Life

in Taiwan

  • While lifestyles will vary based on the different regional placements, the following are basic guidelines for what to expect as an ETA/ETF in Taiwan.

    ◆ ETAs/ETFs will be living with 1-3 other ETAs/ETFs in an apartment. Each person will have his/her own room.

    The Fulbright stipend will be transferred through direct deposit on the 15th of every month. Fulbright staff will help you set up a local Taiwanese bank account after arrival.

    ◆ All grantees will be registered for Taiwan's National Health Insurance, which is recognized as one of the leading public health care systems in the world. This is separate from U.S. Department of State’s ASPE insurance. Taiwan's National Health Insurance covers the vast majority of medical issues and is very affordable.

    ◆ Many goods and items (e.g. toiletries, dishware, etc.) are widely available in Taiwan for a reasonable price; thus, it is not necessary for ETAs/ETFs to pack excessively. However, not all American/western brands are available in Taiwan; if available, they may be more expensive.

    ◆ School dress is generally very casual although this may vary by school. It is recommended that ETAs/ETFs do not wear revealing clothing (e.g. mini-skirts); they should also not wear flip-flops.

    ◆ Mandarin Chinese courses are available at local universities and language centers. Prices depend on the class format (e.g. group vs. private tutoring). However, Mandarin Chinese knowledge is not required. Some schools may even request that their ETAs/ETFs refrain from speaking Chinese with their students. Regardless, having some background in Mandarin can make life in Taiwan easier and more fulfilling.

  • For the school schedule, 40 hrs per week. You might be assigned to one or two schools, which depends on the school size. There are some videos made by the former ETAs. Here are some examples, you may also search on Youtube.

  • The Lunar New Year dates may vary slightly each year but typically fall between January and February. Official school schedules are provided by the government.