Shane in Hsinchu

Work Teaching English in Taiwan
1

Hi everyone, first post but i’ve been lurking for a while, I just had a question about the Shane English school in Hsinchu?

I’ve all but accepted a 12 month contract to come from the UK to work in the school, I’ll be honest my first choice was definitely Taipei, as I have a friend there, but it doesnt look to far and I have a driving license, and I understand you can get a bus 24/7 from Taipei to Hsinchu.

My main concern though is meeting people (I dont speak any Mandarin, though I’m just starting to learn), and I understand (from what i’ve read on the forum) there isn’t a huge expat scene in Taiwan.

And ultimately I just want to know if anyone has any experience working for the school, good or bad.

id be so grateful for any advice anyone can offer me!

2

Not that school, but live in the Hsinchu area. Hsinchu is pretty close to two larger cities: Taipei and Taichung. You’re about dead center between the two. Each one is available easily by bus, high speed rail (about 30 minutes), regular train (about an hour), or car (about 90 minutes).

To meet people, I would head to Merry Cafe in Jhubei. Talk to the owner Sida and let him know you are new and want to meet people. He’ll pretty much introduce you to anyone he knows that comes in.