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Apply to HuaAbout Taiwan
The pleasant thing about the capital city of Taipei, is that it is on a much smaller scale than other huge economic powerhouse cities like Tokyo, where travel can be a nightmare. In Taipei, great green mountain peaks are at most a half hour away. The beach is just an hour to the North, and travel is clean, quick and convenient. Cities to the south like Taichung, Tainan and Taidong are on an even smaller scale, and appeal to those seeking the quieter life.
English is seen as a gateway to success and a means of self-enrichment for the Taiwanese people. English teachers are thus in demand, and teaching the language is a respectable and rewarding pursuit in Taiwan. If you are looking to both gain experience in the field of teaching and experience the richness of Asia, then Taiwan is the place for you.
FOOD:If there's one thing in Taiwan that people
are really crazy about, its food! As a result, food is cheap and plentiful.
Taiwanese people, due to a few decades of relative isolation, have a great
passion for anything exotic, or less exotic such as McDonalds and KFC.
So you can eat anything your heart desires –you name it, it's here! -Western,
Cantonese, Chinese, Taiwanese, Shanghainese, Continental, Hakka, Italian,
Mexican, Vegetarian as well as a massive variety of Japanese, Korean and
Thai. Step into a German bakery, or perhaps a traditional and ritualistic
teashop, or maybe just Mom- and- Pop's beef noodles from downstairs. For
those on the adventurous side,
CLIMATE: In Taiwan, there are but two seasons: A long hot summer in typical South East Asian-style, and a drizzly, gray but short winter. Winter can be surprisingly cold, unless you are Canadian. If you're a winter person, then there's lots to do in Taiwan. Check out cherry blossoms and the occasional snowfalls on the many jagged peaks around the island. Visit museums, or join snazzy fitness clubs such as California and Alexander. In summer, join a swimming pool or head over to the coast for a spot of surfing or snorkeling. The weather is always the same in summer - sunny with blue skies, and ideal for floral dresses. Of course, if you live in the south of Taiwan, its summer all year round.
There are a wide variety of organizations run by foreigners such as skat card game meetings for Germans, or braai-BBQ evenings for meat-loving South Africans, as well as a plethora of wine-tasting evenings, flamenco dancing and poetry readings. Or maybe you'd prefer, like most of the locals, to spend the evening in front of a microphone in a karaoke (KTV) lounge. Others may be content just to rent a DVD from blockbuster, get a couple of beers at the Seven Eleven, and spend a quiet evening at home. The vast Yangmingshan National Park is right on Taipei's doorstep, with many attractions including waterfalls, cherry-blossom festivals, challenging trails, tame buffalo, and the occasional snowfall. See www.tealit.com.tw
SPORTS: If you are more of an out-doors person, then there are a multitude of sports clubs to join. Play rugby for the Taipei Baboons or soccer/football for the Taipei Animals, no matter your age, level or gender. Maybe the Taipei Men's Softball League and the Formosa Cricket Club are more your scene. Golf addicts worry not! There are quite a few golf courses and driving ranges to satisfy your weekly urges. And for all those hockey crazy Canadians, now you can play on turf or ice in most of Taiwan's major cities. When in Rome, of course, you should do as the Romans do –go bowling. For those who just want to go for a jog, or play a round of tennis, there are plenty of superbly equipped parks around the city with free facilities, such as tennis courts. For those wishing to conquer the great outdoors, the many mountains around the island offer challenging trails and therapeutic hot springs to heal those aching muscles. The beach is also a fantastic alternative offering some great scuba diving as well as surfing (although surfing is not recommended in heavy typhoons). It is worth pointing out that much of Taiwan's north and east coasts are fringed by corral reeves, making snorkeling a great option. The good news for thrill-loving extreme sports junkies, is that Taiwan has recently experienced a great boom in sports for the insane among us. From kite surfing and parasailing on the north coast to rock-climbing at Y17, bungee jumping to the South of Taipei, and even circumnavigating Taiwan's coastline on a big motorcycle, there's something for every thrill-hungry daredevil out there.
Food, of-course, is a big factor during festivals. Your students' parents will no doubt want to make sure that you try out Taiwan's famous delicacies, from yummy moon-cake during Moon Festival to a feast of giant pomelos as you watch your lantern make its way towards the heavens during Lantern Festival. If you're looking for a place with a healthy and festive spirit, Taiwan is it. EVENTS: One popular event among foreigners is the Spring Scream Festival in tropical beach town, Kenting, featuring over two- hundred bands for a five day “Woodstock-on-the-beach.” Another popular event closer to Taipei, is the annual surfing competition in the sleepy north coast town of Jinshan. For up-to-date news on what's happening around the island, log on to www.icrt.com.tw NIGHTLIFE: There is nothing quite like the Taipei nightlife. Again, there's a venue for everyone. Taiwan has embraced the pub and club culture in a big way, leading late-night revelers to compare it with Hong Kong and Shanghai. But in Taipei, the difference is that you still have a strong chance of running into someone you know. The list of hip and modern nighttime haunts is extensive. Make a turn at the Farmhouse Pub if rock is your thing, or go clubbing at the Ministry of Sound. If you're wild at heart, you might want to make a turn at Club TU, Taipei's most famous hip-hop den. Jazz and Blues have arrived in Taipei in grand fashion and are all the rage at places like Blue Note and 1920 Jazz Club. Or maybe you'd like your jazz with a morsel of chocolate? Head over to Chocolate and Love. Relax at a casual hangout like Citizen Cain, or make your way over to the Witch House where you can savor a cold beverage over a puppet show. Lovers of gothic art may fancy a glass or two of wine at Gipsy Music and Dining. Visit The Wall or Livingroom and size up the local music scene. Friendly and open, the Taipei night scene rocks! For a list of live music venues, visit www.taipeifun.com
Sun Moon Lake near Taichung is an ideal romantic getaway, known for lovers rowing about by moonlight on the tranquil lake. Green Island, off the coast of Taidong, has the oldest and largest single corral formation in the world, making it a snorkeling paradise. Mountain lovers can brace themselves for the breathtaking beauty of the West-Central Mountain Range, with its remote trails intermitted only by the occasional suspension bridge or cable car. The World War Two era kamikaze base and brothel village of Hsin Beitou in northern Taipei is now a tourist attraction for its hot springs and Aboriginal Museum. ENGLISH: Most locals can at least speak Basic English, and are courteous and generous in helping foreigners. There are three daily English newspapers, and libraries and bookstores that feature a comprehensive variety of the latest English books and magazines. Visit www.taipeitimes.com.tw YOUR HEALTH: You will be pleased to know that Taiwan is one of the safest and healthiest places to live in Asia. Due to the government's efforts to reduce pollution, and the return of blue skies in the cities, air is breathable again. Unlike traveling to other parts of Asia, the chances of catching diseases like Malaria or Hepatitis A are miniscule. Also, don't underestimate living in one of the most peaceful countries around the globe. TRAVELING TO NEARBY DESTINATIONS: Travelers
wishing to explore Asia find that Taiwan is an excellent base in which
to travel from, due to its central location. Get away to Taiwan's three
main offshore islands, some of which are only a few miles wide. PHOTO TOUR: Photographs of the beautiful island of Formosa, speak more for the vitality and stunning scenery than any words can say. Feel free to check out our PHOTO TOUR. USEFUL LINKS:
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“Convenient”
is a word that defines Taipei. With an immaculately run Seven Eleven on
every corner, and every kind of product you can think of readily available
in dozens of big-name franchises from Starbucks to Costco to Warner Village,
Taipei deserves its reputation as a shopper's paradise. Jump on the elevator-like
subway and jet over to the world's tallest building, Taipei101, or exit
at any station near a vibrant night-market for a snack or a new pair of
Nikes.
Ask any traveler or ex-pat, and he or she will tell you that Taiwan's
strongest point by far is its friendly people. A more accommodating 24
million people would be hard to find and one can't help but be drawn to
Taiwan's easy-going nature. It is a country where people strive to “save
face”, meaning a philosophy where people focus only on the best in one
another in order to preserve integrity and avoid embarrassment. There
is, therefore, a sense of harmony and self-worth for anyone living in
or visiting Taiwan.
why
not head down to Snake Alley for that powerful aphrodesiac, snake blood.
For those worried about surviving without certain western foods, –don't
be. What about your favorite Belgium beer you ask, your daily vitamin
B pint of Guinness, or that can't-live-without rare blue cheese? All of
these are most probably a few hundred feet from your house in the local
Wellcome supermarket. Throughout Taiwan, there are many foreign food supermarkets
such as Jason's, Carrefour, Costco, and Tescos that will satisfy your
cravings from A to Z.
Others
yet, may seek the sanctuary of cozy hot springs in the misty mountains
which are readily accessible to city-dwellers in Taiwan. Special mention
should be put aside for mountains in Taiwan. Some of the highest snow
capped peaks in Asia are to be found in Taiwan's interior. Tucked away
in the central mountain range are many of Taiwan's ethnic tribes who have
for thousands of years kept their proud traditions intact. The famous
Toroko National Park has the highest marble gorge in the world, and a
day spent white-water rafting can be an exhilarating experience. Entrance
is free to all national parks in Taiwan. 
Taiwan's
neighbors, such as Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong or Japan, are all very
popular destinations, and close; most are only three hours away. Airfare
can be as low as NT5000.
