Sara's Cultural Experience
Director Ms. Han's Sweet Cabin
Experiencing American Cabin Life and Outdoor Culture
During my internship, I was kindly invited by Ms. Han, Executive Director of ALIEEP, to visit her family’s lakeside cabin. This experience gave me the opportunity to experience a relaxing and authentic side of American cabin life and outdoor culture that I had only previously seen in movies or on television.
What impressed me most was learning that the entire cabin area had been built step by step by the family themselves over time. During my visit, I even had the chance to help with building part of a kayak deck near the lake. Although I could only offer limited help, it was still a very fun and memorable hands-on experience for me.
We also spent time outdoors making a campfire, roasting marshmallows, and making s’mores together. One of the most exciting experiences was going hunting on the nearby land behind the cabin. I was incredibly excited when I saw deer in the wild for the first time. Although we did not catch anything in the end, the experience itself was unforgettable and became one of the warmest memories from my time in Alabama.
Through this visit, I was able to experience a different side of American culture beyond the workplace and better understand the importance of family gatherings, outdoor activities, and nature-centered lifestyles in many American communities.
Southern Food Experience
Exploring Soul Food Culture in Alabama
During my time in Alabama, I had the opportunity to experience a wide range of local Southern cuisine, including traditional soul food. Soul food refers to a style of home-cooked cuisine that originated within African American communities in the Southern United States. It is deeply rooted in history, culture, and family traditions, and is often passed down through generations with each family having their own preferred recipes and cooking styles.
Common soul food dishes include fried chicken, collard greens, mac and cheese, cornbread, black-eyed peas, fried catfish, candied yams, and seasoned sautéed vegetables. These dishes often emphasize rich flavors, hearty portions, and comforting home-style cooking.
One memorable experience was when Ms. Han, the Executive Director, bought takeout soul food from Filet & Vine for lunch. I particularly enjoyed the fried chicken, which reminded me of Taiwanese fried chicken cutlet in terms of its crispy texture and juicy flavor. I also really liked the sautéed cabbage, which had a simple but comforting taste.
Overall, I found soul food to be quite flavorful and often heavily seasoned. After meals, I sometimes experienced a “food coma” feeling because the portions were generous and the dishes were very filling. However, I genuinely enjoyed the experience.
What I appreciated most was how food served as a way to understand local culture and history. Through these meals, I was able to experience not only different flavors, but also the cultural background and traditions behind Southern American food culture, which made the experience especially meaningful.
Rock City Road Trip
An Unforgettable American Road Trip Experience
During my internship, I had the opportunity to join Ms. Han and her family on a road trip to Huntsville, Alabama, to celebrate her son Arthur’s housewarming. Since Huntsville is about a three-hour drive from Montgomery, the journey itself already felt like a classic American road trip experience.
The following day, we continued our trip to Rock City Gardens in Georgia, which is another two-hour drive from Huntsville. Driving along open highways, stopping at roadside gas stations, and watching the sunset along the way made the experience especially memorable.
During the trip, we also visited several well-known American stores, including Trader Joe’s, Costco, and Walmart. We shopped for barbecue supplies, groceries, and household items while helping Arthur prepare and settle into his new home. I was also grateful to be included in the process of decorating and organizing his house, which made the experience feel very personal and meaningful.
At Rock City, we explored unique natural landscapes, including scenic trails, rock formations, and waterfalls. We spent time taking photos together and enjoying the surroundings, sharing many relaxed and joyful moments.
Throughout the entire trip, I felt warmly welcomed and well taken care of by Ms. Han and her family. This experience gave me the opportunity to experience American family culture, hospitality, and the value of traveling and spending time together in a very authentic way.
Biscuit Baseball Game
Discovering American Baseball Culture
One of the most unforgettable cultural experiences during my time in Montgomery was attending games of the Montgomery Biscuits, the Double-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. The stadium was only about five minutes away from my office, so after baseball season began in April, it quickly became one of my favorite places to visit after work.
After attending Opening Night, I immediately fell in love with the atmosphere of American baseball culture. It was my first time watching a game at a Minor League Baseball stadium, and I was surprised by how close the fans could be to the players. Although American baseball does not have the same cheerleading culture and organized chants commonly seen in Taiwan, I found the atmosphere incredibly fun and interactive in a different way.
Between innings, there were always entertaining games and activities hosted by energetic emcees, and sometimes the entire stadium would stand up together to dance to YMCA. The Biscuits organization also regularly hosted themed events, including jersey giveaways, hat giveaways, and even Singles Night activities, making every game feel unique and exciting. Watching baseball gradually became one of the most relaxing and enjoyable parts of my daily life in Alabama.
What touched me the most, however, was the kindness of the people around me. As one of the few Asian attendees at many of the games, I was often surprised by how friendly and welcoming everyone was. Sometimes players would casually toss baseballs to me while I was sitting near the field. Families nearby would start conversations with me because they were curious and wanted to learn more about me. On several occasions, people even shared free food tickets or gifted me Montgomery Biscuits merchandise and clothing.
These experiences made me feel incredibly lucky and grateful throughout my time in Alabama. Beyond baseball itself, the games allowed me to experience the warmth, openness, and strong sense of community that are such memorable parts of American culture.
Community Theatre Experience
My First Theatre Production: The Blind and the Elephant
One of the most unexpected and meaningful experiences during my time in Alabama was having the opportunity to participate in the community theatre production The Blind and the Elephant. Before coming to the United States, I had never participated in a stage performance in Taiwan, so becoming part of an American theatre production was something I never imagined I would experience during my internship.
The production was supported by ALIEEP as one of the sponsors, and both the Executive Director and my supervisors strongly encouraged me to audition for the show. Their encouragement gave me the confidence to step outside of my comfort zone and try something completely new.
From the audition process to weekly rehearsals, memorizing lines, practicing scenes with other cast members, and eventually performing on stage, the entire experience was both exciting and challenging. Through this process, I gained a much deeper appreciation for the amount of preparation, coordination, and teamwork required to successfully produce a live performance.
In addition to participating as a cast member, I also assisted ALIEEP with various administrative and promotional tasks related to the production. These responsibilities included helping promote the show through social media posts and distributing promotional flyers. I also supported ticket promotion efforts, assisted with event communication, helped prepare the program booklet, and contributed to media outreach activities related to the performance. Through these behind-the-scenes experiences, I realized that a successful theatre production depends not only on the performers on stage, but also on extensive planning, organization, and teamwork off stage as well.
As the only international cast member in the production, I was initially worried that language differences and cultural backgrounds might create some distance between myself and the rest of the team. However, those concerns quickly disappeared. The cast members were incredibly kind, welcoming, and supportive, and both the director and stage manager created a very positive and encouraging environment throughout the rehearsal process.
Over time, rehearsals twice a week became one of the routines I looked forward to most in my daily life. The theatre group gradually felt like a second family, and the friendships built during this experience were very meaningful to me.
Beyond improving my confidence in English communication and public performance, this experience also allowed me to better understand American community theatre culture, teamwork, and the strong sense of connection that performing arts can create among people from different backgrounds. This is an experience and group of people I will truly miss.
Civil Rights & History Learning Experience
Exploring Alabama’s Civil Rights History Through Museums and Memorials
During my time in Montgomery, I had the opportunity to visit several museums and memorial sites related to African American history, slavery, segregation, and the Civil Rights Movement. These experiences gave me a much deeper understanding of American history beyond what I had previously learned through textbooks or media.
Visiting these places was emotionally powerful and educational at the same time. Through interactive exhibitions, documentaries, preserved historical spaces, and personal stories, I was able to better understand the long history of racial inequality and the importance of civil rights in the United States. These visits also encouraged me to reflect on the value of equality, historical memory, and social justice education.
One thing I especially appreciated was that the official combined admission package made these educational experiences very accessible. The ticket package allowed visitors to access multiple major sites for only around $5.50, which I thought was an incredibly valuable opportunity considering the depth and quality of the exhibitions and historical content provided.
The Legacy Museum
Immersive Reflections on Slavery and Systemic Injustice
The Legacy Museum was one of the most impactful museums I visited during my time in Alabama. I spent nearly six hours exploring the museum, and there were many moments when I became emotional and almost cried while reading the historical accounts and personal stories inside.
The museum presents the history of slavery, racial violence, segregation, and mass incarceration in the United States through immersive exhibitions, documentaries, historical records, and interactive experiences. The exhibits are thoughtfully designed and emotionally powerful, allowing visitors to deeply reflect on the realities faced by African Americans throughout history.
Photography and video recording are not allowed inside the museum, so I spent a great deal of time carefully reading the English explanations and watching the documentary materials throughout the exhibits. I truly appreciated how immersive and educational the entire experience was.
Since photography is prohibited inside the museum, the images included on this page are sourced from the museum’s official website and are used here for educational and reflection purposes.
I would highly recommend anyone visiting Montgomery to spend time experiencing this museum. It is not simply a place to visit, but a place that encourages deep reflection and understanding.
National Memorial for Peace and Justice
Remembering Victims of Racial Terror and Lynching
The National Memorial for Peace and Justice is a large outdoor memorial space dedicated to African American victims of racial terror lynching in the United States.
Walking through the memorial was an extremely emotional experience. The site documents many real historical cases of African Americans who were falsely accused, unfairly targeted, and violently lynched under the name of “justice.” Even though many cases have been officially recorded, I could not help but think about how many more stories were never documented or remembered.
Reading the names and stories made me realize how vulnerable and powerless Black communities were during that period of history. Many of the accusations described in the memorial were shocking and deeply unfair. As I walked through the memorial space, I felt sadness, anger, and sympathy for the victims and their families.
The memorial created a very powerful atmosphere that encouraged visitors to remember these tragedies and reflect on the importance of justice, equality, and historical acknowledgment.
Freedom Monument Sculpture Park
Confronting the Reality of Enslaved Lives
The Freedom Monument Sculpture Park contained many powerful sculptures and historical installations related to the history of slavery in America. Throughout the park, visitors are guided through different historical experiences connected to the lives of enslaved African Americans.
One of the most unforgettable parts of the park was an enormous book-like monument, approximately several stories tall, displaying the surnames of formerly enslaved people. While visiting, I saw many people searching for their family names and ancestry connections, which created a very emotional atmosphere.
The park also included reconstructed living spaces that showed how enslaved people once lived in extremely difficult conditions. The small wooden houses were simple, crowded, and poorly protected from harsh weather conditions. Seeing these environments in person made me better understand the physical hardship and suffering people experienced during that time.
Another powerful experience was the replica train car exhibit used to demonstrate how enslaved people were transported. I was shocked by how many people were forced into such a small space. Walking through these exhibits made me reflect on how little I previously understood about this history and how important it is to continue learning from it.
Rosa Parks Museum
Understanding Segregation and the Montgomery Bus Boycott
After the abolition of slavery, African Americans still faced many forms of racial segregation and discrimination throughout daily life in the United States. Schools, public transportation, restaurants, and even water fountains were often separated by race under segregation laws.
At the Rosa Parks Museum, I learned more about the history of segregation and the beginning of the Montgomery Bus Boycott movement. The museum uses technology, multimedia exhibits, historical timelines, and documentary footage to recreate the moment when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus.
The exhibits also explained how the bus boycott movement developed afterward and how local communities organized together to challenge unfair segregation laws. Seeing these historical events presented so vividly made the experience feel very real and personal.
One detail that especially stayed with me was learning that even water fountains were separated into “White Only” and “Colored” sections, despite the fact that the water itself was exactly the same. This simple but powerful example clearly showed how irrational and unfair segregation policies were at that time.
Having the opportunity to learn about these important historical events in the very city where they happened felt incredibly meaningful to me, and I felt grateful to experience and better understand this important part of American history.
