New Low Cost and New Addition to 2017 Trip

The North Park 2017 Taiwan Trip has begun recruiting. the trip will depart on May 14 and return on the 29th. Due to the lower than expected airfare, we decided to lower the cost to 2,700. We will maintain this price unless the airfare changes. 

This time, we are going to have an exciting addition, Taijiang National Park. It is a important Wetland in Taiwan's southwest coast. this wetland ecosystem includes the second largest mangrove forest in Taiwan, salt field and oyster ranges. its famous mangrove "Green Tunnel" has become a hot attraction in the area.  I

  

We plan to visit this unique ecological wonder on May 27, two days before we head back to the States. it will be a new learning opportunity.

Link to the Nation Park http://www.tjnp.gov.tw/Eng/index.aspx

 

 

Oyster Farm

 

 "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

 

Please contact Dr. Tim Lin tlin@northppark.edu

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