What is your favorite travel memory?
Beyond simply enjoying nature’s wonders, my favorite travel memory is all about the genuine connections I made along the way. I remember chatting with local farmers who shared age-old wisdom on nurturing the land, revealing secrets passed down through generations. I also spent evenings at lively street pavilions with fellow travelers, where we uncovered the hidden stories behind cultural festivals—discovering that every celebration carries a deeper meaning beyond the surface. What truly moved me, however, were the quiet, heartfelt moments with wise elders who spoke of family ties and life lessons with authenticity and warmth. These encounters light up my inner world like a constellation, continuously inspiring me on my journey. Such authentic exchanges remind me that travel isn’t just about ticking off sights; it’s about forming real connections, embracing new perspectives, and discovering the shared human experiences that unite us all.
How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?
Working with students from all over the world has completely changed how I see people—and myself. If each person were a planet, then my sky has become filled with stars, each one glowing with its own story, its own perspective, its own light. Every student I meet doesn’t just bring language goals; they bring dreams, questions, cultures, and life experiences that challenge me to think differently.
Thanks to these encounters, I’ve learned to go beyond my own assumptions and to listen more deeply. I used to rely on what I thought I already knew—but now, I find meaning in the space between different opinions, and I’m drawn more to empathy than certainty. Truth isn’t always black and white; often, it lives in the conversations in between.
Being in Taiwan—where ancient traditions and modern ideas come together—has made this journey even more powerful. It’s not just about becoming a better teacher or professional. It’s about growing into someone more open, more curious, and more connected to the world. And I think that’s the kind of growth we all hope for.
What is the best story you've heard from a return student?
One story I’ll never forget came from a student who learned his modern Chinese history with us. When he returned home, something amazing happened—his conversations with his grandparents changed. Before, they’d only talked about everyday things. But now, he could finally understand the historical events that had shaped their lives—wars, migrations, revolutions—not just as facts in a textbook, but as personal experiences his grandparents had lived through.
He told us how learning about that time helped him ask better questions and really listen. His grandparents opened up in ways they never had before. He began to see them not just as family, but as people who had survived incredible challenges with strength and dignity. Their quiet stories became part of his own story.
That’s the kind of transformation we hope for. Studying a language and its culture doesn’t just teach students about history—it gives them the tools to connect across generations, to understand where they come from, and to carry those stories forward. It’s a journey of both learning and rediscovery.
If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?
If I were a high school graduate standing at life’s crossroads, I’d choose the CGY program without hesitation. It’s the perfect chance to step into a new culture while my curiosity is still wide open and my sense of adventure is strong. I’d see it as a time to plant small seeds of knowledge and experience—knowing that some will grow into something much bigger down the road.
For students further along in their academic journey, ICLP offers a different kind of challenge: deep, focused language training for those ready to specialize. But no matter which path you take, I believe the experience will be transformative.
In Taiwan, where tradition and innovation meet, language learning becomes more than just vocabulary and grammar. It becomes a way to explore the world, discover yourself, and gain a deeper understanding of how culture, history, and identity all connect.
What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?
What makes CGY special is how everything comes together—small classes where your voice really matters, a program that connects language to real life, and a learning environment that feels both challenging and deeply supportive. You’re pushed to grow, but never left to struggle alone. It’s a place where you’re seen, heard, and encouraged every step of the way.
Because of this, something incredible happens: classmates become lifelong friends, creating a global community rooted in shared experiences in Taiwan. Even years later, alumni still meet up across countries, bonded by what they built here.
The moments I’m proudest of are often quiet but unforgettable—like seeing a beginner go from shy, halting phrases to full conversations in just a few months. Or watching someone who thought they'd never be fluent finally find their voice in Chinese. That kind of breakthrough is magical. It reminds us why we do this work—because great language learning doesn’t just teach words; it unlocks confidence, connection, and something truly life-changing.
What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?
At CGY, we believe the key to success isn’t just about offering great classes—it’s about reimagining how language is learned. We break down the wall between classroom and real life, blending intense, personalized learning with full cultural immersion. With just four students per teacher, everyone’s voice is heard, and every question matters.
But the learning doesn’t stop when class ends. From tai chi to tea ceremonies, from cooking traditional dishes to playing Chinese chess, students live the language. Each term, we travel across Taiwan—camping in the mountains, joining lantern festivals, meeting indigenous elders, and exploring both ancient traditions and modern challenges.
What sets us apart is this: in a world where AI can teach grammar, only real human connection can teach meaning. The friendships you build, the people you meet, the moments that shift your perspective—those are the things that last. At CGY, students don’t just learn Chinese. They step into a new way of seeing the world—and their place in it.
