From Thaden to Taiwan: Laura Bailey's Global Journey

Laura Bailey '25 recently completed the U.S. State Department’s highly competitive National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) academic year program in Taiwan. During the nine-month experience, she immersed herself in Taiwanese culture while studying Mandarin Chinese and living with a host family. The program provided opportunities not only for language acquisition but also for cultural exploration and personal growth.

While abroad, Laura challenged herself both academically and physically, including hiking the entire 81-mile Taipei Grand Trail. She also traveled to Smangus, one of Taiwan’s most remote Indigenous communities, where she gained a deeper understanding of the island’s cultural and geographic diversity. These experiences broadened her global perspective and strengthened her appreciation for cross-cultural communication and understanding.​

Laura credits her time at Thaden with helping her develop the initiative, perseverance, communication skills, and resourcefulness that allowed her to thrive in a new environment thousands of miles from home. This fall, she will begin the next chapter of her academic journey at Barnard College of Columbia University, where she plans to study Political Science and East Asian Studies. She looks forward to building on her international experiences as she prepares for a career with a global focus.