I miss Formosa

Hm, now that the National Security Internship is open only to fluent Arabic speakers, the next major thing is the Public Policy summer program.. which I'm iffy about. I have more and more reason to find a way to Taiwan next summer. Hope for the best!

"Doth [we] protest too much"?

Another blogger was drawing the comparison between Iranian protests and Taiwanese protests. It's true, despite all the media coverage and popular support, it's not doing anything. Although the pessimism is a downer, it shows that protesting is not the most effective way. Something to think about is how to effectively protest. I see a strong connection between China's economic growth and Taiwan's loss of recognition. My feeling is that Taiwan needs to distinguish itself economically from China. Everything that China does not yet have, Taiwan must develop it now. Some of the suggestions I've heard were following Japan's footsteps of high quality products... I'm thinking, too, along the lines of natural and social scientific research. Taiwan, in all its diversity should be the breeding ground for new research and its regard for intellectual property, unlike China, could mean effective development. Alas, I've seen figures for its professor salaries, it's in the dumps. Who knows what it is in governmental or commercial sectors? I wonder if the low prof salaries are due to the better schools being public. Hmmmm...

You know what I want to do? Had I the means and abilities, of course. I'd like to start an off-campus studies program in Taiwan for field studies. Most of the times, people are paid to do research, but for off-campus studies, students are paying to do research. You know what that would do? Bring intelligent students of all disciplines, natural and social sciences and the humanities (because Taiwan has it all!), to conduct research. These students would doubtless stimulate the economy... Mingle with locals, providing an international experience both all involved parties.... If I were to do this, I wouldn't do just a program for American students. I want to recruit students from all continents. I would use my connections from college, summer internships, and future jobs to pull together a team of top notch guest lecturers.

::sigh:: What would Taiwan be like by the time I have the means? Will be in better or worse shape?

Hi Stephanie,

Yes, I understand and sympathize with your concerns. I have contacted Professor Cook, and he's has conceded to your request to list Taiwan under East Asia only. We should be able to make the correction on the OCS website within the next couple of weeks.

Have a great summer,

RB

Hi Mr. Bright,

Thank you for your quick response! This is very encouraging to me, and a small victory for Taiwan, but hopefully the first of many :)

Stephanie Wang



!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
VICTORY! :)
Small case, but I am optimistic for more progress. There was a lot of progress that needed to happen in Taiwan before 2008 and now, everyone is focusing on the cross-strait issue that many other important issues are neglected... CHANGE! YES WE CAN!!

Hi Stephanie,

The Taiwan program and programs in the People's Republic of China were both listed under East Asia/China (the region, not the country) precisely because of the politics on both sides surrounding the name. Please note that Taiwan is not anywhere listed as being within the PRC, and both the flag and the map indicate this separation: http://www.grinnell.edu/offices/ocs/programs/asia_east/chintaipei/ . I'll ask the Chinese Department how they would like to have the program listed, and if they indicate that it would be more appropriate not to include Taiwan in the China region and just list it separately within East Asia, that's what we will do.

RB


Hi Mr. Bright,

Thank you for your prompt and thoughtful response. I appreciate the time the OCS has put into classifying Taiwan, as it is tricky. Maybe Taiwan isn't listed as part of the PRC, but for me, coming from a strongly DPP family, I would prefer that Taiwan is not associated with China in anyway. We have existed in isolation for centuries prior to WWII, during the Chinese Civil War and after KMT/ROC arrival. I understand that the OCS does not exist to accomodate everyone's personal preferences, though I hope the decisions will be based on more than political correctness.

The issue has just become more sensitive with the changing political climate and erosion of freedoms in Taiwan. I sometimes wish my political opinions could be productive on campus (like in the form of some sort of campus discussion) but I'm somewhat afraid of the negative repurcussions, very un-Grinnellian and un-American of me. Though through this exchange of e-mails I am suddenly very inspired to do something in Grinnell. We will see if the summer develops this idea or not.

Thank you very much,

Hi Mr. Bright,

I just wanted to protest the Off-Campus Studies website listing of Taiwan's program under China. I understand the political controversies, and with the current president of Taiwan, it's only a matter of time until Taiwan is sold out to China. Until Taiwan becomes de facto part of China, Communist, or is listed as "Special Administrated Region" like Hong Kong and Macao (or whatever The Politicians decide), Taiwan should be listed as Taiwan and not China.

Again, I do understand the politics of the naming process. I don't know if you have the authority to make that change, or if other administrators/professors in Grinnell would prevent the correct naming, but I do appreciate whatever consideration you will have for this issue.

Thanks for your time,

國共賣台特餐

I love Taiwanese people

Amazing business owner



Oh WOW.

Folks, that's how you get business!!

My Second Favorite Place in Taiwan