TAIWAN - Expat Contests

Expat Culture Shock

Culture Shock in Taiwan - the True Story

Taiwan (Formosa) – the beautiful island. Culture shock – the trauma you experience psychologically and physiologically when you move to another country with a totally different culture. It sounds scary, and honestly, it was a big concern of mine when I made the decision to move to Taiwan, halfway around the world from my home. Let...

Expat Blog Awards 2013

Discovering Taiwan: My Top 5 Outdoor Travel & Adventure Guide

At first glance, Taiwan may appear to be a highly populated small island with a nation of hard-working, career-driven people. But once you escape the hustle and bustle of the cities and begin peeling away the layers, you will come to realize that there is more to Taiwan than high-tech factories and bumper-to-bumper traffic. When you stand...

Education and International Schools

Teacher, You're a Papaya!

“Teacher! Do you have a boyfriend?” “No.” “Why?? You’re so pretty.” “Teacher, your face is like a child’s!” “Uh, why?” “Cute!” “Teacher, you so white! Come…” *Kids try to drag me into the sunlight* “Teacher, you’re a papaya!” “That’s a fruit, you know.” (I...

Working Abroad

The Perks of Working Abroad

Streets of TaipeiThe unemployment rate is 7.5% in the United States, 7.8% in England, and a whopping 14% in Ireland. In many countries, it’s the same sad tune. But this article is not about the politics of the situation, or who is to blame. This article is about finding a solution. Luckily, the answer is simple: work abroad. I...

Expat Blog Awards 2013

Top 20 Reasons I Prefer Teaching in Taiwan Over Honduras

This past year I have been living and teaching in Taiwan, which has proven to be a refreshing change of pace from the small village I lived in previously in Honduras.  And although comparing the two countries is like comparing a cactus to a camel, it doesn’t take a genius to realize that Taiwan is the most accommodating option for an...

Expat Blog Awards 2013

Top 9 Cultural Differences Between Italy and Taiwan

It is always difficult to talk about cultural differences. Especially when one compares two countries like Italy and Taiwan, which not only are themselves very diverse and complex, but which have culturally and historically barely anything in common with each other. However, after living in Taiwan for more than a year and a half, I have...

Education and International Schools

Why Teaching English Abroad Might Not be For You

So you want to travel the world. Get out of your comfort zone. Discover new things, meet different people, taste exotic flavors. Maybe you’re a veteran frequent flier. Or perhaps this is your first time with passport in stow. Regardless, you’ve got the itch, and the only way to cure that infectious travel bug is by going somewhere....

Writing Contest October 2012

Working on Plan E

It all started with a remodel project gone south and a frustrating year at work. Dan and I had hit that middle age slump which I now interpret as a dawning sense of possibilities. The kids were grown and doing well on their own. Work had plateaued. We were bored and itching for a change. We tried one of the typical mid-life crisis...