Taiwan

Study

Courses

In addition to the following, contact the Community Services Centre (2836 8134; www.community.com.tw; 25 Lane 290, Zhongshan N Rd, sec.6, Tianmu) in Taipei for updates on various courses available for visitors and expats.

^ Back to top

Studying Chinese

There are programmes at universities and private cram schools. Most are two to four hours a day, five days a week. Costs vary greatly from NT5000 a month at a private cram school to over US$1000 a month at a top programme.

To obtain a study visa at the time of writing, you had to enrol at a Ministry of Education–approved school (english.ctu.edu.tw/). Some of the better-known programmes include ICLP (homepage.ntu.edu.tw/~iclp/) at National Taiwan University, the Mandarin Training Program (www.mtc.ntnu.edu.tw/indexe.html) at National Taiwan Normal University and the Chinese Culture University's Mandarin Learning Center (mlc.sce.pccu.edu.tw/). All are in Taipei but there are programmes around the country.

You can apply for a programme in your own country. Once you’ve been accepted, apply for a multi-entry extendable visitor visa (for study) at a local trade office or Republic of China (ROC) mission. You must start classes within the first month upon arrival and after four months of good standing you can apply for a resident visa at the Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA; 0800 085 078; www.boca.gov.tw; Hualien 03-833 1041; 6th fl, 371 Jungshan Rd; Kaohsiung 07-211 0605; 2nd fl, 436 Chenggung-1st Rd; Taichung 04-2251 0799; 1st fl, 503 Liming Rd, sec.2; Taipei 02-2343 2888; 3rd-5th fl, 2-2 Jinan Rd, sec.1). This then allows you to apply for an ARC (Alien Resident Card) at the National Immigration Agency (www.immigration.gov.tw), formerly the Foreign Affairs Police. An ARC should be good for up to two years, though you must renew it each year. Note that your school will not usually do anything to help you through the process.

Check out the ever-informative www.forumosa.com for the latest from people in the know.

^ Back to top

Calligraphy

Chinese-language schools (private and university) often have courses on calligraphy, painting and other Chinese arts. Inquire at the schools or check one of the foreigner chat sites (www.forumosa.com or www.tealit.com) for recommendations. You can also post ads on these websites if you are looking for a private teacher.

^ Back to top

Meditation

There are four main Buddhist associations in Taiwan: Tzu Chi, Foguangshan, Dharma Drum and Chung Tai Chan. Dharma Drum (www.dharmadrum.org) offers meditation classes in Taipei and Jinshan; click on Chan Meditation on their website for more information. Chung Tai Chan (ctworld@ms16.hinet.net) offers weekend classes in its temple in Puli. Foguangshan (www.fgs.org.tw) has courses at its main temple near Kaohsiung. All three offer classes in English.

In addition, the Taiwan Vipassana Centre (www.udaya.dhamma.org), in the mountains west of Taichung, offers a 10-day meditation course in English: the course is the same as that taught at its centres throughout the world.

^ Back to top

Taichi

There are many schools in the cities offering courses on taichi. Again, it is best to go to one of the expat websites or Chinese schools and ask for recommendations.

^ Back to top

Yoga

Yoga classes are booming, in Taipei anyway. For classes, check out gyms and other fitness centres, as well as English newspapers and expat websites.

^ Back to top