About Us
We are Michael and Emily Jefferies, an American married couple from Michigan who have found ourselves on a wonderful adventure abroad.
We met as teenage volunteers on a political campaign, became good friends a few years later working together for a non-profit organization, and started dating. After three years of an eventful and long-distance relationship, we came up with a brilliant idea: marriage! Michael proposed, we decided to chase our dreams in Taiwan, tied the knot in August 2007 and three weeks later moved to the small town of GuiShan, Taiwan to begin our careers as students.
Our first year living together was spent in a small studio apartment, just down the hill from Emily’s Chinese classes but a full hour by bus, train and MRT from Michael’s school, the Taipei campus of Ming Chuan University. Because of his commute and our desire to live in the big city, Emily switched to the Taipei-based National Taiwan Normal University, and in June 2008 we moved into an apartment with two other housemates.
Michael studies International Business and Management, Emily studies Mandarin Chinese & Culture. We both are surrounded on a daily basis by our classmates who hail from all corners of the world, and from whom we are learning about different cultures and languages on the most personal level: friendship.
To the commonly asked question “Are you missionaries?” we answer that we are listening for God’s voice and committed to following it. He has led us here, and continues to present us with evidence that being here is no accident. However, that is just how we were living before so we only fit the “missionary” bill insofar as we are Christian ex-pats.
We enjoy adventures of many kinds, good conversations with friends, our cat Lottie, great food and letting people crash on our couch. If you’d like to travel some of Asia or see Taiwan specifically, feel free to ask questions to your hearts content or look for answers in the “Websites We Like” section.
Below is an interview of us on what its like to be married while in college. Some friends of ours studying Mass Communication did it as a class project.
So, that’s us in a nutshell. Don’t be shy to read as much as you want, look at all of our pictures and comment, even if we weren’t acquainted before. We won’t mind even a tad 
Peace to you! Michael and Emily
Hi,
I am a British university student graduating this year! With the world depression I am finding it hard to find a job next year in the UK!
So i was thinking of heading to Taiwan to teach english for a whole year!
Could you tell me what its like living in Tiapei and how much an apartment in the city center would cost?
Also how did you cope with the language barrier
Thanks!!!
thanks for you missionary adventure we would love to host you and preach with you in kenya you are most welcome.
God bless you.
I didn’t know you guys had a website. How cool! Love you both! Oh and I was wondering if you wanted to check out a jazz bar this friday night, at around 8.30pm, it’s called Blue Note, have you been? its on the corner of Shi Da and Roosolvelt (wow never knew I couldn’t spell that word! Oh well what can I say he isn’t an Australian prime minister!)
Much Love
Hannah
Hi, my name is Jennie and I’m 21, from the UK. I’m a Christian and I’ve felt for ages God is calling me to East Asia and to learn Mandarin. He’s led me on this crazy path, and next month I’ll be moving to Taipei (Wanhua district) to intern with a mission group. Yeah, I’m pretty nervous.
I’m really excited to see your blog – I randomly searched for some info on Taiwan and the only 2 pages I ended up looking at were 2 blogs by Christians living and studying in Taipei! God is good, and he obviously controls google.
So I’d love to chat sometime. I know you must be busy, so I don’t want to intrude on the busy-ness. I’m just really excited to find out there are other Christians doing awesome things for God and attempting the insanity that is Mandarin. I’m assuming since you run this blog you now have my email but if not, its jennifer.nicola@hotmail.co.uk. It would be so great to maybe just hear a bit about how you settled in and how you are doing.
I’m in Thailand right now, visiting some friends old and new, then next month I’ll be in Singapore, but I move November 21st. So good to read your blog.
Love in Christ
Jennie
Hi Jennie!
It’s so amazing you found our blog. We’d be happy to tell you about how we settled and all that stuff. One thing you can do right off the bat is read our early posts from when we first arrived.
Fortunately we had some friends in Taiwan when we arrived here and they were huge in helping us settle and take care of all the little things that come along with moving to a new place. Hopefully you have someone similar to that.
What mission organization are you working with?
hi, my name is ivonne and i’ve been reading ur blog for a couple of months, i live in the US and my boyfriend is there in taiwan in the same school you are studying, that is why i was interested in your blog! well my question right now is when is the best time to book flights to come here in your summer break? and approximately how much do u guys pay for it? i would really appreciate any tips you can give me! =)
Ivonne,
Is your boyfriend at Ming Chuan or Shi Da? Michael and I go to two different universities
We were told that airlines release their international airfare prices about 3 months ahead of time, so for a late June or early July ticket we look online for the first big deals around mid-to-late March. I’ve found round-trip tickets to LA for $700, all the way to MI for $900. The normal going rate is $1100-$1500.
The most helpful websites I’ve found include:
http://www.sidestep.com/buzz
http://www.bing.com/travel
http://www.farecompare.com
http://www.kayak.com
Have fun searching and good luck!
Emily
I just happened across your blog today. How fun! We (my husband and I) are Christians living and studying (and working) in Taipei as well. We are also Americans and live right down the road from ShiDa, actually. Small world! I have enjoyed perusing your blog, and especially love your nonsense shirts store. What a great idea! My sister was here a couple weeks ago and we entertained ourselves for quite some time looking through the crazy t-shirts.
Morgan
Greetings, I am happy to run into your blog today. I am originally from Taiwan but have spent the past decade in the Midwest of U.S. (i.e., Indiana, Illinois). Reading through your blogs/pictures, for some odd reasons, reminds me my very first year here in the U.S..
I particularly appreciate all those pictures you took to document your life in Taipei/Taoyuan. It is very likely that you probably know more about Taipei than I do since I only visit her once a year. She is a charming city, isn’t she?
Thank you for sharing your journey with your blog. I certainly will visit it again. I wish you two the best and hope you continue to enjoy all your moments in Taipei/Taiwan.
David
Your adventure sounds interesting. I’m planning (just sent my application in) to attend MTC at NTNU starting in the fall for the intensive class and was wondering if you had any advice on navigating getting started. My wife is planning on coming over as well and we are both from Michigan (her Detroit area and me from Grand Rapids), which is why I found your blog sub-title alluring.
Also if you have any recommendations on apartment arrangements. I would like to be off the train line if at all possible. I’ve heard that places up by the embassies are nice.
Thanks – Justin
Hey guys,
It has been such a joy to find your blog online. I feel like I know you two already, your posts are so open and honest. I have been scouring the internet for information and found answers to just about every question I could possibly think of: visas, job offers, where to live, where to eat, where to study Chinese, even where to do yoga. However, there are a few questions that have gone unanswered.
I’m taking the plunge and have decided to move to Taiwan: taipei or bust! I’m an American student, obtaining my masters degree at the end of the summer. I have about two years of Chinese Language skills and am looking to teach English in Taipei. More specifically, I am looking to work and live in the da-an area as much as possible, although commuting from the da-an area out to find work is also an option.
In an attempt to find an open position as an “outsider” to the game I pretty much have only one choice as a source of employment, foreign recruiters. This would be fine if I were younger or just out of my undergrad as these agencies place you in part to full time buxibans, i.e. cram schools. I’m not looking for a short stay, instead I hope to acquire an established teaching position, truly submerse myself in the language and culture and set up home in Taipei for about two to three years. My master’s research has been in buddhist and taoist healing arts, alchemical practices, etc. and I am really looking forward to see this practitioners and their residing temples up close and personal.
In short, I’m writing because I am trying to make contact with someone who can help me break into the public school market teaching English. Do you guys know of anyone I could talk to directly, via e-mail, to get started on this? If nothing else, its nice to know there are kind people in Taipei. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Cheers,
Jenni
Jenni,
Thanks for reading our blog! It’s always wonderful to know that what we write has helped people figure out what life here would be like. Taipei is a pretty cool place, I’m sure you’ll love it like we do.
As far as public school teaching goes, we don’t know of anyone personally who has that sort of a job – everyone’s either teaching at a buxiban or private Christian school. I will ask around for you, though! When were you planning on arriving? After you received employment, or before?
Emily
Justin,
That’s cool you’ll be attending the MTC this fall! We’ll be right across the street from each other – I’ll be studying at the main campus a few days a week.
For getting started and navigating a new life, we have found there’s not much better than http://www.tealit.com – Teaching English and Living In Taiwan. It’s a foreigner’s paradise. Apartments for rent or to share, constant moving sales (due to the high turnover rate of teachers and students), advice, language exchange, etc. We found our apartment through the website, and actually just about everything else we’ve needed since – furniture, appliances, bicycles, even paint! Go check it out.
Another option for finding housing is to arrive a week early, live in a hostel, and visit an apartment realtor in the area, who would show you places in your price range and desired area. Or, go it on your own using these tips.
Some purchases that are good to make right off the bat: bicycles or a scooter, big kettle for boiling city water, and a fan.
The big mega-store in town is Carrefour, the French version of Wal-mart. They have almost everything, except cheap cheese. We bring some good sharp cheddar and parmesan from home! But that’s because we haven’t bought a membership to Costco, which is way across town.
Hope this answered a few questions
Emily
Emily,
I am planning on moving in early to mid-August, and would like to have a job prior to leaving the U.S. I appreciate your willingness to ask around about public schools for me. If nothing turns up I can always pursue the foreign recruitment circuit. We’ll see what turns up.
Thanks again,
Jenni