A year ago I moved halfway around the world and was anxiously waiting the start of school. What I anticipated and what I found were fairly close, although I did harbor some misconceptions. I'm curious to know what others' misconceptions were.


I'll start with one of mine: I thought it would be challenging to meet people outside of school, and understand the community around me. It took a little initiative, but it has been easier than I anticipated.

What didn't pan out to be quite what you expected?

Like to travel: I totally agree with you and your assessment of Taiwan. I also think that there's much to be discovered here. My husband and I just got back from spending much of the summer roadtripping here armed with only a map and a smattering of Chinese. No problems, and it seems that people everywhere we went bent over backwards to help out. I feel much safer here than back home in the US. I've been able to save a bunch too. Oh for full disclosure I should mention that someone stole the light off my bicycle when I left it at the train station over night.

Congratulations on your job! Mexico is fascinating. When thinking about the safety aspect, keep in mind that many, many people live and travel there with no problems at all. When I was there in January, there was an increased police presence in Mexico City compared to my last visit a couple of years ago. Yes, there are horrific deaths recorded in the newspapers (and you'll get to see all the goriness on the front pages of the papers as you pass newstands) but staying out of the drug trade will keep you out of the worst of the threat.

In Mexico, you'll have access to some of the best museums in the world, a good public transport (the buses to other cities are much nicer than greyhounds in the US, and the metro system seems to work well). The food is great, people can be very friendly and helpful or not (it's a big city.....get out in the country and explore some). Please do try to learn Spanish if you don't know it already....it will enhance your experience. My husband's family lives in Cuernavaca, which is a good place to escape the pollution and bigcityness of DF, and about an hour from the Sur Bus station. You can also fly to other Mexican locations fairly reasonably for long weekends. Oaxaca is my personal favorite place. Have a huitlacoche/hongo quesadilla for me, green salsa please. Visit the Torre Latino at sunset to get a view of your new digs.... Enjoy!

I am currently teaching in southern Taiwan....about an hour from Kaohsuing. I've been to Kaohsuing a couple of times, and liked what I saw, but I'm not an expert. I wouldn't hesitate to move there.
In general, I'm really pleased with my decision to come to Taiwan....the Taiwanese I have met are friendly, and most are patient with my bad but getting slightly better Chinese (it's not necessary to survive, but a little Chinese will open some doors here). Cost of living is low....if you eat a little non-descript sidewalk cafe, you can get a fair amount of food for $3US or less. You can also get fancy schmancy food that costs much more. It's very safe here. Public transportation works well. Culture and history are facsinating. I can see staying for years. I'm definitely getting the broader world-view and exposure to other ways of thinking---which were why I entered international teaching to begin with. I'm also saving some $$. If you end up coming (or if you have more questions), drop me a line at dysodia at gmail.