Author: Shawnette Brown

National Taiwan Museum, and I quickly realized I had underestimated its size and depth. What I thought would be a short visit became an immersive journey through Taiwan’s natural history, Indigenous cultures, biodiversity, and national story.

As an educator, I found myself slowing down to read exhibits, make connections, and think about how these stories could be brought back to my classroom. This is not a museum to rush through. In fact, I would recommend setting aside multiple days if you truly want to appreciate everything it has to offer.

It was the perfect introduction to Taiwan and gave me a much deeper understanding of the island before exploring the rest of Taipei. I must come back for a couple more hours.

I am here and excited to explore this beautiful city with rich history.

Adjacent to the National Taiwan Museum is the 228 Peace Memorial Park. It was raining and I could have easily gone back to my hotel, but I wanted to walk through and learn more.

This peaceful space honors the victims of the February 28 Incident of 1947, when protests against government corruption and abuse were met with a violent crackdown.

What struck me most was learning online who many of the victims were. Among those who lost their lives or were later imprisoned were teachers, doctors, lawyers, students, journalists, and other respected community leaders. Their loss was not only a personal tragedy for their families but also a profound loss for Taiwan.

Today, the park serves as a place of remembrance, reflection, and hope. It reminds visitors of the importance of protecting democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression. As an educator, I left with a deeper appreciation for the responsibility we all share to learn from history and ensure these stories are never forgotten.

Visiting the War Memorial of Korea was one of the most moving experiences of my journey. While many Americans learn about the Korean War from our own historical perspective, this museum provided the opportunity to better understand how South Koreans remember the war, honor those who served, and tell the story of their nation’s fight for freedom and survival.

I was especially touched to see the recognition given to the countries that came to South Korea’s aid during the war. As I walked through the memorial, I found the panel honoring the Pennsylvania service members who fought and gave their lives during the Korean War. Seeing those names created a personal connection between my home state and Korea’s history.

With only about an hour to explore, I quickly realized this museum deserves an entire day or more. Every gallery, artifact, and exhibit tells a story of sacrifice, resilience, and hope. I left with a deeper appreciation for the tremendous cost of war and the lasting partnerships that emerged from it.

As an educator, experiences like this remind me that history is best understood when we are willing to listen to multiple perspectives and honor the sacrifices of those who came before us.

One of the unexpected highlights of my time in Seoul came during a few hours of free time. I asked my friend, Lisa, what she was planning to do, and when she told me she was heading to the Leeum Museum of Art, I happily joined her.

Our visit included the thought-provoking Tino Sehgal exhibition, which was unlike any museum experience I have had before. Instead of paintings or sculptures, the exhibition was created through live interactions with people, inviting visitors to think about communication, movement, and human connection in new ways.
The museum itself beautifully blends traditional Korean art with contemporary works, creating a space where history and modern creativity meet.

It challenged me to think differently about what art can be and reminded me that learning often happens when we step outside of our plans and embrace unexpected opportunities.

As an educator, I left inspired by the power of experiential learning. Sometimes the most memorable lessons are the ones we never planned for.