Residency Issues – Can the Whole Family Stay with a British Expat Working in Taiwan?

Working as an expat in Taiwan entails important decisions for those with wives and children to think about. Moving clear across the globe from Europe to Asia may force the expat to make some sacrifices in terms of family time. With the distance and time difference, it is a challenge to maintain strong family ties for British expats staying in Taiwan for a length of time. Fortunately for some, the companies that the expats work for are are able to make arrangements for their families to join them in their new home.

A Corporate Executive Expat’s Culture Guide in Working within the Walls of Taiwan

The language barrier is one of the challenges faced by expats. Western expats working in a foreign country are lucky to have English as the second language of communication of most people around the world. Even with the differences in accents and diction, communicating with people is much easier using the English language. In Taiwan, the tone is often found to be a little strong when locals speak English. Certain grammatical errors might also be noticeable. Despite this, an expat living and working in Taiwan should not have any problems communicating with the locals.

How It Feels to Be an Expat in Taipei

It is extremely difficult for a corporate executive expatriate to adjust in Taipei, Taiwan. Most people are aware of the cultural and climate differences in each country, but the difference gap between American and Asian countries is wide.

Great News! Taiwanease.com Launched as one-stop resource for Taiwan’s foreign community

Awesome find! Hartford Group International Taipei heartily recommends!

Managing the ins and outs of life in a foreign country has its challenges, and in Taiwan, expatriates have long turned to online communities and Web sites to ask and answer questions, exchange tips and information, or simply vent their frustrations.

A fair number of Web sites cater to English-speaking foreigners in Taiwan. The best-known include Forumosa.com, an established Internet forum full of lively discussions on every facet of life in Taiwan, from the practical to the mundane; Tealit.com is another popular site for finding English-teaching jobs and buying and selling used items; Taiwanfun.com and Taiwannights.com focus on leisure and recreation.

And now a new Web site, run by two Taipei expats, aims to cover all of the above.

Taiwanease.com was launched in September last year by Eric Schmitt and Anthony van Dyck, who are hoping their Web site’s features will make it the new go-to resource for foreigners and visitors to Taiwan.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2012/03/12/2003527567

US Embassy Diplomatic Cables from WikiLeaks – TAIWAN ELECTION POLLING

1. (C) Summary: Taiwan’s vibrant polling industry has a spotty record in forecasting island-wide and local-level elections. Public opinion polls conducted by pro-Blue media organizations such as TVBS and United Daily News (UDN) often greatly overestimate support for KMT candidates and underestimate the strength of DPP candidates. Industry experts attribute polling problems to a combination of factors, including an urban, white-collar worker sampling bias, a large block of silent “undecided” voters who tend to support the DPP, and a “branding effect” generated by the parent media corporations. Compounding these problems, many survey centers release relatively unfiltered polling results without adequate weighting or accounting for key variables, such as likelihood of voting. Despite these deficiencies, election pundits will continue to rely heavily on often faulty Taiwan polls in their analyses and forecasts of key legislative and presidential elections at the end of 2007 and beginning of 2008 (Ref A). End Summary.

Maggie Wu (吳亞馨) and Justin Lee/Li Zhong Rui (李宗瑞) Taiwan Scandal

Having two, well-known people being involved in an issue like this might be too much to handle especially with their statuses in life, as well as the issue itself.

Best Taiwanese Parliament Fights of All Time – Video Compilation #1 by Hartford Group International Taipei

Taiwanese politicians are very serious about their issues and get into serious battles.  Now this is true democracy.

Godspeed Taiwan Movie Musically Driven Documentary

Godspeed Taiwan (Trailer) from Gatling Pictures on Vimeo.

GODSPEED TAIWAN is a musically-driven, generational exploration of the Taiwanese who gave their lives to the struggle for independence, and the younger generation which now enjoys the fruits of their forefathers’ labor with little remembrance for past sacrifices made. Today, the country remains divided between those who want to establish closer ties to China, and those who strive for independence and autonomy.

Will Taiwan maintain its status as a thriving democracy in East Asia, or will The West stand by as China asserts its claim to the island? These complexities are explored by political icons Lee Teng-hui and Peng Ming-min, as well as other Taiwanese politicians, businessmen, musicians, filmmakers, and citizens.

Taiwanese are horrible drivers!

Driving takes risks, whether you’re driving a car, a scooter, a van, or a motorbike. Road accidents are a worry, especially if you drive in a small city, and with most drivers who does not abide with the traffic rules.

About Me – Hartford Group International Taipei

I’m your brand new fresh off the plane Expat now supposedly on a 4 year contract here in Taiwan.  And I’m collecting experiences of fellow expats here to make my stay a bit more comfortable.  Need to adjust really fast.  Wish me luck.