Chen Jing-yuel is a volunteer
at the New Immigrate Family
Services Center, working as a
translator and
writing/translating for its
regular publication.

New immigrants display their
talents through the various
activities.

Nail Art is one of the most
popular classes with
immigrants, not only providing
entertainment but also a skill
to earn some money.

Artwork from the Nail Art class
for new immigrants.

We are all daughters-in-law of Taiwan: Using resources to help new immigrants adjust

Words and photos by Taichung City Government
Translated by Naomi Lai

Chen Jing-yuel, a native of Vietnam, came to Taiwan seven years ago to marry her Taiwanese husband, thus becoming a "foreign spouse" in this country. She recalls that when she first arrived here she didn't speak the language and had a hard time adjusting to the various daily customs. Fortunately, her husband's family was very supportive and she was also able to utilize various government welfare services to integrate into the local community more quickly. Today, Chen is a confident immigrant who expresses happiness at her good fortune and volunteers to help her fellow Vietnamese plant roots here.

Free education and gathering events
In order to help recent immigrants--foreign and Chinese spouses--integrate into society, the government offers various services. For example, in Taichung immigrants can obtain elementary and junior high school level education for free. They can also join various free classes on adjusting to Taiwanese culture, held by city government departments including the Department of Civil Affairs, the Department of Social Affairs and the Department of Labor Affairs. These classes also offer information about Taiwanese culture, family relations, child education, and employment.

Last year, the Taichung City Department of Social Affairs entrusted the Good Shepherd Social Welfare Services with setting up a New Immigrant Family Service. This provides various skills classes and get-togethers to allow immigrants to interact with each other, create support networks and relieve homesickness. Most importantly, this service center offers suitable government help during any emergency.

Less restricted employment regulations
Addressing one of the biggest concerns--employment--immigrants can obtain vocational training and career services via the Department of Labor Affairs. Director-general Lai Shu-hui said that with the relaxation of the Employment Service Act foreign and Chinese spouses (with residency from lineal family or spousal connections) with Alien Resident Certificates would be able to find legal employment, even if they haven't yet obtained R.O.C. identity documents or a work permit. Those without specialties can also receive free vocational training, including courses such as Nail Art and Paper Clay Production, offered by the Department of Labor Affairs. Such courses provide not only a hobby, but also a trade to help them earn money. The latest offering is a popular "Decoupage Art" class, opening in June and now accepting applications.

Director-general Lai said that in order to help immigrants understand Taiwan's employment environment, the Department of Labor Affairs has printed a "New Immigrants in Taichung" pamphlet that includes information about employment, vocational education, job hunting and related dangers, resumes and interviews. All content is displayed in a Q&A format for easier understanding, and the Department of Labor Affairs may be contacted for copies.

Integrating and language learning
Many foreign spouses like Chen had previously obtained university-level degrees in Vietnam, but shied away from society upon arrival in Taiwan due to language and identity barriers. "My husband encouraged me to get out there," Chen said of her spouse, an electronic company engineer. He told her that language barriers were the start of mutual distrust and that, if she wanted to integrate into this society, she needed to learn Chinese. With his encouragement, Chen started attending the "Basic Adult Education Program", also known as the "Literacy Class for Foreign Spouses", to learn Chinese.

Chen noted that the literacy class only taught language skills, such as reading and speaking, but did not help students understand local Taiwanese culture, or offer an official educational certification. Thus, upon concluding the program, she applied to a supplementary elementary school with her graduation certificate from the class and started elementary school again. This June, she will be graduating from a supplementary junior high school. In an effort to encourage foreign spouses to obtain an official education in Taiwan, the Department of Education provides these services for free. Chen said that having a junior high school education was helpful for finding an employment and educating her son in the future.

However, not every immigrant has been as lucky as Chen, with many of her fellow countrymen trapped at home by their Taiwanese families. Although many have been in Taiwan for years, they cannot read Chinese or even speak Chinese or Taiwanese fluently. Other foreign spouses have been subjected to domestic abuse. Chen has assisted some of these women in seeking help through the "113" National Women and Children Protection Hotline, and expressed the hope that, with government assistance, more of these immigrants would be able to build homes in Taiwan and start new lives here.

Contact information:
Taichung City New Immigrate Family Services Center
260, HanXi West Rd, Sec 3; (04) 2436-5740
Taichung City Department of Civil Affairs
99, MinQuan Rd; (04) 2228-9111, ext 1252
Taichung City Department of Social Affairs (Women and Children Welfare Section)
53, ZiYou Rd, Sec 2, 5F; (04) 2228-9111, ext 3106
Taichung City Department of Education (Social Education Section)
53, ZiYou Rd, Sec 2, 6F; (04) 2228-9111, ext 1551
Taichung City Department of Labor Affairs
53, ZiYou Rd, Sec 2, 2F; (04) 2228-9111, ext 3309

Left: Department of Labor Affairs Director-general Lai Shu-hui shows the results from the vocational education for new immigrants.
Right: Adults and children enjoy the Songkran Festival, held by the New Immigrant Family Service Center.