Study Abroad Ambassadors: Josiah Farrell ’28

At Virginia Military Institute’s Office of Global Education, more than 10% of cadets each year choose an international learning experience. Through semester or summer programs, cadets not only widen their global perspectives — but build critical thinking, resilience, independence, and the ability to communicate across cultures. Learn more about these first-hand experiences through our Study Abroad Ambassadors.

Name: Josiah Farrell 

Year: 2028  

Majors: International Studies with a Chinese minor 

Which program did you do?  National Chengchi University (NCCU) Huayu BEST Chinese program 

What made you decide to participate in this program? 

I knew coming to VMI that I wanted to study abroad at some point, so getting to spend the summer in Taiwan seemed like the perfect fit. My aim is to someday speak Mandarin Chinese fluently enough to serve as a U.S. diplomat, so I saw this trip as a perfect opportunity to get speaking experience in a native setting which is close to unachievable in the U.S. Being able to travel with my friends was also a huge draw for me to this program. 

How did you balance this program with VMI’s unique educational approach?  

Being in this program was my first time experiencing a normal college lifestyle, so it was a learning curve at first figuring out how to utilize all the free time I had. However, I found that establishing a routine much like that at VMI was an effective strategy for ensuring I stayed on task.  

What were your keys to success?  

I found that establishing a routine for balancing work and free time was critical for success. However, outside of that, I found that going out and seeking natural speaking experiences was extremely beneficial for practicing the content that we learned in the classroom. These everyday interactions, such as going to the convenience store, attending a concert, or exploring the city with friends all provided practical speaking experience which in turn allowed for better performance in the classroom. 

How do you think participating in this program will aid you in your future? 

I believe this program affirmed my ambitions to serve as a diplomat in Eastern Asia and that the speaking and comprehension skills I learned while abroad gave me a better understanding of colloquially spoken Chinese. I believe that these experiences will allow me to better understand both the people of Taiwan and the Mandarin speaking world as a whole in my future career. 

What was the best part of the program? 

The best part of the program by far was the ability to explore the city of Taipei with friends and make new connections with both Taiwanese locals and other foreign students. The free time we had allowed us to embark on a new adventure every day such as visiting temples, picking and brewing local tea, and participating in traditional games like dragon boat racing. 

What was the most surprising thing about the county you visited?  

By far the most surprising aspect of Taiwan was how exceptionally clean it was. The Taiwanese culture of sustainability and personal responsibility for the environment meant that, despite Taipei being a massive and densely populated city, the streets were spotless and the surroundings were luscious and green. I was extremely impressed by just how carefully the Taiwanese cared for their community.  

Favorite memory? 

My favorite memory in Taiwan by far was our first morning, where I climbed to the very top of a nearby mountain and visited a temple. From there I was able to take in the amazing views of Taipei’s metropolitan area and dense forests alike, and the reality of being on a once in a lifetime trip finally set in.