GO VOLUNTEER IN
TAIWAN Country Booklet
Taiwan Capital- Taipei( ĺ?°ĺŒ— ) Area- 36,000 square kilometers & Population- 23 million Language- Mandarin/Taiwanese/Hakka/Indigenous Languages Religion- Buddhism/Taoism/Christianity/Islam Time Zone- Taiwan: GMT+ 8 Weather- The climate on the island is generally marine and varies widely by season in the Northern part and the mountain areas. The South belongs to the tropical belt and is warm and humid all year. From May to June it's rainy season, with almost daily showers. Currency- New Taiwan Dollar (NT$), five denominations in paper money and five in coins. (AUS $1 = NT $30.18)
Find out more about Taiwan HERE!
Natural Landscape Taiwan is known for its towering mountains over 3000 metres and is home to the Northeast Asia's tallest mountain, Yushan , which is nearly 4,000 meter in height. Beautiful coastal scenes are also part of Taiwan's great natural asset. Penghu National Scenic Area, comprising of ninety islets, scattering around the Taiwan Strait. Its flat landscape makes it different from Taiwan Island.
Watch a video about Taiwan HERE!
Located in southeast of Taiwan, Orchid Island and Green Island offer the enjoyment of the natural environment, such as whale spotting and scuba diving. Natural and cultural attractions abound at the Siraya National Scenic Area in southern Taiwan's Tainan County. Colourful aboriginal events and tasty local specialties await you at Siraya. The scenic area's main attraction is a varied coastline that consists of sand dunes, sand banks, marshes and wetlands, offering precious ecological habitats for wildlife.
Main Cities- Taipei Taipei is the national capital and is in the north and
National Theater Hall is an excellent place to see performances of a Taiwanese plays
has a semi-tropical climate- hot and humid weather. The National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is a symbol of Taipei and the Republic of China and is where the nation's flag is raised every morning. The court yard serves as a place for national celebrations and a platform to voice one's disapproval of the government!
Taipei 101 (Taipei International Financial Center) has 101-floors, and is 508-meters high and is the second tallest skyscraper in the world. It was designed to resemble bamboo rising from the earth, a plant recognized in Asian cultures for its fast growth and flexibility.
National Palace Museum has the world's best collection of Chinese historical artifacts and antiquities
Longshan Temple is where Taipei citizens come to pray and seek guidance
History and Culture For a considerable span of time during ancient times, Taiwan Society was under the rule of the royal Chinese bureaucrats. People from varied religion, racial groups and clans reside in Taiwan Society. Between 1960s and 1980s the culture of Taiwan represented the contrasts between Taiwan and communist China. The main focus was given to the view of the traditional culture of China. Thereafter came the era of Taiwanese localization and a significant change affected the culture of Taiwan
Taiwan Culture reflects the customs and traditions of Taiwanese people- a combination of Confucianist Han Chinese cultures and European, Japanese, American, global, and local traditions. Reflections of aboriginal impact are well displayed on the art, literature, culture and ways of living of the overall countrymen. Traditional Glove Puppetry has a history of two hundred years. It developed into a cultural vehicle to entertain, educate, and preserve traditional values and legends.
See what an AIESEC Exchange is like in Taiwan HERE!
Culture- Recommended Cuisine Oyster omelet (Potato flour, oysters, vegetables, and an egg)
Try to visit a Night Market!
Stinky Tofu (Contains tofu which has been marinated in brine and fermented vegetables)
Double layer roll (Grilled Taiwanese sweet pork sausage. Usually has garlic and basil) Bubble milk tea/ pearl milk tea Pineapple Cake
Coffin bread (Fried toast with ingredients such as vegetable, chicken)
Burrito/ Lumpia (Contains many vegetable. Just like spring roll)
Listen to an Exchange Participant experience in Taiwan HERE!
Hear about another exchange experience in Taiwan HERE!
Visa Requirements All EP’s should apply for a Tourist Visa ONLY
As soon as you are selected in your project AIESEC in both countries will provide you all the information and documents before you apply for any Visa.
“Dream Beyond Language” Exchange Participants (EP’s) will use their cultural background to design creative sessions for students from ages 6 to 18. Through these sessions, the students will develop their capability of creative thinking, cultural communication and issue awareness. Benefits: Personal Workspace Accommodation Provided Some meals provided Close contact with the Host Local Committee Chance to impact a students life! Duration: 6 weeks Issue: Language Literacy
Watch an EP’s Experience in the ‘Dream Beyond Language’ Project HERE! Learning Points: Develop practical facilitation skills Explore Taiwanese culture! Learn how to shape lessons for students aged 6-18 years Meet people from all over the world Working in a multicultural environment and team Change your global perspective
“Dream Beyond Language”- Job Description Job Description 1
EP’s will work in junior schools or high school and teach students aged between 6-18 years
Job Description 2
EP’s will prepare 6 different presentations all based on aspects of the EP’s culture from their home country e.g. cuisine, education, attractions etc. EP’s will present these presentations to the students
Job Description 3
EP’s will also be invited to share aspects of their culture by bringing food, souvenirs, traditional clothing items from their home country. EP’s are will welcome to brainstorm and think of new way for how to share their culture as-well
Job Description 4
EP’s will design English lessons with the help of the students teachers. EP’s will then present these lessons (literacy or conversational lessons) to the students. EP’s will need to create an open environment where each student feels comfortable speaking English
Job Description 5
EP’s will need to make a report about their experience during their exchange project: This could include written report, testimony of their days work, video of their classroom experience, a blog of their exchange
Measurable Results Expected It is expected that after the project, students will be more comfortable from the EP with the English language. Students should also have learnt more about the EP’s home country and culture and should have greater cultural awareness
“Camp and Conference” Exchange Participants (EP’s) will create and deliver sessions for a summer camp for Taiwanese for children aged 11-13 years. EP’s will work with 5-15 other EP’s in preparing and presenting the sessions. The aim of the summer camp is to empower Taiwanese children to be the change they want to see in the world. Benefits: Personal Workspace Accommodation Provided Some meals provided Close contact with Host Local Committee Chance to impact a students life! Run sessions in a summer camp! Duration: 6 weeks Issue: Cultural Understanding
Watch an Exchange Participant experience in Taiwan HERE!
Learning Points: Develop practical facilitation skills Develop team management and presentation skills Work in a multicultural team of 5-15 other EP’s from around the world! Explore Taiwanese culture! Share your own culture
“Camp and Conference”- Job Description Job Description 1
EP’s will work with 5-15 other EP’s from around the world
Job Description 2
EP’s will be working at a summer camp
Job Description 3
EP’s will prepare sessions based around empowerment (in groups with the other EP’s) and will present these sessions during the summer camp for Taiwanese children aged 11-13 years
Job Description 4
EP’s will also be invited to share aspects of their culture by bringing food, souvenirs, traditional clothing items from their home country. EP’s will be required to be part of a Global Village where they will set up a stall filled with items that represent their culture and share this with Taiwanese youth
Job Description 5
EP’s will need to make a report about their experience during their exchange project: This could include written report, testimony of their days work, video of their classroom experience, a blog of their exchange, Facebook photo’s etc.
Job Description 6
There will be reflection time for EP’s to think about possibly a change they want to make back in their own home country, after participating in this exchange project
Measurable Results Expected from the EP
It is expected that after the project, students will have a greater sense of empowerment and realise that although they are only one person, they can make a change in the world. Students should also have a greater understanding of other cultures and the world around them
Star Kost Story
Star Kost, AIESEC Curtin AIESEC Taiwan NTPU “Each and every host family that I have been apart of have treated me like one of their own children. I feel so blessed and loved from each and everyone and has this really enhanced my AIESEC experience. They go out of their way to help me experience true Taiwanese culture and I can't thank them enough for each and every opportunity they provide me!�
Priscilla Woo Story
Priscilla Woo, AIESEC Monash One Child, One Change, AIESEC NTPU, Taiwan "Going on exchange was initially quite daunting because I had never travelled solo before. However, all the challenges that I came across during my 6 week stay in Taiwan, not only made me more adaptable to change but also enhanced my independence. Everything I have learnt from this experience has definitely been something far beyond the teachings of your average classroom. Aside from feeling I have grown as a person, I was also able to gain a greater appreciation for various cultures and a new and enlightening perspective on my life in Australia. Memories ranging from our daily adventures exploring Taiwan, to even activities as small as all of us EP’s sprinting for the bus almost every morning in attempt to arrive at uni on time! Everything about my AIESEC exchange definitely went far above and beyond my expectations!"
…Interested in going on Exchange to Taiwan? …Interested in Applying for any of these Projects? APPLY NOW , book a time for your interview with an AIESEC officer in your campus and get ready to go on Exchange this Winter
CLICK HERE!