臺北市新住民專區網站英文版

By Dr. So-Song Chang, Part-Time Assistant Professor, National Open University

    It’s the start of another new year. To achieve the new year’s resolutions requires determination, continuous efforts, and accumulation of skills. It is important to stay positive and, and live out the mantra of “learning is life,” “treat life as a teacher,” “wining is the only way home,” and “live in hope.”

    First of all, a student’s utmost important task is learning. Be sure to prepare for lessons in advance, ask questions when you don’t understand, and gain a full understanding of the lesson after the class. Learning anywhere, any time, on anything. “Learning is life” is the guarantee path to your success.

    Furthermore, besides learning in a classroom, you can also learn from life. Treat your surroundings as a curriculum and study it. When you encounter hardship in life, look at it as a test and try to solve it. “Treat life as a teacher,” and it will be the beginning of your happiness. 

    You should set your ambition and goals now and have an implementation plan, then do it step by step according to your plan. Complete one goal at a time, and work hard. Let “live in hope” be the spring of your life. 

    There are many successful stories of immigrant children, like US President Obama, who is the son of a black Kenyan father and a white Kansan mother. On January 2009, Obama took oath in front of the US Capitol Building that was built by black slaves and was inaugurated as the 44th US president. It was a historical moment that caught the attention of the world. Obama’s example shows that if you are willing to work hard, new immigrant children can have the opportunity to be the president.

    I hope all new immigrant youth can stay diligent and be eager to learn. Do your best to fulfil your new year’s resolutions, and year after year, your dream will come true.