Training Period

Upon initial arrival in Taiwan , our partnering institution provides hotel-based accommodations as well as breakfast and lunch for the duration of accepted teachers' training – requiring participants to pay for only their evening dinner and personal necessities.

Duration of Teaching

Teachers are responsible for their own accommodations which are usually situated in either private or shared apartments (typically). Rent varies from location-to-location – with prices in Taipei , Taipei suburbs and Taichung costing more (between NT $8,000 and NT $12,000/month). In other regions, rent is somewhat cheaper. Deposits are usually required with initial set-up costing approximately NT $25,000-40,000. REMINDER: our partnering institute offers an optional, interest-free startup loan for qualifying applicants – which can be paid back in six (6) months. This loan is used primarily for instructors setting up their new living accommodations.

Furnishings/Appliance

Apartments are usually unfurnished with some apartments' landlords offering basic furnishings (often left behind by previous occupants). Furthermore, it is quite easy to acquire second-hand and/or simple, basic furniture throughout Taiwan . During traditions such as Chinese New Year, locals usually purchase entirely new furnishings for their homes, often leaving their used furnishing outside their homes – encouraging others to take these second-hand furnishings. It is not unheard of for some to furnish their entire living space for close to nothing (thanks to this annual tradition).

Air-conditioning is common, but central heating is quite rare and is usually unnecessary due to Taiwan 's tropical and sub-tropical climate throughout the country

Also: most apartments DO NOT have a washer, dryer or even a refrigerator – these amenities can usually be purchased at a reasonable price (usually second-hand) or can be taken care of at the nearest laundry.

Meals

After the initial training commences, teachers are responsible for all meals during the day. Local, Taiwanese cuisine is quite affordable – with the Western world meals being more expensive. Traditional Taiwanese cuisine consists of pork, rice and soy being very common ingredients with beef being very uncommon. Seafood is heavily-present in a Taiwanese diet – everything from large fish such as tuna and grouper, to sardines and even crustaceans, squid and cuttlefish. Due to its sub-tropical climate, various fruit, such as papaya, melons and various citrus are available throughout Taiwan . Some staples found in many Taiwanese dishes include, rice, corn, tea, poultry, and vegetables. Spices used to liven up these ingredients often include: soy sauces, rice wine, sesame oil, black beans, pickled radishes, peanuts, chili peppers, parsley as well as a local variety of basil.

Transportation

Participants can access just about every corner of Taiwan either by bus or train. Within the city of Taipei , the urban Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) train is inexpensive and covers one side of the city to the other. Also: luxury buses offer transit to just about every destination within Taiwan . Participants can travel the entire length of Taiwan just by train. Travel to other countries – such as Hong Kong, the Philippines , Thailand , Vietnam and Japan – is also quite reasonable.