I did big plans to change a country by the end of last year or early this year. Already one year ago or so. This didn’t happen suddenly or without any reason. Personal choice. I have been in Taiwan last 5 years or so and it hasn’t been bad, actually quite refreshing time to time. I also had a chance to live short time in Vietnam and spent time in Indonesia for my work. It was good.
Things I believe Taiwan should do more in the coming years (in case they are interested in attracting more foreign workers, especially more educated ones).
Official language
Currently Taiwan is still working like a mini-China. You hear, smell and see China everywhere. This isn’t so multicultural or open society for people without Chinese background. When you meet new people, one of the first questions is always “Do you speak Chinese”. It feels that more important is what languages you speak or not, not even who you are or what other skills you have. This is in both casual occasions and work, job interviews, public offices, banks, etc. I haven’t seen this habit even in China or other countries. In central Europe it helps if you can speak German, but it’s not a question – more like a nice surprise for opposite if you can.
My suggestion: English as an official language
Decisions
It’s typical in Taiwan to see all decisions go to top level. I remember Taipei mayor saying that he asked HM directors contact directly his office when they had difficulties to establish business in Taiwan. What kind of city or society wants to do business only through connections? Doesn’t it sound like some sort of corruptions when things get easier for some others? Another example for this is companies. Even high level managers can’t decide without asking their superiors. You can adapt to this, but what it affects to culture in general can’t be changed without decision making going lower. People will not take responsibility of themselves without ability to affect, without decision making power. It keeps them thinking “I’m not able to decide”. It’s poisonous.
My suggestion: Promote culture which encourages shared responsibility, power and decision making skills
Noise
This is everywhere. Traffic noise is mostly because of cheap motorbikes. I totally can’t stand this. It’s easier to just take a bus or MRT, ride a bicycle. People still need to have their old, noisy motorbikes which cause a lot of emissions (NOTE: noise is also emission). You’ll also hear “piip, piip” often from buses, when you live your city bike, when you withdraw money, use almost any kind of machine. If I wear blind, could I even use those machines and need the noise as well? And shops or restaurants have either a person or a loudspeaker t attract more customers. This noise feels sometimes more disturbing than neon lights in other big cities.
My suggestion: High taxation to motorbikes (emissions or support electric, less noisy motorbikes), remove "piip, piip" and avoid noisy scouting
These and some other reasons put me to think other options. I have an option to go back to Finland, travel or move to another country in Asia, consider Australia. Well, many of my friends thought I would go to Bali because I had a one-month-plan to stay there first. This was just an option, but the virus situation and lock downs put me to decide something else. I’m pretty satisfied about this timeout which came by a sudden.
How I see things are good? Last months I’ve been living in one of the safest places in the world, no restaurant or shop closures, almost normal live inside Taiwan. I’ve been concentrating in my online courses, creating new content, making plans for the coming, testing online advertising, many things. At least I have learned how to do things. It’s important to find your opportunities around, prepare for surprises, take can-do or “I’ll survive” attitude. This will help you out!