The view from the top of Taipei 101—the world’s tallest and greenest building when it opened in 2004—affords one an unobstructed 360 degree view of Taipei. Different from the forest of towers in Hong Kong, which at least in places look at and reflect off of one another, Taipei 101 occupies a singular position in the landscape. There’s nothing even close to it.
From what I’ve gleaned from the Williston Northampton families and alumni who came together for our reception here, Taipei 101 serves as a beacon for globalism. And the city reflects this sensibility, from the wide range of cars seen on the streets, to the international cuisine available, to the broad perspectives represented by our alumni and friends.
As we wrap up our six-city tour, doing so in Taipei serves as an exclamation point to what has been an extraordinary journey. Our students from Asia will travel to their homes shortly after our own return to the Pioneer Valley, and each time this trans-Pacific journey occurs, one perspective infuses another, ensuring that Williston’s education remains relevant, unobstructed, and beacon-like in its own right.