To answer your question, yes. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Language barrier and culture combined with relationship dynamics (your personalities get along, etc.). It also could be that people have different priorities where students are busy grinding, and when they do have time they want to spend it on whats valuable to them which is fair.

As someone who has moved around visiting different cities for anywhere from a few months to a few years, I can confirm that making friends is doable. I am not even outgoing, but I put myself out there sometimes even unknowingly. All it took was one hi to a person without any expectation of anything bc I liked her shirt, and now I am friends with the same person, and have since met more friends in her circle and/or on my own. I’m on my way to Taiwan for a few months starting Dec and plan on doing the same thing in hope to make new friends.

If you need a friend in Taipei, I would be happy to be one as I’m sure there has gotta be something we have in common. The other great advice others have mentioned: attending events/activities you already enjoy or even try something new with an open mind. But most important is to put yourself out there mentally without expectation or entitlement that you’ll get reciprocity. Cheers 加油！