Taiwan?

There's going to be another elective posting in a year's time. We're encouraged to get attached to a hospital abroad. And many of my coursemates are already discussing where to go. And it's not surprising that some of that have even started to apply.

I've always wanted to do my elective posting in Australia. Probably Melbourne. First of all, I've not travelled to a country where the people are white and English is widely spoken. I thought it's awesome if I could spend a month there and do a little bit of sightseeing before returning. What's more, it's not that far from home and I have friends who're doing medicine there too.

The problem is, I can't get someone to accompany me. The idea of going somewhere I've never been to alone and grappling with every obstacle that comes my way on my own just freaks me out. Certainly, I'm not a person who can't stand on his own feet. But, seriously, I don't think I can do that alone.

Some of my coursemates said they coulnd't afford to do it overseas. Mind you, the electively posting is completely self-sponsored. Tai's godparents live in the US and he said he's probably going there. Most of my good friends are very enthusiastic about going to Taiwan. An option I didn't consider at all initially. They reasoned that they could converse with the patients in Mandarin and that'd save them a lot trouble i.e. staring blankly with jaws dropped at patients who mutter something unintelligible to them in an Australian accent. And I thought they're ridiculous.

Now, it seems that going to Taiwan is not that bad at all. At least, the food is great and I heard there're loads of cute guys on the streets.

Now, I really do think going to Taiwan is not bad at all.