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School, 3 schools for Japanese residents, and 2 Professional High-Quality Medical
Korean schools. Apart from these foreign schools, Care
the children of foreign nationals may also apply
to attend dual-language sections or programs Taiwan's medical technology standards and quality of
established by schools at the high school level and health care are world class. Foreign nationals who hold an
below, foreign sections or programs established ARC are required to enroll in the National Health Insurance
by private schools at the high school level and program during the period of their residence in accordance Vibrant Lifestyle
below, and other schools at the high school level with relevant regulations, allowing them to benefit from high-
and below authorized by the competent authority quality medical care.
to accept foreign students. Students with lawful
residency rights in Taiwan can also apply to Leisurely Journeys through Taiwan's
attend schools at the high school level and below
near their place of residence. Students wishing Natural Environment
to attend university (or above) may apply directly Taiwan's varied natural landscape provides plenty of
to attend that school. Taiwan has 65 Chinese choices for outdoor recreational activities. Mountain
language educational organizations attached to hiking trails and bike paths are everywhere leading to
universities qualified to enroll foreign students, undiscovered adventures. Those who wish to experience
and these organizations can provide superior varied landscapes and topographies can visit the lakes
Chinese-language study programs. With regard to and mountains of the Central Mountain Range, the Datun
the general educational system, preschools (and Volcano Group in Taipei, the badlands terrain of Kaohsiung's
kindergartens) enroll children from the age of 2 Moon World, the lagoons and sandbars of the west coast,
until elementary school age. Elementary schools the Penghu basalt columnar formations, Pingtung's coral
have 6 grades, junior high schools have 3 grades, formations, Green Island's saltwater hot springs, the East
and high schools have 3 grades. Junior college, Rift Valley and Taroko Gorge. Those interested in plant and
college, and university programs are generally animal ecology can choose from bird watching, butterfly
2-7 years in duration. Universities and colleges watching and other activities to enjoy the unique botanic
are classified into universities (general universities and wildlife species Taiwan has to offer.
and independent colleges) and technical colleges
(including two- and five-year technical colleges, If your passion lies with urban leisure and entertainment
and institutes of science and technology). Post- pursuits, besides regular and specialty shopping districts
graduate master's programs last for 1-4 years, that are favorites of consumers, across the island there are
while Ph.D. programs last for 2-7 years. Taiwan cultural centers, bookstores, movie theaters, museums,
began from the 2014 school year to implement cultural parks, exhibition and performance centers, and
12-year basic education, from elementary school private performance venues that host a variety of cultural
through graduation from high school. and leisure activities.
A rich variety of leisure activities are available throughout
the year, including in nature (mountains, beachsides,
geological formations, indigenous flora and fauna), cultural
(folk festivals, tours of indigenous tribes, Hakka villages,
museums or quaint villages), food (hot spring eateries,
Michelin-starred restaurants, food expos or night markets),
or healthy and sustainable lifestyle activities (cycling,
marathons, rail travel, nature hikes or hot springs). Or
follow the classic activities of the seasons with the Taiwan
Lantern Festival in the spring, the Solar Festival in Taiwan
in the summer, the Taiwan Cycling Tourism Festival in the
autumn and the Taiwan Hot Spring Fine-Cuisine Carnival
in the winter. No matter whether you are drawn to natural
landscapes or cultural experiences, the beauty of Taiwan
awaits your exploration.

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