行走過許多城市，卻從未到過美國。沒想到第一次去美國，竟是跟著一群陣容堅強團隊，領航的是好為人師的牟校長和親切的學務長，以及一群優秀的世新同學們，進行為期十一天的美國姊妹校參訪之旅。

I've visited many cities, but never traveled to the U.S. I would have never imagined that my first time going to the U.S would be with a very special team, including our adorable president Mu, Office of Student Affairs Dean Ms. Kuo and ten outstanding students. Together we traveled through the U.S., visiting our American sister schools in eleven days.

還記得三月初到國際交流中心繳交報名資料時，看見滿滿三箱的申請表，有人的報名資料厚得像字典一樣，那時看著自己單薄的幾張紙，好像風一吹，它們就會飄走似的，心裡出現些許遲疑。但還是相信任何機會都是從嘗試開始，只要願意嘗試，就能累積經驗，就算是失敗的經驗，都能夠幫助你了解那裡不足，如何讓下次表現更好。

I recall handing my application form to CIAE; piles of other applicants' documents filled three paper boxes. Some of the applications were thick like a dictionary; I turned to look at my application form of just a few pages, so light like a light gust of wind could carry them away. A question mark appeared in my mind: Am I qualified for this opportunity? However, I still believe that there is no chance you can win without giving a try. Even if you fail this time, the experience still can help you understand more of yourself and the pros and cons of your performance.

也許，就是這麼一個嘗試，讓我們十位同學有機會實地參訪，短短幾天的時間內，在美國體驗了很多前所未有的感官刺激。

Maybe, this shot is the main point that make us have this great opportunity to go to the U.S, and we did experience lots of totally fresh experiences over there in these short days.

民以食為天，首先在味覺上，初嚐波士頓大龍蝦，那隻讓人徒手對決長達一小時的龍蝦，嚐起來確實有大西洋的海味兒。此外，美國大學的學生餐廳也是值得久留的地方，學生餐廳提供的食物種類十分多樣，基本上可劃分飲料區、甜點區、冰品區、生菜區、熟食區、冷盤區、現炒區等等，還不時提供墨西哥或西班牙等異國特色料理，也讓來自台灣的我們看見了美國漢堡以外的美食文化。
As an old saying from the war period in Taiwan goes, people make eating a high priority, as there is nothing which can start without food. In this case, I will start from the sense of taste I’ve experienced in the U.S. The first time I ate Boston prawns, it took me about almost one hour to fight with the Prawn, and the result turned out great, because of that unforgettable flavor from the Atlantic Ocean. In addition, the buffet-style cafeteria in the university is fabulous; they supply many different kinds of food, in addition to some exotic food from Spain and Mexico. Those displays of colorful food allowed us to experience American food culture outside of the Hamburger.

另外，在視覺上，觀看威斯康辛雷河分校學生的年度舞蹈公演，舞台道具的創意運用與舞台上盡情自我的展演，相當引人注目；在嗅覺上，進入密蘇里哥倫比亞分可媲美高級渡假村的游泳池，在那所聞到的那股濃濃溫水游泳池味，驚訝於這間學校在設備上與時並進的企圖心，校內不時可見整修新蓋的建築，以冀提供學生更好的環境與設備。

One of our new visual experiences was going to see the annual dance performance by the students from UWRF. The props they used and the creative and confident style of performance on the stage impressed me a lot. Regarding the sense of smell, when we entered into the villa-like swimming pool in MU, we really surprised that the school followed the world in their facility so close. On their campus, it seems like new buildings under construction are a familiar sight. It shows the school is trying their best to provide the students with a better learning environment.

而在聽覺上，旁聽愛默生學院Culture Power課程時，當天同學上台簡報主題為 ”Make in China: America doesn’t have a culture. “ 台下同學一個接著一個舉手，他們發言的密度就像一場爭鋒相對辯論賽，每個人都想要出聲，讓自己的觀點能有發表的機會；在觸覺上，在威斯康辛大雪後的隔日抵達，零下氣溫裡摸著積在路旁的白雪，雪硬邦邦地像磚頭一樣，但輕輕用腳一踢，雪又馬上變成像混著泥的巨型黑糖挫冰，看來第一次摸雪的感受總是新鮮。
　　
The fresh auditory experience happened as we sat in at the Culture Power class in Emerson College. That day’s topic was "Made in China: America doesn’t have a culture.” It was as if each student in the class were attending a competitive debate; they expressed their ideas in a very intensive way, one by one continuously. As for the sense of touch, some of us had never seen the snow before going to America. The day we arrived in the Wisconsin was just after their big snowstorm. We touched the snow by the road under the zero degree weather. It was like a hard brick, but when you kicked it gently, it would become like shaved iced topped with black-sugar earth inside. Seems that the first experience of touching snows is always fresh and new.

實際撰寫這篇文章的時間是回台後的一個月，重新回味訪美的點點滴滴，那股激昂的奮鬥力似乎又被召喚回來。美國姊妹校參訪之行，所獲得的比想像中多很多，開拓眼界也打開自己對外界接收的廣度，為大家為同一目標努力而感動，無數夜晚通宵採排到姊妹校表演的內容，現在都變成滿滿的回憶，讓人懷念也讓人感謝，謝謝世新給予我們這個機會代表學校出國參訪，以及同行師長給予我們的教導、鼓勵和照顧。

Actually, this article was finished one month after the journey. Now, when I remember those days in America, it's as if the ambitious spirit comes back to me again. We learned a great deal from this journey, expanding our vision and accepting the width of differences in the world, and we are such a team that had several times rehearsal just want to make sure we are able to show our presentation to the sister schools. Those memories have become a cherished treasure to me. I would like to thank my school, SHU, and all the teachers in this group - thanks for your teaching, encouragement and caring.

最後，給正在觀看這篇文章的學弟妹們，明年，就換你們出發了！期待未來看見你們在美國的精彩。

In the end, for those who are reading this article, next year, is your turn! I look forward to seeing your fantastic journeys to the U.S in the future.