Coming up to a year of my Taiwanderful life, I sat down with Rose Vassel from the Australian Office in Taipei as part of their #AskAnAussie series to showcase experiences in Taiwan through my eyes.
Looking back on the interview, I wished I expanded a little further on my answers. Since the post, I’ve had a couple of readers quiz me on a few points I didn’t get to cover. As a token of my appreciation to you who have been following my story, here is #AskQ in finer detail.
Why Did You Decide on Taiwan?
This question comes up more frequently than any other. Especially amongst locals. They all seem surprised that their little home is that enticing for someone to pack up and leave ‘The Lucky Country’ to this almost unheard-of island (well at least amongst some Australians. You’ll be surprised how many times people have confused it for Thailand).
It’s probably exactly this that enticed me in the first place. Yes, I came here primarily to study Chinese. But as I have mentioned here, even before moving here for the longterm, I’ve already had my heart set on Taiwan. I like that there’s still much of it to be explored. That it requires me to do some digging to find its gems. It’s not completely isolated from the rest of the world…but it definitely has plenty of room for someone like myself to discover my own adventure and experiences without having to look into a travel guide.
The secondary reason to choosing Taiwan to learn Chinese is because it still uses the Traditional characters which is becoming rare. Being overshadowed by the more commonly known Simplified Chinese adopted by mainland China and therefore better marketed to the rest of the world, means that the style here calls to my appreciation for the less-commonplace. Why I care for the extra few strokes in a character may seem arbitrary, but what I find is that with understanding how they are formed allows me to better understand the Chinese culture.
And if you don’t know already, Chinese culture is better depicted here in Taiwan rather than China itself. So for someone who wants to be thrown into the cultural deep end, Taiwan was the natural answer.
Do You Plan to Stay Here for Long?
A resounding, emphatic Yes.
I remember clearly the first day I arrived at Taoyuan airport. Alone but not lonely as my eyes drink in the surroundings I would be calling home. From that first rush of being in a new place and doing new things, the excitement I felt that I could reinvent my future into anything I wanted it to be, to finding my place in Taiwan six months in and feeling as though I already truly belong, the question now really is, what is it about this place that keeps me here?
It’s because these feelings have not faded in the slightest over the course of my time here. In fact, everyday I grow more and more enchanted by this place. The further I seek, the more I feel there is much to explore.
Taiwan is an eclectic and diverse island that allows me to mix and match my interests and more. Apart from its ever-changing landscape, its warm-hearted locals, and the array of food (some squirm-worthy yet unexpectedly delectable), it is the energy and vibe I get from this city that makes me want to stay. Afterall Taiwan isn’t crowned World Design Capital 2016 and viewed as a growing incubator of cluster and startups for nothing.
I am energetic and pro-active here. I constantly push myself to do new things – some things I didn’t dare to when I was in Australia. Like hitch-hiking. Scouring through abandoned buildings. Riding a scooter through Taipei’s peak hour traffic (and with drivers who don’t check their blind spot. Some day I will tell you how I was side-swiped by that taxi driver).
These are just some of my little adventures that I have safely tucked in my memories forever. What I’ve learnt and what it has inspired me to do is stemmed from being in this place.
And if you’ve found that happy place, why would you leave it?
Seriously, No Challenges You’ve Met Along the Way?
As mentioned in the interview, sure there are some cultural differences I’ve been met with, but considering it’s all part of learning and gaining a better understanding of Taiwan and its people, I really don’t see it as a big challenge. Because I came here to have my mind opened and there’s nothing quite like a disagreement of perspectives to make me realise that goal faster and better. For the most part, the actual difference doesn’t bother me in the slightest…it is how people approach sorting out these issues that can be extremely frustrating. Like peoples’ views on public displays of affection and romantic gestures, for example (sounds familiar? check out the post here). But I almost think it’s necessary to have a disgruntled cultural experience to really understand your new friends at a deeper level. I seriously can’t imagine what my Taiwan life would be without these little disagreements to spur me forward. And I think that’s what the expat life is all about. Encountering differences, problem solving and onward adventures.
What Do You Miss and Don’t Miss About Australia?
I miss my family of course. Beaches within 10 minutes drive and hot balmy nights of an Australian summer. Oh…and a decent salad.
What I don’t miss is how comfortable it was in Australia. I had a great job, a decent wage and plenty of people who supported me. I was checking all the boxes in terms of what would give me security. But being comfortable makes me uncomfortable. I was restless and needed to do something drastic. Learning a new language amongst learning a new culture, heck, learning a new life, was the driving force that I yearned for. Despite being more settled here, I am still motivated by change. And it comes from my aspirations for a career I actually enjoy, and a lifestyle that involves discovery.
Eventually I will head back home, I know. But I’m definitely not ready to leave Taiwan just yet.
So all in all this is a real insight into my life here in Taiwan. I hope you enjoyed this because I’m really laying it all out here which is quite unconventional of my blogging style. Thanks again to my readers, I hope to inspire you to experience living in Taiwan for yourself if you haven’t already. For fellow expats, I would love to hear of your own…what is your story?
G'day Taiwan 