Full Spring schedule is available on the dedicated page for:
Language Exchange Nights

MTSA Language Exchange Nights have been resurrected and will be being held once again starting next Tuesday night!! With the start of the semester for 台大，政大，和師大 comes along a new season of opportunities to meet fellow classmates and some new Taiwanese friends. There is no better way to improve your language skills than by actually engaging in conversation with fluent native speakers and making some new friends at the same time.

MTSA Language Exchange Nights are held with the goal of providing a safe, friendly, and comfortable environment for people to study language in a fair and relaxed fashion. 

MTSA holds the Language Exchange Nights to help the foreign student community get more in touch with Taiwanese culture, society, and people. At the same time, we help Taiwanese meet international community friends too! Come by and meet some new people, practice your language skills, and eat/drink something delicious!!!

Check out the poster below for more detailed information....... 

 Full Spring schedule is available on the dedicated page for:
Language Exchange Nights

MTSA is working hard to bring Mandarin language enthusiasts all over the globe together to learn together. One of the ways we try to build the international community is by having events and supporting groups that are encouraging meet-ups to help build new friendships and connections between people with a passion for the Mandarin language, Taiwanese culture, and Chinese culture. Language is, after all, all about people, community and communication!

MTSA is now a proud sponsor of over 1,700 community active members and citizens based in and around the San Francisco bay area! We'd like to take this special opportunity to show our appreciate for these groups!

The Silicon Valley Mandarin-English Toastmasters club is a group of fun and friendly people that get together to help everyone improve their Mandarin Skills, meet new friends, and improve their ability to speak in front of others. Dear, Silicon Valley Mandarin-English Toastmasters, thank you for your support!!
Silicon Valley Mandarin-English Toastmasters

The purpose of this group is to join all languages and cultures. America was once considered a melting pot, and in our opinion it it still is. We are starting this group because we want to shout out that not all Americans are monolingual. Many of us are bilingual and multilingual. Even if we don't necessarily speak the same native language does not mean that we can't get together and speak the languages we want to learn, teach each other, or practice with others. We will not limit this group to any one language. The purpose of this group is to promote language and culture in general. Some of us go a step further than just learning an extra language, or two, or three, okay or more ... some of us want to compare linguistic differences/similes. This group is to house all people who want to philosophically argue the most rare languages like Romansh or just get together to speak the most common new language to one's repertoire like Spanish, or help people who have English as a second language. English, Spanish, French, Japanese, German, Irish, Portuguese, Basque (either!) ... the list is limitless. All speakers are welcome. Lets band up and find one another! Dear Sonoma County Language and Linguist Group, Thank you for your support!!
The Sonoma County Language and Linguist Group

Originally a network of international students around Santa Clara county set to help its members as much as it can with academic, legal, professional and social issues. We're now expanding our goals to social gatherings, outdoor activities, as well as volunteer works for our communities around the south Bay.

- Anyone with different cultural backgrounds or is fascinated with other cultures should join.

- Despite the different languages, our members should be the people who understand one another most in terms of the challenging experience everyone has to go through coming to the US from all over the world.

- This group is based on a democratic bottom-up structure. Every member is a potential sponsor for one another. Dear International Group Gatherings and Outings, Thank you for your support!!
International group gatherings and outings

Welcome to The San Francisco Cantonese Enthusiasts Meetup Group!  Meet other local Cantonese Enthusiasts at fun Social Events to practice or learn the Cantonese language! :) Dear Cantonese Enthusiasts , Thank you for your support!!
The San Francisco Cantonese Enthusiasts

We are a group of young Asian professionals in the Bay Area who would come together in San Francisco and other Bay area to raise funds and awareness for any charitable organizations or cause ranging from Cancer Research to natural disaster victims and more. We would also like to organize any events that support good cause we are supporting like Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, American Diabetes Association and more. Dear Bay Area Asian Good Cause Group, Thank you for your support!!
BAY AREA ASIAN GOOD CAUSE GROUP

The Red Lantern: Bay Area Asian Cinephiles, based in San Francisco, is the world's largest Meetup for Asian films.  In theaters and in private venues, we explore the high, the low and the everything-in-between of Asian cinema, from Woo towuxia, from Ozu to "Zatoichi." Dear Red Lantern Bay Area Asian Cinephiles, thank you for your support!!!
The Red Lantern: Bay Area Asian Cinephiles

 

Check out the event flyer to get a better idea of what this whole trip is about. 

On Day 1 you'll take off from Taipei and head down to the unique town where the fireworks beehive festival is held. This festival is unique to Taiwan, and this town in particular, and only happens once a year.

On Day 2, you'll head straight back to Taipei to continue on with your amazing city life! 

If you're looking for a story to take home about your experience in Taiwan, this is your opportunity! 

Official Partnership and Sign up Site:
http://traveltaiwaninchinesenewyear.weebly.com/yanshuei-beehive-rockets-festival.html

The anxious await as progress for Taiwanese citizens to become eligible for visa-free travel to the United States. In this recent news article, progress is reported that Taiwan has now been accepted as a candidate for the United States Visa waiver program. 

This would be a great benefit to those Taiwanese looking to travel or do business in the U.S. for up to 90 days, as they wouldn't have to go through the painstaking process that is currently required to obtain a U.S. visa.

MTSA is directly involved in helping the two countries grow ties through cultural exchange programs and is in full support of this nomination. In the education field, Taiwan regularly sends one of the largest groups of students in the world to study abroad in America (usually ranked 6th or 7th) and future development is necessary to keep the positive ties and growth progressing. Looking at the business side of things, the United States is now Taiwan's third-largest trade partner, taking 11.5% of Taiwan's exports and supplying 10.1% of its imports. In 2010, Taiwan was the United States' 9th-largest trading partner; Taiwan's two-way trade with the United States amounted to $61.9 billion in 2010.

The U.S. - Taiwan R.O.C. relationship is a strong, progressive and valuable one that stands to gain even more stability and benefits for the citizens of both nations with acceptance into the U.S. visa waiver program. Of course, in the future, it is hopeful that American's traveling to Taiwan are granted equal privileges, making it even easier to come and study in Taiwan! 


Take a look at the full length original article below. 

ORIGINAL ARTICLE (source listed below):Taipei, Dec. 22 (CNA) Taiwan's candidacy in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is the best Christmas present, said Foreign Minister Timothy Yang Thursday, shortly after the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) announced Taiwan's long-awaited nomination. 

Welcoming the decision, Yang gave a conservative schedule for Taiwan's admission into the VWP, which is likely to take place in the latter half of next year. 

Before granting Taiwanese passport holders visa-free privilege, officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will need to visit Taiwan to conduct a detailed review of the island's homeland security and immigration systems, said Yang. 

Acknowledging that there is no fixed time frame for the completion of the evaluation, Yang interpreted Taiwan's nomination as an "entry ticket" to the VWP. 

Once admitted into the VWP, Taiwanese nationals traveling to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less do not need to obtain a visa, which presently costs about NT$4,340 (US$135). 

Eligible travelers who wish to enter the U.S. under the VWP, nevertheless, must apply for authorization online through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and pay an administrative fee of US$14. 

Asked by local media whether the announcement of Taiwan's candidacy has any political implications, as the local presidential election is less than one month away, Yang said the public "does not need to make unnecessary associations." 

At present, the U.S. has granted visa-free privilege for stays of up to 90 days to nationals of 36 countries, six of which are located in Asia -- Singapore, Brunei, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Australia. 

Taiwan, on the other hand, has visa-free entry or landing visa agreements with 124 nations or regions.

Source:http://focustaiwan.tw/ShowNews/WebNews_Detail.aspx?&ID=201112220030

It's that time of year again, time to vote for your favorite Taiwan Blog!

Every year a great contest is held for those both in Taiwan and abroad to vote on their favorite blog that's been keeping them up-to-date on Taiwan for the past 12 months. 

Well, the voting has started (December 10th) and will run until December 30th, so be sure to show your appreciation and get voting! 




To vote follow these easy steps:
1) Go to Taiwanderful's Blog Directory here: http://www.taiwanderful.net/taiwan-blogs?page=5
2) Find your favorite blog's listing

3) Click on the small '+' button next to the listing name!

This is an absolute treat of a bike ride and can be enjoyed by everyone. The path is pretty flat and even the whole way and the signs for directions are clearly marked and obvious. Don't plan on a big one that will strain you out. This ride is a long and leisurely one, great for riding up the beautiful riverside and chatting with friends.

1. Rent a Bike. One of the coolest things about this bike ride is that you can rent a bike in the city and return it once you're in Danshui/Bali. There is a bike rental station at the GongGuan （公館捷運）station and bikes can be rented for only a couple hundred NTD for the whole day (~200 NTD w/drop off service.) Here is a picture of the rental place right next to the river side. The map below also starts from this bike rental station.

2. Follow the pathway and the route posted above. It runs along side the Danshui river through the city all the way up to Bali. The route in all takes a couple of hours, of course depending on how many times you stop for pictures and how fast your riding.

There are some amazing coffee shops with lounge chairs and areas right along the riverside on your way up. They are a great place to get some peace and quite and enjoy the great view of the Danshui river mouth opening up to the sea.

3. Get to Bali and Drop off the bikes. We recommend taking the bike path on the WEST side of the river. It tends to be much less crowded and you can end up in Bali for some lunch and to drop off your bike. Afterward you can take the fairy over to Danshui and stroll around before taking the MRT back home in the evening.

Some boats taking a rest from the busy fishing season.

Super Mango ice cream cone. Awesome. (This one was considered the small size, the large was about twice the height!)

5. Take the ferry across the river to Danshui. There is a ferry that runs across the river regularly shuffling passengers between the two popular boardwalk areas (Bali and Danshui). You can take it across to the Danshui boardwalk area and continue your strolling/sightseeing/gaming.

EVENT DETAILS:
Date: November 17 (Thursday) ~ November 20 (Sunday)

Time:10:00 ~ 18:00

Location: Expo Dome at Expo Park, Taipei City (爭艷館)

Address: No.172, Sec. 2, Chongqing N. Rd., Datong District, Taipei City 

Transport: Taipei MRT, take the Danshui Line (Danshui-Beitou) to the Yuanshan Station

Cost: FREE!!!

The venue is right outside of Yuanshan station exit number 1, you can see the crowds of people coming in and out with tons of activities and games around to play.

Check out this website for more details:
http://english.trtc.com.tw/ct.asp?xItem=9195906&ctNode=11752&mp=122032

If you are up in the Jilong area and looking for a nice short hike, this trail is the perfect answer. Its really quite short and can be done in less than 45 minutes, and it makes for a great spot to get out of the city with a spectacular view over the ocean and maybe have a picnic or read a book.

1. Heading to the cape is actually pretty easy. You can take off from right in the middle of the city, next to the National Taiwan University Campus (NTU). Take bus number 1550 all the way up to Jilong Harbor.

2. Once you arrive at the harbor, get off and head straight towards the alrge intersection ahead. This is the main 'Square' where loads of buses, ferries, taxis and transportation all come together. You'll know your in the right place if you see a Burger King and Star bucks in the square.

3. When you are in the square, take a look around and find this long bus stop at the opposite end to catch the next bus to the cape.

There is also a visitors center here in case you get lost or confused.

4. Take the bus to the 八斗子 （ba dou zi) station and get off. This will be your last chance to grab some water and food for the hike so you might want to get prepared. 

5.  Look for the sign picture above and head north towards the cape. You will see this street with the large temple of the left hand side. Start walking down it and Keep heading straight until the road comes to a fork. 

6. Take a right at the fork in the road to begin heading up the mountain on the road side. 

7. For the first little while, you will be walking along the pavement with the cars, but soon you will get to the trail head opening for a very rewarding view and the start of the good part of the hike. 

From here on out the trails start to do some fancy loops around the cape to allow you too explore. There are some cool stopping places that are very picnic worthy too. It's a great place to relax with a book and some lunch while getting just far enough outside of the city to get the buzzing scooter noise out of your head for a while. 

Check out some of the highlight pictures below to get a feel of the cape side hike.

There is a parking lot oat the highest point on the cape that offers some amazing views of Jilong island and surrounding areas Jilong city and Jiufen.