Author Archives: jaydeegroot
Taipei Baboons RFC: Living it
Rugby, it has been said, is a hooligans’ game played by gentlemen. However, in Taiwan, it is a hooligans’ game played by baboons – the Taipei Baboons Rugby Football Club, to be exact, Taiwan’s oldest expat Rugby Union team. They … Continue reading
Big Hearts, Big Plans: Haxstrong Charity
Sometimes life slaps us in the face. It’s annoying as hell, we curse and moan, then get over it. But sometimes life knocks us to the ground and kicks us in the head: a serious traffic accident, a child in … Continue reading
Expats With a Heart: The Community Services Center in Tianmu Turns 30
When people think of the Community Services Center, they often think of what British author and classical musician Richard Saunders calls “that whole Tianmu tai-tai scene”. Indeed, the Center is often associated with survival Chinese classes, cross-cultural orientations for newcomers, … Continue reading
The Devil is in the Details
Here’s a short bulletin from The Culture Shack! I remember two years ago when I was active with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan’s Small Business Committee, I gave a short talk – one among many other speakers – … Continue reading
Hockey Night in Taiwan
The puck drops, and the two forwards Liu and Wang fight for it. Wang hooks it out to Chen, and Chen passes to Chen who return passes it to Chen! Chen to Li. Li takes it across the line. Li … Continue reading
Foreigner with a Taiwan ID
Here in expat haven Taiwan, where residence is easy but citizenship hard, it’s a dream of many long-term foreign residents to become legally Taiwanese, without having to first renounce their original nationality. It’s my dream as well. I hope never … Continue reading
Vibrant Colors: The Indian Community in Taiwan
It was quite a contrast to return last week from multicultural Vancouver to Han-dominated Taiwan. But although there is less global variety here, there are still interesting groups like the Indian community that add new cultural colors – like food, … Continue reading
Hongcouverstan: money and diversity have changed Pacific Canada forever
Just jumped the puddle for a long overdue family visit back in Vancouver. That city has always had the stunning backdrop of the North Shore Mountains, still capped with snow in early April. And it has always been Canada’s gateway … Continue reading
Snot-nosed Jack
Beyond our cultural differences, we find our human similarities. Source: Snot-nosed Jack
Snot-nosed Jack
Beyond our cultural differences, we find our human similarities. Continue reading
The Culture Shack 