u/EmploymentWhole1544

Hi everyone,

I'm starting my one-year mandatory military service in Taiwan on June 23rd. I grew up mostly overseas and my Chinese reading and writing skills are very limited, so I'm a bit worried about adjusting.

I have a few questions:

What are the most important things I should bring with me on the first day?

Are there any items that aren't on the official packing list but are highly recommended?

What are some things I should be aware of before basic training starts?

Do you have any tips and tricks for getting through training more smoothly?

Are instructors and fellow recruits generally understanding if someone struggles with reading and writing Chinese?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!