Good luck, NickLane,
Everybody reacts differently on arrival - you have those in awe of anything Asian, those who are horribly freaked out, and also those who just get on with it.
There’s no absolutely correct response to ensure success during your time here. But sometimes the people who arrive a little shell-shocked do well. Just remember that you came to Taiwan for something different. You’ll meet friends and settle in soon enough.
Consider these threads:
Taichung: http://forumosa.com/taiwan/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1207&start=50
New to Taiwan: [url]New to Taiwan: Some Questions
Shock of Arrival: [url]Dealing with the shock of just arriving