As a foreign professional, I understand the struggles of securing a job or an internship in a foreign country, especially when studying. Taiwan, in particular, can be a challenging place for international students to find internships due to a few caveats, such as difficulty finding jobs outside of Taipei (unless you are very specific in your field of expertise and the place you chose to live/study), relatively low wages, and high expectations.
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The first step to finding an internship in Taiwan is to start early. Start researching companies that interest you and begin networking with professionals in your field. Attend job fairs and career events to understand better the job market and what companies are looking for in potential interns. Taiwan's diverse economy has significant electronics, manufacturing, and technology industries. An excellent place to start is by looking at job search websites, such as 104.com.tw or 1111.com.tw, which feature student job openings and internships. There are also numerous Facebook groups and organisations that would love to have you over. Another platform worth mentioning is LinkedIn, with its rapid growth over the path year or two - most of the jobs are still for higher-level positions, but I see many offers for internships. They are primarily for Taiwanese/Chinese-fluent only, but it is still an excellent platform to start your job hunting. Many of these websites have English language options, allowing you to filter your search by location, industry, and job function.
One of the international students' most significant challenges is finding jobs outside of Taipei. Taipei is the capital city of Taiwan and the hub of business and industry. Many companies prefer to hire interns from Taipei, making it difficult for students outside the city (especially since most Taiwanese companies are looking only for on-site interns) to secure internships. However, it's important to remember that there are still plenty of opportunities available outside of Taipei. Students should broaden their search and consider smaller companies or startups.
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Another challenge is the low wages and high expectations that come with internships in Taiwan. Taiwanese companies expect interns to work hard and take on significant responsibilities. Still, the pay is often much lower than expected in Western countries. It's important to understand that an internship in Taiwan aims to gain valuable work experience and build professional connections rather than make much money.
Work environment differences between Taiwan and other countries can also be a challenge. Taiwanese companies have a hierarchical structure, and interns are expected to respect their superiors. Bringing new ideas to the table can be daunting, especially when you don't have enough experience to differentiate between your superior shooting down your thoughts because they are "not so good" and being a petty person. Communication styles may also differ, so learning the proper business etiquette before starting your internship is essential.
In addition to cultural differences, you may also encounter language barriers when applying for internships in Taiwan. Many companies require (or prefer) their employees to be fluent in Mandarin Chinese, so it is recommended that you start learning the language if you still need to do so. This will help you during the application process and enable you to communicate more effectively with your colleagues and supervisors once you start working. And since few international talents can also speak Chinese, it makes you a strong candidate just because of it.
I also wanted to mention one thing that comes along with the "student looking for a job" story. Most universities in Taiwan require students to do an internship. Most of them allow it/need to do at least 160 hours of work that can be used as official credit for graduation. Use the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone - gain valuable experience and help with the course load.
In conclusion, securing an internship in Taiwan can be challenging, but it's possible. International students should start early, broaden their search, and consider smaller companies or startups. It's essential to understand the low wages and high expectations of internships in Taiwan and adjust your expectations accordingly. Remember to learn the proper business etiquette and communicate effectively with your superiors. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of landing an internship in Taiwan and gaining valuable work experience in a foreign country.
P.S. I like to work on projects that help younger people find jobs and broaden their skills & training. When writing this article (March 2023), I can wholeheartedly recommend three places to go: Digi+, Talent Circulation Alliance and T大使.
1) https://academy.digitalent.org.tw/ - for Taiwanese people only
2) https://www.talentcirculationalliance.org/ - for non-Taiwanese people only
3) https://www.3t.org.tw/– 4th edition for Taiwanese and non-Taiwanese people
All of them are governmental projects under the Ministry of Digital Affairs. I participated in TCA in 2022 while being a student of GMBA, and it was a very pleasant experience. I am currently working on T大使 as one of the teachers there. Check out the links below, and if you have any questions, look me up on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelglasek/). Hopefully, I can still help you find an internship in Taiwan or send you over to one of my connections.
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