Expect Excellence | Joining Taipei American School | SY2024-25

Joining Taipei American School

JOINING TAIPEI AMERICAN SCHOOL

OUR MISSION

Taipei American School’s mission is to cultivate an enduring commitment to learning, personal well-being, and service.

We provide a broad American-based education with a global perspective that develops students of character who are committed to making the world a better place.

台北美國學校的使命是培養熱愛學習、 ⾝⼼健康，並對社會服務充滿熱情的下⼀代。

我們提供具有全球觀點的多元化美式教育， 以此培養出品格健全，並⽴志為改善世界 作出貢獻的學⽣。

OUR SCHOOLWIDE LEARNING OUTCOMES

AtTAS,westrivetobe...

CriticalandCreativeThinkerswho...

Demonstratecuriosityabouttheworld,askquestions,andseekoutnewinformationand perspectives

Identifyandunderstandproblems,breakingthemdownintosmallercomponentsto developpossiblesolutions.

Analyzeandsynthesizeinformationfrommultiplereliablesources,evaluateevidence,and makeinformeddecisions.

Generateideas,products,andexperiencesthatdemonstrateinnovation.

Self-DirectedLearnerswho...

Takeinitiativeandproactivelyseekopportunitiesforself-growthanddevelopment. Designaplantoaccomplishgoalsbasedonpriorities.

Utilizetime,manageworkload,andcompletetasksefficientlywithgreaterindependence. Demonstratepersistenceandresilienceusingavarietyofstrategies.

CollaborativeCommunicatorswho...

Listenactively,consideringdifferentperspectives,ideas,andvalues

Articulateideasclearlyandeffectivelytodiverseaudiencesthroughoral,written,digital, andcreativeexpression

Recognize,understand,regulate,andskillfullyexpressindividualemotions,aswellas respondwithempathytotheemotionsofothers.

Takeresponsibilityforachievingcommongoalsthroughteamworkandshared contributions.

Well-BalancedIndividualswho...

Prioritizeself-care,implementstrategiestomanagestress,anddevelopresilienceto achieveoverallwell-being

Adapttochangingcircumstances,embracenewideasandopportunities,andlearn fromexperience

Maintainahealthybalancebetweenacademicdemands,physicalactivity,personal relationships,digitalexperiences,andinterests

Cultivateasenseofbelongingforoneselfandothers

Globally-MindedContributorswho...

Recognize,understand,andreflectonhowone’sownidentitiesshapeperspectives, biases,andinteractionswithothers

Understandandrespectdiversecultures,customs,andbeliefs

Criticallyresearchinformationonlocalandglobalissuesandtakeactiontopositively impactindividuals,communities,andtheenvironment

Advocateforinclusivepracticesthatadvancediversity,equity,andbelonging

Becoming a Member of the TAS Faculty

Taipei American School

is a large, exciting, learning organization located in a culturally-rich area of the world.

We seek to hire exemplary teachers who are excited by the TAS mission, have expertise in their teaching areas, and have a passion and enthusiasm for students and their success.

Thank you for your interest in becoming a TAS faculty member. We are proud of our school and what our educational programs offer to students Every overseas school is unique, and ours is no exception. Our signature within the international school community is the strength of our students, faculty, staff, facilities, and academic program, which includes an extensive robotics, speech and debate program, as well as a robust fine and performing arts program. We aim to develop the whole child and foster in our students a commitment to learning, personal well-being, and service to others. Around 2380 students from 35 countries attend Enrollment in the Lower School is around 910, the Middle School is at 620 and the Upper School is currently around 850. TAS students are supported by around 700 dedicated professionals including faculty and support staff We are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

This booklet is designed to provide information about the School’s organization, general living and working conditions, personnel policies, and all relevant matters that affect faculty employed by Taipei American School. While every effort has been made to ensure that the contents are comprehensive and meaningful, there always will be certain situations where additional explanation or advice is necessary. Please do not hesitate to contact the Human Resources (HR) office if you have any further questions

Contact Us

Human Resources Office Taipei

American School 800

Zhongshan N. Rd., Section 6 Taipei 11152 Taiwan ROC

Phone: 886-2-7750-9900 ext. 309

Fax: 886-2-2873-1641

Email: recruitment@tas.edu.tw Web: www.tas.edu.tw

Welcome from TAS Head of School David Frankenberg

Welcome to Taipei American School’s faculty recruitment booklet, a window into the dynamic, mission-driven community that defines Taipei American School. We’re looking forward to sharing more about how our mission and values come to life in each day of teaching and learning.

As the 17th Head of School at Taipei American School, I am

honored to lead this incredible institution. Each day, I am filled with pride in what has been achieved in this storied institution’s 75 years of existence. And, I am also filled with excitement as I look at our ambitious vision for where the school and its learning program is heading. As you consider the next step for your careers and your families, I hope you are inspired by the mission, values, and Schoolwide Learning Outcomes that guide us here at TAS.

At TAS, we are deeply committed to providing the best of an Americanbased education in an international community, enriched by a global perspective. Our students come from diverse backgrounds multilingual, multicultural, and multi-ethnic and together, we strive to develop both their character and their commitment to making the world a better place

Our mission comes to life through our enduring commitment to its three pillars: learning, personal well-being, and service. These areas of focus form the foundation of the TAS experience, and underpin our Schoolwide Learning Outcomes, the shared goals for each of our graduates As you learn more about our School, I hope you can see yourself working alongside us as we prepare our students to succeed academically and personally, beyond their time at TAS.

As you consider joining us as an educator, and perhaps as a parent, I am confident that you will find a welcoming and supportive community here. The journey you are about to embark on is not just about finding a new job but about becoming part of a community committed to continuous, lifelong learning. TAS is exactly that type of community.

I encourage you to explore this booklet, visit our website, and get to know our social media channels to develop your understanding of who we are and who we want to become, both as educational practitioners and as an organization.

With warmest regards,

David Frankenberg Head of School

Introduction to Taiwan

Taiwan (the Republic of China) is an island nation located sixty miles off the southeastern coast of mainland China (the People’s Republic of China). It is equal in size to the area of Massachusetts and Connecticut combined, or about half the size of Ireland. Its population exceeds 23 million people, making it among the most densely populated countries in the world

The island of Taiwan is lush and beautiful, with many opportunities for travel, hiking, and photography. In many areas, indigenous tribes may still be found Just outside the city of Taipei, simple village life in fishing and farming communities exists.

Taiwan’s climate is subtropical In the north, summer temperatures often reach the mid to low 90s ºF (33-35 ºC) during the day and remain in the low 80s ºF (27-29 ºC) at night. During the months of December and January the daily highs are 65-75 ºF (18-24 ºC) and lows are 50-65 ºF (10-18 ºC) Cooler temperatures are recorded in the mountains Relative humidity is high throughout the year, ranging between 65 and 90%, which makes the chill seem deeper and the heat stronger.

An average of six typhoons (tropical storms) reach Taiwan each year, usually between the months of July to November. The effect of these storms on community life varies with the severity of the storm Businesses and schools (including ours) are occasionally shut down for typhoon weather.

Three principal groups of people live in Taiwan: migrants from southern China in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries; members of the nationalist government, military, business community and their dependents who fled to Taiwan from mainland China in 1949; and a small number of indigenous people. Foreign residents make up about 2% of the population

Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, is located at the northern tip of the feather-shaped island. It is a modern city of more than 26 million people The city retains much of the cultural environment of ancient China but also is representative of new and more western ways of life. People are friendly, helpful, and industrious; most Taiwanese speak at least some English. On public transportation and in most places in the city, signs are in both Mandarin and English. Taiwanese and Chinese art forms of all kinds can be enjoyed. Many popular cultural events and festivals are also held throughout the year. Planned tours of the city and the island are readily available Taipei restaurants offer every type of superb Taiwanese and Chinese cuisine, as well as dishes from other world cuisines.

Taipei is located about 1,300 miles southwest of Tokyo, 425 miles south of Shanghai, and 700 miles north of Manila. The island of Taiwan is mountainous and is bordered by the Taiwan Strait, the East China Sea, the Philippine Sea, the Pacific Ocean, and the South China Sea.

“Taiwan ranks 1st out of 59 destinations for the third year in a row in the Expat Insider 2021 survey It also comes first in the Quality of Life and Working Abroad Indices”

Introduction to Taipei American School

Founded in 1949, Taipei American School is an independent coeducational day school that offers an American-based educational program from pre-kindergarten (KA) to Grade 12 for students from the expatriate community in Taipei

TAS benefits from the synergy created by an outstanding faculty and staff, students who are ready to learn, supportive and committed parents, and a Board of Directors that keeps student learning at the center of its discussions. While TAS is a large school, we work together to intentionally create a community where every student, employee, and parent, feels that they belong

TAS has been fully accredited by WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) since 1972. Recent WASC visiting committees have noted that the School’s “commitment to continuous improvement is evident through its systematic approach to curriculum development, faculty training, evaluation and growth, and the integration of social-emotional skills within the educational framework”

They also noted that TAS has prioritized the integration of personal wellbeing into its curriculum, acknowledging its pivotal role in nurturing well-rounded individuals. This work is supported by “a clear definition of personal wellbeing has been established at TAS, emphasizing mental, physical, social, and emotional health fostering purpose, growth, and belonging”

The School occupies a campus of 65 hectares (approximately 15 acres) The campus is wireless to service our IT needs as a one-to-one laptop school in the Lower School Grades 3-5, as well as the Middle and Upper Schools. The TAS campus features approximately 250 classrooms, including many science, robotics, and computer labs. The campus also features a four-story library/IT/media complex, music and art facilities, three dance studios, and three theaters Sports facilities include three gyms, covered and outdoor tennis courts, a track, two playing fields with artificial turf, and a 25-meter indoor swimming pool The cafeteria, pizza bar, Snack Bar, and Fitness Cafe serve nearly 3,000 patrons per day.

TAS is a highly innovative and dynamic school, as evidenced by the many building projects which have been completed to support our students’ growth and learning An entirely new Upper School Building opened in 2012 and features state-of-the-art science and robotics labs, new classrooms equipped with cutting-edge technology, and a lecture hall A new Arts Center Commons and Tiger Health and Wellness Center opened in 2013, and most recently, an entire building, the Tech Cube facility, entirely dedicated to KA-12 STEAM education opened for learning in 2018

Each division is led by a principal and two associate principals The School is incorporated in Delaware as the Taipei American School Foundation. It is led by an administrative team led by the Head of School and governed by the TAS Board of Directors. The TAS Board is a hybrid board consisting of up to 14 members: 9 elected board members and 5 appointed board members, including one appointed representative from AIT Elected Board members are current TAS parents and serve for three-year terms Appointed Board members serve for four-year terms All Board members are volunteers and serve without compensation.

Belonging at TAS: Our Community’s Commitment

The School is committed to further develop belonging at every level, including a key understanding of and skills for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). Like all fields of education, learning about DEIB is a lifelong journey Our Belonging and DEIB journey includes faculty and staff trainings centered on the Learning for Justice Social Justice Standards

The Schoolwide DEIB Committee works to further objectives and action items from the TAS Strategic Plan, while guiding the continuous improvement of the well-being programming at TAS The committee is comprised of employees, and administrators, with previous support from parents and alumni

A group of employees collectively authored what has now been adopted by Taipei American School as a community-wide commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging This statement, listed below, helps to anchor community-wide learning and actions around diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

AFocusonEnduring PersonalWell-being

TAS DEIB Community Commitment

As a community of students, parents, families, faculty, administration, staff, board members, and alumni, we will foster a culture of belonging, equity, diversity, and inclusion that embodies anti-bias action and accountability. We commit ourselves and our peers to live the TAS values and to do the work necessary to maintain an inclusive, diverse, and welcoming environment for all We will continue to question and challenge our own biases and privileges and use our experiences to empower our community

Taipei American School’s mission includes the cultivation of an enduring commitment to learning, personal well- being, and service. Well-being is an essential focus of continual growth for students and employees at TAS We believe that if students and employees can understand and find their balance of school and well-being, it will enhance their performance in academics and work, respectively

For physical and emotional wellness, employees are encouraged to use the Tiger Health and Wellness Center and the swimming pools at designated times for lap swimming The school has an occupational nurse to assist with injuries that occur during work hours

TAS covers six sessions at the Community Center, a local English- and Mandarin-speaking counseling service, for an employee’s life at TAS. TAS has also partnered with a bilingual Employee Assistance Program that provides, healthcare, mental health, work-life balance, financial, legal, interpersonal, and relationship support

For students’ physical and emotional wellness, there are 14 mental health and well-being professionals, six nurses, three athletic trainers, and support staff.

Safeguarding Our Students

STUDENT

SAFETY IS OUR NUMBERONE PRIORITY.

We believe that a supportive, safe, and caring environment is a foundation that all our students deserve, a foundation which forms the bedrock of our school’s mission: to cultivate an enduring commitment to learning, personal well-being, and service. In partnership with all members of our school community, we are committed to upholding and modeling moral and ethical behavior in accordance with the TAS values: honesty, respect, responsibility, kindness, and courage

The components of our safeguarding practice are guided by the Taipei American School child protection policy, which is derived from the child protection laws of Taiwan and best practices from the United States and Taiwan, along with guidance from safeguarding experts TAS employees who suspect child abuse or neglect must report it immediately to their supervisor, counselor, or divisional principal Following the chain of command, the divisional principal must be notified of concerns and report them immediately to the head of school and to the chief operating officer.

Safeguarding Components

Safe hiring practices including reference and background checks for employees, contract staff and on-campus vendors as well as a refreshed background check every three school years;

Annual training for employees, contract staff, and on-campus vendors;

Clear protocols for reporting;

Access-controlled campus with visitor protocol;

Annual review of the child protection policy

Academic Program

“Every school claims to put students first; TAS really does. Everything else here flows from that fact.”

-Upper School Teacher

Curriculum

Taipei American School offers an American-based education with a global perspective that includes honors, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate courses. Students can earn an IB Diploma in addition to an American diploma TAS is known for its rigorous academic program, strong learning outcomes, extensive menu of cocurricular activities, rich history of community service to Taiwan and wider Asia, and exceptional fine arts and performing arts programs.

Our curricular program is based on subject area standards and benchmarks from the United States Teachers use common assessments and instructional strategies based on research about how students learn within any subject area The overarching goal of our written curriculum is to provide a guaranteed and viable curriculum without sacrificing teacher flexibility or creativity.

Since many of our students are multilingual and multicultural, we place a special emphasis on English development At each division, special attention is given to developing communication skills; these include oral language skills through drama, public speaking, and other opportunities for vocal expression.

In addition, many of our students have a special interest in and excel in science, technology, and mathematics Curricular programs and offerings in these areas are designed to take advantage of a myriad of talents and interests The Tech Cube and Upper School Building further enable TAS to offer new and exciting learning opportunities for students both within the school setting and in the greater Taipei area.

All curricular areas are systematically reviewed through a comprehensive process Teachers new to TAS will find ample resources available to teach the adopted curriculum

Multilingual Learners (MLLs)

In the Lower and Middle Schools, our MLL programs help students who need extra support with English language acquisition and accessing the curriculum Students are provided with a continuum of services, supported both by trained MLL teachers and classroom educators.

Our MLL department is dedicated to fostering a language-additive curriculum that empowers multilingual learners and supports their academic growth across all subjects. We prioritize close collaboration with homeroom teachers through co-planning, coteaching, and co-reflecting to ensure that language development is an integrated part of classroom learning As a WIDA school, we use the WIDA 2020 Standards Framework to guide our planning and instructional approaches

Our team is committed to advocating for best practices that integrate explicit language instruction with content learning, enabling all teachers to view themselves as language teachers We work to ensure that each multilingual learner receives language support aligned with their English language development needs, creating an inclusive environment where every student has access to meaningful language instruction

Student Support Services

There are counselors in each division who assist students with social concerns and support social emotional learning(SEL). TAS also provides services with specially trained academic support teachers for students with mild learning differences Our professional support services team consists of psychologists, speech and language pathologists, and academic support teachers In the Upper School, students also work with a specialized college counselor starting in January of the eleventh grade.

Assessment

The assessment program at TAS is designed to provide rich information about the progress of each student. Data from the results of academic testing are used as an important measure of student learning.

To realize a full picture of student achievement, we use assessments to monitor student progress Every grade level and subject area has assessments that measure student achievement of the curriculum All teachers use these common assessments

Students in Grades 5 and 8 take subtests from the Comprehensive Testing Program. At the upper school level, all students in grades 10 take the PSAT; then most students take the ACT or the SAT Given our diversity of student abilities, it is interesting to note that our students, with few exceptions, consistently perform at or above the independent private school norm group in all areas. In addition, our students consistently score above the world average in the vast majority of the AP and IB exams that they take.

College Matriculation

By Region 2022-2024

InstitutionswhereTASgraduatesfromtheClassesof2022-2024enrolled Boldfacedprint indicatesinstitutionsattendedbygraduatesfromtheClassof2024

United States

AmherstCollege

BabsonCollege

BarnardCollege

BerkleeCollegeofMusic

BostonCollege

BostonUniversity

BrandeisUniversity

BrighamYoungUniversity

BrownUniversity

CaliforniaInstituteofTechnology

CaliforniaLutheranUniversity

CaliforniaPolytechnicStateUniversity,Pomona

CaliforniaPolytechnicStateUniversity,SanLuis Obispo

CaliforniaStateUniversity,LongBeach

CaliforniaStateUniversity,Sacramento

CarnegieMellonUniversity

CaseWesternReserveUniversity

ChapmanUniversity

ClaremontMcKennaCollege

ColoradoCollege

ColumbiaUniversity

CornellUniversity

DavidsonCollege

DenisonUniversity

DePaulUniversity

DrexelUniversity

DukeUniversity

EastmanSchoolofMusicoftheUofRochester

EmersonCollege

EmoryUniversity

FordhamUniversity

Franklin&MarshallCollege

GeorgeMasonUniversity

GeorgeWashingtonUniversity

GeorgetownUniversity

GeorgiaInstituteofTechnology

GonzagaUniversity

GoucherCollege

HarvardUniversity

HarveyMuddCollege

HopeCollege

HowardUniversity

IndianaUniversityBloomington

JamesMadisonUniversity

JohnsHopkinsUniversity

KennesawStateUniversity

Lewis&ClarkCollege

LindenwoodUniversity

LoyolaMarymountUniversity

MacalesterCollege

MassachusettsCollegeofArtandDesign

MtSanAntonioCollege

NewYorkUniversity

NortheasternUniversity

NorthernArizonaUniversity

NorthwesternUniversity

OccidentalCollege

PaceUniversity

PeabodyInstituteofTheJohnsHopkinsUniversity

PennsylvaniaStateUniversity,UniversityPark

PepperdineUniversity

PitzerCollege

PomonaCollege

PrattInstitute

PrincetonUniversity

PurdueUniversity

ReedCollege

RensselaerPolytechnicInstitute

RhodeIslandSchoolofDesign

RiceUniversity

RochesterInstituteofTechnology

RutgersUniversity-NewBrunswick

SantaClaraUniversity

SavannahCollegeofArtandDesign

SchooloftheArtInstituteofChicago

SeattleUniversity

SouthernNewHampshireUniversity

StanfordUniversity

StevensInstituteofTechnology

StonyBrookUniversity

SyracuseUniversity

TexasA&MUniversity

TheNewSchool

TheUniversityofTexasatAustin

TuftsUniversity

UnitedStatesNavalAcademy

UniversityofArizona UniversityofArkansas UniversityofCalifornia,Berkeley UniversityofCalifornia,Davis UniversityofCalifornia,Irvine UniversityofCalifornia,LosAngeles UniversityofCalifornia,Riverside UniversityofCalifornia,SanDiego UniversityofCalifornia,SantaBarbara UniversityofCalifornia,SantaCruz UniversityofChicago UniversityofDelaware UniversityofFlorida UniversityofIllinoisatUrbanaChampaign UniversityofMaryland UniversityofMassachusetts,Amherst UniversityofMichiganAnnArbor UniversityofNorthCarolinaatChapelHill UniversityofNotreDame UniversityofOregon UniversityofPennsylvania UniversityofRochester UniversityofSanDiego UniversityofSanFrancisco UniversityofSouthernCalifornia UniversityofthePacific UniversityofVirginia UniversityofWashington UniversityofWisconsin,Madison UtahStateUniversity VillanovaUniversity

VirginiaMilitaryInstitute

VirginiaPolytechnicInstituteandState University

WellesleyCollege

WentworthInstituteofTechnology

YaleUniversity

Australia & New Zealand

AustralianNationalUniversity

MonashUniversity

TheUniversityofSydney

TheUniversityofWesternAustralia UniversityofNewSouthWales UniversityofQueensland

Asia

CityUniversityofHongKong

EcoleHotelieredeLausanne

FranklinUniversitySwitzerland

HongKongUniversityofScienceandTechnology InternationalChristianUniversity

KAIST-KoreaAdvancedInstituteofScience& Technology

KoreaUniversity

NationalTaiwanUniversity

NationalUniversityofSingapore

SophiaUniversity

TamkangUniversity

WasedaUniversity

Canada

CarletonUniversity

ConcordiaUniversity

McGillUniversity

NovaScotiaCollegeofArt&Design

Queen'sUniversity

SheridanCollege

SimonFraserUniversity

TheUniversityofBritishColumbia,Vancouver

TorontoMetropolitanUniversity UniversityofCalgary UniversityofGuelph UniversityofOttawa UniversityofToronto WesternUniversity

YorkUniversity

Europe & the UK

AmsterdamUniversityofAppliedSciences Anglo-AmericanUniversityinPrague CharlesUniversity

ImperialCollegeLondon

King'sCollegeLondon

LondonSchoolofEconomicsandPoliticalScience LoughboroughUniversity

MaastrichtUniversity

NHLUniversityofAppliedSciences

RadboudUniversity

RotterdamSchoolofManagement,Erasmus University

TheAmericanUniversityofParis UniversityCollegeLondon UniversityCollegeUtrecht UniversityofAmsterdam UniversityofEastAnglia UniversityofEdinburgh UniversityofManchester

UniversityofOxford

UniversityofStAndrews UniversityofWarwick

Information Technology & STEAM Learning

Taipei American School views information technology as a powerful tool to support and enrich teaching and learning. We believe the use of technology should be woven seamlessly into education, supporting and enhancing the curriculum across disciplines, and facilitating collaboration, innovation, expression, and exploration.

WE STRIVE TO:

Reflect best practices in education and engage students through active learning

Accommodate diverse learning styles and provide opportunities for choice, individualized learning experiences, and inquiry

Foster a safe environment and guide students to make moral and ethical choices

Connect students, faculty, administrators, parents, and the greater community

Challenge students to become adaptable problem solvers and lifelong learners in pursuit of personal achievement and excellence

Encourage a technological landscape that is equitable, accessible, and inclusive

Our philosophy is realized through a technology-rich environment. We are primarily a Windows-based school, and all faculty members are equipped with a tablet PC. Lower School homeroom teachers also receive an iPad. In Kindergarten – Grade 2, students make use of 1:1 classroom iPads, while students in Grades 3-9 participate in a 1:1 laptop program, and students in Grades 10-12 are BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)

Beyond individual devices, there are additional iPads for student use in a variety of spaces across the school, including the Tech Cube, Joanna Nichols Memorial Libraries, KA, upper elementary, art, music, and Mandarin.

Each classroom is equipped with a digital projector, sound system, and either an interactive whiteboard or display. Middle and lower school classrooms (as well as upper school classrooms when requested) are equipped with a document camera

We have a dedicated video studio, videoediting suite, and graphics studio with 3D printing and scanning facilities that provide students with extended learning and exploration opportunities. For activities that require high-end performance, such as robotics CAD design, music production, film editing, and 3D modeling, students also have access to top-of-the-line desktop machines in several spaces throughout campus.

Regarding software, faculty and students have access to an array of services and subscriptions Most of our work occurs in Seesaw (Lower School), Canvas (Middle and Upper School), Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and PowerSchool We are also exploring AI-powered tools to further personalize learning and streamline administrative processes.

To assist with seamless and meaningful tech integration, faculty members are supported by a team of Technology and Design coaches, technical support personnel, and professional development opportunities.

Libraries and Information Literacy

Joanna Nichols Memorial Libraries

The Joanna Nichols Memorial Libraries at Taipei American School are four state-of-the-art, well-resourced libraries that are staffed by professionals. Faculty, staff, and students have access to the Upper School Library, the Middle School Library, the Lower School Library

along with the KA-12 Chinese Library As a school committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, the collections mirror the diversity of our community and while celebrating and affirming the humanity of all cultures and backgrounds. The Upper School Library has one of the largest adult English print and e-book collections in Taiwan with more than 22,000 English titles as well as an extensive collection of eresources including hundreds of electronic newspapers, thousands of academic journals, popular magazines and other research databases Faculty often use the Upper School Library college-level online resources for their own professional development as well as for the courses that they teach at TAS. The Lower School Library has more than 18,000 books, and both faculty and children enjoy taking the picture books home for family reading time Faculty may use the services from any four of the TAS libraries

The Lower School library has colorful, differentiated spaces for early childhood (KA-2) and elementary (3-5) and houses a strong, up-to-date collection of print and electronic books, audiobooks, and databases. Students are encouraged to use library resources for both reading enjoyment and informational needs, and the space accommodates small and large groups The instruction of information literacy skills is integrated into relevant units of study throughout the curriculum Find out more at https:/lslib.tas.edu.tw/

Lower School Library Middle School Library

The Middle School library provides a friendly, comfortable atmosphere with plenty of differentiated learning spaces to accommodate the diverse learning styles and developmental needs of our students. Like all TAS libraries, it is wireless and designed to accommodate multiple classes and individuals for research, study, and casual reading. The library includes a performance area for both sharing learning and for library instruction, as well as open shelves for easy access to materials The library collection is rich in both print and electronic resources, which paired with knowledgeable and friendly staff makes the library a welcoming place for students, parents, and faculty alike. Find out more at https:/mslib.tas.edu.tw/

Upper School Library

The Upper School library offers study space, research instruction, and fosters a love of reading and lifelong learning for the entire TAS community through its services, materials, and programs It provides robust print and digital collections to support high school and college-level research and a wide range of nonfiction and fiction books and ebooks to meet the reading interests of Upper School students and faculty Two accredited librarians provide personalized appointments, answer questions from students and faculty, and collaborate with faculty on specific library instruction for coursework. The library features several technologically advanced spaces, including classroom areas, reservable group study rooms, lounge spaces, and a large silent study room Find out more at https://uslib.tas.edu.tw/

Chinese Library

The Chinese library supports Mandarin language instruction for Grades K-12 The collection includes print and electronic resources for all levels of language ability and instruction, and the librarian works closely with the Mandarin teachers to support classroom work and a love of literature. TAS is proud to include a dedicated library facility for Mandarin language and cultural understanding which honors and reflects our host country, Taiwan, and Chinese culture Find out more at https:/chlib.tas.edu.tw/

Three Divisions, One School

Lower School

“For two decades, TAS has been my professional home. It is an exceptional school whose history is rich with remarkable people, amazing stories, and lasting memories. There’s no place I’d rather be.”

-Lower School Administrator

“TAS always cheers me up on a bad day and makes me feel happy. The campus is great and the teacher makes us feel at home. That’s why TAS is an awesome school!”

-Lower School Student

The curriculum and instruction at the Lower School feature many materials and approaches found in the highest-quality elementary schools in the United States and worldwide

All subjects are based on standards from the USA as 85% of our Lower School students have a first language other than English Literacy development is a top priority in all subject areas. All grade levels use the workshop approach for teaching and there is a special emphasis on building student confidence in communication, particularly in oral language skills

Creating positive, inclusive classroom communities and balancing Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) with academics are key priorities Our school integrates the RULER framework and the Responsive Classroom approach throughout the day, bridging character education, wellness, and academic rigor. RULER equips students with tools to recognize, understand, label, express, and regulate their emotions, fostering respectful, kind, and positive interactions that address both socialemotional and academic growth.

Class sizes in the Lower School are tailored to the developmental needs of each grade level, providing optimal learning environments. Approximate class sizes are as follows: 16 students in Kindergarten A and Kindergarten, 18 in Grade 1, 20 in Grade 2, and 22 in Grades 3 through 5. Each classroom is supported by both a lead teacher and a teaching assistant, ensuring individualized attention and support for all students.

The Lower School operates with a schedule featuring a ten-day cycle The schedule ensures large blocks of uninterrupted instructional time at all grade levels Classroom teachers are with students for approximately 45 hours per day. Students attend the following specials during the ten-day cycle: physical education, music, art, STEAM, and library Students in Grades 3-5 have additional music activity classes In addition, kindergarten through grade five students attend Mandarin class nine days out of ten Instructional technology is integrated into content area class work and is planned and taught cooperatively by the Technology and Design Coaches and classroom teachers

Our teachers are committed to student-centered coaching and have access to robust professional development opportunities We seek educators who model positive character, have a passion for teaching, are dedicated to continuous improvement, demonstrate proactive problemsolving, and embody joyful learning.

Middle School

“I like TAS because everything around us is so incredible and the people here are so welcoming and really allow you to just be yourself. There will be everlasting friendships made out of this and I’m so glad that we all get to share in this and be a part of it. “

-Middle School Student

The Middle School program is designed around the natural enthusiasm of students. We strike a balance between the socialemotional well-being of adolescents and the academic vigor that is delivered by our middle school experts The goal is to prepare our students not just for upper school but for whatever comes next by helping them become more independent, adaptable, and resilient, both as learners and as people

TAS is a close-knit community of learners. The day intentionally begins with students in their homerooms, small groups of 10- 12 students with one teacher, all building positive relationships and discussing meaningful topics around wellness We want our students to benefit from individualized instruction, and our faculty is attuned to the unique developmental needs of students of this age Homeroom teachers at each grade level work as a team under the guidance and supervision of the team leaders and counselors. We want our students to have thoroughly enjoyed the learning process and to be proud of their hard work

The academic program is designed to expand our students’ horizons All our courses challenge them to make the critical links between subject areas Along with core classes in English, history, and science, we offer two levels of math in each grade to meet all student needs, as well as multiple levels of Mandarin, Spanish, and Latin/Greek We also offer students new challenges through experiential settings such as our week-long 4-day camp experiences in the fall.

Middle school clubs are all sponsored by middle school teachers and include over 20 different activities that allow students to explore their interests in such things as musicals, MathCounts, Model UN, and VEX EDR

Many of these clubs include traveling for competitions With four seasons of after school athletic teams to choose from as well, our students have innumerable opportunities to learn, grow and shine.

Our electives program offers a further mix of classes such as drama, debate, art, STEAM, and robotics. In addition, all students participate in a performing arts and visual arts classes during each year of middle school Our after school co-curricular program includes a vast array of additional activities.

“After spending years teaching in a very good independent school in the U.S., I felt I had been lucky to work with the very best students you could find. What a pleasant surprise I found at TAS. My previous students were great, but TAS students are a true delight!

-Middle School Teacher

Upper School

“The students here make me want to show up early and stay late. They are friendly, fun, funny, respectful, incredibly hard working, smart, insightful, energetic, and willing to enthusiastically tackle whatever learning task you ask of them. If you truly like spending your days interacting with kids, TAS is a marvelous experience.”

-Upper School Teacher

The Upper School offers a dynamic collegepreparatory curriculum that prepares students for success in college admissions, college academics, and college life; there is an expectation that their preparation will also serve them well throughout their life

The Upper School offers a wide array of courses and students are encouraged to take an appropriately challenging program in g y y

A TAS graduate should have mastered the fundamental skills of accurate and deep reading and of writing and speaking with clarity and cogency. Our students learn to use the tools of mathematical and logical reasoning to solve practical problems They become skilled researchers, familiar with developing information technology, and readily able to embrace new areas of knowledge.

Sharing Student Progress

In the Lower School, parent/teacher conferences are held during the first and third quarters. Lower school students receive a digital standards-based report in the second and fourth quarters. This digital report features grade level exemplars and current student work.

Middle school students receive a quarterly grade report card, a narrative mid-year progress report, and an end-of-year narrative report from their homeroom teachers. In addition, parent conferences are held after the first and third quarters

Upper school students and parents have electronic access to quarterly grades through PowerSchool. Parent conferences are held at the end of the first and third quarters. In addition, some narrative midterm written reports are required. Timely and professional communication with parents is an important expectation Ultimately, parents are our partners in educating students, and our teachers and administrators ensure that they are kept abreast of their child’s progress.

Professional Pathways & Evaluation

TAS offers a wide variety of professional development opportunities for faculty

Each year, opportunities are provided to help faculty implement divisional and/or school-wide initiatives. In addition, options for personal professional development, intended to keep faculty members current in their fields of expertise, are available. In addition to encouraging and supporting teachers in attending relevant conferences and workshops off campus, TAS offers a rich variety of on-site consultants who support divisional and school- wide initiatives.

Professional development days are intentionally placed throughout the TAS school calendar, with some days at the beginning of the school year to allow new and returning teachers to prepare for the coming year During the remaining days that are spread throughout the year, we take time to come together as a faculty to work on divisional and schoolwide goals

Every year there are action items on the strategic plan or related to other divisional initiatives that call for professional development Individuals, teams or departments might be asked to take part in targeted professional development to enhance their capacity to implement or further initiatives Some of those initiatives involve travel to nearby conferences or training sessions; others bring experts right to our campus

Finally, where appropriate, teachers will be supported in receiving relevant professional workshops that clearly and directly support their work at TAS For example, teachers new to the program have received training by the College Board or the International Baccalaureate to better support the success of students enrolled in those courses and programs. All such professional development must be approved and supported by divisional leadership and approved by the PD Approval Committee If the option exists, teachers are often encouraged to take advantage of summer months and online offerings for more intensive professional development opportunities

Supervision and Evaluation

All students deserve great teachers. The TAS teacher supervision and evaluation process represents a belief that all teachers deserve feedback to help them become more effective Six performance standards outline our beliefs about effective teaching. They define specific teaching behaviors based on research and current practice that influence student achievement Similar standards for specified position such as counselor, speech and language specialist, librarians, and support services teachers have also been developed

The supervision and evaluation process includes two tracks, one for teachers new to TAS and one for continuing teachers The new teacher track recognizes that teachers adjusting to TAS and to life in Taiwan face a variety of issues that relate to both their professional and personal lives This track is designed to provide an appropriate level of support for new teachers, but not to overwhelm them, particularly during their first semester. Thus, all new teachers can expect a round of observations and feedback from the appropriate divisional supervisor within the first two months of the start of the new school year The

The TAS Standards for Effective Teaching

Performance Standard 1: Professional Knowledge

The teachers demonstrate an understanding of the curriculum, subject content, and the developmental needs of students by providing relevant learning experiences.

Performance Standard 2: Instructional Planning

The teacher plans using the TAS standards, the school’s curriculum, data, engaging and appropriate strategies, and resources to meet the needs of all students

Performance Standard 3: Instructional Delivery

The teacher uses a variety of research-based, developmentally appropriate instructional strategies relevant to the content area to engage students in active learning, to promote key skills, and to meet individual learning needs

Performance Standard 4: Assessment of and for Learning

The teacher systematically gathers, analyzes, and uses relevant data to measure student progress, guide instructional content and delivery methods, and provide timely feedback to students, parents, and stakeholders

Performance Standard 5: Learning Environment

The teacher uses resources, routines, and procedures to provide a respectful, positive, safe, student-centered environment that is conducive to learning

Performance Standard 6: Professionalism

The teacher maintains a commitment to professional ethics, collaborates and communicates appropriately, and takes responsibility for personal professional growth that results in the enhancement of student learning.

Continuous School Improvement

TAS has a system of ongoing school improvement guided by our Strategic Plan The Strategic Plan guides all that we do in terms of programming, budgeting, and resource allocation. It was developed through an inclusive process that involved input from all stakeholders. There are five strategic areas in the Plan. Find out more at https://www.tas.edu.tw/about/strategic-plan

Campus & Facilities

Applying to TAS & Personnel Policies

Employment at Taipei American School is based on qualifications and meeting the job requirements regardless of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, mental or physical disability, political belief or affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, any other class of individuals protected, or other legally-protected characteristic. All qualified applicants, including those who identify as a part of marginalized group(s) and individuals with disabilities are all encouraged to apply.

Applications from qualified teachers are accepted at any time, but off-island applications are best made between September and December. At TAS and many other independent schools, recruiting has become a year-round process. Teacher candidates can go to the TAS online recruiting application platform on the TAS website to make the application submission. Personal interviews are required and the appointment preference will be given to personnel with significant academic background in the subject, significant experience in the field, valid teaching certification for the position to which they are assigned

Hiring Guidelines

All candidates must have an undergraduate degree

Transcripts are reviewed for breadth and depth of courses taken, as well as scholarship

Preference is given to those with advanced degrees, at least two years of experience in an accredited elementary or secondary school, and experience in teaching the specific subject area for which they are applying

The following academic training is preferred:

Lower School: A teaching degree with a breadth of knowledge across all subject areas and either early childhood or elementary education certification.

Middle School: A major in the subject area to be taught. Experience in middle school is preferred Certification desirable

Upper School: A major with breadth and depth in the subject to be taught. A postgraduate degree in the subject area is preferred

The following may also be considered when reviewing applicants:

Demonstrates superior knowledge of the subject area and can teach the subject at an appropriate level

Demonstrates a history of high expectations for academic achievement of students and motivates all children to high personal achievement

Demonstrates an understanding of and ability to work with a substantial number of limited English proficiency students in the regular classroom. Communicates effectively and positively with team members as well as with parents in the community.

citizens, the School carries a group health, disability and fixed-term life insurance plan (CIGNA/MetLife) and pays the premium for all those enrolled in individual or family plans; new employees and their authorized dependents are covered under the School’s CIGNA/MetLife insurance plan from the effective starting date of their contracts. Faculty who are ROC nationals are covered by the School’s policy with Shin Kong Group Insurance for health and fixed term life insurance coverage and MetLife Insurance for disability coverage.

All TAS employees are required to participate in Taiwan’s National Health Insurance (NHI). When non-ROC employees receive their Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) cards, TAS automatically will enroll them in the NHI Nonworking spouses and other dependents can apply for NHI coverage after they receive their ARC With NHI, you may visit any clinic or hospital of your choice within the NHI network providers There is a co-payment of NT$150-750 (US$525) for each visit. You may need to pay extra for prescription medications. Dental care is also available through NHI The employee’s portion of the charge for NHI is deducted from your monthly salary; the premium is based on your salary and the number of dependents that are covered

Orientation

Orientation for all new professional staff is held during the week before school starts New direct-off-island hired personnel are expected to arrive in Taipei two weeks before the orientation.

Occupational Health, Safety, & Physical Exam

Taipei American School has appointed Health and Safety personnel who are responsible to oversee and conduct the required measures and provisions of the occupational health and safety plan.

Taipei American School has established Health and Safety Work Rules to prevent workplace accidents; to protect the health and safety of all employees; to ensure normal operations within the workplace; and to maintain a healthy and safe work environment.

Taipei American School provides health examination benefits for all new employees upon employment, and annual preventive health examinations for returning employees A new employee is required to provide a health examination report before the commencement of contract. Returning employees are required to provide a health examination report per the required timeline as stated in the Regulations of the Labor Health Protection in Taiwan

Employee health examination reports should be submitted to HR in a sealed confidential envelope that is only for Occupational Nurse Office’s evaluation for employee health management and record filing.

Taipei American School does not pay the teacher portion of placement fees from recruitment agencies.

Salary Retirement Plan

Participation in a Taipei American School retirement plan is mandatory for eligible employees Taipei American School contributes a fixed percentage (currently 10%) of the contract base salary for the months in which salary is paid

All salaries are paid in New Taiwanese Dollars NT$ Taiwan’s currency. The NT$ is easily convertible into US dollars and other major currencies. Faculty may opt for ten (10) equal monthly payments from August through May or twelve (12) equal monthly payments from July through June of each year Once a payment option is selected, it cannot be changed during that school year. Administrators are paid in twelve equal monthly payments from July through June of each year

During new faculty orientation, faculty will set up a local bank account at Mega International Bank of Taiwan. Pay is deposited directly into this account on the last workday of every month with the exception of August and December. The August paycheck is moved up to assist faculty with start- of-the-year expenses The December paycheck is moved up to the day before winter break to provide teachers with additional flexibility over the holiday period ATMs are located at the School and throughout the city.

Recognizing that many faculty members have overseas US$ obligations, TAS has set up an option for faculty to peg 50% of their base salary to the value of the NT$ in US$ as of the first business day of July Faculty who peg can count on a fixed number of US$ each month (converted to NT$ in each month’s paycheck) and can protect themselves from currency devaluations The pegged amount and the other 50% of base salary are all paid in NT$.

Taipei American School professional salaries are organized on a three-level, twelve-step system. Initial placement on the salary scale is based on educational degrees and years of experience

The level is determined by the highest completed degree. Alternatively, sufficient graduate-level coursework (applicable to an MA degree or higher) earned after completion of a BA or MA may be used for placement.

Placement on Level 1 (BA) of the salary schedule requires a bachelor’s degree.

Placement on Level 2 (BA+50) requires a master’s degree or the equivalent of 50 semester credit hours of graduate work earned after the completion of the bachelor’s degree

Placement on Level 3 (MA+40) requires a doctorate or the equivalent of 40 semester credit hours of graduate work earned after the completion of the master’s degree.

The initial step is determined by the number of years of previous full-time experience teaching in an elementary or secondary school. The maximum step for a new teacher is step 6 (five years previous experience) Teachers move up one step each year they are at TAS, until reaching the top step.

Placement on the salary scale is made by the human resources director after verification of course work and previous experience. If courses are finished during the summer or additional documentation arrives after contracts are issued, all required evidence to support placement on the salary schedule (transcripts, verification of experience, certification, etc) must be submitted to the human resources office by October 30 of the contract year; otherwise salary payments may be withheld and shall not warrant retroactive pay. No other salary adjustments will be made after October 30

Social Security

For all U.S. citizens, FICA tax is withheld at the current rate from all wages. The School contributes a matching amount, not to exceed the federal maximum.

Work Permits, Entry Visas, & Alien Resident Certificates

All off-island-hired non-ROC faculty members need to have a work permit to teach at Taipei American School Once a contract is signed and the Safe Recruiting Practices and Background Check requirements are completed, the HR office will secure a work permit for the employee and send it to them.

This work permit, along with passports and the required fees (in cash), must be taken to the nearest Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) where the employee and approved dependents must submit applications for resident visas.

With these resident visas, employees and authorized dependents can enter Taiwan legally for an extended stay as per their employment terms

Once new employees arrive at the School, the HR office helps them and their authorized dependents to obtain Alien Resident Certificates (ARCs).

The HR office processes all necessary documentation and assists nonROC citizens with the necessary formalities At the conclusion of the initial contract and every year after that, the HR Office obtains new work permits for returning faculty and assists them and their authorized dependents to renew their ARC cards

Other Benefits

Supplements

Supplements are paid to direct off-island-hired employees for the purpose of moving to and establishing a residence in Taiwan as a condition of employment at Taipei American School When teaching couples are hired, only one set of supplements is applicable per family, and the first authorized dependent is the spouse An American member of a teaching couple receiving the supplements is liable for American tax on them. Supplements include Livelihood Supplement, Settling-In Supplement, Relocation Allowances, and Travel upon Employment and Separation.

1. Livelihood Supplement

In addition to salary, direct off-island-hired employees are paid a livelihood supplement This is intended to assist with the expenses of living in Taiwan (such as rent, utilities, and holiday travel). In their first year, new teachers are advanced part of their livelihood supplement upon arrival to help defray expenses such as large appliances or payment of rent deposits; the balance is then paid in equal monthly installments in monthly paychecks. In subsequent years, the livelihood supplement is divided into either ten or twelve equal monthly installments as per the salary payment option selected.

2. Settling-In Supplement

A one-time settling-in supplement is paid to new employees upon arrival in Taiwan. This supplement is intended to help defray the costs of hotels upon arrival and of setting up your apartment or house

3. Relocation Allowance

Incoming Relocation Allowance:

TAS will pay a relocation allowance towards the shipment of personal effects into Taiwan at the beginning of a Direct Off-Island Hired employee’s initial contract The amount of the allowance paid by TAS is determined by the employee’s Home of Record locations. The relocation allowance is a taxable benefit, which might be subject to income and payroll taxes depending on the employee’s citizenship.

Outgoing Relocation Allowance:

TAS will pay a relocation allowance towards the shipment of personal effects out of Taiwan at the end of a Direct Off-Island Hired employee’s final contract The amount of the allowance paid by TAS is determined by the employee’s Home of Record locations The relocation allowance is a taxable benefit, which might be subject to income and payroll taxes depending on the employee’s citizenship

4. Travel Upon Employment and Separation

Upon employment, the School will provide qualified direct off-island-hired employees with an authorized amount to cover economy airfare for themselves and authorized dependents between their home of record and Taiwan. In the event the employee wishes to fly a different airline or a different class or a different route, only amounts up to what was authorized by the School can be reimbursed Upon arrival, the School must be provided with travel payment receipts, ticket stubs, and boarding passes in order for the employee to qualify for reimbursement

Upon separation, qualified direct off-island-hired teachers and their authorized dependents will be provided an authorized amount for return economy travel to their home of record.

Reimbursement for Passports, Visas, & Inoculations

Costs incurred for inoculations, passports, and visas that are specifically required for travel to Taiwan or return to an employee’s home of record will be reimbursed upon presentation of receipts to the human resources office

Tax Exemption from ROC

Off-island-hired faculty members who do not hold any of the following valid ROC nationality/citizenship status (ROC household registration, ROC ID Card, ROC passport, ROC nationality) are exempt from ROC tax on income received from TAS

Tuition and Transportation of Dependents

Tuition and school bus transportation will be provided for each authorized dependent child who attends Taipei American School.

Supplies

Teachers can order normal classroom consumables through department or team budgets from the School’s supply warehouse. Special supplies textbooks, trade books, software, and AV materials are ordered annually from the United States.

Housing

“Human Resources, veteran staff, and departing staff went above and beyond in helping us to transition to life in Taiwan.

From finding apartments and childcare, to answering transportation and weather questions, they really made every adjustment simple and seamless.”

-Faculty Couple

Housing

Housing in Tianmu within walking distance of the School rents for NT$40,000 to NT$90,000 (US$1,500 to US$3,000) per month for a three-bedroom/or four-bedroom apartment (unfurnished or partially furnished), excluding monthly building fees and utilities Some completely furnished apartments are available, but expect to pay 10%- 15% more.

Sizes are small according to US standards Typical apartments have a living room, a large bedroom with a small bath, two small bedrooms, a second bathroom, and a tiny kitchen. Many apartments include extras such as a washing machine, a twoburner range, or air conditioners in all rooms. Storage and closet space may be limited. You may find yourself putting a refrigerator in your living room; space for a dryer is problematic in many apartments

There are vacancies in the neighborhoods surrounding the School; apartments come with a wide range of views, shopping access, parking arrangements, balconies, fixtures, etc. You will have plenty of options. There are numerous rental agencies to help you find an apartment that suits your needs

Most landlords are happy to rent their apartments to foreign teachers The price that an agent proposes usually is not final Some apartments are shown to many customers and the price starts high and tends to decrease when more people turn it down Besides negotiating the rent, you can ask for new paint, new fixtures, an extra air conditioner, etc Be polite but clear as you bargain.

Consider what you think is important to you before looking kitchen, view, elevator, shopping access, etc. Most people view at least ten places for comparison before choosing. If you really like a place, don’t hesitate it might be gone the next day Many new expatriates will be looking at the same time.

Upon arrival, new teachers will have access to a substantial part of their livelihood supplement Landlords usually ask for a one or two-month refundable rental deposit upon lease signing. TAS recommends all new teachers initially sign no more than a one-year lease. Check every detail before signing a lease Are the toilets and faucets functioning? Are there signs of previous leakage? Are there many cockroaches? Is there power everywhere? Are all the lights working? It is best to make a list and check it carefully before signing a lease.

Some faculty members choose to live outside Tianmu and to use public transportation or their own vehicles to get to school. Outside Tianmu, rental prices are cheaper, but you are farther away from the School and some western goods and services. If you use a car for transportation, be prepared for heavy traffic. Some teachers own scooters, but riding scooters in Taipei traffic can be dangerous and accidents are common.

The housing agent who finds you a place will normally charge one month’s or half of a month’s rent for their fee. After you sign a contract, most agents will be glad to render you many services at no charge These include getting a phone line or cable TV connected, contacting and negotiating with the landlord on maintenance, showing you the most important places in the area, providing information, or translating Chinese documents Do not hesitate to use their services.

What to Bring to Taiwan & What to Expect

The essential ingredient in making a move to this new country is a positive, anticipatory attitude. A spirit of adventure willingness to explore, interest in studying the uniqueness of Taiwan, openness to differences, a sense of humor—will serve you well.

Before coming to Taiwan, you will have many questions about what to expect, what to bring, and what to leave behind With the exception of larger- sized adult clothing, larger shoes, and some of your favorite food items, you can essentially purchase everything you need or want in Taipei. As we all know, it is not possible to be “fully prepared.” Regardless of choices, there will be items you will wish you had brought and items you could have left behind. If you can include what you value most and don’t want to be without, you will be in good shape The rest you can, quite happily, improvise or simply live without. We trust your time in Taiwan will be an enriching experience of living and growing in the context of another culture. We look forward to the addition of your special personality to our international Taipei American School community.

Electrical Appliances

Electricity is expensive in Taiwan. The voltage is 110, and U.S.-made appliances work without problems.

Air Conditioners and Fans

Most people have air conditioning New and used units, including Taiwanese and imported brands, are available locally. Many apartments come with air conditioners already installed Ceiling and portable fans are available Because AC is used extensively in the summer, electric bills can run as high as NT$6,000 to NT$10,000 (US$200 to US$350) per month depending on apartment size and numbers of AC units in use The desirability of reversecycle air conditioners is debatable. They are useful but expensive to run.

Cable TV

Most households in Taiwan have cable TV. The cost is about NT$600 (US$20) per month Services vary, sometimes from month to month, but generally you can get AXN, CNN, BBC, Discovery, HBO, Cinemax, Warner TV, HGTV and some other channels Parents will want to monitor their children’s viewing because some channels have objectionable content. Online video streaming services are available in Taiwan including Netflix, HBO Go, and Amazon Prime Video but with a varying selection of channels and content compared to other countries.

Clothing Washers and Dryers

New and used US-made washers and dryers are available locally, but they are more expensive than in the USA. Locally made washers and dryers are usually quite small. GE, Whirlpool, Maytag, and Kenmore are widely sold here and are more easily serviced If you purchase a new machine to bring here, it is advisable to get a stackable type to best use the limited space in apartments. Many people, especially those with families, feel a dryer is a must due to the high humidity in Taipei. Self-service laundry is also available around the Tianmu area.

Heaters and Dehumidifiers

It is damp here and cold during the winter months Houses and apartments are not insulated. You may require heat. Electric heaters as well as kerosene or oil-filled heaters with fans are available Clay convection electric heaters are excellent and are also available. Dehumidifiers are an effective means of combating moisture and mildew problems. Most families will include a dehumidifier in their shipping or purchase one soon after arriving

Ranges and Ovens

A limited variety of new and used U.S. units are available. Gas cooking is more common and cheaper than electric; either bottled or local city gas is used Most Taiwanese do not bake, so ovens are in limited supply Locally, twoburner hot plates are popular. A broiler oven or microwave might be a nice option to consider because of the heat in Taiwan Shipping a stove is not recommended. You can easily purchase a gas oven but they tend to be smaller in size than what many people may be used to having

Refrigerators

New and used US-made refrigerators are available Variety is good though cost is somewhat higher than in the U.S. Locally-made refrigerators are available but typically are smaller than US models

Small Appliances

Toaster/broiler ovens, microwaves, mixers, blenders, electric fry pans, popcorn poppers, electric blankets, radios, hair dryers, and vacuum cleaners and bags are all available in Taipei at reasonable prices Often, controls are only in Chinese or Japanese, and you may need to get help from Mandarin-speaking colleagues to know how to operate them. Regarding radios, while there are English-speaking AM/FM radio stations that provide world news and music, it’s wort noting that the trend of listening to battery-operated radios during power outages, especially during typhoons, is still relevant Occasional electrical outages can occur during severe weather events, so having a battery backup for your radio is advisable

Stereo, TV, and Video Equipment

These items are available at a reasonable cost in Taiwan, but the selection is limited to items with mostly Chinese controls.

Household Goods

Bedding

Prices in Taiwan have been coming down in recent years and the availability of western goods continues to expand. If, however, you find bargains in your home country or want a particular brand or model, it is advisable to make your purchases there and include them in your shipment.

US-made mattresses and box springs are available in Taiwan though more expensive than in the U.S. Local beds are good, but tend to be firm; you should note that U.S. king-sized beds are larger than a Taiwanese king. Imported bed and bath linens are available but expensive Local bedding is available at reasonable prices; however, sizes tend to run smaller than in the U.S. Flat sheets can be hard to find because stores tend to sell sets with fitted sheets, pillow cases, and comforter covers. Because of our cold, damp winters, you may want to include an electric blanket or at least warm blankets or comforters Towels, pillows, sheets, comforters, and blankets are available locally. You will want to bring along some sheets and towels in your luggage or purchase them in your first few days, as your shipment probably will not be here when you first arrive.

Furniture

Rattan furniture and custom-made upholstered furniture are readily available. IKEA and other large stores offer a good selection of midline western furniture at prices somewhat higher than the U.S. Large selections of rosewood and teakwood furniture are available at a much higher cost Upholstering can be done.

Kitchen Utensils and Dinnerware

Kitchen utensils, cookware, glasses, dinnerware, stainless steel flatware, storage containers, dish drainers, and cutting boards of US and European quality and variety are available. Locally made kitchen and dinnerware are of decent quality and relatively inexpensive.

Rugs

Most apartments are not carpeted A large variety of area rugs are available Prices depend on size and quality. Wall-to-wall carpeting also is available at a reasonable price

Children’s Clothing

A wide variety in every price range can be found here in Taiwan Children’s clothing is plentiful and inexpensive. Children wear t-shirts and shorts to school as weather permits Bring pajama sleepers with feet, if desired

Clothing and Personal Care

Footwear

It is recommended that you bring at least one pair of walking shoes that are comfortable and tested by time for use when you first get here Sandals are good for summer and early fall Warm house slippers for winter and waterproof boots for the rainy season are good choices Tennis, jogging, and walking shoes are readily available, though brand names are more expensive Men’s and women’s larger size dress shoes are somewhat more difficult to find.

Jewelry

The high sulfur content in the air in Taipei tarnishes silver very quickly Some people cope with this with frequent polishing and using plastic bags for storage.

Lingerie, Hosiery, Swimsuits

These items are all available though it can be difficult to find larger sizes. You may want to bring knee-highs with you Bring support hose and special surgical stockings if required.

Personal Care Items

Imported personal care and cosmetic items, including such basics as sunblock, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, shaving creams, and tampons are all readily available in area grocery and drug stores. Prices in large discount stores are fairly reasonable You may want to bring along your favorite skin care products, as many Taiwanese women prefer those that whiten their complexions. Hair color kits, if you use them, should be shipped, although you can find salons in the Tianmu area and downtown that provide professional hair-coloring services

Rain Gear

Come prepared for rain! Bring all-weather coats, rain jackets, ponchos, boots, and any rain gear you choose to wear. Umbrellas (for the rain and for UV protection) are inexpensive and readily available here

Summer Clothing

It is advisable to bring linen, cotton and/or cotton-blend clothing. Shorts for men and women are generally acceptable casual wear You may want to consider bringing clothing with built-in UV protection.

Winter Clothing

Taiwan’s climate is subtropical, but it still gets relatively cold here. Bring winter clothes and outerwear! There is no central heating in most homes If dampness and cold affect you adversely, you may want to bring wool socks and/or thermal underwear. A variety of sweaters, jackets, and sweat suits are available locally in a variety of sizes and prices

Shopping

Local Markets

Taipei abounds with high-energy, people-packed local markets. Some sell vegetables, fruit, prepared dishes, clothing, housewares, and other basics, while others specialize in antiques, jade, fabric, or flowers. Visiting markets is a popular activity and bargains can be found

Grocery Stores

Tianmu and the surrounding areas have several options for groceries, including 24-hour Carrefour Markets, higher-end Japanese style markets, shops specializing in western brands, as well as internationally known distributors like Costco and Ikea

Stores and Restaurants in Taipei You May Recognize

Stores

7-Eleven

Adidas

Apple Store

AVEDA Salons

Birkenstocks

Carrefour

Costco

H&M

IKEA

Levi’s Store

Lululemon

Nike Store

Panasonic

Rockport Shoes

Watsons

ZARA

Restaurants

Auntie Anne’s

Chili’s Grill and Bar

Domino’s Pizza

Gordon Biersch

Hooters

Jamba Juice

Kentucky Fried Chicken

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

McDonald’s

Pizza Hut

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse

Starbucks

Subway

Texas Roadhouse

Banks, Debit Cards & Credit Cards

The School will help you establish an account with Mega Bank, a local Taiwanese bank with ATMs at school and throughout Taipei Mega offers debit cards, accounts, currency exchange, wire transfers, and other services to teachers; bank officials visit

the School daily so wire transfers can be transacted easily Many teachers choose to keep accounts open in their own countries and move money between the two Mega offers online banking in English

Debit cards for your Mega Bank account can be used at many stores as well as at Mega Bank ATMs; in addition, you can make up to seven cash withdrawals a month from non-Mega ATMs without any fees. Faculty use debit cards or cash to pay for most of their daily expenses and to pay their utility bills Banks do not offer checks, and some foreigners moving to Taiwan take a while to adjust.

It is advisable to bring at least one valid credit card with you from abroad; you may want to research cards that charge minimal or no transaction fees for use outside of your home country In Taiwan, credit cards can be hard for foreigners to obtain; however, TAS can assist you to secure a no-fee Mega Bank credit card, which may prove useful as a backup for charging travel and other expenses in Taiwan.

Books

You may want to bring a supply of pleasure-reading materials with you If you like to purchase your own books, there are several bookstores near the School with English materials. Best sellers and travel books are readily available. Books do tend to be expensive, though occasionally editions are cheaper here in

Taiwan. The school libraries are extensive and available to faculty members; in addition, faculty members share their books in an informal lending library in the faculty lounge

Dining

Taiwan is renowned all over Asia for its delicious food Most of the world’s favorite foodstuffs and beverages are available here. In addition to Chinese and Taiwanese foods, you can find American hamburgers, juicy prime rib steaks, Italian pizza and pasta, fresh Japanese sashimi, Mediterranean hummus and shaved lamb,

German pig knuckles and sauerkraut, spicy Korean kimchi, Swiss fondue, Thai curry, chocolate, and much more at various restaurants and markets Taiwanese seafood restaurants, hot pot restaurants, and bubble tea shops are plentiful and popular. There are also bars, outdoor beer gardens, beer houses, and traditional British and Irish pubs to quench your thirst after a busy day

Domestic Help

An “amah” will clean, cook, and babysit, as the job requires. The day wage for a day-amah who lives in her own home is about NT$2,000-NT$3,000 (US$ 65-$100) per day. Monthly wages for an English speaking amah who lives in your home range from NT$30,000 to NT$40,000 (US$1,000-1,350) Monthly wages for an amah who provides significant child care (10 hours a day) and does some cleaning and cooking (and who does not live in your home) range from NT$40,000 to NT$50,000 (US$1,350-$1,670). Wages may vary as job expectations and English proficiency requirements can differ.

Driver’s Licenses

An international driver’s license, along with a license from your home country, will assist you in being able to drive in ROC. Both are required for renting a car. To drive a motorcycle you must have a motorcycle license; you need either 1) a motorcycle license from your home country, plus an international motorcycle license, plus an ROC permit or 2) a motorcycle license from ROC (issued after a written test and a driving test). To drive a car in ROC, you must apply for a ROC permit to drive a car (or very small scooter) with your international license There are some variations in requirements depending on reciprocity between your home country or state and Taiwan Check with the HR Office for more information and the latest government regulations on driving permits before you come to Taiwan.

Home Internet

All TAS faculty members must maintain broadband access to the Internet in their apartments in Taipei, so that they can use the School’s online classroom software. A high-speed connection is recommended If the connection is not already available in your apartment, your real estate agent can help you set up the service.

Fuel for stoves and hot water heaters is usually natural gas or bottled gas. Normal use will cost about NT$800 to NT$1,000 (US$25 to US$35) per month Electricity costs vary substantially, but it is expensive. City water is about NT$600 to NT$1000 (US$20 to US$35) per month Bottled water is readily available; faculty can arrange for delivery of 20-liter bottles to their apartments. High-quality water filters can also be found locally.

Often your phone line comes with the rental of your flat. A new telephone line may be purchased for about NT$2,000 (US$65) International direct- dial costs are reasonable, and international phone calling cards can be purchased easily. Increasingly faculty use Skype, LINE, WhatsApp, or Facebook Messenger to stay in touch with family and friends

Once you have established a residence and collected a set of utility bills, you can arrange for automatic deduction from your bank account. Alternatively, bills can be paid at local convenience stores such as 7-Eleven and Family Mart.

Learning Chinese

Taiwan is an ideal place to learn Chinese, also called Mandarin, Huayu, Guoyu, Hanyu, Putonghua, and Zhongwen in Chinesespeaking communities around the world. Over the new teacher orientation, TAS provides survival Mandarin sessions for incoming teachers and families to get to know the Chinese. It’s a great way to start your Chinese lessons There are also around 60 local governmentapproved language learning centers for you to continue your learning

Mobile Phones

The three main cell phone carriers in Taiwan are Chunghwa, Taiwan Mobile, and Far Eastone. Service contracts and pay-asyou-go services are both available. Each carrier has specific requirements for getting service, but all require that you have an ARC card Some faculty choose to use their own phones from other countries

Local Transportation

City buses run on many routes and are inexpensive (NT$15 or US$.50); the MRT (subway) is another convenient and inexpensive way to get around the city. Both can be crowded during rush hours. Taxis are plentiful and available at the wave of a hand; the meter

starts at NT$70 (US$2.33), and a trip downtown from Tianmu usually costs less than NT$350 (US$13)

Cars and fuel are expensive, though some bargains can be found by purchasing second-hand automobiles. Many people recommend that you consider living without a car and renting when necessary. Parking in Taipei is extremely limited. There is an extensive waiting list for space in the School’s parking garage

Bringing Pets to Taiwan

Bringing pets to Taiwan involves strict regulations enforced by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency Current requirements as of November 2024:

Import regulations:

Taiwan mandates specific protocols for importing cats and dogs All pets must be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies, with vaccinations administered at least 180 days before entry A Rabies Neutralizing Antibody Titer Test (RNATT) is also required

Quarantine Period:

Pets entering Taiwan may be subject to a minimum 7-day quarantine, though some pets may qualify for exemptions depending on their health documentation and testing results

Blood Sample Requirement:

A blood sample for the RNATT must be collected at least 90 days prior to shipment. For those planning to enter Taiwan around July, it’s advisable to have the blood sample taken by December to meet the necessary timelines This may allow for a waiver of the 7-day quarantine requirement, subject to the most current regulations

Documentation:

A veterinary health certificate must be obtained within 10 days before departure, attested by the relevant authorities in your home country

Planning for Transport:

Prospective pet owners should arrange transport well in advance, as airline policies regarding pet travel can frequently change. Some airlines have specific regulations about whether pets can travel in the cabin

For the latest information and specific guidelines, you can refer to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection agency official website: www.aphia.gov.tw/en/. Moreover, please check with HR Office for assistance with pet import permits and quarantine procedures if you intend to bring your pet(s) to Taiwan

Religious and Recreation Facilities

There are English-speaking religious congregations of many affiliations throughout Taipei For those who like physical exercise, TAS opens its pool for faculty, and the Tiger Health and Wellness Center is available and equipped with state-of-the-art exercise

equipment. There are also avid groups of cyclists who tour the surrounding area, as well as school-sponsored volleyball, basketball, tennis, golf, and other sporting activities. If you prefer not to sweat while you socialize, there are a changing variety of options available such as book clubs, tap dancing, and Chinese cooking.

One can also find a diverse array of fitness facilities in the Tianmu neighborhood such as health clubs, pilates and yoga studios, and community exercise equipment in many public parks

American and international clubs in Taipei offer dining and recreational facilities (tennis, bowling, swimming, and organized programs) for all age groups. The American Club Taipei has a special membership fee for TAS faculty

The Taipei Youth Program Association (TYPA) provides organized sports, crafts, and other activities for children grades K-12 TYPA also coordinates Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

Vacation Planning

While living in Taiwan, travel reservations should be made well in advance to assure confirmation of requested bookings. Teachers make their own travel arrangements through local travel agents or through online sources. Returning TAS teachers are delighted to share information about travel in Taiwan and in the region.

Helpful Acronyms

ACC American Club Taipei

AIT American Institute in Taiwan

ARC Alien Resident Certificate

CSC Community Services Center

ICRT International Community Radio of Taiwan

NT$ New Taiwanese Dollar

ROC Republic of China

TAS Taipei American School

TECO Taipei Economic and Cultural Office

TPE Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport

TYPA Taipei Youth Program Association

If you are interested in knowing more information with regard to living in Taiwan and local resources, you may visit the following websites: Taiwan Tourism Board https://engtaiwannettw/ Life of Taiwan

http://lifeoftaiwancom/ Community Services Center in Taipei

http://wwwcommunitycenterorgtw/ Foreigners in Taiwan

http://wwwforeignersintaiwancom/ Taiwanese Secrets https://wwwtaiwanese-secretscom/

“Taiwan an island of tranquility in a sea of troubles,” Taiwan News

https://wwwtaiwannewscomtw/en/news/3690458

“The 9 Things Expats Love Most About Taiwan,” Culture Trip https://theculturetripcom/asia/taiwan/ articles/the-9-thingsexpats-love-most- about-taiwan/

Regional Map with Flight Times

#Taiwanderland

#TASSpotlight

Follow us on social media to find out more about what makes our faculty and staff so unique.

Learning to Appreciate a Modern Miracle: Taiwan

Reprinted with permission by William

Stanton, Taiwan News

It is not surprising that many, perhaps most, people around the world do not know about Taiwan After all, China -- with the support of more and more countries -- has isolated Taiwan diplomatically for more than forty years, and recently China has been campaigning to eliminate even the name of Taiwan as a global destination. Following the demise of Mao Zedong, China increasingly prospered and attracted business people, tourists, and students from around the world, who too often have bypassed Taiwan Once, for example, almost everyone wishing to learn Mandarin came to Taiwan, but most now go to China

What is more surprising, however, is that many Taiwanese themselves do not sufficiently appreciate their own country Taiwanese often ask me with a puzzled look, why I live in Taiwan Over time, I have come to believe this reflects both a native modesty, but also perhaps a misperception of Taiwan’s place in the world, a lack of knowledge of the extraordinary accomplishments of their own country, and to some extent therefore a lack of confidence in Taiwan. Such attitudes need to change

TAIWAN IS A MIDDLE POWER

As Professor Bruce Jacobs, the leading Australian expert on Taiwan, first argued, Taiwan is a “Middle Power” in the world. As a country with some 23.5 million people, Taiwan has in fact more people than 77% of the world’s countries and territories, according to the CIA’s World Factbook (WF). Although Taiwan’s land area is relatively small, it is still larger than 46% of the world’s nations and territories. Taiwan’s economic strength also ranks it as a “Middle Power.” Although under the influence of China, the World Bank states “Taiwan, China, is not listed as a separate country for World Development Indicators,” we know from other sources that, according to 2017 estimates, Taiwan ranked 22nd in the world in total GDP in Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) terms. In per capita GDP (PPP) which many economists regard as a better measure of an economy’s strength Taiwan ranked 28th in the world, better than Australia (29), Canada (34), the UK (39), France (40), Japan (42), South Korea (46), Israel (55), and China (105) (WF).

TAIWAN’S GREAT ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS SUCCESS

Taiwan’s other economic rankings are equally, if not more impressive As of October 2018, Taiwan was the 11th largest U.S. trading partner (U.S. Census Bureau) In the Heritage Foundation’s Index of Economic Freedom for 2019, Taiwan ranked 10th out of 186 countries, ahead of Germany (25), South Korea (27) Japan (30), Israel (31), France (71), and China (110) In the Global Economic Forum Competitiveness Report for 2018-19, Taiwan ranked 13th, ahead of Australia (14), South Korea (15), France (17), Israel (20), and China (28). In the World Bank’s 2019 “Ease of Doing Business” rankings, “Taipei, China” earned 13th place, ahead of Australia (18), Canada (22), Germany (24), France (32), Netherlands (36), Japan (39), and China (46)

Although Taiwanese often complain about their country’s wealth gap, Taiwan’s GINI Index (which measures the gap between the rich and the poor) indicates it actually ranks in the top third of countries with the smallest gaps. Out of 156 countries and territories ranked in the WF, Lesotho and South Africa are in 1st and 2nd place respectively with the greatest gaps, but other places not doing well either are Hong Kong (9), China (31), Malaysia (32), Singapore (38), and the US (41) Taiwan, however, ranks in 112th place

TAIWAN IS ALSO A LEADER IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION

The U.S. Patent and Trade Office (USPTO) reports that Taiwan ranked 5th in the world in 2015 and 2016 and 6th in the world in 2017 and 2018 in the number of patents granted by the USPTO. Only the U.S., Japan, South Korea, and Germany, and more recently China, surpassed Taiwan. This is all the more remarkable considering Taiwan’s much smaller population.

Taiwan is also a world leader in new technologies like nanotechnology It ranked 4th in 2016 and in 5th in the world in 2017 (the last year for which statistics have been published) in USPTO nanotechnology patents According to Taiwan Today on February 16, 2019, Taiwan maintained its global lead in integrated circuit 200mm- equivalent wafer fab capacity for the 4th consecutive year Based on a report by the semiconductor research firm IC Insights Inc., as of December 2018, Taiwan enjoyed a global share of 21.8%, ahead of South Korea (213%), Japan (168%), North America (12.8%), and China (12.5%).

Taipei itself ranked 1st in Asia and 5th among the world’s most technologically advanced 85 cities, according to a study commissioned by Business Insider published on Aug 8, 2017 based on such factors as the number of patents filed per capita, number of startups, and the level of smartphone use. Taipei, the only Asian city in the top 5, led other cities in industrial design, hardware, the number of headquarters of some of the largest PC companies, and the number of venture capitalists.

Aside from its many excellent universities, Taiwan has also scored 4th is the world in science and math in the influential “Program for International Student Assessment” test rankings in 2015 The exams, run by the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development, are given every three years to 15year-olds in more than 70 countries

FREE, DEMOCRATIC, AND HAPPY….

Economic and technological achievements are not, however, the only reasons why Taiwan is such a great success and such a great place to live. Taiwan is also a vibrant democracy, where freedom, rule of law, and human rights are all fostered and protected. This is something which the U.S. officials who negotiated establishing relations with the PRC never foresaw

In fact, while the seeds of democracy were always here, Taiwan’s transition to democracy really only took 10 years from 1986 to 1996 an amazingly quick transition. It is hardly surprising therefore that since 1996 Taiwan’s democracy has only grown stronger In Freedom House’s 2018 survey of global freedom, Taiwan ranked tied for 8th place in freedom out of 210 countries in the world. Embarrassingly enough, the United States only ranked tied for 15th place. Taiwan’s aggregate freedom score was 93 out of 100; the US 86; Hong Kong 59; and the PRC 14.

Freedom indeed plays a key role in the quality of life in Taiwan. In the annual, originally UN-initiated World Happiness Report for 2018, Taiwan ranked 1st in Asia in “happiness,” ahead of Singapore (34), Japan (54), South Korea (57), Hong Kong (76), and China (86), and ranked 26th in the world overall among 156 countries and territories The six key variables on which the rankings are based are those found to support a sense of well-being: freedom to make life choices, i i i l ( i d h i i

...AND VERY FRIENDLY

While Taiwanese generally appreciate the benefits their country affords them whether virtually free health care, free or very inexpensive education, convenient transportation, accessible cities, excellent restaurants, wonderful cultural opportunities, and great scenery they don’t always appreciate how attractive life in Taiwan also is to foreigners But there is considerable evidence that foreigners really like Taiwan as well.

Among all the countries in the world where expatriates live, Taiwan Ranked 1st in 2016, 4th in 2017, and 2nd in 2018 in the online “InterNations Expat Insider” survey of “Best Countries for Expats” In 2018 Taipei also ranked 1st in the quality of urban living, and also scored in the top five for all indices in InterNations expat city ranking. The report highly praised Taipei, saying that no expats in the other ranked cities were as satisfied with the availability, affordability, and quality of medical care, as well as local transportation and personal safety (Numbeo’s Crime Index for 2019, based on online surveys, similarly ranked Taiwan as the 4th safest country in the world, after Qatar, Japan and the United Arab Emirates)

The InterNations survey also gave Taipei a 1st place ranking in 2018 for the general friendliness of the Taiwanese and their positive attitude toward foreign residents. An overwhelming 94% highly rated the general friendliness of locals in Taipei Likewise, customers of Bookingcom one of the largest ecommerce travel companies selected Taiwan as the 5th most friendly country in the world in 2018.

As the Taiwanese people consider the future of their country, it is necessary that they appreciate and value the extraordinary success they have already achieved.

It is also necessary that those who are too willing to dismiss Taiwan as a country worth helping to support and defend also understand Taiwan’s unique achievements

William A. Stanton has served since 2017 at National Taiwan University (NTU) as a Professor at the Center for General Education and subsequently also as the Chief Advisor to NTU’s International College Provisional Office. Dr. Stanton previously worked for four years as the founding Director of the Center for Asia Policy at National Tsing Hua University (NTHU). From October 2014 through January 2016, he was also NTHU’s Senior Vice President for Global Affairs Dr Stanton previously served for 34 years as a US diplomat His final posting was as Director of the American Institute in Taiwan (2009-2012).