The Fatigue Hidden Beneath the Apron: In a Foreign Land, Health and Safety Are the Best Forms of Filial Piety

Late at night in Taipei, there's always a sense of urgency. I happened to walk into a small eatery and noticed a Vietnamese server. Despite his youthful face, his eyes were deeply sunken, and his uniform still carried the smell of cooking oil. After a brief chat, he confided in me: he attended university classes during the day and rushed to work as a waiter at night. Back home, his father was a hardworking bricklayer, and his mother a farmer toiling in the fields. Unable to bear the burden of his study abroad expenses on his parents, he chose to persevere through hardship himself. Of the money he earned, he saved half for living expenses and sent the other half back home to help his mother support his younger siblings' education. Watching his busy figure, I saw a microcosm of countless Vietnamese students abroad – when they boarded a plane, their luggage contained not just books, but also the livelihood of their entire families. Their filial piety and maturity were truly heart-wrenching and admirable. However, as someone who has been rooted on this island for over six years and has witnessed the darker side of 'working while studying,' I want to share some harsh but true advice with him and all young people who are overexerting themselves day and night: Don't mortgage your health: Abroad, a healthy body is your only capital. The NT$100-200 per hour you painstakingly earn could vanish with a single emergency room bill. If you collapse, all your efforts will be in vain. Being healthy and safe is the best filial piety: Your parents back home may shed tears upon receiving your money, but it's more out of heartache than joy. No parents would want money earned through lack of sleep, hunger, and excessive fatigue. Your well-being is the greatest gift to them. Don't forget why you started: Your family hoped you would go abroad to change your destiny through knowledge. If you fall asleep in class due to financial struggles, leading to dropping out, it's like losing a watermelon to pick up a sesame seed – missing the opportunity to truly transform your future. As much as you care for your parents, you should cherish yourself. The path of studying abroad is never a sprint; it's a marathon. Slow down a bit, have a good meal, and get a good night's sleep. The sun will rise again tomorrow, and Taipei will continue to embrace everyone who strives to live. - Shun -