STUDYING AT LINN-BENTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE:

My name is Wei-Po Lin (Daniel Lin), and I am from Tainan. I am a second year student studying at Linn-Benton Community College in Oregon, USA.

Initially, after graduating from high school, my plan was to go to Oregon State University (OSU) for my undergraduate study, but upon my school advisor’s recommendation, I chose Linn-Benton Community College (LBCC) since it’s close to OSU. A community college offers classes equivalent to the classes in the first two years at the university. After two years, students can transfer to the university and continue with years three and four.  I believe it is a great way to start one’s college journey by starting at a community college. It is much more affordable but still offers the same great quality education as university. 

I have used multiple resources at LBCC that I found useful for my studies, such as the learning center that has tutoring services, library, and the advising center to help map out my classes, major, and transfer plan. The services are easy to access and the staff is super friendly. It is convenient to set up a time according to your schedule and receive the help you need. 

I am glad I chose LBCC because the classes at OSU are really big and it would’ve given me a hard time to focus and learn. Since the classes are smaller, it gives me a chance to speak and connect with the professor easier. The international office holds events often and gatherings every week. I enjoy going there to socialize and take a break in between classes and meet new friends. There is also a Student Leadership Council that organizes events throughout the term, for example laser tag and themed costume contests. There are opportunities to be involved on campus.

CULTURE: 

The United States society is very diverse whereas Taiwan is more homogenous. People here are friendlier and more extroverted. People like to strike up a conversation with strangers. Here it is easier to share your thoughts and opinions on things in class. You do not have to worry about being judged about your accent since it is so diverse and people speak in different accents. I became more confident in communicating with other people.

In Oregon, nature is beautiful and there are a lot to explore. There is a low risk of typhoons or earthquakes as compared to Taiwan. I became friends with some Taiwanese people here. We usually hang out together, organize home parties, and make Taiwanese food, which is really comforting. Also, there are a lot of bubble tea places here which are great. The biggest city in Oregon is Portland, and there is Taiwanese food available in the area. Whenever I feel like I am homesick or craving Taiwanese food, it’s easy to obtain.

LIFE IN OREGON:

Whenever I have free time, I drive to the Oregon coast and enjoy the fresh sea food, especially fresh oysters, fish and chips, and chowder. The summer here is beautiful, because it’s warm and the sun sets late. It rains a lot in Oregon, so I usually go to cafes to work on homework. Because there is no sales tax in Oregon, shopping for clothes and electronics are cheaper compared to other states. I live by myself, so I have a lot of freedom. However, through this experience I learned to be responsible for my school, personal life. and daily chores. 

I would definitely recommend Taiwanese students to come study in Oregon and LBCC. It is a great place to experience American culture and is more affordable as compared to other states. Through my experience studying and living in the US, I learned to grow as a person.

As for my future plans, I plan to transfer to a university to study industrial engineering and graduate with a bachelor’s degree. After college, I want to stay in the US to acquire some work experience before deciding if I will return to Taiwan or pursue other opportunities.