Having had a number of Muslim friends around, I have finally made my journey to the Mosque in Taipei which I had been longing to visit. The journey was motivated not only by my great curiosity to Islam but also my growing desire to learn more about it. Unfortunately, I had only been exposed to the manipulated images of Muslim people on the media until I was lucky to have met people who were raised as Muslims in real life and thus enabled me to read different profiles and perspectives. Although most of them do not spontaneously talk about their beliefs but then again, my little knowledge of Islamic beliefs and curiosity have always driven forward our conversation to this sensitive topic most people would prefer to avoid.

Thailand is the second foreign country I have visited and this was the first time my nationality was being questioned or doubted. Growing up in Taiwan and having surrounded by people from different nationalities and ethnicities, I had listened to their frustration and struggle which they have to go through, not by choice. I never had to deal with their dilemma and having come back to Taiwan, I still don't have to. I live under the privilege entitled to citizens only as well as the convenience of communicating in my own mother tongue; moreover, I did not have to adapt myself to a foreign food, culture and environment. However, having spent 10 days in Thailand which is the longest period I have spent by far in a foreign country, I have experienced, if slightly, the challenge all my foreign friends are going through every single day.