Introduction

     My first encounter with the COSMIC/FORMOSAT-3 project took place during my first stay at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) as a SOARS protégé in 2003, via a presentation given by another protégé who studied Global Positioning System (GPS) Radio Occultation (RO) data and compared it with radiosonde sounding data. During my second visit at NCAR, I was presented with the possibility of attending the 2005 COSMIC/FORMOSAT-3 summer camp/colloquium in Taiwan. However, I didn't express interest in the summer camp at first, because of the perceived irrelevancy to my thesis research, which is on East Africa climate variability. Fortunately, I received recommendations and encouragement from advisors and mentors. Thus I decided to apply for the summer camp, knowing this could be a valuable opportunity to learn the possibility of using GPS data for my current study, to broaden my research interest and to learn more about this relatively new, yet promising research area.

Scientific Experience

     During the first day of the summer camp/colloquium, we were given an in-depth introduction to GPS remote sensing and its application in weather modeling/forecasting, data assimilation, climate and ionospheric study, and other atmospheric science-related research. Since this was my first true encounter with GPS remote sensing, I was fascinated by the rapid advancement of such technology and its broad usage in the atmospheric science field that I never thought possible. I am particularly interested in the amount of new data made available by RO and ground-based GPS stations, which could potentially be beneficial to my current research. In situ data from the African region is scarce, and the available records typically lack spatial and temporal resolution. To resolve this problem, model-interpreted reanalysis data (e.g. NCEP/NCAR reanalysis) are typically used for modern climate study in this region. However, many of these reanalysis products fail to model the major mechanisms and feedbacks in the tropical region and have problem resolving topographical issues. This poses a challenge for my current research, in which I studied the major atmospheric circulation patterns during snowfall events on Mt. Kilimanjaro, the only free standing, snow-capped mountain on the African Continent. Through this workshop, I see the potential for using RO data for geographical "trouble" areas, since these data are benchmark observations with absolute accuracy and/or precision.

     Another aspect of the GPS RO data is the potential for use in climate modeling studies. The greatest challenge in climate modeling today is the lack of understanding of various feedback mechanisms. Although high accuracy and/or precision has been achieved with rapid improvements in different climate models, there is still a large degree of uncertainty, especially on direct and indirect aerosol effects, as suggested by the 2001 IPCC reports. Furthermore, model simulated outputs are meaningless without accurate observational data for verification. Therefore, I believe there is great potential in using GPS RO data for calibration and verification for modeling aerosols and cloud processes. In fact, this is the research I wish to do for my PhD study.

     Since GPS remote sensing is a relatively new topic to me, it was exciting to see the assembling of the actual satellites at the National SPace Program Office (NSPO). Since I have never seen anything like this before, it was very fascinating for me, even though we could only look through a glass window where the workers build the satellites. I was amazed at the small size of the satellites, and yet they carry a great number of instruments and sensors at such light weight.

     The unscheduled tour of the seismological center at the Central Weather Bureau (CWB) was very unique because we happened to experience an earthquake during our stay in Taiwan. Through the tour, we became familiar with the topography and the tectonic activity of the island. The primary purpose of the seismological center is to improve earthquake study in order to issue warnings efficiently. It is impressive that Taiwan has such an extensive communication network that it is even possible to issue earthquake warnings through mobile phone text messaging systems.

     The scientific aspect of this trip helped me a great deal in my current research. I can now incorporate a new dataset that has great accuracy for calibration and verification of the existing in situ data in the East African region. This trip also stimulated my interest for my future research, knowing that I can use the GPS RO dataset with confidence among many other great resources offered by GPS remote sensing. Furthermore, I have the opportunity to meet and network with top scientists in the field. Through this field trip, I also learned the importance of communication and collaboration in atmospheric science research. In addition, I learned the importance of international collaboration in future research, where different research teams can bring forth their knowledge and specialties to complement each other and minimize gaps and limitations.

Cultural Experience

     Besides the scientific experience, the cultural experience was another valuable aspect of this field trip. I have lived in Hong Kong for 10 years, and thus I felt a great sense of familiarity with Taiwan, with a few minor differences. In Taiwan, I got to taste the real Chinese cuisine, especially the "local" food that is difficult to find in any Chinatowns in the United States. I enjoyed the food very much because that is what I was accustomed to, but it was even more amusing to see the other American students experimenting with food that they have never seen or heard of before.

     Since I left Hong Kong when I was 10 years old, I never had the opportunity to study Chinese history in school. Therefore, I felt very fortunate to have the opportunity to visit the National Palace Museum to learn more of the Chinese history and culture. In the museum, I got to see the Chinese calligraphy, painting, jewelry and other art pieces from different time periods at various places in Asia. The most valuable piece I saw was the emperor's stamp, the most powerful and important stamp in Chinese history because the emperor was believed to have complete control at that time.

     One of the many important aspects of this trip were the personal interactions. The National Central University (NCU) arranged for a group of Taiwanese students to accompany the field trip participants around Taipei. These students were so very friendly and welcoming that we became friends very quickly, and they went above and beyond what they were expected to do. I appreciated that they put in a lot of effort to communicate with us in English, though it was very difficult for them since English is their second language. In fact, many of them claimed that this is the most English they have spoken in any time of their life. They were very helpful in every aspect, whether it was translating, ordering food, arranging transportation, or planning activities and tours to different sightseeing places. They were also very caring, and always helped to ensure we get adjusted to the new climate and environment. I was especially touched by all of their help and concern when I fainted while touring NSPO.

     Since I am fluent in English and I can also speak limited Chinese, I served as a liaison between the Taiwanese and the American students and also as a translator when the Taiwanese students were not available. Through this trip, I have established many great friendships, with both the American and the Taiwanese students. It was very difficult to say good-bye to all of these new friends on the last day of the trip, and a bittersweet feeling arises whenever I look at the many pictures we took together. I already have plans to visit these friends in Taiwan early next year after I finish my M.S. degree. I am confident that I will see many of them in the future, whether at conferences or working together as colleagues, since the atmospheric field is relatively small.

Concluding Remarks

     Overall, this field trip was a very memorable and unforgettable experience. I was introduced to the new idea of using GPS remote sensing and RO data for meteorological, climatology, and ionospheric research. I believe this project has great potential in atmospheric science research and will make new research possible in the near future. I also got the chance to revisit my own culture and make many new friends who could potentially be my colleagues in years to come. The work of all the staff from COSMIC, NCAR, NCU, NSPO, and many others made this field trip a very unique experience, scientifically and culturally, that I could never have had otherwise.