一、引言 於第一學期的交流過程中，本人在暑假參與了傅爾布萊特相關單位舉辦的「暑期先修研習營」（Orientation）以及在寒假「青年充實課程」（Youth Enrichment Seminar）。另外，在學校裡面除了正規課程外，主要參加臺灣同學會的活動，包括中秋節烤肉、感恩節火鍋等等以假日為主軸的盛宴。下文將以文化體悟、學業成長、人脈經營等各方面為經，上述各活動為緯，闡述這學期之心得感想。
在八月中前往美國之前，我待在終年受海風吹拂的臺灣島上二十餘年。從大學入學到研究所畢業後的那段期間，我住在臺北城裡，花了三分之一的人生摸索與搏鬥。和生活搏鬥，也和自己。有時候覺得已經知道自己要的是什麼，但是困惑總是一而再再而三地回來。所以無論何時，我總是在包包裡放著一把傘。既然不知道什麼時候放晴，什麼時候會下雨，那麼確保能在雨滴落下時打傘撐著，總是不那麼狼狽一些。
The heat of the day had receded as we walked into the shrine after ‘isha, the final evening prayers. The marble ground felt cool to our bare feet when we took off our sandals and went in. There was no guard at the gate, no shoe-keeping stand, and people sat on the ground in small groups, chatting, eating, and sleeping. Children and even dogs ran around in the informal and mildly festive atmosphere of the beautifully-lit shrine courtyard. This place, the shrine of Shāh Abdul Latīf in Bhit Shāh, Sindh, was beyond doubt one of the most open and welcoming Sufi shrines I had ever been to in Pakistan. Adding our own footwear to a pile of countless dusty black sandals in the corner, we headed straight towards the inner courtyard where the saint is buried. My heart leapt as, from a distance, we saw the silhouette of a group of men sitting in a semi-circle on the ground in front of the tomb door, wielding huge pumpkin-bodied long-necked string instruments. The Shāh Jo Rāg fakirs were already there, ready to sing. I first read about the Shāh Jo Rāg fakirs in a program note for
When I first arrived here in the United States to pursue graduate studies, I not only noticed the language difference, but also the unfamiliar conversation conventions. I realized that many conversations here operate according to a different communication style than what I was used to back home. Here in LA, I have found that many people greet others warmly and openly, even strangers. Since my arrival here, I have been greeted by cashiers, sales clerks, and bus drivers; even pedestrians on the streets usually greet me with a smile. This happens less often back home. During the many opportunities I have had to chat with Americans in the United States, I have observed some interesting features of conversations. For instance, not only do people greet each other, many also cordially share their opinions and information about themselves in lengthy dialogues with strangers. This openness and frankness is helpful, since it gives me more opportunities to hear what Americans have to say. From such conversations, I have been able to learn about American culture in terms of interpersonal communication. To illustrate, I will recount below some interactions I have had here with new friends. Name
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