Pre-departure

Bags
You may bring a sturdy backpack or a small duffel bag for weekend trips around Taiwan. Getting a waterproof bag for your backpack wouldn’t be a bad idea, especially if you plan to ride a scooter or a bike to school. These items can be purchased in Taiwan too.

Carry-on suitcase
You might also like to have a medium-sized suitcase. This will be useful if you travel abroad during the winter break, and you can even use it for long weekend getaways within Taiwan or just for taking laundry over to a laundromat. If this makes sense for packing, bring it; you can buy one here.

Books
Don’t bring books unless it is necessary. Books can weigh bags down, and some ETAs have incurred extra costs at the airport.

Bedding
You will only know your bed size (single/double) in the apartment at the end of August after the school placement of your site. Top sheets are not widely available in Taiwan, and stores generally only sell fitted sheets rather than a set; consequently, pack one if you'd like.

It can get unexpectedly cold at night in the winter. Apartments usually are without a heater, you can find portable heaters here, or you may consider bringing an electric blanket.

Household items
Regarding appliances and other household needs, apartments are mostly fully furnished (bed, kitchenware). The previous ETAs might also leave some useful items. Although this is not a guarantee, things like a clothesline, hangers, and even a mattress pad might already be waiting for you.

Adapters
The outlets in Taiwan are two-pronged, so if you have electronics that need three-prongs, you’ll need a converter/power strip. If you have electronics you need to use in the first week, make sure to bring a converter or buy one on the day-1 shopping trip. Also, it is advisable if you are bringing items like hair dryers to bring a voltage converter or simply to purchase one when you arrive to be on the safe side. Items can short out dangerously.

Toiletries
Be prepared to bring your own if you are picky about particular hygiene products and brands. Although prescriptions are not required to purchase pharmaceuticals in Taiwan, they may come in handy for examiners to review your record. Also, please pack personal medication that may not be easily found in Taiwan. Additionally, mosquitoes are especially rampant during Taiwan’s summer; consider packing anti-itch crème, though these are also available in Taiwan. Lastly, the UV rays in Taiwan are powerful, and most Taiwanese brand sunscreens are very watery. American-brand sunscreens are available but can be expensive. Consider bringing a few bottles of your favorite sunscreen.

Personal medication
-Feminine products/birth control
-Headache medicine
…Vitamins

-…etc

Generally, dress in Taiwan is about the same as in metropolitan areas of the United States.

Casual, versatile clothes made of light, breathable material
Taiwan's weather is generally hot and humid, but the temperature can change dramatically daily, and some layering staples are helpful.

Most residents of Taiwan do not own dryers. You will not own a dryer; therefore, pack with this in mind (although, in special cases, you could go to a laundromat to use the dryer). During winter, the cold and humidity mean that thick clothing can take many days to air-dry, so it is better if you have quick-drying clothes to wear in the meantime. Your clothes and shoes might get moldy, so don’t bring anything expensive or you don’t want ruined.

Clothing for teaching
The dress code at Taiwanese schools tends to be much less formal than that at schools in the United States. It may be hard to believe, but most teachers at school wear jeans and a T-shirt to class. However, the level of formality can vary from school to school. Once you are assigned your schools, it is good to ask your co-teacher about the dress code and observe what the other teachers wear to ensure you dress appropriately. Here are some general tips:

Shoes should be able to cover the whole feer. Sandals are mostly unacceptable.

Skirts should be knee-length (this is a general rule at most schools; perhaps talk with your co-teacher(s) and observe the way other teachers dress at your school). Shirts should not be revealing and long enough so you won't expose too much when you write on the board.

Shorts may or may not be acceptable for teaching. Pack enough variety of shorts/pants/skirts so you’ll be prepared for a more traditional or more liberal dress code.

Warm clothing
Taiwanese housholds doesn’t usually come with heaters. With the moisture brought by the rain, winter can be extra cold. On top of that, take scootering into consideration so make sure to still pack some warm clothes with you!

Formal wear
Evening wear is seldom worn except to formal dinner parties or banquets. However, it is advisable to bring at least two formal business outfits for Fulbright events throughout the year. (These items can be purchased in Taiwan for around the same price one might acquire in America, so there is no absolute need to go out and buy multiple formal outfits in a hurry.)

School supplies
Taiwan has a multitude of stationery stores where you can purchase any teaching materials you may need. If you have the time before you leave, scanning some picture books into PowerPoints may help later in your classes. Having some English stickers (from dollar stores) or stamps may also be helpful. Many local teachers also like it when the ETA’s use pictures of their hometown and families in their presentations.

Gifts/souvenirs
If you want to give your co-teacher or students gifts from America, consider packing small goods like key chains, magnets, or mugs from a local landmark. Even a roll of American pennies makes for a good class prize.

Photos
Consider printing photos of family members, friends, and your home city to share with students. These pictures can be passed around classrooms and help facilitate cross-cultural exchange.

Religious-themed holiday items
i.e. menorahs, plastic Easter eggs, dreidels, etc.

Board & card games
i.e., Chutes & Ladders, Candyland, Clue, Bananagrams