Hey Everyone,

I’ll keep this intro brief, but I’ve arrived in Taiwan as of July 16th. Getting a job was more difficult than anticipated as the market here has dried up. This is in due part because of the recession and English language programs are usually among the first to go. So I was about to buy a plane ticket out of Taiwan in order to renew my visa when I caught a break and was offered a position to teach Business English with a language institute. Further I have signed up for classes at NTNU, a university in Taipei City and will be learning Chinese at their Mandarin Training Center. I have also found a studio apartment near the school so I’ll be able to walk there when necessary.

On another note, I hope you’ll all follow along as I share my experiences with you. I’ll tell you that I will try not to make this about my daily routine or something insignificant like “I stomped my first cockroach today!” as I find that equally as boring as you do. I hope to highlight experiences in Taiwan through the eyes of, yours truly, so that you might learn more about Taiwan, its culture and its people; hopefully well enough to prompt a visit!

Taiwan Fun Facts

Located: 100 miles SE of the China Mainland

Population: 23 Million: 84% Taiwanese, 14% Chinese, 2% aboriginal

Time difference: 12 hours ahead of Washington D.C.

Length: 245 Miles

Width: 90 Miles

Highest point: Jade Mountain at 3,950 meters above sea level

GDP: $247 Billion USD

Nickname: Isla Formosa meaning “beautiful Island” coined by the Portuguese in the 1600’s

Taipei 101 is the second largest building in the world at 508 meters. It is superseded by the The Burj Dubai in the UAE, and is still under construction.

Taipei City population: 2.5 million

7 million people live in Taipei County, which makes up the bulk of the northern part of Taiwan, approximately 1/3 of the islands population.