Taiwan 101
Studying, Working, and Traveling in Today's Taiwan
Published on 9. January 2024
Book
Hardback
170 pages
978-1-5381-8780-7 (ISBN)
Description
"An indispensable guide for readers traveling to Taiwan for vacation, work, or school. It's chock-full of information that will help people successfully navigate the country." -Library Journal
Taiwan has always been an attractive place to study and work. In fact, long before Mainland China became an option for Westerners, Taiwan was the place to study Chinese and work in a Mandarin Chinese speaking environment. As the People's Republic of China (P.R.C.) gained economic and political strength in the world, Westerners naturally gravitated toward this new market. Language programs and jobs for Westerners flourished. In the past decade there has been a renewed interest in Taiwan. This is undoubtedly due to a dramatic increase in cost of living in the P.R.C., increasing government regulation and scrutiny of foreigners, the increased political tension between China and the West, and generally the increasing difficulty doing business and studying in China in a free and fair way.
In recent years Taiwan has once again emerged as an attractive place to study, work, and live. Taiwan offers a free, open, and safe environment that is welcoming to outsiders. While the cost of living in Taiwan's big cities is about the same as the big cities in Mainland China, it is much easier for a foreigner to navigate than in China.
This book provides a practical, up-to-date, hands-on guide to navigating life in Taiwan. It is not a travel guidebook, but rather provides detailed information for the foreign resident in Taiwan, whether they be studying or working. It provides a wealth of information covering everything from renting apartments, taking care of your daily needs, what and where to eat, to Taiwanese work ethic and business culture, how to make the most of your study of Chinese, how to get around, and so on. The book is illustrated with relevant photos that contextualize the text, and enhance reader's understanding of the information.
Taiwan has always been an attractive place to study and work. In fact, long before Mainland China became an option for Westerners, Taiwan was the place to study Chinese and work in a Mandarin Chinese speaking environment. As the People's Republic of China (P.R.C.) gained economic and political strength in the world, Westerners naturally gravitated toward this new market. Language programs and jobs for Westerners flourished. In the past decade there has been a renewed interest in Taiwan. This is undoubtedly due to a dramatic increase in cost of living in the P.R.C., increasing government regulation and scrutiny of foreigners, the increased political tension between China and the West, and generally the increasing difficulty doing business and studying in China in a free and fair way.
In recent years Taiwan has once again emerged as an attractive place to study, work, and live. Taiwan offers a free, open, and safe environment that is welcoming to outsiders. While the cost of living in Taiwan's big cities is about the same as the big cities in Mainland China, it is much easier for a foreigner to navigate than in China.
This book provides a practical, up-to-date, hands-on guide to navigating life in Taiwan. It is not a travel guidebook, but rather provides detailed information for the foreign resident in Taiwan, whether they be studying or working. It provides a wealth of information covering everything from renting apartments, taking care of your daily needs, what and where to eat, to Taiwanese work ethic and business culture, how to make the most of your study of Chinese, how to get around, and so on. The book is illustrated with relevant photos that contextualize the text, and enhance reader's understanding of the information.
Reviews / Votes
This title by Christensen and Yang is a concise but thorough overview of the people, the languages (more than 20 are spoken there), and the history of Taiwan, including a timeline from 239 AD to 2017. Taiwan offers an affordable rapid transit system, called MRT, that makes getting around easy and accessible for first-time visitors. Attractions such as shopping districts, gorges, and beaches are highlighted too. But the authors emphasize that their book isn't intended to be a travel guide. Instead, they give practical advice for daily living in Taiwan, such as where to live, eat, and work. Readers who are thinking about working or studying in Taiwan will find, for example, information on workplace etiquette and strategies for landing an internship. There are tips for how to visit the numerous food stalls in Taiwanese markets, plus charts of the country's top night-market dishes and breakfast foods. The cultural differences among Taiwan's four regions are explained as well. An indispensable guide for readers traveling to Taiwan for vacation, work, or school. It's chock-full of information that will help people successfully navigate the country. * Library Journal * This book provides an invaluable resource for foreigners coming to Taiwan to study and work. It covers all the basic information they would need to really enjoy their time in Taiwan. -- Nicole Yen-Yi Lee, Director General of the Department of International and Cross-strait Education, Ministry of Education, Taiwan I found this book to be highly relevant and pertinent to anyone coming to Taiwan. It does a great job introducing everyday life in Taiwan with all its complexities. Reading this will indeed expand the readers understanding of everything Taiwan. -- Director General Yvonne Hsiao, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston As the title promises, the book informs the reader about many aspects of Taiwan, whether the reader might be going there to study, work, or travel, and is full of good suggestions and advice. It is a good read for anyone going to Taiwan for the first time or for repeated visits. The tables at the end of the book, of the Chinese words used in the text, should come in very handy as you navigate Taiwan. -- Camilla H. Hsieh, professor (retired), University of Texas at AustinMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Illustrations
52 BW Photos, 12 Tables
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
406 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5381-8780-7 (9781538187807)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Matthew B. Christensen | Henrietta Yang
Taiwan 101
Studying, Working, and Traveling in Today's Taiwan
E-Book
01/2024
1st Edition
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
€29.99
Available for download
Matthew B. Christensen | Henrietta Yang
Taiwan 101
Studying, Working, and Traveling in Today's Taiwan
E-Book
01/2024
1st Edition
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
€29.99
Available for download
Persons
MATTHEW B. CHRISTENSEN is professor of Chinese at Brigham Young University. He is also director of the BYU Chinese Flagship Center and has been working with the program since 2002. He has directed and managed Flagship and study abroad programs at Nanjing University since the late 1990s.
HENRIETTA YANG is associate professor of Chinese and linguistics and former co-director of the Chinese Language Flagship Program at the University of Mississippi (UM) from 2013 to 2021. Yang directed and managed study abroad programs at Shanghai University in China and National Chung Cheng University and Tamkang University in Taiwan for more than ten years
HENRIETTA YANG is associate professor of Chinese and linguistics and former co-director of the Chinese Language Flagship Program at the University of Mississippi (UM) from 2013 to 2021. Yang directed and managed study abroad programs at Shanghai University in China and National Chung Cheng University and Tamkang University in Taiwan for more than ten years
Content
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Why Taiwan?
What Is Unique About Taiwan?
Deep Chinese Culture
Foreign Influence on Taiwan
Taiwan's Religious Atmosphere
Taiwan Is Compact but Varied
How Is Taiwan Different than Mainland China?
The Chinese Language in Taiwan
Studying Chinese in Taiwan
Taiwan Has a Different Vibe
Taiwan Is Easy for Travelers and Students
Highlights of Taiwan History
Endnotes
Chapter 2: Who Lives in Taiwan?
Taiwanese Aboriginals and Austronesian Languages
Outsiders
Hakka kejia ren (???) and Their Language
Taiwanese taiwan ren (???) and Southern Min Language minnan hua (???)
Bensheng ren (???) vs. Waisheng ren (???)
Chinese zhongguo ren (???) or Taiwanese taiwan ren (???)
Insiders vs. Outsiders
New Residents xinzhu min (???) and Their Languages
Fitting in as A Foreigner in Taiwan
Culture Shock and Dealing with Change
The Honeymoon Stage
The Negotiation Stage
The Adjustment Stage
The Mastery Stage
Endnotes
Chapter 3: Getting around in Taiwan
Flying in and out of Taiwan
Other Transportation Options
Taiwan High Speed Rail/HSR (taiwan gaotie ????)
Taiwan Railway (taiwan tielu????)
Via Highways
Inter-city Bus (guodao keyun ????)
Driving in Taiwan
Fantastic Highway Rest Stations
Taiwan's Metro System (jieyun??)
Taipei Metro (Taipei Mass Rapid Transit or MRT, taibei jieyun????)
The EasyCard (youyou ka ???)
Public Busses (gongche ??)
Bicycles
Bicycling Infrastructure in Taiwan
Scooters, Scooters, and More Scooters (motuoche ???)
Taxis (jicheng che ???)
Travel to Taiwan's Outlying Islands
Chapter 4: Taiwan's Food Scene
Taiwan Food as Regional Cuisine
Taiwan's Take on Chinese Food
Tainan, Taiwan's Traditional Sweet Tooth Capital
Taiwan's Fusion Cuisine: Japanese, Western, Southeast Asian
Taiwan's Street Food Phenomenon xiaochi (??)
Taiwan's Amazing Fruit
What Is for Breakfast?
Convenience Store Food and Fast Food
Taiwan's Fast Food Chains
The Taiwan Box Lunch, biandang (??)
Eating Hot Pot, huoguo (??)
Vegetarian Cuisine in Taiwan
Taiwan's Tea Culture
How to Eat Well in Taiwan
Eating in a Chinese Restaurant
How to Make Sense of a Chinese Menu caidan (??)
How a Dish Is Prepared
How the Ingredients Are Cut
Endnotes
Chapter 5: Living in Taiwan
Housing Overview
On-Campus vs. Off
Hotels
Long-term Residence in Taiwan
Taking Care of Daily Needs
Post Offices
Convenience Stores
Coffee Shops
Banking and Money
Phones and Sim Cards
Trash and Recycling Collection
Public Toilets
The 7-ELEVEN Effect in Taiwan
Health and Safety
National Holidays
Useful Apps and Social Media
Endnotes
Chapter 6: Studying in Taiwan
The Value of Education in Taiwanese Society
Traditional Asian Paradigms about Education
Taiwan's University System
Why Study in Taiwan
Where to Study Chinese
Making the Most of Your Time in Taiwan
How to Make the Most of Your Chinese Language Studies
Endnotes
Chapter 7: Working and Interning in Taiwan
How to Land an Internship or Job?
Industry-Academic Collaboration
Job Searching Websites
Taiwan's LinkedIn
1111 ???? (1111 renli yinhang, 1111 human power bank)
104 ???? (104 renli yinhang, 104 human power bank)
Through Connections (guanxi ??)
Taiwanese Business Culture
Strategies to Make the Most of Your Work/Internship
Endnotes
Chapter 8: Taiwan's Diverse Geography
Taipei and Northern Taiwan
Taichung and Western Taiwan
Hualien and Eastern Taiwan
Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Southern Taiwan
Outlying Islands
Endnotes
Chapter 1: Why Taiwan?
What Is Unique About Taiwan?
Deep Chinese Culture
Foreign Influence on Taiwan
Taiwan's Religious Atmosphere
Taiwan Is Compact but Varied
How Is Taiwan Different than Mainland China?
The Chinese Language in Taiwan
Studying Chinese in Taiwan
Taiwan Has a Different Vibe
Taiwan Is Easy for Travelers and Students
Highlights of Taiwan History
Endnotes
Chapter 2: Who Lives in Taiwan?
Taiwanese Aboriginals and Austronesian Languages
Outsiders
Hakka kejia ren (???) and Their Language
Taiwanese taiwan ren (???) and Southern Min Language minnan hua (???)
Bensheng ren (???) vs. Waisheng ren (???)
Chinese zhongguo ren (???) or Taiwanese taiwan ren (???)
Insiders vs. Outsiders
New Residents xinzhu min (???) and Their Languages
Fitting in as A Foreigner in Taiwan
Culture Shock and Dealing with Change
The Honeymoon Stage
The Negotiation Stage
The Adjustment Stage
The Mastery Stage
Endnotes
Chapter 3: Getting around in Taiwan
Flying in and out of Taiwan
Other Transportation Options
Taiwan High Speed Rail/HSR (taiwan gaotie ????)
Taiwan Railway (taiwan tielu????)
Via Highways
Inter-city Bus (guodao keyun ????)
Driving in Taiwan
Fantastic Highway Rest Stations
Taiwan's Metro System (jieyun??)
Taipei Metro (Taipei Mass Rapid Transit or MRT, taibei jieyun????)
The EasyCard (youyou ka ???)
Public Busses (gongche ??)
Bicycles
Bicycling Infrastructure in Taiwan
Scooters, Scooters, and More Scooters (motuoche ???)
Taxis (jicheng che ???)
Travel to Taiwan's Outlying Islands
Chapter 4: Taiwan's Food Scene
Taiwan Food as Regional Cuisine
Taiwan's Take on Chinese Food
Tainan, Taiwan's Traditional Sweet Tooth Capital
Taiwan's Fusion Cuisine: Japanese, Western, Southeast Asian
Taiwan's Street Food Phenomenon xiaochi (??)
Taiwan's Amazing Fruit
What Is for Breakfast?
Convenience Store Food and Fast Food
Taiwan's Fast Food Chains
The Taiwan Box Lunch, biandang (??)
Eating Hot Pot, huoguo (??)
Vegetarian Cuisine in Taiwan
Taiwan's Tea Culture
How to Eat Well in Taiwan
Eating in a Chinese Restaurant
How to Make Sense of a Chinese Menu caidan (??)
How a Dish Is Prepared
How the Ingredients Are Cut
Endnotes
Chapter 5: Living in Taiwan
Housing Overview
On-Campus vs. Off
Hotels
Long-term Residence in Taiwan
Taking Care of Daily Needs
Post Offices
Convenience Stores
Coffee Shops
Banking and Money
Phones and Sim Cards
Trash and Recycling Collection
Public Toilets
The 7-ELEVEN Effect in Taiwan
Health and Safety
National Holidays
Useful Apps and Social Media
Endnotes
Chapter 6: Studying in Taiwan
The Value of Education in Taiwanese Society
Traditional Asian Paradigms about Education
Taiwan's University System
Why Study in Taiwan
Where to Study Chinese
Making the Most of Your Time in Taiwan
How to Make the Most of Your Chinese Language Studies
Endnotes
Chapter 7: Working and Interning in Taiwan
How to Land an Internship or Job?
Industry-Academic Collaboration
Job Searching Websites
Taiwan's LinkedIn
1111 ???? (1111 renli yinhang, 1111 human power bank)
104 ???? (104 renli yinhang, 104 human power bank)
Through Connections (guanxi ??)
Taiwanese Business Culture
Strategies to Make the Most of Your Work/Internship
Endnotes
Chapter 8: Taiwan's Diverse Geography
Taipei and Northern Taiwan
Taichung and Western Taiwan
Hualien and Eastern Taiwan
Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Southern Taiwan
Outlying Islands
Endnotes