Adventures with Jessie

Jessie Chen • UCLA • 2017 student || runner || traveler

[jessiechensaid]

There are 177 canals in Venice and 417 bridges. I feel like I could walk around all day to the different districts and not get bored at all. Venice is beautiful!!

Venice, Italy

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“Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go.” ― Truman Capote

Venice, Italy

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feelin’ some type of way...

Venice, Italy

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Some days I wish I could go back in life. Not to change anything, but to feel a few things twice. 

Rio di Santa Santa Sofia, Venice, Italy

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Not the most aesthetic photo, but it is the first picture I took when I got off the train and arrived in Venice. A beautiful day, a beautiful memory. 

Venice, Italy

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Woke up at 5:30 AM to watch the sunrise with my friends. We watched the sun glow over Venice. You can see the silhouette of Campanile di San Marco in front of the sun 🌞 One of the most peaceful mornings of my life. 

Murano, Italy

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Longshan Temple was built in 1738 and is one of the oldest temples in Taiwan. You won't be able to find old temples like this in China, because the Cultural Revolution destroyed many religious establishments.

Longshan Temple, Taipei, Taiwan

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Enjoy a romantic stroll along the natural streams of Beitou! 

Beitou Hot Spring Valley, Taipei, Taiwan

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If you visit Treasure Hill, you can still see ruins of military veterans’ settlements from when the Kuomintang came to Taiwan. I believe this was a little kitchen. Sometimes history seems to have taken place so far in the past and other times it seems so recent. 

Treasure Hill, Taipei, Taiwan

[jessiechensaid]

Hi Jessie! I'm a UCLA student applying for the Korean Student Exchange Program and was wondering what you wrote for the "Statement of Purpose"? I have no idea what to write and any advice helps! Thank you! (I asked earlier but not under my name haha sorry)

Hey! I’m not sure if you attended the KU ISC info session that they have every year (http://www.international.ucla.edu/cks/event/13034). The event is usually helpful in addressing some questions about the summer abroad program and application process. Jenny Yoo, Assistant Director of UCLA's Center for Korean Studies, is also a great resource, so don't be afraid to email/visit her to ask questions.I personally wrote about my perception of South Korea through my academic interests (I was a Global Studies and Geography double major). The most helpful tip I can give is to make your personal statement very “personal.” Too many people write about how they like K-pop, Korean food, and dramas. Be specific about why YOU want to go to Korea and why they should pick YOU. Find a unique angle that can help the application readers connect with you and your desire to study in Seoul.   

[jessiechensaid]

"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated." ― Confucius 

Longshan Temple, Taipei, Taiwan

[jessiechensaid]

Definitely one of the most haunting places I have ever been to. This place was a prison that housed political dissidents of the White Terror period. It wasn't closed until 1991. It’s mind-blowing to think about how democracy is relatively new in Taiwan. We shouldn’t ever take democracy for granted! 

Part of the memorial showcased some letters and stories of families that were affected by Taiwan’s political repression during the White Terror. Interesting related article here: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/04/world/asia/taiwan-white-terror-executions.html

Jing-Mei Human Rights Memorial and Cultural Park, New Taipei, Taiwan

[jessiechensaid]

Good old classic Taiwanese Lu Rou Fan (滷肉飯) or Braised pork on rice. Simple but delicious. Definitely one of those foods I could never get tired of! 

📍 Taipei, Taiwan

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Small, free museum that delves into hot spring culture and the Japanese colonial era. The building is a well-preserved bathhouse built in 1913 under Japanese rule and was the largest bathhouse in East Asia at the time. 

Beitou Hot Spring Museum, Taipei, Taiwan

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“Water is fluid, soft, and yielding. But water will wear away rock, which is rigid and cannot yield. As a rule, whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard. This is another paradox: what is soft is strong.” 

― Lao Tzu

Yehliu Geopark, New Taipei, Taiwan

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Fort San Domingo was owned by the Spanish, Dutch, the Qing Dynasty Chinese government, and finally became the British trade consulate. After the United Kingdom broke off diplomatic ties with Taiwan, the Former British Consular Residence became a museum

Danshui (淡水), New Taipei, Taiwan

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One of my mom’s favorite hiking trails! 

Shitou Mountain Park, New Taipei City, Taiwan