We finally have MRT in Kaohsiung, HOORAY!! Though it is not as convenient as MRT in Taipei since we only have one route now, I am still quite happy about that.
Several stations were designed as art works. This is one of them named 'Central Park'. Later on I will take photos of other characteristic stations.
Congratulation on Kosovo's declaration of independence though this new state still has a long way to go.
The government sent to congratulate. However, mainland China claimed that Taiwan is not qualified to recognize Kosovo since it is not a recognized state.
It takes time and effort to fight for what we are supposed to be. Keeping going, my beloved Taiwan!
On Mt. A-li, you will see lots of beautiful cherry blossoms during March. However, due to global warming, I saw them in January this year. And I was planning to take pictures of plum blossoms (again, they were all beginning to bear and there were no more flowers)
Fu Chi means a couple in Mandarin Chinese, and Shu means tree. These two trees are very old and survived in a wildfire several years ago. It is not that correct to say they survived because they are actually dead. However, they remain standing there firmly.
They are on Mt. A-li, a beautiful sceneric spot in Chia-yi.
The major problems for graduate students in Taiwan universities are self-understanding, learning attitude, and job application. This essay will focus on the three main problems as well as suggestion toward these two problems.
There are very few students in Taiwan ever trying to understand himself or herself. Since the age of seven, most students are taught to care about nothing but only to study hard for the best scores and the best schools. That is usually because most parents regard academic background as the most important thing in the world. Elementary school, junior high school, senior high school, university, and eventually graduate school are the goals that almost every student is asked to achieve. It is very possible that some students never try to understand what they like or what they want. As a result, they are not really sure if they’d like to study in graduate school for advanced knowledge. The only thing certain for them is that they will receive a diploma after 2 or 3 years.
Not understanding themselves, some students go to graduate school with no aim. They are not sure if they will apply for a job after graduation or go for a PhD degree. Also, the lack of self-understanding makes it difficult to look for a thesis topic for these students because they are not even sure what topic they are interested in. Moreover, it might be hard to ask graduate students in Taiwan to have critical thinking as they are always told to memorize as much as possible, in order to pass every entrance exam. Therefore, students in Taiwan, not just graduate students, tend to believe everything on the book. There will be nothing new created or invented if people always believe and trust what books tell them.
Due to the education system in Taiwan mentioned above, it is sometimes very necessary for graduate students to improve their learning attitude. If a student is very good at exams, he or she will be easily forgiven for something wrong he/she does. Take punctuality as an example, it seems that people do not think attending class on time is important and necessary. Also, graduate students seldom study actively. Some of these graduate students even think it is more than enough if they only finish reading the part teachers assigned. They spend little time searching for other useful information or materials. Usually they just expect to receive materials from teachers.
It is also worth mentioning the phenomenon of job application. Since most people take academic background as the most important thing in the world, graduating from graduate school means they are superior to other people, so they are supposed to have much better chances to get a job with fabulous title and handsome salary. However, academic background is not everything for executives in charge of personnel management. Personality, ability of co-operation, and many other things are also regarded as important as educational background. It is sometimes common in Taiwan that some people refuse to apply for jobs which they think not good enough. While getting older, they still depend of parents and do not even have a full-time job.
What can be the possible solution to these two problems? Firstly, think about self-improvement. Graduate students are supposed to have better learning attitude. Going to graduate school means another step of access to knowledge. It is necessary trying to learn actively and grab every change discussing with teachers. Also, development of critical thinking is important. While reading a book, graduate students should think about: “is the theory perfect enough?”, “is there any point I would argue against?”, and “is there any thing can be improved and revised?” Do not just believe what books tell. Try to analyze and review with your own point of view, not just someone else’s. And do not expect too much while applying for a job. Nobody was born as somebody. Only if the combination of education background and work experience will someone be admired and appreciated.
Secondly, let’s move on to the possible change of the educational policy. Educational policy in Taiwan leaves much to be desired. The government is supposed to consider vocational school as much important as other schools. Also, it is crucial to change the type of exams. The existing type of exams do not help student have critical thinking. The only thing students in Taiwan learn from the exams is to memorize everything to get the best scores. It would be great if the government tries to improve the content of textbooks, making them more interesting and practical, as well as give teachers training course to show them how to help students think independently rather than telling them what to do or what not to do.
In conclusion, this paper discusses three major problems graduate students in Taiwan encounter: self-understanding, learning attitude, and job application. They are not just independent causes but relating to each other. Also, this paper provides two possible solutions, including self-improvement and governmental policy. Changing policy of government sounds a little bit difficult, but it can be easy if everyone tries his/her effort solving these problems from now on. As a result, the government will eventually follow what people want.
Hi there, sorry for not posting new articles for a while. I've been very, very, very busy these days, but I promise I will write you much as soon as possible!! Have a nice day.
Failed again this year, it is the 11th time that WHO refused the application of Taiwan.
As a member of global village, there is absolutely no advantage rejecting Taiwan.
BE WHO, TAIWAN!!
Photo Source: Liberty Time (Taiwan)
Zhang Zhi Quan, a 35-year-old chef in Taiwan, won two gold medals in the competition held up in Beijing. If you want to take part in the competition, you have to be at least 35 years, not less than 18 years relative experience, and you have to got more than 4 prizes in any international competition.
With two Taiwanese dishes, Gold Armor and Overture in the Morning, Zhang got the champions. Congratulations!!
(Photo source: Dream Mall Website - It doesn't have English site yet)
The biggest shopping mall in Asia. Also, the Ferris wheel is so far the only one on which you would have the view of sea in Taiwan.
I went there last Friday. I like some areas in this shopping mall. These areas make it unique and different from ordinary department store.
There is an art area. You will see lots of interesting stuff. First, the culture center of Taiwanese puppet (unfortunately, taking photo is forbidden). Then, there is a store full of stuff made of bamboo. The most interesting site is that you would see the culture center of the National Palace Museum! I stayed here for a while. 
Another impressive spot is the China Town. It's the first time I ever saw something like this in department stores of Taiwan.
Outside the shopping mall is also fun. It's designed for concert, outdoor exhibition, etc.
(This photo is taken in Star Wharf, Kaohsiung)We are all convinced “Time will tell”. We comfort ourselves or someone else with it when we are misunderstood, mistrusted, or betrayed.
Is it true? What if the truth is never revealed? How can you be sure what you are reading and studying does the justice? Take history, what we read from book might not true due to personal standpoint, political reasons, and some other stuff.
Is everything written and said real or true? Not exactly.
I tend to observe with my own eyes. Still, I know seeing is not always believing, but I try to observe as objectively as possible. When it comes to personality, the best way to know a person is to watch every little detail about this person. I might know a person through what he/she wrote and said, but I might know more if I got the chance to talk with him/her in person.
Also, the media in Taiwan are not always worthy to be trusted. Some of even most of them have already gotten their own conclusions about politics or what they are reporting now. They don’t really care if tell general public the truth. That’s why more and more people in Taiwan refuse to watch news obviously standing for pan-blue. I am not saying pan-blue bad, but the media should always support or stand for nobody but the only truth.
Also, media in Taiwan like to ask victim’s family “what are you feeling now? What are you thinking about now?” some kind of stupid questions like them. Moreover, correspondents wait for 24 hours keeping asking what their feelings are now. No matter when you turn on TV, you see someone crying and hear some stupid questions again and again. That is what people in Taiwan learn from news EVERYDAY.
What about Iraq? Middle-East? and so many other important international affairs? I hate to say that, but the time for international news might be less then half an hour out of 24-hour live news channel. When I switch from BBC/CNN to Taiwanese news channels, that’s what I see. As a member of global village, we care little about what’s going on around the would, especially when the government promise to do their best joining international activities against the pressure from China. How can we know which way is the best since we know nothing outsides?
This one is longer than the previous one. However, you would see more details here. Also, it is divided into several parts with different themes. Enjoy it.
When I watch these commercials about Taiwan, I do feel touched. How about you? As a Taiwanese, I am absolutely proud of being a part of this beautiful island, Formosa.
As I mentioned in Is Taiwan a Nation, Taiwan is actually an Independent nation.
Take a look at the UN website. Member states: China (24 October 1945). However, we know People's Republic of China was established in October 1st, 1949. And Republic of Chian (R.O.C. known as Taiwan) was established in January 1st, 1912. What does it mean?
It means if we, Taiwan, still want to call ourselves ROC, we admit that Taiwan is a part of Chian since they succeeded to the membership in UN. It would be legal to conquer Taiwan. Since WE ARE NOT A PART OF CHINA, it is necessary to modify the name of our nation. Meanwhile, people around the world know Taiwan more than ROC. So what are we waiting for?
Either historically or politically speaking, we will never be a part of China. As for Taiwanese history, I will post a short introduction as soon as possible.
How would we know more about Taiwan?? When I was in junior or even senior high school, all the students had to learn the 5000-year history of China and thought that was OUR history. Taiwanese history, the true one about our ancestors, was rarely mentioned in class.
This would be the first Hollywood movie about Taiwanese history coming in 2008.
The article below is about the story. Being interested in more, please visit the website.
Formosa Betrayed is a feature film about the harassment, torture, and murder of Taiwanese-American activists during the 1980s. Inspired by a true story, the film centers on the murder of a Taiwanese-American professor at the University of Kansas. An American detective—who knows nothing about Taiwan—is assigned to the case. Through the investigation of the professor's murder, the detective begins to understand the complex nature of politics, identity, and power in Taiwan-U.S.-China relations.
In his search for the murderer and his accomplices, the detective learns that there is a vast Chinese spy network within most major U.S. college campuses which focuses on the political and social activities of Chinese and Taiwanese-American students. The detective turns to the FBI for help, only to realize that the FBI is aware of this spy network but is unwilling to do anything about it in order to protect U.S. spies in Taiwan and elsewhere.
The detective's search for the murderer takes him across the Midwest onto other college campuses and Chinatowns, and finally to Taiwan, where he learns the real reason for the professor's murder—that the professor was an outspoken advocate of Taiwanese independence, and thus he threatened the legitimacy of Chiang Kai-Shek's government on Taiwan. The hit was sanctioned by those at the highest level of power.
The detective takes this information to the de facto U.S. Embassy in Taipei (American Institute of Taiwan), only to be rebuffed because the issue is "too sensitive" for U.S. foreign policy. He returns to the States, frustrated with his knowledge and lack of power to do anything about it—when he is invited to testify before the U.S. Congress in Washington D.C. and finally given the chance to declare the truth.
How would you answer this question? Or, what standpoint you are holding?
We have our own government, we have our own economic system, and we even have our own traditional Chinese writing system. Is Taiwan a nation?
This is not even a question cause you don't even have to anwer it. We got the truth since the very beginning.
Unfortunately, little people care about this. Who cares? Mainland China, they think Taiwan is part of them, or many parts insides the land are going to fight for independence. Who cares? The US government, they try to reach the balance of making friends both with China and Taiwan and seek for the interest they could get. Who cares? Those governments who want to invest inside China.
How about people around the world? Some of them don't even know where Taiwan is or what's the difference between Thailand and Taiwan.
How about people in Taiwan? The main two parties in Taiwan are fighting almost everyday only for their own benefit. Most people in Taiwan don't really know what kind of difficulty we are facing and only support one of the parties without any reason. Some of my friends don't even think about the meaning of election. Who we choose decide the fate of our country.
Still, I have to say, some of my friends do love and care about everything in the island. Though not much now, we could make it if everyone tries hard.
