Q. Who will pick me up at the airport when I arrive?

A. Prior to leaving home you, will inform KojenI of your arrival date and time, airline, flight number, and city of departure. You will be then be met at the airport by a representative of Kojen Taiwan who will take you to yourtemporary lodgings.Transportation to Kaoshiung or Taichung will be arranged for you and someone will meet you at the train station.

Q. What is the electrical voltage in Taiwan?

A. Most apartments offer both 110 and 220 volt (60Hz) outlets. 220V is more common these days, and most appliances and electrical equipment will have 220V plugs, though some may be dual voltage. Adapters are readily available, as are batteries. If you have dual voltage equipment make sure you have them set for the right voltage or it's toast.

Q: Will housing be provided?

A: Teachers under the hourly contract are picked up at the airport when they arrive and are taken to temporary apartments. We provide free housing for one week or two weeks, depending upon type of contract offered, from arrival to give you a 'soft landing' when you arrive. If you ask for assistance in finding a place to stay, we will be happy to assist you. In cases where you haven't yet found housing and your free time is used up, you will be allowed to remain in our apartments at a nominal daily fee until you have found suitable accommodations for yourself.

Q: If so, how will it be provided? Will you be providing key money, monthly rent, shared housing, dormitories, lodging houses, or an inn?

A: There is no such thing as key money in Taiwan. That only applies to Korea. You need to prepare for your move in much the same way you would when moving from one apartment to another back home. Apartments are mostly on one-year leases, with a one-month or two-month security deposit.

Q: Will the school be my landlord or will my landlord be a third party?

A: Our teachers are a very professional and independent lot for the most part. The company store type of school system just doesn't work in Taiwan for our teachers. For the time that you spend in our apartments prior to finding your own, Kojen is your landlord, but that is for a very short time.

Q: Who will be responsible for payments of utilities?

A: During your stay in our apartments, all utilities are included (but, of course, long distance phone calls are your responsibility).

Q: Will my housing have air conditioning?

A: Yes.

Q: Will I have access to a computer and the Internet?

A: There are computers at all of our schools for teachers shared use in lesson planning. At this time, they are not connected to the Internet. However, Internet cafes are plentiful, and it is a fairly easy and inexpensive process to get hooked up once you've moved into your own apartment. (I have both cable and phone line access in my home).

Q: What are the temporary apartments like?

A: The temporary lodgings in our apartments are clean and safe, with a bed, a lock on your door, and closet to hang your clothes and an air-conditioner. They serve the basic need of getting you a place to stay when you arrive.

Q: Will I have roommates? If so, how many? And will my roommates also be employees?

A: Our temporary apartments usually have 3-4 bedrooms, and they will all be teachers in the other rooms who have recently arrived like you. In most cases, teachers make friends at their schools and during training workshops and then decide to go in together for a place to stay. Having roommates is generally a good idea in Taiwan – you get a better apartment, the individual rent is much cheaper, and having someone at home to speak with in your native language is a nice benefit, especially when it comes time to figure out how to pay bills, etc.