From May 2nd to July 3rd, 2024, Sofia Gessi and I had the incredible opportunity to immerse ourselves in the vibrant culture and academic environment of Taiwan. This journey was made possible by a scholarship funded by the Taiwanese Ministry of Education (MOE) through the Taipei Representative Office in Rome and the Taiwan Studies Center at Sapienza University. This scholarship aims to foster a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s academic landscape and strengthen the bonds of friendship between Taiwan and other nations. After submitting our research project proposals to the CEMAS Examining Commission and winning the scholarship, we were tasked with conducting our researches on the island of Formosa.
Our adventure began the moment we landed at Taoyuan Airport. With some time to spare before meeting our university contact, we decided to spend our first week exploring the capital city, Taipei. Our exploration of Taipei was nothing short of awe-inspiring. The city is a blend of modernity and tradition, offering a plethora of landmarks that left us mesmerized. Walking across the city one might get the feeling of time traveling, with ancient marvelous temples spotting the landscape like many portals with the ability to take you back in time. One of the first thing Sofia and I noticed during our first walks was the extreme kindness and heartfelt desire to help of the Taiwanese. Whenever we found ourselves lost in some alley or indecisive about what kind of delicious food to try next there was always someone ready to show us the way or give us some advice. We started our visit with the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall; a grand monument dedicated to the former President of the Republic of China surrounded by beautiful gardens. We were lucky enough to witness the changing of the guard as one of the first experiences in the city. A majestic yet controversial symbol of the past of the Republic of China, the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall has also become a vibrant and lively hotspot for cultural activities, with many young people using its wide spaces as a platform from which to express themselves through music and dance. Next, after an exhausting yet beautiful hike up Elephant Mountain, which offers one of the most stunning panoramic views of Taipei, especially at sunset when the city bursts in orange and red, we visited Taipei 101, one of the world’s tallest buildings, with a breathtaking view of the city from its observatory. This architectural marvel is not just a skyscraper but a symbol of Taiwan’s rapid growth, making it a perfect spot for understanding Taiwan and its development.
Our time in Taiwan gave us the opportunity to meet and exchange views with numerous scholars, professors, and especially locals, who helped expand our horizons and those of our researches. We were first introduced to Marc Cheng, Executive Director of the European Union Centre in Taiwan at the National Taiwan University, who gave us access to the vast resource pool of the National Taiwan University Library, where we spent most of our days conducting research and socializing with the students that were there. At Academia Sinica, with the help of Prof. Pelaggi, we were able to meet and expand our resource pools thanks to Prof. James Lee. Moreover, we had the opportunity to participate in a meeting held at the University right after the European Parliament elections, where guests coming from Europe, more precisely Italy, France, and Belgium, talked about the perspectives of relations between European countries and Taiwan, also in the view of the upcoming American elections. Then we attended an event held by the MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) at the main library in Taipei. During this meeting, the different fellowship programs were explained, and PHD students presented their research projects financed by the Taiwan ministry. These events surely helped us deepen our knowledge of the current events in the Strait. Again, at the invitation of Prof. Cheng, we had the honor of participating in the Festa della Repubblica’s event held by the Italian Office for Economic, Commercial and Cultural Promotion in Taipei where we were able to meet the outgoing Head of the Office and numerous Italian entrepreneurs and academics based in Taiwan with whom we had the pleasure of spending the afternoon. Within the Center for European Union Studies, we also had the opportunity to come into contact with the Center’s interns with whom we participated in several meetings organized by the European Values Center for Security Policy.
Regarding our projects, mine was mainly focused on the intricate relationship between Taiwan’s colonial past under Japanese colonial rule and its subsequent democratization process by examining its historical, social, and political dimensions. During the Japanese occupation, Taiwan underwent profound transformations. The Japanese introduced modern education, promoting literacy and the development of critical thinking, and cultivating an informed citizenry. Legal reforms during the colonial era left lasting imprints. The concepts of civil liberties and administrative efficiency persisted after 1945, shaping Taiwan’s legal framework. Civic participation flourished under the Japanese political and judicial system through the emergence of several Taiwanese associations that had as their main goal the achievement of a certain level of autonomy. These networks evolved in postcolonial civil society, contributing to Taiwan’s vibrant democratic landscape. Early Taiwanese intellectuals planted the roots of self-government by either resisting colonial control or working with it to achieve greater freedom. Their struggles paved the way for democratic movements and the future development of Taiwanese democracy. The topic of Sofia’s research was an analysis of the cyber activities of China and Taiwan and how the escalation of cyber activities shows the mounting tension between the countries. Her time in Taiwan has allowed her to gain insight into Taiwan’s cyber landscape and infrastructures and methods employed to combat cyber threats. She first analyzed Taiwan’s cyber landscape and its infrastructure to combat cyber threats coming from China; then, she focused on China’s cyber capacity and the influence the country has. Ultimately, she analyzed Taiwan’s partnership and the impact of international cooperation.
But the academic work certainly didn’t stop us from fully exploring the beautiful island that was hosting us. We reached the summit of Teapot Mountain, swam with sea turtles in the crystal-clear waters of Xiao Liu Qiu, bathed in the hot springs of Wulai and tried every delicacy Taiwan had to offer, getting lost in the huge and chaotic night markets. Our time in Taiwan was not only academically enriching, but also personally transformative. The experience we shared offered us a unique blend of intellectual growth and cultural immersion. We left with a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s rich history, dynamic political landscape, and the warm hospitality of its people. This journey has strengthened our academic pursuits and enriched our perspectives, reaffirming our commitment to fostering international cooperation and understanding. As we return to our studies we carry with us the unvaluable insights and cherished memories from our time in Taiwan, confident that this experience will continue to shape our future endeavors.
