By Travis Misner
NCAA Guest Blogger

Today the topic of discussion was gender equality in University Sport. We had a couple great discussions in our breakout workshops with about 15 other students and administrators from around the globe.

Our cultural event was a trip to one of the world’s tallest buildings in Taipei 101. It was really cool seeing the view of Taiwan from 500 meters in the air.

For me, it was similar to going to the top of the Sears Tower in Chicago. The difference, though, is there are no mountains in Chicago.

After going to the tower, we explored the area and got to walk through the local mall. This city really is a different place at night. It reminds me of the Vegas strip, because every building and market is lit up with all different colors.

View from the Taipei 101

I’ve also noticed that everybody here is a New York Knicks fan. I thought Lin-sanity was crazy back home; it is taken to another level here.

There are Jeremy Lin jerseys, t-shirts, and posters everywhere. Not to mention every commercial on ESPN has him in it too.

It’s funny how there are so many differences between the US and Taiwan, yet there are some similarities that I never would have thought of.

Andrea Dalton
NCAA Guest Blogger

Jetlag has definitely set in. However, I was excited to hear some more lectures and to get the workshop started.

After listening to the conclusions from the previous day’s session, we heard some more speakers and broke out into group discussion. The topic trending: women in athletics.

I thought the subject would be very touchy, but I was wrong. In most “developing” countries, female athletes experience the same issues that we face in America.

I was really shocked to see how much more progressive the Middle Eastern countries actually are. After discussing ways in which women could form leadership roles in athletics, we called it a day.

Today’s cultural trip: Taipei 101. This is the second tallest building in the world.

I hate heights.

Clearly, I didn’t think that this trip was in my best interest, but Travis convinced me otherwise. We went up 89 flights in under 45 seconds (my ears have never popped so much) and had the opportunity to look out over the city.

Travis seized the opportunity, while I did not. He got me a pretty good picture of the view though, so I can at least pretend that I was brave enough to look out.

When we returned home, I found myself in bed by 7:00pm. I don’t believe I’ve been in bed my 7:00pm since 3rd grade.

I hope tomorrow promises more great discussions and lectures…and thank goodness, no more record-breaking buildings.