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Welcome to Taiwan...

(includes cost of living in Taiwan)

Taiwan is situated in the Pacific Ocean about 160km from the southeastern coast of China. Taiwan is a natural gateway to and within Asia.

Taiwan's climate is subtropical, with an average annual temperature of around 23^oC rising to 35^oC in the summer. Lightweight clothing should be worn for most of the year, with sweaters and coats needed only in the winter.

AAC services both Taipei and Taichung for studying Mandarin. You decide on which part of Taiwan suits your lifestyle. If you decide on only working, then we have English teaching positions available throughout Taiwan.

The principal city of Taiwan is Taipei, which since 1949 has been the provisional capital of the Republic of China. Taipei, with a population of 2.9 million, is the political, economic, and financial centre of the Republic of China. It has a thriving entertainment scene and countless modern commercial buildings. With its vibrant commercial and economic growth, it has become a modern international metropolis. Taipei is nestled in a basin with mountains on all sides and covers an area of 27,177 hectares.

Providence University is based in Taichung in central Taiwan. It is the 3rd largest city with a population of 1 million. Taichung has long been known as a city of culture because there are so many universities and colleges, world-class museums, art galleries, public libraries, community centres, and temples. It is an ideal base for visits to the north, south, coast and mountains.

Compared to the other 2 big cities (Taipei in the north and Kaohsiung in the south) Taichung has a much more moderate climate and is less populated and less polluted.

Everyday Living in Taiwan

It is quite easy for someone who doesn't speak Mandarin to get around Taiwan by themselves. The people are friendly and you'll always be able to find someone to help out if you ask in a polite manner. There are also a lot of foreigners at our campus who would be in the 'same boat' as you and classmates usually help each other out. There are good maps of the city and a great local English magazine called the 'Compass' informing locals of activities, clubs, restaurants etc.

Food

One of the delights about living in Taiwan is the abundance of cheap and delicious food. For about NT$60~NT$100 you can sample the endless variety of flavours. Cheap does not necessarily mean bad. Some great meals are in this price range. You will find this mainly at noodle shops and simple restaurants that line every street in the city and you can point to various dishes if you don't yet know the Chinese names. Most eating establishments are quite safe and clean. Just use your judgment.

A full meal in a lunch box costs NT$50 to NT$70. A lunch box meal consists of rice, a main meat dish, and 2 to 3 vegetable side dishes. Convenience stores and supermarkets also sell pre-cooked meals for about the same price.

Cheaper meals can be found in noodle stalls where a bowl of noodle costs NT$30 to NT$40. Fast foods like KFC and McDonalds can be found anywhere. Price for a meal costs between NT$100 to NT$150.

For moderate and fine cuisine, prices range from NT$200 to NT$1,000.

A reasonable food budget is NT$150 per day.

Water

You may drink tap water after it has been boiled, however buying bottled water or investing in a water filter is advisable. The many 7-11's (you can find a 7-11 on almost every corner!) stock a variety of imported and locally produced bottled waters that cost on average NT$15 per 500ml bottle.

When you buy bottle water or any other beverage in a similar 1500ml container, look at the label. There will be a recycling symbol with '1' in the middle. This means that there is a NT$1 deposit on that container. The same is true for plastic soda bottles (but not glass) and for glass Taiwan beer bottles (not cans, and not for any other brands of beer). You can redeem it at any convenience store or supermarket.

Transportation

The scooter is a primary means of transportation in Taiwan. Many students and teachers find themselves buying one of these scooters because it offers a cheap and quick means of getting around.

Scooters vary in cost, and this depends on age and size of the engine (cc). For example:

You may be able to get the odd bargain here and there (foreigners leaving in a rush or whatever other reason) but it is best to go by these figures.

Gasoline / Petrol in Taiwan costs NT$18 to NT$20 per litre. Mileage is 20 to 30 kilometres per litre.

With regards to licensing and registration: There are a few motorcycle / scooter retail shops in Taiwan that will sell and then keep the scooter registered in the shop's name. It is necessary to have an *ARC / Resident visa (which can only be obtained after 4 months) if you want to register the scooter in your own name as a foreigner, so this is what everyone does here. Then once the *ARC / Resident visa is obtained, you can simply change the bike's registration into your own name.

Also, don't forget to get an International Drivers Licence before leaving your home country. That way you can actually drive legally in Taiwan!

A bicycle is a cheaper alternative to the scooter. Mountain bikes can be bought in supermarkets and bike shops. A basic mountain bike costs around NT$3,000.

If you prefer public transport, traveling by bus and train is relatively cheap. To date, Taipei is the only place in Taiwan that has an MRT system. Unless it's an emergency, taking the taxi is not advisable as it is too expensive.

TYPE	PRICE
Bus	NT$15 to NT$25 per zone
Train	NT$30 to NT$1,000+ depending on the distance
MRT	NT$20 to NT$60

• ARC:  sstands for Aliens Residents Card. It is an ID card that iindicates your residents status in Taiwan and will need to be carried with you when you are out and about. It is obtained either through our mandarin study program after 4 months (government requirement) or can be obtained ilf one applies and is granted a work permit.

Garbage and Recycling

You will notice that Taiwan has lots of garbage and this is simply because there are too many things that are disposable and not enough places to put them. If the amount of disposable waste concerns you, try to reduce your consumption of bags and containers. You can refuse to take a plastic bag at most stores by saying "Bu yong dai dz" (I don't need a bag). Another way is to properly sort the garbage you generate for recycling.

Garbage trucks come around everyday and sometimes more than once. If you live in a new high-rise, the kind with security guards and maintenance fees, you may have a large garbage receptacle downstairs. Otherwise you will have to chase the garbage truck. Spot a garbage truck and listen for its catchy tune. No, its not an ice-cream man! All garbage trucks play this little music box melody and you can hear them coming from a mile away. Once they stop in your neighborhood, its time to scramble down 4 of 5 flights of stairs to catch it before it takes off. This is a good time to see the neighbors because they will be doing the same thing.

Separate your glass, aluminum, plastic, and cardboard because there will be separate buckets and bins hanging off the side of the truck. There should be one for organic waste too! The trucks now only accept recyclable materials on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Laundry and Dry Cleaning

Some apartments may have a washing machine, some may not. If yours doesn't then there is probably a laundromat nearby. Many will do your laundry for you for about NT$80 per bag.

If your apartment has a washer, chances are that you don't have a dryer. You may have to hang your clothing out on the balcony, or inside during the rainy season. There are lots of brands of laundry detergent, but you can buy Tide at Watson's, Mannings and Carrefour supermarkets.

A word of advice: If you want your good white clothing to stay white, spend the extra cash to have them dry-cleaned, because water in Taiwan will turn it slightly yellow after a while. Dry cleaning typically costs about NT$40~$50 per shirt, about NT$90~$100 for a pair of dress pants, and about NT$200 for a whole suit.

Cost of Living

As the standard of living in Taiwan improves, the cost of living also rises on the island. But it is lower than many Asian countries. However, most imported goods and many types of services in Taiwan are expensive.

If you can 'go local' and eat at food stalls and noodle stands, your food cost should not exceed NT$300 a day. On the other hand, you can spend a lot more if you decide to go to fancy restaurants and western watering holes.

Money Matters

Currency used in Taiwan is the New Taiwan Dollar (NT$). Coin denominations are $1, $5, $10, $20 and $50 and notes come in $50, $100, $500 and $1,000. US$ cash and travelers cheques are the easiest to exchange. However major banks will handle Canadian dollars, British sterling, Japanese yen and the Australian dollar. In addition, many ATM's will handle foreign ATM cards. Look for machines that advertise Cirrus, Plus, Star, Interlink, Accel, etc. Most International credit cards are accepted everywhere.

Opening a Bank Account

You may open a local currency account or a foreign currency account at major banks. You will need your passport and you will be asked to complete an application form which includes:

As a foreigner, you can sign your name instead of using a 'chop' as the locals do. After a couple of weeks you'll be issued an ATM Card.

Suggested Reputable Banks

Their services are good especially compared to the government-run banks, and furthermore, their ATM Cards support Cirrus and Maestro so you can withdraw your money from abroad.

Tipping

There is no need for tipping in restaurants or for taxis and other services. However, at hotels and in the airports, the bellhop will expect about NT$50 per bag.

Shopping

7-11's are almost on every street corner and are all open 24 hours here in Taiwan. You can get snacks, microwave popcorn, sushi, basic toiletries and lots of different kinds of beverages. If you crave more variety in your life, you can find a supermarket like 'Yumaowu' (they always have passport photo machines in the front of the shop). There are 3 major size department stores called 'Sogo' , 'Chung Yo' and 'Shin Kuang Sun-Yeh' and they all have restaurants in the basement and lots of coffee shops and all the fashionable clothing stores.

For personal items and toiletries you may want to shop at 'Watsons' or 'Mannings' stores if you are not satisfied with what you find at 7-11. They have as good a selection of western personals, as well as medication and imported chocolates.

Lots of places have recently sprung up for hardware and houseware. 'B&Q', which shares the same building as 'Geant', has lots of DIY, hardware and building materials. 'Homeart' also has a fairly adequate selection of hardware and is worth checking out.

The prices for PC's are cheaper than back home. However, if you buy a PC in your home country prior to departing, you may get it tax exempt or duty free as you will be taking it out of the country. This may be worth considering too. Check out Aurora Computer Superstore, across Hsin Yi Road from the Taipei World Trade Center. Alternatively there is T-Parts, near the Lai Lai Sheraton Hotel on Chunghsiao E. Road, and the big Nova complex next to Hsin Kong Department Store on Chunghsiao W. Road.

Health Care

Many new arrivals to Taiwan get sick, mainly due to the change in environment and the accompanying set of different microbes and bacteria. It may take a few times of getting mildly ill to build up your body's natural immunities. Avoid the night markets when you first get here. If you get sick then stick to a diet of bread, plain rice and water.

Unfortunately, hepatitis A and B are frighteningly common. Hepatitis is a disease that affects the liver. Once you have it, you have it for life, so be careful. Hepatitis A is often spread due to food, water, or utensils being contaminated by infected saliva. It is a good idea to use disposable chopsticks or to bring your own, and to make sure that the places you eat are relatively clean. Also, be careful who you share your drinks with, or whom you kiss. You can obtain vaccination shots at most hospitals or clinics. The vaccine is called Havrix and is administered in a series of 3 shots, the 2nd 1 month after the 1st and the 3rd 6 months after the 2nd. Each shot costs NT$1,200. 95% of the people who get Havrix are vaccinated against Hep A after the 2nd shot. So, if you didn't plan ahead, you can always get a blood test to see if you already have the antibodies before spending another NT$1,200 for the 3rd shot, or you can consider getting the 3rd one in another country. Make sure you carry your vaccination records with you. Hepatitis B is usually spread by sexual contact or other blood or bodily fluid related interactions. Taiwan has one of the highest rates of infection in the world, so it's better to be safe than sorry, if you know what we mean. Vaccination is available here for both varieties. We suggest you also see your local doctor prior to departing for Taiwan.

Health Examination

English teachers are required to have a health examination in Taiwan at a local clinic (within 1 month after their arrival). It will cost from NT$1,500 to NT$2,000 and includes a blood, urine, and HIV test. Unfortunately the Taiwanese government no longer accepts test results from abroad.

If you are coming to Taiwan to study, then there is no need to undergo a health examination.

Student Health Insurance

For NT$2,200, you can get insurance that will cover you for 6 months. The insurance company will pay up to NT$500 of each doctors bill for minor things like flu's and other visits to the doctor. You will also get full accident cover. With this type of insurance, you will need to pay up front and then claim it back from the company who will refund the amount upon receiving the bills from you. This insurance is also limited to certain hospitals in the city and cannot be used at clinics or with private doctors.

National Health Insurance

Upon receiving your work permit and Alien Resident Certificate (ARC), you will automatically be enrolled in the National Health Insurance System. Spouses and dependents can apply for coverage 4 months after they receive their ARC. You pay a monthly fee to the government of around NT$700 and you get full coverage. With this type, you may visit any clinic or hospital of your choice. Dental care is also covered. There is a co-payment of NT$150 for each visit and you will need to pay extra for prescription medications.