Guide to studying abroad in Taiwan
✔︎ Important Things to Know About Living in Taiwan
1. No Eating or Drinking
on the MRT 🚇
In Taiwan, you cannot eat or drink on the MRT (subway), even on the platform.
If you accidentally eat or drink, you could be fined 1,500–7,500 TWD.
This rule also includes gum, candy, and water.
Once you pass through the ticket gate, no food or drinks are allowed.
Look for a yellow line on the floor with the words:
"進入本區禁止飲食": it means “No eating or drinking beyond this point”.
Taiwan’s MRT is very clean and comfortable, so let’s follow the rules to keep it nice ✨
2. Mosquito Alert in
Taiwan! 🦟
Taiwan has lots of mosquitoes, and they are active all year round.
Be careful – mosquito bites can be really painful and itchy!
Some things to know:
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Mosquitoes in Taiwan are bigger than in Japan.
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Bites can swell a lot and sometimes take more than 2 weeks to heal.
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Japanese mosquito medicine might not work well, so it’s better to buy medicine locally in Taiwan.
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Even after the swelling goes down, marks may stay for a while.
⚠️ Tip: Walking outside at night in short sleeves and shorts is risky; you could get dozens of bites!
🐜 Recommended precautions:
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Use a mosquito net over your bed.
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Spray mosquito repellent on clothes and in your room.
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Keep local anti-itch cream ready.
With a little preparation, you can enjoy life in Taiwan without itchy bites 💪
3. Meat Products Are Not
Allowed in Taiwan! 🚫🥩
When you enter Taiwan, bringing meat products is mostly prohibited.
If you break the rules, you could be fined up to 1,000,000 TWD, so be very careful!
Things you cannot bring include:
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Raw meat, ham, sausages, beef jerky, and other processed meats.
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Some foods like instant noodles, rice balls, or soups may contain meat, so check carefully.
Foods that are usually okay:
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Seafood or vegetable instant noodles and soups.
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Canned or sterilized foods (like retort pouches) are sometimes allowed.
💡 Tips:
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Always check ingredient labels on instant or freeze-dried foods.
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If unsure, declare it at customs.
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If you break the rules and cannot pay the fine, you might be refused entry.
✅ Make sure to check before you leave so you can start your Taiwan trip or study safely! ✈️
4. Cash Is Still King in Taiwan! 💵
When traveling abroad, money is always a big question.
Nowadays, credit cards and mobile payments are common, but in Taiwan, cash is still widely used.
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Big places like department stores (Shin Guang Mitsukoshi, Far Eastern Sogo, Taipei 101 mall, etc.) or large restaurants accept credit cards.
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Some smaller shops only accept Taiwanese credit cards or LINE Pay.
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Night markets and local eateries are almost always cash only, so it’s a good idea to carry extra money.
💡 Tip: If you wonder where to exchange money, check our other article for recommended ways to exchange cash.
5. Learn About Your Own Culture Before Living in Taiwan! 🌏
This advice is not just for Taiwan, but for anyone studying abroad.
From my own experience, it’s very important to know your country’s culture, politics, and social issues before you go.
When you meet people from different cultural backgrounds, understanding your own country helps you communicate better.
I remember feeling embarrassed many times because I didn’t know enough about Japan.
After that, I really wanted to learn more about my own country.
In Taiwan, Japanese culture is very popular.
Many people enjoy Japanese movies, music, and especially anime, no matter their age.
Having a shared interest like anime can help you make friends quickly, even with someone you have just met.
Even if you don’t watch much anime, it’s a good idea to know a little as a conversation starter.
Besides anime, learning about famous Japanese writers, literature, cities, and tourist spots can make your conversations more interesting.
Some Taiwanese people even know more about Japan than we do!
The key is to know “drawers” in your mind. The more you know, the easier it is to communicate.
Use your time before studying abroad (like a Gap Year) to learn about Japan and be ready to share it in your own words.
This will help your relationships abroad become deeper and more meaningful.
Take advantage of this time and be confident in expressing yourself as a your country’s person! 🌸