Love in Taipei: Reminiscing about The Love Boat Program 1995
The Love Boat aka Chinese Language and Study Tour in Taiwan was legendary among Asian Americans/ Canadian teens. It was a long standing program where 500–800 young 18–22 year old Asian Americans/Canadians went for the summer. For parents it was a study thing, for most of us it was just an excuse to party. I did the program in 1995 and it was literally 6 weeks of eating, drinking, very late night clubbing and partying. It was so much fun although I was a wreck by the end of the program. But I got the clubbing stuff out of my system. Met lots of cool folks from all across the US and Canada too. A good rite of passage. Plus I got to see and visit most of the major cities and tourist areas of Taiwan which was amazing.
So I was thrilled when I saw the movie ”Love in Taipei” came out. Based on a book by Abigail Wen’s “Loveboat Taipei” which I have to read but will. The movie centers around Ever Wong, a “Sheltered young American discovers first love during a wild, fun and unforgettable summer in Taipei, Taiwan” and makes her question her pre-set future. It’s not a great movie but it was entertaining and brought back memories of fun times in Taipei, one of my favorite cities in the world. “You can’t learn culture in a classroom.”
It also covers all the travails that only an Asian-American/Canadian would understand. The high parental expectations and pressure. The crazy sacrifice by their parents and The guilt trips. There was a great comment made by Ever: “It feels selfish to want to do what you want when your family has done all the hard work for you.” Along with plenty of family obligations and family judgement, especially with all the relatives. That was never fun even though they meant well.
There was also the constant worrying about the future and feeling deeply the culture clash. “I don’t know what I want. Right now in life, it feels like I’m torn between two of everything. Two cultures. Two languages. Two career paths.” I definitely knew that feeling back then as a 21 year old.
But Ever’s aunt gives her great advice. “You worry so much about the life that you want, you never take the time to appreciate the life that you have.” That absolutely makes sense for all ages I think. We’re just not great at enjoying the moment, I am particularly future oriented, which is great for business but not so good for having fun (although I could argue business is fun!)
Most of us, well at least us Gen X Asian kids, were pretty uptight, used to strict rules at home. It took a while to learn to relax. It was funny when Ever’s friend tries to convince her to break curfew and go out partying. “Remember that crazy fun night when you followed the rules? No? Exactly, because no one ever remembers those nights.” A reminder that you need to chill out and cut loose every once in a while. Have some fun.
It also brought reminders of why I hate Asian-American/Canadian culture. The credentialism, the competitive comparison and judgement: like “oh, you did not get straight As or go to Ivy League or top tier university?” I so hated this growing up in Canada and experienced this even in my first few years in the USA. But I am pleased and petty enough to say, 25 years later I won and I crushed them all in the end (except for Charles, damn you for selling your company for $300M+ usd. :)
Anyways, if you are looking for a fun and light hearted movie to watch, especially as an Asian-American, you will enjoy “Love in Taipei.” “They say the air is clearest after a rain. I started to feel that way about my life too. And the irony was the realization that not everything needed to be clear. The key was having the courage to leap into the unknown.” And as one of the main characters says: “It reminds me to follow my own path.”
