As I have explored human cultures and their long histories, I have become fascinated by geography. Why does a specific group find itself on the Mongolian Steppe or in the valleys of Peru? How have their cultures developed in relation to those around them? How has their way of life been molded by the weather patterns of their regions?
What I love most about geography is that it integrates a variety of fields, such as history, politics, and cultural studies. My passion for the subject has opened my eyes and shown me the significance of being aware of our world and our connection as humans to it.
Because of my passion for geography, I joined the Taiwan Geography Olympiad to gain a stronger understanding of the subject.
The journey
In January 2020, I joined the Taiwan Geography Olympiad club at my school. The club is made up of a number of teams, and my team was myself, a classmate, and our supervisor.
Before stepping onto the national stage of the Taiwan Geography Olympiad, the three of us brainstormed our topic. After intense discussions, we decided to write our paper and do our presentation on urban development and transportation. From there, we decided on our topic: Rail Transit and the Differential Development of Urban Spaces The focus of our research was on the Danhai Light Rail that has recently been built in Tamsui, just north of Taipei. We intended to discuss the relationship between the urban development of Tamsui and the light rail, and we wanted to analyse why citizens in Danhai New Town and on Tamsui Old Street think differently about the introduction of the light rail into their neighborhoods.
We first wrote our research paper for the nationwide short essay competition and then expanded the content of it for the Geography Olympiad. When researching, we read articles about “places” by geographers, conducted surveys, and held interviews with tourists, residents, shop owners, and three village leaders. We then registered for the competition, made our poster, and worked on an oral presentation preparation schedule.
We participated in the competition on September 27, 2020. On that day, my team and other teams from other schools in Taiwan set up our posters in the concourse of National Changhua University of Education in the morning. Throughout the morning, my teammate and I presented our research to other students and supervisors, and I also visited other teams and listened to their presentations. The judges called my team to give our oral presentation to them at 11 a.m. The judges released the results in the afternoon, and my team won third place out of 40 teams.
Things I’ve Learned
Writing our paper for the Taiwan Geography Competition gave me insight into the concept of place. When researching, we read Place: a short introduction by Tim Cresswell, a British geographer, and I learned that “places” are much more complicated than I had thought.
The book mentions that a place has three aspects: site, locale, and sense of place. A site is a physical location on earth. A locale is a place’s relationship with events and shapes a place’s features. Sense of place is the emotional attachment of people towards a place based on their perspectives. People’s sense of place may greatly vary depending on their connection to different places, and knowing the meanings of places allows people to observe and understand the world better. Moreover, places are dynamic and interact with each other.
In addition, my communication and critical thinking skills were strengthened. During the journey, my supervisor taught my teammate and me to organize our thoughts and how to articulate them. Also, my supervisor encouraged us to ask questions and share our ideas because these were vital for our project. Asking questions not only satisfied my curiosity but also refined my thinking skills.
Final thoughts
After nine months of preparation, our team got third place in the Taiwan Geography Olympiad. Both my teammate and I felt a strong sense of achievement because all our hard work was worth it.
The competition taught me about “place” and made me look at the world differently than I ever have before. The journey also enhanced my communication and critical thinking. Most importantly, I have become a more attentive learner and more passionate about geography. I know I am the kind of person who likes to explore new ideas and raise unique questions.
It is a pleasure to attend the Taiwan Geography Olympiad with my team, and all three of us bonded over our research topic because it covers the field we are interested in: urban development and transportation. Indeed, time flew by because we were dedicated to our research. In short, this nine-month journey is an unforgettable and enriching experience. I hope that all members of my team can pursue our dreams, maintain our enjoyment in geography, and do the things we love.
This definitely is a wonderful journey for Victor. I am impressed by his dedication, passion, and perseverance. Nicely done.