Political Science major Will Blackton joined the Libraries in 2007 helping students and faculty in the Digital Media Lab. Rob Rucker, Head of Research and Information Services for the NCSU Libraries, traces the arc of Will’s work experience here: “His understanding of digitization and graphics made him a candidate for the position -- his friendly, engaging personality and first-rate customer service instincts made him a success.”

In 2008 we bid Will bon voyage as his adventurous nature took him overseas for a year to study Chinese. We were happy to welcome him back in 2009, hear his stories, and see him back in the library working with our students and faculty.

Below, Will explains what he learned from his adventure in Taiwan:

Traveling to Taiwan embodied a lot of "firsts" for me. The first time I lived a not easily traverse-able distance from anyone that I know. It was my first time I had to hunt for a job and an apartment completely on my own. My first time filing taxes, immigration papers, or figuring out a bus or train route. Not that any of these things are particularly remarkable, but doing them all in a language I barely had a handle on has set my self-confidence dial to maximum. It's hard to put a finger on exactly what made the experience so awesome. I had never lived in a big city before, or not relied on a car whatsoever. Every face was a fresh one.

I attended TaiDa, Taiwan's most prestigious university. Getting a taste of the intensity of the local academic culture was an eye-opening experience. The ascetic nature of classrooms was also a tough change, but the welcoming nature of the local people more than made up for weeks of adjustment my bottom took to get used to the uncomfortable chairs. The Taiwanese go far out of their way to make sure people know they are some of the most awesome people in the world. On a nearly month long motorcycle trip around the island, after asking for directions, more people led me to my destination rather than just telling me where to go. I was treated to dinners and drinks by strangers much more often than from friends here home in America.

I studied Chinese intensively while over there, and fell in love with Taiwanese culture. The level of social courtesy was astounding. When taking study breaks, people just leave their stuff where they are at without worry that it will be stolen. On metros everyone is allowed off the train before anyone starts boarding. People walk slowly on the right side of the sidewalk and pass on the left. These small notions can overwhelm you with a sense of appreciation of being a part of that community.