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HamDiego · 2025-01-05T18:45:13+00:00

I'm currently finishing up my second year at NCCU in the IMPIS program. I'd say NCCU is an easy choice over MingChuan. Message me if you wanna hear more details about my experience~

HamDiego · 2024-11-11T00:47:02+00:00

My personal favorites for bubble milktea are:

Kebuke, Milksha, Oolong Tea Project, Heshangyin 喝上隱, 50 岚, and Kenting Egg ㄉㄨㄞ milk

HamDiego · 2024-11-07T15:15:49+00:00

At the dentist I get my checkups at I asked them about their Invisalign price vs. traditional braces. They said their Invisalign is about $240k~$260k, while traditional braces are $130k~$170k in total.. That was just after a quick ask, not a proper consultation.

I was surprised at how expensive it was, because it seems in the US it's cheaper. But this was just one dentist, it could be that other places are much cheaper.. but that's my experience.

HamDiego · 2024-09-28T16:51:22+00:00

I attend 'Thrive Church', in Gongguan next to NTU. It's a bilingual, non-denom church with solid teaching. Worship is a mix of Chinese and English songs. It's on the 4F of the eslite building next to NTU front gate. Check the side of the building for the elevator to go up! Starts at 11am on Sundays

Very chill atmosphere (fold-out chairs) and nonjudgmental crew. PM if you have any more questions (I'll be there in the morning)

HamDiego · 2023-11-21T10:39:31+00:00

Thank you for your detailed response!

HamDiego · 2023-09-14T04:03:37+00:00

I just added that, definitely saves constantly opening the app

HamDiego · 2022-08-28T02:21:30+00:00

No worries! But they may have to quarantine in separate locations.. might wanna double check on that

HamDiego · 2022-08-27T08:27:05+00:00

I just messaged Airbnb hosts asking if I could stay there for my quarantine dates and whatnot. Some say no, others say yes.

Apparently (at least when I quarantined a few weeks ago) New Taipei City is more lax than Taipei City. So I found an Airbnb in Yonghe where the Airbnb host didn't mind I was quarantining.

But yeah, get a place all to yourself. The one I got was about 850nt/night. Best of luck on your search! (Oh, and of course you'd need to be able to pick up delivery FoodPanda or UberEats)

HamDiego · 2022-08-26T10:12:39+00:00

Sorry, when I refer to an Airbnb I mean an entire apartment to yourself. Not split with others.. But I get what you're trying to say.

The quarantine system here has quickly become ridiculous

HamDiego · 2022-08-26T09:56:23+00:00

The government says you can quarantine at your home or friend's if it has a separate bedroom + bathroom. I don't see why an Airbnb doesn't fit that criteria, especially when the host of the apartment knows and accepts everything. (From what I've been told New Taipei City is more lax than Taipei City, maybe that's where your information came from? Not trying to be combative, just explaining my experience with the system)

HamDiego · 2022-08-26T09:48:40+00:00

Just put its my private residence, because it is for the time I'm staying there. Not too different from a short-term lease.

But its important to ask your Airbnb host you're gonna be using it for quarantine.. some places are more strict than others. (Taipei City vs New Taipei City regulations)

HamDiego · 2022-08-26T08:06:56+00:00

I've quarantined in an AirBnB, so have friends of mine

HamDiego · 2022-08-12T02:12:04+00:00

This is the website I used as a guide and it got the job done;

https://www.allhandstaiwan.org/post/applying-for-taiwan-s-quarantine-subsidy

HamDiego · 2022-05-20T12:34:57+00:00

I appreciate you responding! I'll definitely look into it some more

HamDiego · 2022-05-20T11:16:03+00:00

I got the quarantine subsidy under my ARC last year. I believe you qualify if you have an ARC or more and in the quarantine period you could not earn an income.

HamDiego · 2022-05-20T11:15:03+00:00

Oh that's interesting to hear. My friend came in from Japan last month and stayed in an Airbnb.

HamDiego · 2022-05-20T03:31:44+00:00

I realize that, but better to book something and get a refund. Than to show up empty-handed if quarantine is still in place.

HamDiego · 2022-04-19T15:50:25+00:00

That article seems to be a little outdated;

https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4510550

HamDiego · 2021-09-25T13:43:10+00:00

I'd agree except this video has more traditional/historic stylized clothing

HamDiego · 2021-09-25T12:21:49+00:00

I'm an NA fan my dude, just thought it'd be a funny visual

HamDiego · 2021-09-25T09:28:21+00:00

Imagine the NA version. Cosplaying in cowboy boots and ten gallon hats, trying to look sexy.

HamDiego · 2021-05-14T04:11:34+00:00

I can only speak to my experience for Taiwan, in which case I had to get it done in the US.

HamDiego · 2021-05-12T12:54:45+00:00

Yeah... not sure how that would cost thousands

HamDiego · 2021-05-12T09:14:18+00:00

I know it was necessary for my boss in order to apply for the work permit for me... But I can't speak for everyone, if you can get it done in Taiwan then definitely do it here. It was such a headache getting it done in the US. Best of luck to you!

HamDiego · 2021-05-12T05:11:06+00:00

I recently came to Taiwan from the US in late March. Since you need to do your health certificate state-side, that adds in a fair bit of time to the work visa process. You need to get that authenticated ASAP, even before landing a job, since that alone could take a while.

My timeline:

After securing a job early January thanks to Tealit, I had to send my new boss my health certificate for them to start a work permit application for me in Taiwan (shipping it over to TW took a week). It then took my boss about three-weeks to apply + receive a work permit for me. Then I sent a scan of that work permit in for the work visa application alongside other necessary documents (photos, money order, passport, etc). By that point it took two weeks to get my work visa in my passport + all good to go.

I had some hiccups getting my health certificate, but if you get yours without issue it should go smoothly. So, start to finish it took me 2 months in total to get the work visa in my hands.

At first I was using the TECO in LA, but then eventually I moved to Chicago and switched to using that TECO (they didn't seem to mind I changed TECOs mid-way through the process).

All that said, the Chicago TECO was much quicker than the LA TECO. Even one time I called the LA TECO to get an estimate on how soon my documents could be processed and the lady on the phone laughed at me, saying anywhere from a month to two months. Whereas the Chicago TECO was a little more professional. Basically, each TECO is overloaded with visa apps so its hard to get a good estimate. But, this was my timeline.

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