From Student to Instructor: How Lead For Taiwan Changed My Perspective
- Lead For Taiwan
- Jul 9
- 2 min read
Hsin-Ting Lee / 7th Cohort Instructor Trainee
Research Topic: Aging Society
Three years ago, I was just another student buried in textbooks and exam papers when I unexpectedly received a message — one that led to my first encounter with Lead For Taiwan. At the time, I couldn't help but wonder, “What exactly is critical thinking? Is this going to be just another boring class?”
But when the instructors stepped into the classroom, it turned out to be nothing like I had imagined. The class was full of interaction — we brainstormed together, and every idea was welcomed. It broke away from the rigid structure of traditional lessons. Through that course, I heard different voices and saw new possibilities. That encounter with Lead For Taiwan became the beginning of my critical thinking journey.
Now, three years later, as a university student in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, I often find myself questioning whether the knowledge I’m learning is truly useful.
Day after day, I read all kinds of literature and analyze society, yet it feels like nothing ever changes. Carrying this doubt, I crossed paths with Lead For Taiwan once again. I gave myself the chance to step out of the ivory tower and explore whether I could actually make a difference in the world.
"As I became an instructor and met student after student, through our interactions and discussions, I gradually found the answers to questions that once troubled me."
While teaching at the camp, I met students who reminded me of my younger self — hesitant to speak up due to fear or a lack of confidence.
Through gentle guidance and encouragement, I watched them gradually break through their inner barriers and begin to share their thoughts bravely. I also witnessed their journey from being completely unfamiliar with a topic to grasping its core concepts and eventually diving deeper into their own exploration.
During a class at Zhubei High School, I saw students passionately discuss how to design a more age-friendly bathroom environment. They combined creativity with real-life needs, using imaginative ideas to tackle challenges faced by the elderly.
Their exploration inspired me and reminded me that learning shouldn't be confined to knowledge and words alone. Instead, we should continue to stay curious about the world and embrace boundless imagination in engaging with society.
"This journey as an instructor is not only about helping students pay attention to social issues, but also about the possibility of unintentionally changing a student’s future. Through guidance and inspiration, they not only begin to care about society but also gradually find their own direction, taking an important step toward their future."
This kind of change may seem like a tiny spark, small and flickering, but it is precisely because of its presence that there is a chance to ignite something greater. It holds the potential to grow and spread like wildfire, bringing unexpected, far-reaching impact and boundless hope.
撰文 / 李昕庭
