FAQ

People tend to ask me a lot of the same things about Taiwan, so I thought I'd address as many of them as I could think of in a nice little lump of blog. Here goes.

Q: So you're going to Thailand, right?
A: Hahahahahahaha no. They sound kind of the same and they are both in Southeast Asia, so I suppose I understand, but get it straight. I am going to Taiwan.

Q: Are you going to go to the Olympics?
A: Once again, no. Beijing is over a thousand miles away from Taiwan, so it's not exactly like I'll be hanging around the area, plus I'm going to be busy then doing Fulbrighty things (who knows what, but I will be doing them). It's as if, back when we had the Olympics in Atlanta, you asked your friend in Denver if they were going to the Olympics because they'd be in the area. At least you don't need a visa to get from Denver to Atlanta, and I hear it's a pain in the neck to get a visa to China right now. Also, if I return to Beijing, I'd like to do it at a time when it won't be jam-packed with tourists. I'd love to go after the Olympics, when all the nice new subway lines are running...

Q: Is Taiwan a part of China, or what?
A: Ummm depends who you ask. Mainland China is governed by the PRC, the People's Republic of China (the Communist one). Taiwan's government is democratic, and is known as the plain old Republic of China (ROC). The PRC is all like, "oh yeah Taiwan, that is totally a part of China," and the ROC is like "suuuuuuure. We'll just be over here governing ourselves."

Q: If I try to picture Taiwan on a map, it's a little fuzzy. Remind me again where it is.
A: Here, I made you a picture:The little yellow dot at the bottom of the island is the approximate location of Kaohsiung, which is the city where I'll be. To put it in reference to places you may be more familiar with, Taiwan is at about the same latitude as Cuba, and of US states, it is closest in size to Maryland.
(side note: Japan is farther north than you'd expect, don't you think? Even though I know where it is located, it always takes me a little bit by surprise.)

Q: When are you leaving?
A: Next Wednesday (July 30th), although I won't get there until Friday, August 1st. Silly time change.

Q: Have you started packing yet?
A: Hahahahahahaha ask me that next Tuesday. At least I have my visa now!

Q: How old will your students be/where will you be living/when are you coming back, exactly?
A: Ummmm I dunno. Fulbright doesn't like to tell us things that aren't totally essential, I guess. Junior high or high school/somewhere in Kaohsiung/sometime next summer. I'll keep you posted.