National Youth Commission National Youth Commission I had further the chance to have this first impression confirmed when in August

2008 I took part as a volunteer to Taishi International work-camp (organized by VYA Taiwan). In Taishi I could appreciate the touching kindness of local people and know their customs in a multicultural environment, by discovering at the same time the beauty of Yunlin beaches and wetland. Thanks to this experience, I realized that Taiwan and its people have such a richness to provide to the world in terms of cultural and natural attractions. It’s definitely impressing for a small Island like Taiwan… I’d just like Italy to be nearer your country, so to have more opportunities to visit it! Please describe your previous travel experience (in bullet point form) -March 1993: Paris, Euro Disney amusement park, France -June 1994: Munich, Germany -August 1997: 20 days tour across Luxemburg, Belgium and Netherlands -June 2000: Oxford and London, UK -April 2001: school exchange in Eaglescliffe, North East England -August 2001: Normandy and Brittany, France -April 2002: school exchange in Munster, Germany; one day trip to Amsterdam (Netherlands) -August 2002: Berlin, Germany -August 2003: Madrid and Barcelona, Spain -September 2005: Dublin, Ireland -February-June 2006: four month language course at Beijing Foreign Language University, Beijing, China. In this period I travelled in particular in Southern China and in Inner Mongolia. -August 2008: Taishi International Volunteer work-camp, Taishi, Taiwan. I further travelled to Tapei.

The 3rd “Youth Trekkers Wanted” Campaign

Travel Plan

(You may adjust each field [below] to fit your content space

needs. Please, however, follow the format given) Motivation for participating in this activity: Deep, true and passionate curiosity and involvement with Taiwan! After my studies (BA and MA in Languages and Politics of Eastern Asia) and my volunteer experience in Taishi, I absolutely want to further enrich my knowledge about Taiwan and its people. I firmly believe that travels open people’s mind and soul and I’d like to participate in this activity in order to have the chance to build a lasting bridge between my country and Taiwan!

“Theme” of your planned itinerary: “Embracing Taiwan’s soul”: a journey across religious and worship sites in Taiwan.

Special characteristics of your plan: Exploring and discovering Taiwan different religions and school of philosophical thoughts through a path along its main temples and worship places. Learning about Taiwanese daily life religious practices, traditions and customs directly from the people that I will encounter during my journey. Enjoying temples’ different styles and architectures, seizing the harmony between the temples/religious sites’ and the surrounding city or natural environments. Coming from a country so distant like Italy, with completely different cultural, religious and traditional features, I’d like to learn about Taiwan’s religious sphere. In particular, thanks to this journey I expect to understand how religion and different philosophical school of thoughts deeply mark Taiwan’s cultural and social development. Besides, for everyone like me interested in completely immersing him/herself in different cultures and in cultural-exchange experiences, this travel would undoubtedly be an unforgettable and valuable opportunity!

Planned date of arrival and number of days planned in Taiwan: Plannes date of arrival: 1st of June 2011 Number of days planned: 19

Itinerary: (minimum of 10 days; must make use of at least one NYC Youth Travel service; please include estimated budget)

Rough Travel Plan “Embracing Taiwan’s soul”: a journey across religious and worship sites in Taiwan * Prices in NTD Day 1: arrive at Taipei Things to do: Youth Travel Card and TR pass (20 days) (2.000 $). Transport: from Taoyuan International Airport to Taipei city center by bus (+/-500$), in Taipei MRT. Sleeping at: Taipei Hero House (+/-500NT$) (Youth Travel Card).

National Youth Commission

Day 14: Green Island-Taitung-Hualien

National Youth Commission

If you are chosen and earn a trip to Taiwan, how do you plan to share and publicize your

Taiwan travel experience? Please list.

-Flick account -Facebook account -Blog account I’ll open a flickr account (www.flickr.com) to post everyday pictures and I’ll create a blog entirely dedicated to the journey where I’ll write personal feelings and impressions. As soon as possible I will also open a Facebook account, where I’ll constantly update all my friends around the world with pictures, video and posts!

The information provided on this form is true and my own work. I understand if falsified or copied, I will bear all legal consequences. Signature: Caterina Gabriella Pavese