Q:  “What should I bring?

A:  Below are the necessary items needed to make your transition an easy one.

·        Ten passport size photos – you will need this for various teaching and visa documents

·        International drivers license – this is a must if you plan on driving a vehicle in Taiwan

·        Copies of all your important documents – this will help in case of loss or theft

·        Official copies of your university and ESL degrees

·        Clothes – Taiwan weather varies between very hot and mildly cold

·        Shoes – if your feet are large you will have problems buying shoes in Taiwan

·        Tampons – this is a MUST, as they are very difficult to find

·        Pictures of your friends and family – trust me

·        An open mind

Q: “What is the dress code at Kang Ning?

A: Kang Ning’s dress code is casual dressy. This means no shorts, running shoes, jeans, or T-shirts.  Sandals are allowed or if you prefer, your bare feet.

Q: “Can I find brand name personal items?”

A: Generally this is not a problem.  Some brand names may be difficult to find. If you have a specific brand of deodorant, shampoo etc. that you cannot live without you may want to bring some. Otherwise all personal items can be found.

Q: “Is it difficult to communicate with people?”

A: There is quite a large communication barrier between Taiwanese and English speakers but this doesn’t mean communication is impossible.  Taiwanese people are generally very friendly and willing to help.  In Taiwan you may find you will rely more on non-verbal communication.  However, this differs in large urban centers where the English speaking population is much greater.  You will be surprised how far a little Chinese and a whole lot of body language will get you.

Q: “What is the housing like?”

A: Kang Ning provides teachers with temporary housing when they first arrive in Taiwan.  The school will also assist in finding and setting up teachers with housing.  Apartments are generally the easiest to find and they will usually include air conditioning.  Some apartments will provide furniture but if they don’t furniture is low cost and easy to find.  Don’t expect to find microwaves or ovens but you’ll be surprised how well you can get along without them.

Q: “What is the cost of living in Taiwan?”

A: Cost of living in Taiwan is considerably lower than most Western countries. This includes rent, hydro, phone and internet.  Food is generally cheap, however, Western brand names are considerable more expensive in Taiwan.

Q: “What is the food like in Taiwan?”

A: Taiwan offers a large variety of dining options.  The seafood restaurants and Taiwanese cuisine are excellent, the night markets are a must, and if this doesn’t interest you there’s a 7-11 on every corner.  Western style fast food can be easily found and Western style restaurants are abundant in urban centers. There are 24 hour grocery stores where you can find all of your basic necessities.  For specialty items you will pay more and they are more difficult to find.  All in all, the food is different and at times a little scary but it’s worth trying because you’ll be guaranteed to find something you like.

Q: “What are the people like?”

A: The people in Taiwan are incredibly friendly and helpful.  You have to remember that because you’re from another country people will be interested in you.  This can be both exciting as well as annoying.  Don’t be surprised when random strangers want to chat. Chances are they are harmless and simply want to practice their English ability on you or are looking to help.  The Taiwan experience can be an amazing one, and this is mostly due to the incredible hospitality of the Taiwanese people.

Q: “What are the students like?”

A: Many people believe that teaching Asian children is far easier than teaching children from Western countries because they are more disciplined.  This is not true.  Children are universal and will differ from class to class.  Generally you will not come across major behavioral problems but you have to remember Taiwanese children are just as mischievous as any other children.  The great thing is that you are coming here to teach English and have fun.  If you can maintain a fun and interesting learning environment you will see the children are eager to learn and you will have a positive teaching experience.  

Q: “What will I get out of this experience?”

A: first I will state the obvious.  Your interpersonal communication skills, work experience, life experience, cultural understanding, patience, time management and organizational skills will show a vast amount of improvement. Although these are all important skills your experience will also involve personal growth and a greater understanding of the world around you.  If you come here with an open mind Taiwan will be a positive and unforgettable experience.  You need to realize that things in Taiwan will be different from home, this does not mean better or worse, simply different.  The faster you can accept these differences, the easier life in Taiwan will be.

Q: “Is it easy to get around the island?”

A:  Taiwan has a really good train and bus system.  Trains and buses are cost efficient and easy.  They are almost always on time and run very frequently.  Travelers should encounter very little problems but make sure to double check your ticket destination, you don’t want to end up in a random city.

Q:  “Is Taiwan safe?”

A:  Taiwan is probably one of the safest countries to travel to and travelers may be surprised to see bars on almost all of the residence windows but these are in place for personal insurance from an almost non-existent threat.  Taiwan has a very low crime rate and as a foreigner, you are almost worry free on the island.  However, even in the safest of places, things can go wrong so travel wisely and take precautions.

Q:  “What about health insurance?”

A:  Taiwan's major hospitals offer adequate services to foreigners, and some doctors are able to communicate in English. Treatment of minor problems will generally not cost much, even without medical insurance. A simple consultation with a doctor, for example, will usually cost around C$5 to C$15.

Foreign residents possessing a valid Alien Resident Certificate for more than four months are eligible to join the National Health Insurance (NHI) program. Those who join the program contribute regular monthly premiums and are eligible for all NHI-covered benefits. The program is inexpensive and offers very broad coverage. However, it would not fully cover the costs of treating a serious medical problem. Medical bills, especially for hospital stays, can mount up very quickly.

It is strongly recommended that foreigners take out additional medical insurance through either Taiwanese insurance companies or Canadian providers prior to arrival in Taiwan.

FAQ Links:

FAQ You!
Your questions about Taiwan answered. The page also connects to links of Taiwan resources and Chris Murphy's home page.
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/5657/FAQ.htm

Impressions of Taiwan
A page of reader submissions on the 'Taiwan Experience'.
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Delphi/1979/impressions.html