Alumni Check-in: Travis Chang (Class of 2025)

Q. Where do you live now? Why? What are you doing?

A: I currently live in Medford, Massachusetts. I’m studying at Tufts University which is around a 40 minute train ride from downtown Boston.

I chose to come near Boston because I wanted to be close to a city. It was either here or the West Coast, no in between. In terms of academics, I’m probably going to major in Biology as I’m currently on the pre-med track.

Q. What are the biggest differences between there and Kaohsiung? What’s the biggest similarities?

A: The weather here is completely different, we’ve had two days off just because of the snow. Another big difference is the food. I wouldn’t say it’s bad but it’s just that Taiwan’s food gave me too high of an expectation. 

I lowkey cannot think of anything that’s similar. Everything here is so different it took a while for me to adjust.

Q. What does a typical day look like for you?

A: Everyday is a little different for me because of my schedule. For Tuesday specifically, I wake up at 8 to get breakfast and prepare for my Biology and Chemistry classes that are back to back in the same place (I do not recommend).

Afterwards, I grab a sandwich from a retail store that I can use with my meal swipe. I study in the library until my English class at 3 PM.

I run some errands like picking up packages before my band practice. After, at around 7 PM, we all grab dinner at the closest dining hall. I go back, take a shower, and prepare for the next day. 

Q. What's one thing you miss most about Taiwan?

A: I miss the food and the price. Everything here is so expensive and I have to stop myself from ordering takeout everyday.

I miss the convenience stores, all the 7-11s here are awful. I also really dislike the tipping culture here but I guess it’s just something I have to deal with. 

Q. What advice would you give to the HS students?

A: Don't doomscroll too much…

Q. Did your KAS experience prepare you for life after HS?

A: I used to hate the IB for making me super stressed in high school but taking the IB made my first semester at university super easy.

It felt like I’ve already learned all the content of my Biology and Chemistry classes and I could focus more on adjusting to the environment. It’s just more of a would you rather be stressed in high school or be stressed in university?

Q. What are you looking forward to most in the next five years?

A: Looking forward to living off-campus my junior year and seeing where I would go for graduate school (if I even continue to pursue medicine…).

Maybe I’ll like this place enough to choose somewhere in Boston or maybe I’d even go out of the US to another country. Still pretty unsure but I prefer living in the present anyways.

Q. Anything else? 

A: I’m just grateful for all the experiences I’ve had and all the experiences I will have.

Life comes at you fast, don’t forget to look around a little before you miss it.