I had the incredible opportunity to spend six months, from December to May, as an exchange student at Academia Sinica in Taiwan. My advisor at Tohoku University, Professor Bai, introduced me to Professor Yang in the economics department, who facilitated my exchange. Professor Yang also provided me with access to a rare dataset from Taiwan's Colonial Period, which contains unique information on social phenomena like opium consumption and foot-binding. The visa application process was surprisingly smooth, thanks to the efficiency of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office, which verified my documents after receiving a formal invitation from Academia Sinica. The required paperwork included my research plan and examples of my previous work.

Academia Sinica provided a vibrant and intellectually stimulating environment. I regularly attended "brown-bag" meetings and lectures featuring visiting scholars from around the world. The topics were diverse and at the forefront of their fields, ranging from macroeconomic models to economic history. These lectures, open to all, significantly broadened my perspective.

A particular highlight was participating in the World Congress of Taiwan Studies (WCTS), an international conference hosted by Academia Sinica. The conference brought together scholars to discuss a wide range of topics related to Taiwan, from military strategy to ethnic history. I was amazed to find that many international scholars were not only fluent in Mandarin but also in local Taiwanese dialects. During a post-conference dinner, I had an incredible experience communicating with scholars from various countries, all in Chinese. This inspiring atmosphere solidified my desire to pursue a career in academia and connect with such remarkable people.

I also took time to explore Taiwan's rich cultural tapestry. On a trip to Tainan in the south, I visited a castle left by the Dutch, shopped in a mall repurposed from old Japanese architecture, and enjoyed traditional Chinese snacks. This firsthand experience highlighted how Taiwan is a fascinating fusion of Chinese, European, and Japanese cultures.

My research is about the effect of adopted daughter-in-law, a phenomenon in historical Taiwan where families adopted baby girls and arranged for them to marry one of their sons in the future. During my time there, I completed the data cleaning for my research and obtained tentative results. I presented my research multiple times and received invaluable feedback from my peers and senior scholars. One of the most impactful moments came after a presentation when an audience member approached me. She shared that my research on the historical practice of "simpua," or adopted daughter-in-law, had a personal connection for her; her mother was a simpua but had refused to marry her adoptive brother. She told me that her mother had always struggled with her identity, feeling like a less favored child. She said she now wanted to share my findings with her mother to help her understand the motivations behind the practice and hopefully bring her some peace.

Beyond my specific research, I was able to greatly expand my academic network by attending numerous conferences and brown-bag meetings. I found that if you are brave enough to approach people, professors are very open to conversation and collaboration.