Taipei, Agencia IP.- Juan Pablo Puerta López, better known as Juampi, is a 14-year-old Paraguayan who has distinguished himself in Taiwan’s demanding educational system and recently won first place in a prestigious YouTuber competition. In an exclusive interview with Agencia IP, he shared his experience of adaptation, learning, and growth in the Asian country, where he faced and overcame numerous challenges.
A new home and a challenging adaptation
«We moved here six years ago. We relocated because of my mom’s job, my dad and my little brother,» Juampi recalls. The transition to a new culture and language was not easy, especially for a child who arrived without any knowledge of Mandarin and with forgotten English skills.
«It took me quite a while to learn Chinese. I arrived with my English completely forgotten, but gradually, I regained it and then learned Chinese too,» he explains. He first attended a public elementary school where he received exceptional language support. «After classes, we had something called ‘An xin pan,’ an extra lesson where we did homework and studied math and Chinese, the most required subjects here.»
With effort and dedication, he adapted to the new system and is now studying at Lanya High School, where he feels much more integrated. «Now I’m doing relatively well. I can make friends and communicate perfectly in Chinese.»
A demanding educational system
Regarding the Taiwanese educational system, Juampi highlights its high level of rigor. «Classes run from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM, but many students attend extra lessons until 10 or 11 at night. Although it sounds like it’s just studying all day, sports activities, competitions, and interesting classes also help us develop in a well-rounded way.»
Among these subjects, he emphasizes the teaching of practical skills such as cooking, cleaning, and even learning Morse code. «They prepare us not just academically but also for everyday life and personal development,» he comments.
During one of these activities, Juampi discovered his passion for digital communication. «I signed up for a YouTuber competition, where I had to narrate a story in English about a trip to Japan. I made it to the finals, where we improvised a narration based on a series of images.» His performance earned him first place in the competition, opening new doors for his career.
New opportunities in communication
«After that, opportunities arose, like interviewing Taiwanese businesspeople at a Paraguayan beef event,» he says enthusiastically. This event allowed him to connect with important figures in the business sector and expand his horizons in the communication world. «Ever since I was little, I loved the idea of being a YouTuber. I keep uploading content to my channel, which motivates me to see that my passion is paying off.»
Despite being his first experience as an interviewer, Juampi managed to handle himself naturally. «At first, I was nervous, but then I enjoyed it. I think my theater classes with Professor Héctor Loccsa helped me a lot,» he mentions.
Looking toward the future
Juampi has big aspirations and dreams of continuing to explore the world of digital communication. «This was my first interview, but I want to keep improving and learning. I enjoy sharing stories and connecting with people.»
Juampi’s story is a testament to effort, adaptation, and passion for communication. His journey in Taiwan showcases Paraguayan youth’s ability to stand out on international stages. It demonstrates the power of perseverance and dedication in achieving dreams.