Destination Taiwan: From Classrooms to Coastal Roads (My TEFL Beginnings)

When I boarded the flight to Taipei in June 2003, I had no idea that the next 18 months would not only reshape my career but also spark a lifelong passion for global teaching and exploration. Taiwan was my launchpad into the world of TEFL—a dynamic blend of culture, challenge, and transformation.

My first job was with Jump Start English in Taipei. I was welcomed at the airport by a chauffeur in a black Mercedes—a surreal beginning to what I thought would be a modest teaching gig. The initial weeks were a whirlwind. I jumped straight into a summer camp full of young learners, battling jet lag and the sticky heat of a Taiwanese summer.

When the regular semester started, I found myself teaching diphthongs and inflectional endings to children as young as three. The mismatch between the curriculum and the students’ developmental stage was clear, and after a frustrating month, I knew I needed a change.

By October 2003, I had relocated to Luodong, a picturesque town on Taiwan’s less-traveled East Coast. It was here that my true TEFL journey began. I joined the Koala Educational Institute, teaching both kindergarten and primary students. My mornings and evenings were dedicated to lessons, but the days were mine to explore.

Luodong was charming, with its famous night market, lush rice paddies, and the peaceful Luodong Sports Park. I cruised along the countryside on my scooter, soaking in misty mountain views and coastal roads, embracing the freedom and simplicity of life in a small town.

Luodong also gifted me a community. I bonded with fellow expat teachers—Chris from New Zealand, Elma from South Africa, and Sandy from Romania. Together we traveled Taiwan’s eastern corridor by scooter and train, discovering fishing villages, temples, and thermal hot springs.

These relationships—and the insights into Taiwanese hospitality and student life—deepened my appreciation for cross-cultural teaching and broadened my global outlook.

In May 2004, during a short break from teaching, I embarked on a whirlwind 10-day solo journey through Malaysia and Thailand. Though brief, it was unforgettable.

🇲🇾 Malaysia: Penang & Langkawi

I began in Penang, riding a scooter across the 13-kilometer bridge and exploring George Town’s colonial charm. From there, I caught a speedboat to Langkawi, where I lived in a modest beach hut, explored lush green hills by car, and snorkeled at Pulau Payar Marine Park. It was peaceful, tropical, and a stark contrast to life in the classroom.

🇹🇭 Thailand: Phuket & Bangkok

Next stop: Phuket. I rented a Suzuki jeep, picked up two Swedish hitchhikers, and road-tripped across the island—visiting markets, beaches, and enjoying Thailand’s vibrant energy. My last day was spent navigating Bangkok in a tuk-tuk, absorbing the chaos and charm of this bustling capital.

Just six months later, the tragic 2004 tsunami would devastate parts of the region I had just visited—a sobering reminder of how fleeting travel memories can be. I’m grateful to have seen these places before they were changed forever.

In July 2004, I joined four other expats on a cycling tour around the island to raise funds for the Red Heart Foundation, a charity supporting families of convicted criminals in Taiwan.

Over 11 days and 1,000 kilometers, we pedaled through Kaohsiung, Hualien, and Tainan, navigating coastal highways, industrial zones, and mountain passes. Giant sponsored our bikes. The media followed our story. I pushed through bronchitis to finish the ride.

It was grueling. It was glorious. It remains one of the proudest moments of my life.

After the ride, I took a final teaching job at Cathy’s American School, working with high school students in Taipei. It was my first time teaching older learners and gave me valuable experience in academic preparation and teen engagement.

I stayed until December 2004, after which I packed my bags for mainland China—my next destination in this unfolding global teaching journey.

When I wasn’t teaching or cycling, I was exploring. Jiufen’s misty mountain charm, Su’Ao’s fishing docks, and the marble cliffs of Taroko Gorge were weekend havens. Hot springs, temples, and bubble tea became comforting constants.

Taiwan—modern yet traditional, fast-paced yet serene—left a deep mark on me.

Taiwan was more than my first TEFL post. It was the start of a lifestyle built on teaching, travel, and purpose. From small classrooms in Luodong to a cross-island cycling tour, Taiwan gave me the confidence to keep going—to China, the Middle East, and eventually, the online teaching world.

Looking back now, I see Taiwan as the spark that lit the fire for the next 20+ years of global education.

After spending 18 months in Taiwan Teaching English as a Foreign Language, it was time to say goodbye and move on to the next destination, which was mainland China, where I would spend the next 20 months teaching EFL across different provinces and cities.