人生重開始 簡單過生活

Letter to Margaret Malewski, the author of GenXpat: The Young Professional's Guide To Making A Successful Life Abroad

 

 

 

Hi Margaret!

I just saw the introduction to the Taiwan edition of GenXpat.

I am a GenXer, Taiwan-born, US educated, and currently on assignment
in Seoul, Korea.

In the 60s, 70s, and early 80s, many Taiwan college graduates sought
advanced education in North America and Europe. Most chose to stay
in the West rather than return to Taiwan upon graduation, thus the
term "brain drain". However, beginning in the late 80s, some began
to return to Taiwan as the government offered many incentives in
order to develop the hi-tech industries, but most were in their 40s
and 50s.

Beginning in early 90s, a trickle of Taiwan youngsters brought up in
the West, either by birth or by immigration at a young age, usually
in their 20s, began to return as well. I suppose I am among this
group.

Beginning in 2000, many more of so-called hyphenated Taiwanes
(Taiwan-American, Taiwan-Canadian, Taiwan-Australian, Taiwan-New
Zealander) return, partially due to the tight job market in the West
after the internet boom crashed, partially due to multinationals and
Asian companies alike considered their bi-lingual ability and bi-
cultural background advantageous in the growing Greater China market.

Also beginning in late 1980s, Taiwan companies began to expand their
overseas operations, first in China and other Southeastern
countries, and later to other parts of the world. Nowadays many
young people find that even working in Taiwan-based companies, they
need to be willing to relocate. This may be the reason why a Taiwan
publisher is the first to publish the foreign language edition of
GenXpat.

Jilly