2016Pre-Departure Guide

National Taiwan University

ntucie@ntu.edu.twwww.oia.ntu.edu.tw

Tel: +886 2 3366 2007Fax: +886 2 2362 0096

Room 420, 4th floor, 2nd Admin BldgNo 1, Sec 4, Roosevelt Rd, Taipei 10617, Taiwan

Chapter 1 Preparing for DepartureVISACurrency exchangeThings to Bring / Things to Do

Chapter 2 Arrival in TaiwanTaoYuan International Airport to NTUTaipei Songshan Airport (TSA) to NTUTaipei Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Route Map

Chapter 3 Life in TaiwanPrince House -NTU Shui-Yuan DormsNTU Shui-Yuan Dorms Regional MapDaily NeedsHealthNTU Student ID Card & Transportation in TaipeiA Few Things to Keep in Mind

Chapter 4 Banking & MuseumsBankingMuseums

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

VISA

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The nationals of the following countries are eligible for the visa exemption program, which permits a duration of stay up to 90 days: Andorra, Australia (Effective from January 1, 2015 for one year), Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, U.K., U.S.A. and Vatican City State.

The nationals of the following countries are eligible for the visa exemption program, which permits a duration of stay up to 30 days: Malaysia, Singapore.

For more details, please visit Bureau of Consular Affair/visa-exempt entry

Things to BringThings to Do

Currency exchange

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Living expenses vary, depending on each student’s individual lifestyle, but TWD$10,000-$15,000 is considered adequate to cover monthly living expenses in Taiwan.You can exchange USD, HKD and JPY for the New Taiwan Dollar (TWD) at most banks in Taiwan, and the head office of the Bank of Taiwan offers currency exchange services for many other currencies. Please consult the banks in your home country prior to your departure to see whether you can use your credit cards / bank cards to withdraw money in Taiwan and if there is any transaction charge.1 TWD ≒ 3.33 JPY ≒ 0.23 HKD ≒ 0.20 CNY ≒ 0.03 USD ≒ 0.027 EUR(May. 2016)

Electrical equipment: The electric current  in Taiwan is 110V, 60Hz. with 2-hole flat blade sockets. You can bring your adapter or voltage transformers if necessary, while it is advised to buy electronic devices in Taiwan since it is convenient and cheaper to buy them here.

Travel Insurance: NTU offers all participants travel insurance worth a minimum of T WD 1,000,000 valid for the whole program period. However, we still recommend that you enroll in extra insurances.

Transcript & Credit Approval: Upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive an academic transcript. If you wish to have your credits approved, please consult with your home institution in advance about obtaining credits for coursework conducted during the program.

Clothing: The temperature in summer in Taiwan is usually hot and humid (the average 28-36 °C). Due to occasional thunderstorms and typhoons, summer program participants are advised to bring or purchase umbrellas. There are field trips that may involve a lot of walking, so we recommend participants bring walking shoes, casual comfortable clothing and sunscreen.

Items for living: Pillows, blankets, sheets and blanket covers will be provided, but you will need to have your own towels, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, hair dryer ...etc. You can either bring these things from your country or buy them in Taiwan after you arrive.

TaoYuanInternational Airportto NTU

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Participants are recommended to arrive at TaoYuan International/ Taipei Songshan Airport. We provide a group airport pick-up service at both airports on the designated day; therefore, participants are strongly recommended to arrive on that day.

DON’T FORGET TO INFORM US OF YOUR ARRIVAL TIME ON THE ADMISSON INFORMATION (STEP 6) AT THE APPLICATION SYSTEM.

Where Should I Arrive?If you cannot arrive at the airport then, please refer to the following information to get to the Prince House-NTU Shui-Yuan Dorms.

Address: No. 16, SiYuan Street, Taipei cityChinese:【太子學舍－臺大水源舍區：臺北市思源街 16 號】

How should I get to the dorm?1. By Taxi

Fare: TWD 1,200-1,300; Total Travel Time: 50 minsIf you are carrying heavy luggage, taking a taxi would be the easiest way to get to NTU. Taxi stands are outside the Arrival Lobby of both Terminal 1 and 2 at TaoYuan International Airport, and services are available 24 hours a day. Airport taxis to Taipei city charge a flat rate from NTD 1,200 to 1,300 (highway tolls included). A night time surcharge may apply after 11:00 PM.

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2. By Freeway Bus + Taxi Fare: TWD 300 (Freeway Bus TWD125; Taxi TWD180-200);

Total Travel Time: 70 minsThere are several bus companies that offer the services to Taipei city. Bus tickets are available at both Terminals. When you arrive at Taipei Main Station, you can easily find the Taxi nearby.

Prince House-NTU Shui-Yuan Dorms: No. 16, SiYuan Street, Taipei city Chinese:【太子學舍－臺大水源舍區：臺北市思源街 16 號】

3. By Shuttle bus + Taiwan High Speed Rail(THSR) + MRT+WalkFare: TWD 225 (Bus TWD30; THSR TWD175; MRT TWD20);Total Travel Time: 90 minsTaoyuan International Airport provides complete THSR shuttle bus routes network connecting the airport and THSR station. The shuttle bus comes every 5 - 10 minutes during peak times. Tickets must be purchased ahead of time for each journey. Tickets are sold at UBUS service counters at Arrivals Lobby of Terminals 1 and 2 at Taoyuan Airport. It costs TWD 175 from THSR Tayouan station to THSR Taipei station and it takes around 20 minutes. You can purchase tickets at Tickets Windows at THSR Tayouan station or book it in advance online. More information on official website: www.thsrc.com.tw/en/ticket/tic_how_online.asp You can directly transfer THSR for Metro (Taipei Main Station). Take off at Gongguan. Go out from the exit No.4 (please see page 14 & 15). After getting off the station, please walk straight for about 5 minutes and turn left at Lane 316, Roosevelt Road. Please keep walking for 1 minute and you will see a police office and the sign of SiYuan Street. Keep walking on the SiYuan Street and you will see a 7-11 and Starbucks. Turn right at the corner of Starbucks, Prince House-NTU Shui-Yuan Dorms are 1-minute walk away in front of you.

Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA) to NTU

Taipei Mass Rapid Transit(MRT) Route Map

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1. By TaxiFare: TWD 200-250;Total Travel Time: 15 minsTaxi stands are outside the Arrival Lobby, and services are available 24 hours a day. In average, it costs TWD200 to TWD250 from the airport to NTU.

2. By MRT + WalkFare: TWD30Total Travel Time: 40-50 minsTake the MRT line 1 toward Taipei Zoo from Songshan Airport and take off at MRT Gongguan stop and go out on exit 4 (please see page 14 & 15). Go out from the exit No.4. After getting off the station, please walk straight for about 5 minutes and turn left at Lane 316, Roosevelt Road. Please keep walking for 1 minute and you will see a police office and the sign of SiYuan Street. Keep walking on the SiYuan Street and you will see a 7-11 and Starbucks. Turn right at the corner of Starbucks, Prince House-NTU Shui-Yuan Dorms are 1-minute walk away in front of you.

NTU

Prince House- NTU Dorms

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Housing is provided for students on campus in our Shui-Yuan Dormitory which offers single rooms in a residential complex equipped with sports facilities and spacious common areas.

Rooms

• All single rooms include excellent lighting, a large study area, private bathroom and shower, a closet, drawers, a desk, a single bed, air conditioning, 24-hour heated water, internet connection and a landline telephone. New beddings will be provided. You can take it home after the program if you wish.

Communal areas and sports facilities

• Communal areas include meeting rooms in the lobby, a garage for bike storage, paid parking in the basement, and two laundry rooms (separated by male and female). A 24-hour receptionist is also on the first floor to help students if they have any questions.

NTU Shui-Yuan DormsAddress: No. 16, SiYuan Street, Taipei cityTel: +886 2 23631066 Smoking is not allowed.

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G uting

Taipower Building

Guting

Technology BuildingSec.1,

Heping W Rd Sec.1, Heping E Rd

Sec.2, Heping E Rd

Sec.1, Xinhai Rd

Sec.2, Jinshan S Rd

Sec.3, Xinsheng S Rd Sec.2, Xinsheng Rd

Sec.2, Xinsheng S Rd

TingZhou Rd

SiYuan

St

Sec.2, Keelung Rd

Sec.4, Roosevelt Rd

Sec.2, Jionguo S Rd

NTU MainCampus

Shui-YuanCampus

Main Gat e

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AB

C

2

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Prince House

Gongguan

NTU Shui-Yuan DormsRegional Map

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1. Starbucks

2. 7-ELEVEN

3. Police Station

4. TRI-Service General Hospital

5. Gonggune Night MarketMRT Gongguan Exit 1Near the campus there are many Bubble Milk stalls, all-you-can-eat restaurants, sporting goods outlets, second-hand book stores, and shoes shops. The Showtime Cinemas theater is also on the street.

6. Shida Night MarketMRT Taipower Building Exit 3

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Daily Needs

Health

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Meals Taiwanese cuisine is delicious and popular among foreigners. There are a variety of restaurants around NTU. You could choose to eat at one of the numerous on-campus cafeterias, which serve anything from a bowl of noodles to full set meals at very reasonable prices (less than TWD100), or at restaurants outside the campus. Generally, a meal costs around TWD80 to TWD250 in Taipei.

Grocery Shopping There are many grocery stores and shops in Taiwan. Most stores in Taipei are usually open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. throughout the week, but we also have many 24 hour supermarkets such as Wellcome Supermarket.

Supermarkets

•全聯福利中心 Pxmart : No.63, Sec. 1, Heping E. Rd.

•頂好 Wellcome Supermarket : B1F, No.285, Sec. 3, Roosevelt Rd.

•頂好 Wellcome Supermarket : No.41, Sec. 2, Roosevelt Rd.

•頂好 Wellcome Supermarket : B1F, No.2, Sec. 3, Xinsheng S. Rd.

Convenience Stores

There are many convenience stores (such as 7-11 and FamilyMart) which open 24 hours a day. They are like small supermarkets, stocked with a wide array of ready meals, snacks, beverages, magazines, and daily necessities. Other services such as copy machines and ATMs are available as well.

Telephone

In order to make overseas calls from the public phones in Taiwan, you need to purchase a prepaid telephone card. If you would like to carry a mobile phone, you can purchase a prepaid card at the airport at a mobile phone shop after arriving in Taiwan. It is highly recommended that foreigners buy the prepaid card at the airport, since it is easier and faster.

Internet Access

You will be able to use computers in the dorm and will have access to cable internet. However, you will need to bring or buy your own cable for cable internet access.

Please contact the OIA staff or student advisors i f you should experience any health issue. There is a medical service center on-campus that offers medical assistance to students.

NTU Health Center

The  Health Center on the main campus has doctors from the NTU Hospital and provides health services. It is located on the Royal Palm Boulevard across from the First Student Activity Center near the General Library. You can make appointments online or by telephone. The registration fee with an NTU ID is TWD 50.Tel: 02 3366 2155Emergency Number: 02 3366 9595Website: shmc.osa.ntu.edu.tw/main.php

NTU Student ID Card &Transportation in Taipei

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NTU Student ID CardWhen you arrive at NTU, you will receive an NTU student ID card from the Office of International Affairs.The card will give you access to NTU libraries and gym. It can also serve as an EasyCard.

Easy CardPublic transportation in Taipei is very convenient, especially when you travel with an EasyCard. An EasyCard is a prepaid, rechargeable transportation card, which can be used on all Taipei buses, MRT trains, YouBikes, metro shuttle buses, certain trains to other cities and at Taipei public parking lots. You can also pay by EasyCard in stores with the sign below.

MRT (Mass Rapid Transit): english.trtc.com.tw/The Taipei MRT is a modern transportation system serving Taipei City and New Taipei City. MRT ride cost depends on the distance and the way you pay; pay by the EasyCard can have a 20% discount; the average fare for traveling in Taipei City by metro costs TWD25. NTU campus and Shui-Yuan Dorms are at the Gongguan station on the green line (line 3).

UBike: taipei.youbike.com.tw/en/index.phpYouBike refers to the public bike system in Taipei; you can easily find those yellow, smiling bikes near MRT stations and some street corners. It provides the “rent from one station and return at another” service. You can rent it with EasyCard. (TWD5 for the first 30 min; TWD15 per 30 min within the first 4 hours.)

Sharing Wheels: sharingwheels.net/Sharing Wheels is the very first bicycle sharing project in the country, dedicated to spreading the concept of bicycle sharing and hoping you can enjoy it as we do.It’s a campus service project based on the concept of bicycle sharing. There is no need to buy yourself a bicycle, join our service, and you can ride it for free.

A Few Things to Keep in MindNTU Student ID Card &Transportation in Taipei

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Downtown BusBuses in downtown Taipei City bring you to more places than MRT. Bus rides cost an average of TWD15.Taipei Bus Information and Transit System:www.5284.com.tw/Dybus.aspx?Lang=En

Taxi:www.taiwantaxi.com.tw/taiwantaxi/english_services.asp

Taiwanese taxis have an initial charge of TWD 70, and TWD 90 from 11:00 p.m to 6:00 a.m. A 20 minute ride costs around T WD 300. Taiwan Taxi is the largest taxi company in Taiwan, the first in its field to use GPS+GPRS+GIS satellite positioning passenger service, 24-hour vehicle monitoring, and complete vehicle route tracking. English or Japanese speaking drivers and chartering services are available.

24 hour service hotline: 405-88-888 or dial 55688 via cell phone.

Other apps about transportation

台北等公車、台灣等公車

BathroomAlthough many public toilets in Taiwan are reasonably well-equipped, some may not provide toilet paper. It may be wise to bring packets of tissue paper at all times.

Tipping

Tipping is not a common practice in Taiwan. People do not tip in restaurants, hotels, or taxis.

No Smoking in Public Places

In Taiwan, smoking is banned in all indoor public places, including restaurants and cafeterias. It is also forbidden to smoke on NTU campus.

Taxi

Please keep in mind that all taxi passengers must fasten their seat belts. Passengers who fail to do so will face a fine at least 1,500 TWD.

MRT

Neither eating nor drinking is allowed in stations or in passenger trains. The MRT stations and the trains are kept extremely clean and passengers are generally quiet and respectful of one another.

Banking

Chapter 4

Banking &Museums

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On-Campus Banks

Hua Nan Bank華南銀行

Chunghua Post Bank中華郵政

Location1F of Department of Geography

on Golden Rain Ave( 地理系館旁 )

1F of Xiao-Fu ( 小福樓 )Commissary and at the

Gongguan MRT Station (Exit 3)

ServicesMoney deposit, money transfer,

currency exchange, and online banking

ContactTel: +886 2 2363 1478Fax: +886 2 2363 9657

NTU BranchTel: +886 2 2363 3435

Gongguan MRT Branch Tel: +886 2 2368 8574

To open a bank account, you have to be there in person. Please remember to bring:

• passport

• Alien Resident Certificate (ARC; if you are ineligible to apply for one, please apply for ROC ID Number instead)

• NTU ID or Work Contract

• legal stamp (if applicable)

• a minimum deposit of TWD 1,000

To close your bank account, bring your bank passbook, legal IDs and stamp (if applicable).To apply for an ROC ID Number, please bring your passpor t and one photocopy of it and fill out an application form at the National Immigration Agency.

Museums

Banking

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ATM CardIt is safe and convenient to deposit, withdraw, transfer money, and check balances at ATMs with an ATM card. If your ATM card is lost, please report to your bank immediately.

Museums Website Telephone

National Palace Museum www.npm.gov.tw/en/ 02 2881 2021

National Museum of History

www.nmh.gov.tw/en-us/Home 02 2361 0270

Taipei Fine Arts Museum www.tfam.museum/?sid=1 02 2595 7656

Taipei Astronomical Museum

english.tam.taipei.gov.tw/ 02 2831 4551

Miniatures Museum of Taiwan

www.mmot.com.tw/ 02 2515 0583