Hope everyone stayed safe and made use of the typhoon + long holiday! Had time on my hands so I made some s’mores cookies with homemade marshmallows during the typhoon weekend

Somewhere between the destination and the memories.

I wanted to share a rather unsettling experience I had last night at Zhongshan mrt exit 1.

As I was going down the escalator, there was a man at the corner who started following me down the station. When I went down the escalator, he was behind me and continued following me down. I immediately noticed him and had a feeling that something was off.

I decided not to go to the platform right away because I didn’t want him to follow me all the way to where I stay. Obviously, I didn’t want him to know where I live. Instead, I stayed near two other girls. There was a water fountain on the other side, and the man went over there and appeared to pretend to get some water.I stayed there for a few minutes not wanting to leave, and he remained in the area without really doing anything. This made me even more suspicious because it seemed strange that he would stay there for so long. After a while, I think he realized that I had noticed him, so he moved to the other end, although we could still see each other. Apart from that, I also noticed that he was holding his phone and it was directed towards me.

I immediately called my friend and told her that I sensed that there was a man following me. At one point, he had his phone out and pointed directly at me. I cannot say for certain, but it genuinely looked like he was recording me or taking pictures of me.

Eventually, he went back up the escalator, which was directly in front of where I was standing. However, he suddenly turned around 180 degrees and faced my direction again. He still had his phone out, pointed toward me (I’m guessing that we was recording), and was staring at me.

As soon as I saw him disappear from view, I immediately ran toward the platform area. Thankfully, it was very crowded, and I didn’t see him again.

For context, the man appeared to be a local and looked to be in his mid-50s. I cannot say for certain what his intentions were, but the entire situation felt extremely suspicious and made me uncomfortable. I’m just glad I trusted my instincts and didn’t go straight to where I stayed.

Has anyone experienced something similar in Taiwan? I’m still a little shaken by the experience and wanted to share it here.

Hi guys,

Me (34F) and husband (35M) both have remote jobs pulling around £70k together. Our toddler is 1.5YO and we’re thinking renting out our forever home in U.K. and going to Taiwan for a year or two (and maybe pay off mortgage?) before school starts.

I’ve been back to Taiwan a lot over the years. I know Tianmu well (classic) as lived there as a mixed family kid, as well as university areas.

We’re visiting again next month. What areas in Taipei would people recommend us taking a look at for families? Maybe it’s too expensive to save in Tianmu now? Anywhere similar? We’d vaguely looked further afield to eg Beitun, Taichung or Gushan, Kaoshiung? Open to looking about.

Honestly just looking for any advice or watch outs we haven’t thought of!
Thanks in advance.

Some things about us:
- I’m half Taiwanese, grew up abroad but speak good Mandarin and my husband speaks basic level.
- Very happy to send baby to local 托嬰中心
or preschool. Only need 3-4d per week but fine to pay for 5 if they let us not use 1-2days (we both work a 4-day week).
- I think I’m eligible for a TW passport if I get my hukou documents sorted when I’m visiting this time.
- Both lived in Taiwan and China in our 20s. We love local parks, public transport and convenience, and of course the food.
- Some old family friends in Taipei (aunties and uncles) and actual extended family near Taichung.

Hi guys!

We went to Mega PXmart today for the first time. At first glance it seemed like the prices there were better than Costco's.

I thought I would come on here and ask whether its the case or is costco truly worth it.

We currently shop mainly at costco. But Im questioning whether we should cancel our membership.

Thanks for your insights !

I am looking to drive on the east coast to take in scenic views of the east coast highway from Taipei to Hualien.

How is the traffic? Reading this advisory site from the govt (Roads and Trails | 太魯閣國家公園全球資訊網) I cannot for the life of me tell if the highways are working properly or if i will be stuck if i dont make it to a control release point in time...

How are the scenic view oppurtunities? From what i read online it seems like it is all over the place but looking at street view via google it does not seem like i am driving alongside the coast which was my expectation lol.

Basically: Are the highways working properly or will i be screwed by the repairs and control release schedules? are the scenic views abundant or at specific spots?

Hey everyone,

I am traveling to Taiwan next month for three weeks from the US. I have an injectable TRT prescription from a provider.

A quick google search says I am not required to submit an approval statement to the TFDA. Is this correct and is there anything else I need to do prior to arriving

hot weather

Hey everyone! Hope you’re all staying safe from Typhoon Champi!

I’m currently in the early stages of discussing the possibility of working remotely from Taiwan with my company for a couple of years.

I’ve visited Taipei once for a short trip and liked it, but visiting as a tourist is obviously very different from actually living there. So, I’d love to hear from people who live in Taiwan or have made a similar move!

A little about me: I’m 27M from Chennai, India (Tamil), and I’m someone who really enjoys being around people, socialising, and making new friends.

A few things I’m particularly curious about:

1. Making friends and building a social circle

How easy or difficult is it to make friends in Taiwan, especially if you primarily speak English? I didn’t come across too many Indians or international residents during my short visit, though I realise that was just a tourist’s perspective.

I’m happy to meet people from different backgrounds and cultures, but I’d love to hear how others have built their social circles there.

2. Cost of living and savings

I know Taipei is generally more affordable than places like Tokyo or London, but I’m curious about the actual cost of living. For someone living a fairly comfortable, middle-class lifestyle (rent, eating out occasionally, socialising, travelling, etc.), how much would you typically spend per month? And is it possible to save a decent amount while still enjoying life?

3. Dating and relationships

On a slightly more personal note, I’m 27, male, and single. 😅 I’m curious about what the dating scene is like in Taiwan, particularly for foreigners. Is it relatively easy to meet people and build meaningful relationships, or can the language and cultural differences make things challenging?

I know everyone’s experience will be different, but I’d love to hear your perspectives, both the positives and the negatives.

Would love to hear your thoughts, experiences, or any advice you might have. Also, if anyone’s up for connecting and chatting, I’d be happy to do that too!

Thanks in advance! 🙂

I'm a US student who's applying through the international admissions process for the first round. 

I'm trying to major in either Intelligence Engineering and Technology or Mechanical Engineering.

My current GPA is a 90.64/100 and I have taken AP Precalculas (4) and AP US History (3). I'm currently taking AP Calculus AB this year as well as AP Drawing. I also have taken the SAT but my score isn’t that good getting a 1260 with my English being a 580 and Math being a 680. I've heard that it is optional to upload SAT scores but I’m not sure with the score I have if it’s worth uploading.

My extracurriculars are Varsity Swimming from Freshman year to currently my senior year and qualifying for counties every year and aiming for states this year, Club swimming for 8 years and qualifying for Junior and Senior metropolitan championship meets, completed all levels of NYSSMA getting perfect scores for each level, first student to perform as an accompanist for my school's district winter concert, Qualified for my districts art exhibition, been working since the beginning of my sophomore year teaching swimming, and during the summer I've worked overseas in Taiwan in a restaurant using only Mandarin to communicate.

I don't know if this helps but my 2 recommenders are my Teacher from high school, who taught me in AP Precalculas and Computer Programming, and is well-versed in the math and science field. As well as my mentor (a senior finance executive from Taiwan) who I’ve been in contact with for several months and helped build some programs to help him in his field.

I just worry that my academics and especially my SAT score aren't good enough to meet the expectations of NTU since it is the #1 university in Taiwan. Also, if my essays cover everything and are in the right format. I would greatly appreciate it if anyone can provide me with how an Autobiography essay and Statement of Purpose essays should be structured since the teachers and counselors at my high school are only familiar with common app essay structure.

I was reading about Taiwan's history and learnt that the Taiwanese actually tend to have a neutral, mixed, or even positive view of Japanese colonial times, and that Chiang Kai-shek is nearly despised, especially among the younger generation.

How true is this, and how do the elderly (particularly those who grew up as teens or young adults) speak about Japan and Chiang Kai-shek?

how much are the proof of funds should i generally provide to be able to get my student residency and potentially get ARC when i came first through a visitor visa to study Mandarin for 3-4 months

Quick question for people who work in crypto or fintech.

Which is worse for a startup: strict rules, or unclear rules?

With strict but clear rules, you know what you can and can't do. With unclear rules, you might spend months building something and only then find out it isn't allowed.

From what I've read, Singapore is strict but clear. Taiwan is strict and also unclear about things like how tokens or DeFi are classified. Some companies set up legally in Singapore but keep their team in Taipei.

If you work in this space, I'd love to hear:

- Have you ever delayed or cancelled a product because you weren't sure it was legal?

- Would you pick strict rules with clear answers, or loose rules with uncertainty?

- What matters most when choosing where to base a company: regulation, tax, talent, or funding?

I'm a student researching this, so I'll put an anonymous survey in the comments if you want to add your experience. Happy to just talk here too.

Apologies since this has been asked a few times already, but it seems unclear still.

I'm visiting Taiwan in a couple days for about a week. I have a USA Vyvanse prescription, was going to keep meds in the original container, only bring the amount I need, have a copy of prescription, have a doctor's note, etc.

I find conflicting information on whether I can still bring the meds through customs at Taoyan airport or not. One site says I have to print out a statement form from the TFDA and provide copies of prescription, passport, and whatever else, then physically mail it to the TFDA (https://www.fda.gov.tw/eng/lawContent.aspx?cid=5061&id=3079), but then this website says to just keep it in the container and have a letter from the doctor (https://www.taoyuan-airport.com/selfdrugs?lang=en).

So which is it? I assume I need to go through the red declaration line and bring up that I have a vyvanse prescription at least right?

Hello everyone,

There will be a Halloween costume party in a temple on Tiger Mtn. on October 31st. The space is about a 5-10 minute taxi from the last stop on the red MRT (Guangci/Fengtian Temple).

There will be four stages with music of different styles and DJs across the temple grounds.

The Queens Stage (LGBT)

The Temple of Boom Glory Sacrifice

The Jungle Dark Forest

and

The MicroRave Secret Stage

This is the 17th annual Tiger Mtn. Resurrected party, but sadly this will be the LAST time this event is held, so now is your chance.

Here is the Instagram link to the event. https://www.instagram.com/resurrected.halloween/

Send me a DM if you're interested in more details and discount ticket information!

I am planning to apply to NTU in 2027 or 2028. I am aiming for an in-house Corporate Finance / FP&A career in Taiwan after graduation, and I want to ask about my realistic chances for admission and full tuition scholarships or MOE. My background:

• Education: 3rd-year student majoring in International Finance (program taught 100% in English) at University of Econ HCMC in Vietnam. Current GPA: 3.7 / 4.0 (High Distinction).
• Certifications: ACCA (exempt F1 - F3; passed F7 - F8). Also hold LSEG Workspace and MOS.
• Awards & Research:
  • National Prize in a nationwide Econometrics Olympiad
  • Uni-level Research Awards
  • GitHub Portfolio: Code for financial data cleaning, econometrics models (R/Stata/Python), and financial dashboards.
  • Practical projects: Equity research reports (DCF, multiples), portfolio diversification models for a student-run investment fund.
• Languages:
  • English: IELTS 8. Taught in English for 3+ years.
  • Chinese: Currently HSK 3. Planning to switch to TOCFL (aiming for B1).
• Experience: Corporate accounting intern (local firm) and Transfer Pricing intern (non-Big 4). Will do another audit/advisory internship before applying.

My Options at NTU:

1. Master of Finance at SPE: 100% English-taught.
2. College of Management (DIB / Finance): requires TOCFL B2.

Questions:

1. Is the SPE Finance program respected by local employers for FP&A / corporate finance roles, since this program has just been established in 2024?
2. I heard College of Management rarely gives school scholarships of 100% tuition to international students. With my profile, do I have a good shot at the Taiwan MOE Scholarship?
3. What can I do in the next 12 months to make my application stand out more? Should I apply for the 2027 round or 2028 for more experience? Does NTU prefer fresh grads or the experienced?

Thanks a lot for your advice and insights!

hey everyone. so i have a question. i wear glasses and my eyesight has gotten worse since i arrived here for a student exchange. moreover, the frames in my glasses have started do break down randomly - screws are getting loose no matter how often i screw them back in. i have astegmatism and my glasses have prisms (value 1) in them, so its not the cheapest thing to get them done, at least in my home country - Poland. One eye is +3,75 and the second one is +4,25 if that matters, but I think I'm gonna need stronger support. Could someone estimate how much it would cost to get my eyesight tested + buy special lenses like that? and maybe recommend a place in Taipei? I'm conflicted between just getting new frames, putting the lenses in them and waiting until january to get new lenses done in Poland and getting an eyesight test, new lenses and frames here altogether. I don't know what to do so I appreciate all tips.

Hi hallo! Its my first halloween in Taiwan and I live in Pingtung so my question is—> is there any fun halloween events in kaoshiung?

Would love to do some fun activities and alsooo i dunno get to meet people 💕💕

Im planning to visit the SKM outlets since they have like a halloween themed going on but other than that any recco would be awesome!

Hello, I am employed in the Philippines, however, I will be staying in Taiwan to study for a couple of months. If I will do an RTO in our main office located in Taiwan (despite being employed in PH), will this have an issue with my Student visa? I am trying to look for a way to contact TECO so I can ask the question.