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UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Ni Hao!

I hope the information you find here is helpful in planning your study in Taiwan. Click here to see what we’re all about! Be sure to read the disclaimer before continuing. Below is an overview of what is included on the site. You can use the tabs at the top of the page or the sidebar to navigate.

Why Study in Taiwan?

• Why Taiwan can be a wonderful study abroad experience.

From Formosa: A Mini-Survival Guide

• Culture, Customs and Etiquette in Taiwan

Culture Shock: What to Expect

• What is culture shock? What can I expect?
  

Program Information

Program Information will be taken from official websites or personal experiences and written in easy to understand language and will contain: background of program, class types & schedule, application Process, cost, and housing information.

• National Taiwan University: Chinese Language Division
• National Taiwan University: International Chinese Language Program
• National Taiwan Normal University: Mandarin Training Center
• National Chengchi University: Chinese Language Center
• CIEE in Taipei, Taiwan (Third Party Provider)

Visa Information

• This section goes over Visa processes, required documents, where/how to apply, fees, and transitioning from one type to another.

Finances

•  What can I afford? How cheap is cheap? Find basic financial information from your plane ticket to street food.

Travel and Transportation

• Buses, Trains, Airplanes, Metro, and High Speed Rail!

Health and Safety

• Looking for a English-speaking doctor?

Reentry

• I’m Going Home….Now what?

Resources

• Links to websites, blogs, etc

From,

Formosa

Stories From Formosa: Winter Solstice(冬至)

Black Sesame Seed Tangyuan

Winter Solstice or DongZhi is an important festival that’s celebrated in Taiwan. It is usually on or around December 22, the day that has the shortest amount of daylight of the year. While in Taiwan I had a Taiwanese roommate. I had no idea what Winter Solstice meant in Taiwan, it was almost Christmas and I was grappling with the fact that it would be my first Christmas away from my family. My roommate arrived home on the 21st and announced that it was winter now and that we have to eat 湯圓(tangyuan). Tangyuan are dumplings made from glutinous rice flour are are stuffed with a sweet filling of bean paste, sesame, peanuts, etc. She made some sesame seed and peanut butter dumplings. The black sesame ones are absolutely delicious. She also gave me some tea with flowers in it that she seemed to have been saving. She told me it was very good 菊花 (ju hua)which translates to chrysanthemum.

Chrysanthemum tea (菊花茶)

Stories From Formosa: Traveling During Chinese New Year

Stops for Chinese New Year Vacation 2009

Back in 2009 for Chinese New Year I had January 24th up to February 1st off for the holiday. My friend and I decided to go on a trip around the island.

Here is how the itinerary shaped up.

1/24- Left Taipei and took the HSR to Gaoxiong
1/25- Spend most the day in Gaoxiong and then took the bus toward Kending
1/26-29th In Nanwan, the beach near Kending
1/29- Took the bus to a town called Fangliao and then the train to Taitung (Taidong). We leave the same day taking the train to Hualien.
1/30- In Hualien/Taroko Gorge area
1/31- Take the 4hr train ride back to Taipei!

We winged the trip and stayed longer or left earlier on a whim in certain cities. I wouldn’t recommend this, especially during the New Year holiday. When we arrived in Taidong there were ZERO hostels available. We had to end up leaving Taidong the same day we arrived because we had no place to stay.

Arriving in Gaoxiong on 1.24.2009

When traveling during the new year everywhere is crowded. All the tourist destinations and sites are booked up because everyone is on vacation. It is so important to plan ahead! See Travel and Transportation for more tips.

Highlights from Chinese New Year 2009

Market in Kaohsiung

Fresh Mochi being prepared in Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Beach in Nanwan, Taiwan

Taroko Gorge, Taiwan

Making friends on the ride through Taroko Gorge.

Stories From Formosa: Convenience Stores

7-11 in Yeliu, Taiwan

What’s up with all the convenience stores?

These are not your average US neighborhood 7-11’s. Taiwan much like Japan has an overwhelming amount of convenience stores. Taiwan has over 9,200 convenience stores, and has the Asia Pacific’s and perhaps the world’s highest density of convenience stores per person. These stores offer much more than sodas, magazines, and chips.

They are literally everywhere. At these stores you can grab items in a hurry and pay your city parking fee, utility bills, traffic violation fines, credit card payments, insurance premium, tax or school tuition fees, or even order a replacement driving license. Convenience stores have become an integral part of Taiwanese culture. Each Taiwanese shops in one on average of 17 times a month.

Convenience stores in Taiwan include:

• Circle K (Called OK in Taiwan)
• FamilyMart
• Hi-Life
• NikoMart
• 7-11

7-11 in Ximending, Taiwan

7-11 in Taipei at Flickr by roboppy

Stories From Formosa: Shopping

Here’s my advice: Shop Around!

Always shop around and always bargain. It takes skill to walk away knowing that you’ve fought for the lowest price possible. In Taiwan I found that you can’t bargain down prices to the extreme that you can in China. Shop owners are less likely to play a lengthy “haggling game” with you. Don’t ask for a ridiculously low price, it can be viewed as insulting. I’ve seen this happen with other foreigners, so don’t be surprised if you get quietly shooed out the door. Remember your manners! So, when do you bargain? At street vendors and at small storefronts. As a rule I wouldn’t bargain if there is a price tag attached just like at the stores back home. If there is no price attached or only a handwritten sign with the price, feel free to bargain. With all this said, clothing and accessories are very affordable in Taiwan.

Don’t know how to haggle? Here’s a guide.

This is a short story of my typical shopping experience in Taiwan. Back in 2008 I specifically went out shopping for a crazy hat I had seen at Shida night market. It was a baseball cap that stated “RUFFIAN: This crazy beha(v)ior”. I needed it. I went to several places around town and decided these shop ladies were totally trying to rip me off; $290, $390, and $490 at different places in different parts of town. Around mid-day I pretty much gave up on it, because I’m cheap and am just not willing to pay 15 bucks for a hat. I ended up in Gongguan market at a store called Yo-Yo and got these two shirts. What I love about shopping in Asia is that they love layers so the clothes usually come in layers and most the time aren’t sewed together in a one piece so you get multiple shirts. 3 shirts and necklace for about ~$18. I went to Shilin market, the biggest night market in Taipei and ended up getting the hat. I couldn’t resist. Shilin was insanely crowded and busy, but I can imagine getting some good deals there.