Tu Nguyen Anh

Today, I am here to share my thoughts after a short trip to Taiwan and attending the ICLT 2025 conference.

The trip to Taiwan in 2025 was a truly unforgettable memory for me. It was my first time setting foot in a foreign country, and everything felt so new and different. Yet, I wasn’t as excited as I thought I would be. I approached this journey with the mindset of going on a work trip rather than a vacation, and I couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious about being in an unfamiliar place. To make matters worse, the trip got off to a rocky start due to my carelessness, and I ended up spending a large amount of money on a short detour before even boarding the plane. It was indeed a costly lesson about being more careful.

It was also my very first experience at an airport. Even though my professor was there with me, I still felt nervous about the procedures. Luckily, everything was clearly indicated with signs, making it easy to follow the steps. And to my delight, I got a window seat on my first-ever flight! Seeing the country from above, gazing at the clouds and the endless sky, ... It was so breathtaking!

One of my first impressions upon arriving in Taiwan was the sky. It was as if I had stepped into a scene from a comic book. The clouds floated in beautiful, distinct shapes that could easily be admired with the naked eye. I could see sunlight streaming through the gaps, casting shadows on the ground that mirrored the shapes of the clouds.

And it wasn’t just from the plane. While driving on the highway with my professors, I could still clearly see those living, moving clouds. As we traveled, we chatted along the way. I had always assumed that professors’ conversations would be formal or academic, but they were surprisingly down-to-earth and full of humor. It felt amazing to see people from different countries connect through a common language. It even made me want to go home and study English seriously! 😊 That evening, I shared a meal with the professors, exchanging stories and learning about our cultures together - A dinner I’ll never forget. If only I could drink, perhaps the experience would have been even more enjoyable.

The next day was the first day of the conference at the National Changhua University of Education. I was immediately touched by the thoughtful welcome gifts: a backpack, universal power adapters, a power bank (so practical for our devices!), and even a reusable set of cutlery to avoid disposable utensils. Honestly, I felt as though I didn’t need to worry about anything even if I had forgotten my suitcase, I would have been fine!

At the conference, I met a lot of famous professors and scholars from all over the world. Everyone was warm, approachable, and highly professional. I had no doubt that they weren’t just friendly, they were also brilliant.

I also had my first experience presenting my own paper in front of these distinguished scholars. Despite my prior experience with public speaking in large classrooms, I froze as soon as I stood before them. My hands were trembling, and my mind went completely blank. I was so embarrassed! I can only hope that next time (if I’m lucky enough to have another chance), I’ll be more confident and do better.

What I learned the most from ICALT, however, was from listening to the professors’ presentations during the various sessions. It was eye-opening to see how they structured their talks, delivered their ideas, and engaged their audience. One moment that particularly stood out to me was the closing keynote by Professor Kinshuk, the founder of the ICALT conference itself. His talk gave me a broader perspective on cutting-edge technologies and the vast world beyond my own experiences. It made me realize just how small my current knowledge is, and it sparked a deep desire in me to keep learning and pushing further along the academic path.

Beyond the conference sessions, I also had time to explore Taiwan’s culture and landmarks. One of the highlights was visiting the Baguashan Temple, where I admired the towering 22-meter-tall Great Buddha statue and walked along the elevated pathways.

Looking back, this trip was both meaningful and unforgettable. I had the chance to learn, explore, and experience so many new things. I’m deeply grateful to Professor Thọ for giving me the opportunity to attend ICALT this year. It’s truly an experience that money can’t buy. I hope that in the future, I’ll be able to attend ICALT again - and this time, through my own efforts.