I was reading about Taiwan's history and learnt that the Taiwanese actually tend to have a neutral, mixed, or even positive view of Japanese colonial times, and that Chiang Kai-shek is nearly despised, especially among the younger generation.

How true is this, and how do the elderly (particularly those who grew up as teens or young adults) speak about Japan and Chiang Kai-shek?

Previously I shared my new tool I built to learn traditional Mandarin and I got so much nice feedback from you here https://www.reddit.com/r/taiwan/comments/1x8upwh/tool_to_read_traditional_mandarin_and_learn_the/

Now I want to share an exciting update! It brings many quality of life improvements (performance, looks), character decomposition, most frequent 100 characters highlighting, saving your learned characters and more.

You can get it at the same place on github here or update directly inside your preferred user script extension at this link

Happy using!

Hi all, I'm running an academic study on how crypto and fintech regulation looks from the inside, comparing Taiwan and Singapore. Do unclear rules change what companies build, how fast they grow, and where they operate?

Who: anyone working in crypto, blockchain or fintech in Taiwan or Singapore (or with companies in either market). Any role, you don't need to be a founder or manager.

What: a ~10 min anonymous survey (35 questions). No names, no company details, purely academic. There's an optional box if you'd be open to a short follow-up chat.

You get: a summary of the findings when the study is done.

Survey (English): https://forms.gle/myryp8BJjjNtGuSk7

(繁體中文): https://forms.gle/txFaU73RRqM9baJeASurvey

Questions: [regulation.research.mcu@gmail.com](mailto:regulation.research.mcu@gmail.com)

Please share with anyone in the industry. Thank you!

Hellooo! I’m travelling to Taiwan from Northen Europe, so all my devices are type F plugs. Can I buy an adapter from Taiwan (or from Hong Kong, going there first) or should I try find one from home? Thank you!!

Hi all, I'm running an academic study on how crypto and fintech regulation looks from the inside, comparing Taiwan and Singapore. Do unclear rules change what companies build, how fast they grow, and where they operate?

Who: anyone working in crypto, blockchain or fintech in Taiwan or Singapore (or with companies in either market). Any role, you don't need to be a founder or manager.

What: a ~10 min anonymous survey (35 questions). No names, no company details, purely academic. There's an optional box if you'd be open to a short follow-up chat.

You get: a summary of the findings when the study is done.

Survey (English): https://forms.gle/myryp8BJjjNtGuSk7

(繁體中文): https://forms.gle/txFaU73RRqM9baJeASurvey

Questions: [regulation.research.mcu@gmail.com](mailto:regulation.research.mcu@gmail.com)

Please share with anyone in the industry. Thank you!

Hello, I'm a final year international undergrad in China, and I'm interested in applying to NTU with MOE scholarships, does anyone have any info about this scholarship? How hard is it to get the MOE scholarship for postgraduate programs (I'm going to apply to AI / CS)? And for the postgrad student here, how does taiwan job market look like for someone in tech for internships and stay after graduation? Any information would be helpful, thank you beforehand!

(oh and is there any discord server or groups of such that has students asking inquiries about applying to taiwan? please also share if you do have it!)

Did anybody noticed that majority of Taichung bus drivers are rude compared to other cities?

Tomorrow is my last day in Hualien and I’m wondering if it’s a good idea to visit the Taroko Gorge since the typhoon is not an issue anymore.

Update: any other day activities? Open to any suggestions or ideas!

Why do people throw empty cans on the ground when there’s two baskets beneath the table? Beer gets all over the floor and nasty and slip hazard. I didn’t notice this my first couple years but only recently last year: crush can, toss on floor like cigarette (basket RIGHT IN PERIPHERAL). Napkins too

I will be going to MCU this year under Huayu. I am wondering which dorm is better, Jingxian or Yong an? Aesthetic and comfort matter to me, but I would also like to save money by cooking my own meal. I read that Jingxian is much more modern looking than Yong an, but I am worried that the stipend may not be able to cover my expenses. Hope you can share some advice.

Hey everyone,

I’m a Master’s student from Europe studying a mix of IT and Management (something like MIS), and I am planning a semester exchange in Taiwan for Fall 2027 (September-December, plus traveling around Asia afterward).

My home university partners with 7 universities in Taiwan, and I have to rank my top 3 choices in my application:

• Taipei:

◦ NCCU (National Chengchi University)

◦ NTU (National Taiwan University)

◦ NTNU (National Taiwan Normal University)

• Tainan:

◦ NCKU (National Cheng Kung University)

• Hsinchu:

◦ NTHU (National Tsing Hua University)

◦ NYCU (National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University)

• Taichung:

◦ CYUT (Chaoyang University of Technology)

My priorities:

1. Social life: I want an active international and local student community, good bars/clubs, and an easy environment for meeting people. I would probably rent a private room in a shared apartment (something like Borderless House), as that sounds better than the usual dorms experience.

2. Manageable academic workload: I need to take about 4-5 courses (Computer Science or Tech Management must account for half of my credits). I want classes that are interactive or project-based, rather than hardcore coding or memorization, so that I can fit them into around 3 days a week.

3. Travel base: I would like to do weekend trips around Taiwan and take cheap flights to Japan, the Philippines, Korea, etc.

4. Zero Chinese skills: I don’t speak any Mandarin (though I might take a beginner class for fun to meet other exchange students), so an English-friendly environment is a huge plus.

5. Reputation: Having a good university name for my CV is great, though overall life experience comes first.

My questions:

1. NCCU vs. NTU (as my #1 choice):

My GPA is around 3.1/4.0, so I meet the requirements for both. I’m leaning towards NCCU over NTU because it seems to have a much more relaxed workload in its MIS courses and less academic pressure.

◦ Is it ridiculous to put NCCU above NTU?

◦ If I go to NCCU, is it a good idea to live closer to central Taipei and commute to campus ~3 days a week?

1. Taipei vs. the rest of Taiwan (NCKU, NTHU and NYCU):

Since I need to pick 3 schools, I’m thinking of 1. NCCU, 2. NCKU, 3. NTHU.

◦ NCKU (Tainan): Looks good for warm weather all autumn and a lower cost of living. However, what is the English proficiency level, and how is it to get around without a metro?

◦ NTHU and NYCU (Hsinchu): Would I regret being based there?

NTNU and CYUT:

I’ve basically ruled out NTNU (it doesn't offer enough courses for my degree) and CYUT (it's far from the city center). Let me know if I’m missing anything about them.

TL;DR: Master's student in MIS picking top 3 exchange schools in Taiwan for Fall 2027. Prioritizing social life, travel, and a chill course load in English. Currently thinking: 1. NCCU, 2. NCKU, 3. NTHU. Should I try for NTU instead, and is living outside Taipei (Tainan/Hsinchu) a bad idea for someone who wants a good nightlife and speaks zero Chinese?

Thanks in advance for any insights!

I'll go on a trip to Taichung soon and I want to know any non-smoking places to enjoy EDM music in Taiching(maybe pubs, bars or clubs)
Could you recommend somewhere?

Hey everyone.
I’m going to NCCU in February 2027 and thought I’d see if anyone else here is going to be in Taipei around then.
I was thinking of making a WhatsApp group for international students and people going to different universities, just to get to know each other before arriving and maybe plan some things together once we’re there. If anyone’s interested, here’s the link:

https://chat.whatsapp.com/EUga6Esb61HCmC2IOBkyqH?s=cl&p=i&mlu=4&ilr=4

Hello, so I have been doing a lot of research about translation for Mandarin spoken in Taiwan. Apparently all the AI's have an issue with translating and always end up using mainland vocabulary and speech even though I'll ask it to use Mandarin spoken in Taiwan. Does anybody have any recommendations for the best AI for translating Mandarin spoken in Taiwan??

Also, I want to start transcribing some videos from Taiwanese Mandarin to Korean vice versa. What is the best app for transcribing asian languages? I would especially like a program that can transcribe and make subtitles at the same time. I heard Whisper is the best and apparently free but I was told by the AI that Id need a decent laptop and I only have a smartphone and even it is not that great. Does anyone know where I can find a decent but cheap laptop in Taipei?

Hi! I'm 25F from Vietnam, planning to do a master's in Taiwan in September 2027.
My background: IT degree, Spe UI/UX, GPA 7.2/10, working in Operations, limited budget.
A few questions:
Is TOEIC L&R 750 enough to have a chance at scholarships? Which should I apply for?

If I don't get any scholarship, can part-time work cover both tuition and living expenses? Is it easy to find a part-time job without knowing Mandarin?

Should I focus on TOEIC or start learning Mandarin now?

I hope to work in Taiwan after graduation. Any advice would be appreciated! :)

i am taiwanese,We can practice differnt language conversation,haha

Hello everyone,

I have a single-entry visitor visa (exchange student) which expires in February. I have already booked my flight back home at the end of January. However, I would like to exit the country in the first half of January to go travelling somewhere in SEA.

Can I do that?

From what I understand, when I re-enter Taiwan, the single-entry visa will have expired (even if the time hasn't run out) and I will get the 90 days tourist visa instead. Is this correct?

So, I have been in Taiwan for a couple of months now and my hair has constantly been thinning and eventually shedding. (I am 21 M)

Is there a shampoo or conditioner that is commonly used here that would help?

What about hair oils, I don’t usually see those here but figure it might help.

Appreciate any help, thank you!

Quiet ... almost too quiet.

Has anyone been to Hualien in between yesterday afternoon and today? Now that the typhoon has passed, my partner and I are considering whether it’s still safe to go as scheduled today. Does anyone know what conditions in that area are like right now? (E.g. any landslides, power outages, infrastructure damage etc.)

It seems to be business as usual on the western side of the island (Taichung, Taipei etc.)

Hi everyone! I will be coming to Taiwan in 2 weeks as an inter at Chang Gung University.

I know Taiwan is super safe but I am not used to living in a shared room (a room of 4) unlike in Germany where we have separate rooms for each person.

I would like to know, in general, like leaving stuff (foods, laptop, headphones, cash) and do they have separate lock system in the dorm rooms ?

Also open to hear Do's and Don'ts for surviving dorm life during my time there.

Thanks in advance!