Vietnam
What keeps me here isn’t just one company or one industry; it’s the combination of opportunities and the environment.
I studied at National Chengchi University (NCCU) in the Advertising Department, majoring in Communication and Design. When it came to landing my first job as a foreigner, it actually turned out to be more straightforward than I expected. I was lucky to receive great support from my university. There was an international student career fair at NCCU that my company joined, and the funny part is… I wasn’t even in Taiwan at the time. A staff member I’d worked with at the university office recommended me, and the HR team reviewed my CV; that’s how I ended up landing an interview. So I’d say it felt more like a series of lucky connections, just having the right people in the right place.
NCCU was incredibly supportive throughout the entire process. At career fairs, job information was provided in both English and Mandarin, which made it much easier for international students to access. The university's Career Platform also offered one-on-one career advising sessions, along with workshops and company talks that helped me understand the job market better. In the past two years, they’ve even partnered with CrossBond—a platform connecting international talent with local companies—to organize job fairs specifically for international students.
Since this was my first job, I was initially quite overwhelmed by all the hiring paperwork and regulations. But I’d say the biggest challenge has been the work culture. Even though I speak the language, I’m not always confident that I fully understand the cultural context. There aren’t many international employees at my company, and since most of my colleagues are Taiwanese, there are moments when I can’t fully follow the conversations. (I do want to join the fun, you know!) That said, I’m really grateful because everyone has been kind and patient, and they’re always willing to explain things when I ask.
One thing that genuinely surprised me about working in Taiwan was how integrated traditional culture is in the workplace. During Ghost Festival, I remember the whole office building suddenly gathering together for baibai (“拜拜,” or group praying). I already knew about things like the Kuai Kuai culture in Taiwanese offices, but seeing it in real life was still really impressive and memorable.
When it comes to whether my skills are fully utilized, much depends on the specific company and position. From a market perspective, I do see opportunities to apply my international background and language abilities, especially in roles involving cross-cultural communication or international markets.
The industry that attracts me the most in Taiwan is definitely the semiconductor and broader tech industry. I think it’s quite clear that this is one of Taiwan’s strongest global advantages. With companies like TSMC and the whole ecosystem around it, Taiwan plays a really critical role in the global supply chain. What I find interesting is that it’s not limited only to engineering or technical roles. Because the industry is so well-developed and internationally connected, it also creates a lot of opportunities in other areas like project management, operations, product coordination, and even roles related to international communication or market development. This kind of ecosystem is what makes it especially attractive to me.
What made me feel I’m glad I stayed after graduation? I think it was the little everyday things. Taipei is so convenient, especially the public transportation, so I rarely feel stressed about commuting. Compared to what I expected, many offices also have flexible working hours, which makes it easier to balance work and life. After a while, life here just started to feel really comfortable.
Looking ahead, I think it’s difficult for anyone to predict the future with certainty. But what I do see in Taiwan is that things are becoming more supportive for international talent. With policies like APRC and other related regulations, the system feels increasingly open, especially for those considering longer-term careers here. So I wouldn’t describe it as a fully clear path, but rather a direction that is developing in a positive way.
I can genuinely see myself building my career in Taiwan for the next five to ten years. What keeps me here isn’t just one company or one industry; it’s the combination of opportunities and the environment. Taiwan is in a really interesting position right now, especially with tech, AI, semiconductors, and creative industries becoming more internationally connected. Even as someone from a communication and creative background, I feel like there’s still space to grow and collaborate across industries.
If I leave Taiwan one day, it would probably be to pursue another degree or experience a different perspective abroad for a while, maybe to challenge myself creatively or understand another market more deeply. But I think Taiwan would still be a place I’d want to stay connected to professionally.
