Tayphoon Killer--Taiwan's Central Mountain Range-Protector of The Island

Taiwan's Central Mountain Range going through the entire island is the most important geological feature in Taiwan. Not only cultivating highly diverse species spectacular sceneries, this mountain range also protect Taiwan from the power of Typhoons.

Taiwan Ranked Top One Best Place for Expats

InterNations, the largest expat/travel web site has ranked Taiwan the first place for the "Best Places for Expats in 2016". The reporte sited nature, friendliness and economy as the factors that made this island on the top destination for expats to live and work.

This small island country also holds second place for overall satisfaction with life abroad, with overall satisfaction with life abroad, with 93% voicing their general contentment.

Under the "Working Abroad Index", 34% of expat expressed a "complete satisfied" with their job, far higher than the global average of 16%. Among all indices, "Ease of Setting" ranked the worst at the 10th place. The survey blamed on the language issues.  Only 23% overall agree that learning the local language here is easy (global average, 37%). However, being ranked first place in the "Friendliness" subcategory even out some of the negatives.

For the detail, please go to the link:
https://www.internations.org/expat-insider/2016/the-best-and-worst-places-for-expats

"Taiwan Ecology and Culture Study Tour" is part of the "Culture and Ecology of Asia" course at North Park University. It is open to all North Parkers regardless registering for the course not.

 

For folks from other academics institutes, even  though you cannot join us for this trip, I will be happy to provide information you need, in case you would like to plan for your own trip

 

 

 

 

 

Taiwan Ranked Top One Best Place for Expats

InterNations, the largest expat/travel web site has ranked Taiwan the first place for the "Best Places for Expats in 2016". The reporte sited nature, friendliness and economy as the factors that made this island on the top destination for expats to live and work.

This small island country also holds second place for overall satisfaction with life abroad, with overall satisfaction with life abroad, with 93% voicing their general contentment.

Under the "Working Abroad Index", 34% of expat expressed a "complete satisfied" with their job, far higher than the global average of 16%. Among all indices, "Ease of Setting" ranked the worst at the 10th place. The survey blamed on the language issues.  Only 23% overall agree that learning the local language here is easy (global average, 37%). However, being ranked first place in the "Friendliness" subcategory even out some of the negatives.

For the detail, please go to the link:
https://www.internations.org/expat-insider/2016/the-best-and-worst-places-for-expats

"Taiwan Ecology and Culture Study Tour" is part of the "Culture and Ecology of Asia" course at North Park University. It is open to all North Parkers regardless registering for the course not.

 

For folks from other academics institutes, even  though you cannot join us for this trip, I will be happy to provide information you need, in case you would like to plan for your own trip

 

 

 

 

 

Another Wonderful Journey Will Soon Begin, May 14-29, 2017

North Park Students hiked up to the summit of "Hewhanshang" (3416m, 11,207ft) on 5/16/2015

We will start planning for the next trip in 2017 very soon. Please stay tune and follow our wonderful journey. If you are interested in joining us, or have any feedback, please let us know:

tlin@northpark.edu

"Taiwan Ecology and Culture Study Tour" is part of the "Culture and Ecology of Asia" course at North Park University. It is open to all North Parkers regardless registering for the course not.

 

For folks from other academics institutes, even  though you cannot join us for this trip, I will be happy to provide information you need, in case you would like to plan for your own trip

How much cash should I bring to Taiwan?

Many students asked me how much cash they should bring with them to Taiwan. Well that’s a hard question. I normally answered it depends on how serious the shopping you would. Indeed how much you need for this two week trip really depends on what you would do or what you would buy. So, how do you make the decision? You can use your ATM card. Your bank may charge you a couple bucks, but it may be cheaper than the surcharge of the currency exchange at O’Hare. If you wanna bring cash, here are some references you can use.

A ‘Lunch Box” locally called “Bendon” costs between 50 and 80 NTD at the 7-11. A sandwich costs between 30 to 50 bucks at the same place

A bowl of beef noodle soup costs between 80 to 120 NTD, wanton noodle soup, 50-80 bucks
Big Mac (you think I am going to forget this? no way!) cost 79 NTD for the sandwich and 109 for the meal, 129 for a delivered (yes, they deliver)

Matro (subway system) at Taipei costs from 15 NTD (one stop) to about 70NTD (all the way through to Tamsui)  

High Speed train from Taipei to Taichung costs 765 NTD

Bus in the city costs 15 bucks for one segment, or 30 bucks for two (at Taichung city bus service will be free if it’s shorter than 8 km, or 4.8 miles).

A cup of freshly brew 7-11 Americano coffee costs 50 NTD

Starbucks costs as ridiculous as it does here at the States

85^oC, the very popular Taiwanese bakery/coffee shop charges you for 65 NTD for a cup of cappuccino or 70-100 NTD for a cup of Latte, depends on the size.

A steak meal costs from 200 NTD at small restaurant/ night market to 700 NTD at a high end chain
restaurant.

Clothing will be more expensive over there, so don’t even think.
Visiting Taipei 101 observation deck, 500 NTD.

So, you like to make a living here? get a moped (or Scooda, depends on where you are from) they cost 35,000 NTD for a 50CC, or 50,000 to 60,000 NTD for a 100 or 125 CC.

In case, just in case you really want, the rent costs at least 10,000 NTD for two or three bed room app. Or 8,000 at least for a studio. Your English teaching salary 55,000 NTD a month will cover it really well.

What Foreigners Know About Taiwan

What do foreigners think off Taiwan? or how they feel about Taiwan?
You can look up all the information about Taiwan or go through all the tour books, but you may or may not get a sense how you are going to like it (or not like it). Stop Kidding Studio (really odd name for a project, isn't it?) is a project to film the words of foreigners who leave in Taiwan, for them to tell how they feel about Taiwan. they have uploaded more than 300 short clips with friends from all over the world to tell their stories and how they know about Taiwan. Why don't you give it a try. Please offer your opinion.

Stop Kidding Studio

Another Journey Is Waitting for You



Kenting National Park is one of the students' favorite



11, 000 feet Hehuanshang allow you to take "a walk in the cloud"

 

It has been more than a year since our 2013 trip. When we left the island a little more than a year ago, I asked students would you like to come back again? all of them expressed they would. As many visitors who visited the island, they wanted to come back.Why? Here is a list of the reason, I quote:

• This trip is an amazing experience and I would definitely recommend it to other students.
• Amazing trip, life change experience. I will come back in the future.
• This experience was priceless and I am truly grateful. I learned so much from the hands on experience.
• I had an amazing experience and got a new perspective on life. Thank you.
• Loved the passion the professor shared with the class. Was happy with the amount seen and the experience obtained.
• Great trip, learned a lot about another culture through variety ways. Would like to go on this trip again if it offered.
• Taiwanese people are super friendly.
• That was the best calamari I have ever had. (when he pointed at the slide during the after-trip presentation)
• Taiwan is a beautiful beautiful island.

Even today, some of the participants are still talking about this wonderful trip. Indeed, this trip has brought many of us brand new experiences that are nothing like our daily life. so the question is: why don't we do that again? And why don't you come with us this time?

Taiwan Ecology and Culture Study Tour, May 10-May 25, 2015

"Taiwan Ecology and Culture Study Tour" is part of the "Culture and Ecology of Asia" course at North Park University. It is open to all North Parkers regardless registering for the course not.

 

For folks from other academics institutes, even  though you cannot join us for this trip, I will be happy to provide information you need, in case you would like to plan for your own trip