I used concise speaking skills to make pitches about myself to keynote speakers, many of whom only had several seconds to talk to me. I leveraged everything I learned about Taiwan's culture and society to grab the attention of other Taiwanese attendees. Knowing Mandarin was an added bonus to impress the people to whom I was talking.
However, with liberal arts degrees, credibility primarily comes from outside of the classroom. Research opportunities build up transferrable skills, such as management, writing and teamwork. It also broadens your expertise, particularly when you take a leading role on a project. Interning with elected leaders or advocacy organizations often gives you a street-smart perspective, as you're primarily working with other people on issues that affect communities. Once you start down a path, the opportunities start to snowball as you build up these experiences.
Good judgment is also incredibly important in this field. In my experience, adversity and maturity are the best teachers of judgment. When dealing with a heavy issue in a small time frame, judgment helps ensure the best outcome for everyone. Many exchange students have joked publicly about a possible invasion of Taiwan by China, often being very insensitive. Locals nearby would overhear these jokes and become very uncomfortable for good reasons. This is their home, their families are here and they have hopes and dreams for the future. These types of remarks can have larger consequences when they reach a wide group of people. Here, good judgment means being aware of your environment, while being sensitive to the emotions of people around you.
I'm approaching the last thirty days of my time in Taiwan. After I return, I will begin an internship with the U.S.
