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Contributions

In an effort to enhance cross-cultural understanding and competency between Western and Chinese cultures. We are looking for ex-pats to write about their experiences living in Taiwan. Specifically, we would like to know have you ever found something interesting or unusual about Chinese culture? If so, please share your experience(s) with us.

Here is what we are looking for in the cross-cultural essays:

1. Write an anecdote of your experiences that best describe a contrast between Taiwan and your home country. Try to focus on the differences that lead you amazed, surprised, or even shocked. Please try your best to describe the situation in full detail. If you do not have a specific story, you can write about your observations or opinions of the cultural items or phenomena.

2. Please try to account for the reason why this aspect of culture or items made you feel surprised or amazed.

3. 300- 600 words is enough for the essay.

4. Please write about one aspect of culture or one cultural item in each essay. Do not mix topics together.

5. Please provide related photos if possible.

6. Please write in a more academic style and try to be creative and humorous!!

7. Please name a title for your essay.

Send your essays to wasaitaiwan@gmail.com

About us

What does "Wasai" mean???

“Wasai” is the exclamatory expression that Taiwanese would utter when they feel surprised, amazed, or even shocked. “Wasai” serves the same function as “wow” in English. “Wasai” is used rather restricted to teenagers or youngsters in Taiwan. Originally, Wasai was mainly used in Taiwan, rarely heard in other parts of Chinese-speaking areas. However, with the wide spread of broadcasts such as TV, radio, Internet and other media, “Wasai” might also be heard in Mainland China or Singapore occasionally.

We chose the name “Wasai Taiwan” for two major reasons.

First of all, for the foreign residents, whatever cultural backgrounds, must discover that parts of Taiwan’s culture is different from their native one, which may lead to foreign residents’ surprises, either positive or negative, and thus they may say“Wow” (To be more localized, they may say “Wasai” instead.)

Second, for local Taiwanese who read the articles written by foreign residents, they may also feel surprised about things that are taken for granted are now observed and felt quite differently by the foreign residents. Therefore, “Wasai” might be heard constantly by the local Taiwanese readers.

Our intent for creating such a weblog is not just to magnify differences between the two cultures, but we hope that both sides of the readers can be aware of the disparities and therefore have a better understanding of their own culture and their counterparts'. Put differently, the aim of this website is to enhance cross-cultural understanding and competency between Western and Taiwanese Cultures. Below, you will find a collection of personal anecdotes written by individual ex-pats who live or have lived in Taiwan that compare and contrast their everyday life experiences in Taiwan with that of their own native culture.

Please enjoy!!


If you would like to know more about this website, or would like to make a contribution, please contact Louis, Karen, or Ryan via email at

wasaitaiwan@gmail.com

This project is sponsored by National Chiao Tung University.

Video

• Travel in Taiwan
  

• Taiwanese Commerce

• Popular culture

• Tribes in Taiwan

• Transportation

• Food
  

• Life in Taiwan
  

Life in Taiwan

Taipei frenzy
An evening in Taipei—shopping frenzy, food frenzy, an insight into crazy urban life.


Taiwan garbage time


Taking out the trash


A mobile vendor


Betel nut girls Taiwan


Pole dancers and betel nut girls


7-11 Hello Kitty magnet collection


Engrish notebooks

Food

The short clip introduces Taiwanese snacks from food stalls with the music of the “modified” national anthem of Taiwan.


Taipei food

Transportation

Scooter masks


Taiwan’s Hsuehshan Tunnel 1 ( Discovery)
Man made marvel


Taiwan’s Hsuehshan Tunnel 2


Taiwan’s Hsuehshan Tunnel 3


Taiwan’s Hsuehshan Tunnel 4.


Taiwan’s Hsuehshan Tunnel 5.

Tribes in Taiwan

Time and Music in a Disappearing World
This is a short vignette of story told by the filmmaker Aaron Hose about his experience as he documents the story of discovery of Tony Coolidge of his Taiwanese indigenous ancestral roots.


Tribes of Taiwan
A short demo for a documentary series on the modern and traditional tribal music culture in Taiwan

Popular culture

Hand in Hand
The song, Hand in Hand, was sung by many Taiwan artists in an attempt to strengthen the faith of people in Taiwan to fight against the lethal epidemic SARS.


Leehom on CNN part 1


Wild on Taiwan
Asia pop diva, Co Co Lee, introduced you some interesting places in Taipei.

Taiwanese Commerce

Made in Taiwan


Innovative Taiwan

vote test

pic

Travel in Taiwan

Taiwan


This is my Taiwan