In Taiwan, the traditional script for finding “home” has always been anchored to your family of origin: stay close to your parents, get a stable local job, buy an apartment, marry, and settle down. But for a new generation raised to be “global citizens” and encouraged to cross borders, that's starting to feel like a suit that no longer fits. When you are educated to be worldly and independent, what happens to your sense of belonging at home?

In this episode, Calvin Chen explores the cultural friction and identity vacuum created by hyper-globalization. He sits down with Jaynie Cheng — an EducationUSA advisor, daughter of a Filipino-Chinese mother, and a transnational citizen who has lived across Europe and the U.S.

Jaynie shares her personal journey of embracing borderless independence. From living on her own to stepping away from conventional Taiwanese expectations, her story reflects the internal friction of someone who has mastered the global language but finds the local cultural script.

Calvin Chen is a graduate student at the International Master's Program in International Communication Studies (IMICS) at National Chengchi University (NCCU).

“Speak Up” is a podcast program by College of Communication students at National Chengchi University in Taipei, Taiwan. Season 1 episodes are student work from the class, “Podcasting: Audio Journalism & Branded Podcasts” in Spring 2026. Supervising teacher is adjunct associate professor Emily Y. Wu.

Music credit: Beautiful Acoustic Chill by Sound Of Freedom, Lofi Background Music by VibeDepot from Free Music Archive dot org.