with a bathroom, tv, fridge... and A/C! There are supposed to be around 25 interns here, but with the flexibility of arrival dates, only 8 are here, including me. And, surprise surprise, everyone is Asian American except for one Caucasian and one Asian Canadian (is there such a term?)! Scott is fluent in Mandarin in all aspects, which means we made use of him last night to read the menu at the restaurant! A few interns are like me, not really able to read/write, but get along fine with speaking Mandarin. And then the rest just speak English.
I had my first day of work yesterday. Since I had just arrived in the morning they told me to "take it easy." This rougly translated into doing nothing but be on my laptop all day surfing the internet. Haha. Although, my boss did take the time to explain to me what my project for the PR dept this summer will be. The PR office is located directly above the showroom where guests are taken to see all the technological innovations of ITRI. My project is to take a look at how the English version of this presentation is being given, make edits to make it more understandable for foreign guests (this means researching all the technology mentioned!), and then working with the presenters on putting more emotion in their speeches, since they're very very monotone!
The lunch break is right at noon and the cafeteria is huge! When you enter the cafeteria, along the walls near the doors are all the dishes they offer with a number. You decide which meal you want, and then go find that line for say, meal 20. Lunch is only 35 NT (32 NT is one American dollar!). The food is good considering the price, although very oily.
ITRI is unfortuantely located on the outskirts of Hsinchu, and is roughly 15 min away from downtown via taxi. This means it's very hard for us interns to get off the campus! Last night, the 8 of us went to a dumpling restaurant right across the street from the campus' main gates. Afterwards we went to the recreational center and played pool and ping pong. From evidence of the amount of people and tables/nets for ping pong and badminton, it's safe to say they're very popular sports here! I also had the opportunity to check out the "gym." A little green room with 4 treadmills, one weight machine, and a few others scattered... not very appealing considering you need to pay each time to use it! I might make myself run outside in the humid climate instead.
The weather here isn't as hot as anticipated. I'm thinking it might be because it's only early June and I don't have to suffer the heat for long periods of time due to air conditioned buildings! Still, it's very humid and the clouds seem to have a tendency to rain every afternoon.
So far, I've been doing alright with jet lag. Yesterday I was little tired all day, but pushed it until 11 pm. I woke up this morning at 7 am, so hopefully this trend will keep up! Work days are officially Mondays to Thursdays from 8 am to 5:30 pm, and Fridays from 8 am to 5 pm. However, in my office, 8:45/9 am works just as well.
Well, it's almost lunch time!
Comments
A new trend in office wear - suit with flip flops
I'd like to see a photo of you with 'office' outfit and flip flops. Sounds like your intern assignment fits you well. I'm sure you can make the presentation more interesting and inviting with all your creativity.
Re: A new trend in office wear - suit with flip fl
I don't wear a suit! Just business casual. :)
Flipe flops
What did I say about flip flops in Asia country? They are not shoes to wear no matter how fancy they are.
I can't believe you're there!!!
Hey Lee! That is astonishing that you're up by 7...do I dare ask when you get to sleep? ;-) but I'm so glad that you're safe and having a ball -- disregard some of my email quiries -- I wrote it before I clicked onto your link -- but sounds like you're quite settled -- sorry to hear about your lost luggage! that totally sucks -- I can sympathize when I lost my luggage when I when to St. Croix last winter -- aahgg I was five hours without my toothbrush...I like my toothbrush.
But wow, you just got to hangout all day -- sounds like a great place to work and live! EEk the weather sounds sticky! Do you have to speak Mandarin constantly? Are all the interns doing the same job as you?
Alrigh, enough questions, but I'm glad that you're there and exploring!
Zai jian!! -- (I think...)
Tom