15 Years since My Arrival to Taiwan: A Journey of Growth and Transformation
It’s hard to believe how much has changed in the 15 years since I first set foot in Taiwan. When I first arrived back in 2010, I was focused on one thing: using my paycheck as a means to an end—travel & experience the world. But life, and Formosa, had other plans for me. I fell in love with more than just the beautiful landscapes and vibrant culture. I fell in love with the people, the country and a girl - all of whom would play a significant role in re-shaping the next couple of decades of my life.
Going Back to School
The next step in my journey was unexpected—pursuing my master’s degree. What started as a detour turned into a significant transformation. The decision to continue my education wasn’t just about furthering my career; it was about deepening my understanding of the world and my place within it. The number one impact the pursuit of a master's degree had on my life fell way outside of the classroom-it was the relationships I built during this time & the network I developed that would (later) change the course of my life.
A Shift in Perspective
One of the most profound shifts during my time in Taiwan has been my change in perspective—from the very American, very individual-minded mindset I had when I first arrived to the more community & family oriented mindset that has become a part of my core. Taiwanese culture emphasizes family, connection, and working together for the collective good. This influence has shaped how I approach both relationships and business, teaching me that success and happiness don’t just come from personal achievement, but from fostering bonds and supporting others.
A New Chapter: The Move to Wellington
After graduation, I returned home to the States and spent a few years in Denver, Colorado. But just as I settled into life there, I knew something was still missing. Eventually, I made my way to Wellington, New Zealand, in search of a something bigger. More profound. This was the right about the time when COVID hit (I arrived in late September 2019)—when the world as I knew it, as we all knew it, shifted dramatically. It was one of the darkest chapters of my life, but also one that forced me to reevaluate everything. Greater things lay ahead.
Entrepreneurship: A New Beginning
Taiwan had always been a place that offered me peace and inspiration, and this time, it became the place that would fuel my drive to become an entrepreneur. I escaped New Zealand for refuge in my beloved Formosa and found my desire to help others—and particularly to help the next generation—had become my guiding light. It was the relationships from my days as a master's student that led to my opportunity to take on the role of business partner in an educational institution. I now find myself dedicated to empowering children, not just to learn, but to love learning. I've no idea what the future holds for me or my business, but I've finally found my purpose.
Reflecting on the Journey
The past 15 years have been a wild ride of transformation. Taiwan taught me that relationships and education aren’t just cornerstones of a fulfilling life—they are the foundations of who I am. Looking back, I realize that every move, every challenge, every new beginning has led me to where I am now. Funny how life works out that way. And while the journey is far from over, I couldn’t be more excited to see where it will take me next.
Agree with @ghostlybg - I'd like to read the long version of this!
Thanks for sharing BJ. It's wonderful to see when someone finds their true calling.
Oh and nice images too, very much fits the vibe of the post ;)
Thanks hombre! Glad ya enjoyed it - I've long been meaning to take up more writing & more personal writing; perhaps this will serve as that first step in developing that habit. Anyway, I've got a similarly-minded post I'm particularly proud of dropping soon :)
Bro, we visited Taiwan in 2012. Beautiful!! I wonder if we were somehow at the same place at one point! That would have been insane!
Ah man, rad! I love this place. It's such a small world, man, and an even smaller one here in Taiwan - it wouldn't surprise me! Thanks for sharin, Jedo!
I admire people who have the guts to start a whole new life at the other side of the world, it's awesome, nice to read more about you! 🤎
Yo thanks Nozem! The strange thing is that I never felt like Taiwan was anything but home - in fact, I felt like much more of a foreigner in New Zealand. I must've been Taiwanese in my past life :)
Your journey is a wonderful story, thanks for sharing. I'm so happy for you that you've found your purpose!
Hell yea, UM! Thank you, man! Me, too.
Too short! :D I want a longer version! :-P
Haha! I'm working on my next article now - writing about my school and some of my life's meanderings that led me there. Coming soon! :)
Great, looking forward to reading it! ;-)
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STOPYou and me both. After a 5 year career editing highlights for NBA-TV, I also made the switch to pursue a masters in education and begin my career as a teacher. As part of my teacher training, we took a 14-day tour of Southeast Asia to study how their ministries of education structure their national educational programs, which was an amazing experience. We toured public schools in Singapore, Vietnam, and Cambodia. I would love to make it back to Southeast Asia one day. I love the lifestyle, and I love the flavors.
I've taught across the US in Austin, TX; Denver, CO; Phoenix, AZ and back home in NYC. I'm currently very lucky to be teaching at a middle school two blocks from where I live in Brooklyn. It is a great charter school and a great teaching experience.
I'm curious what your school and educational programming is like where you're at. What do you do in your role in education? Thanks for sharing, mate!
Wow, I love this. From NBA-TV highlights to molding minds—that’s a hell of a pivot, and one that resonates with me on a few levels. It’s always amazing to meet someone who’s felt that same inner pull: not just to teach, but to help kids fall in love with learning itself. Rare breed, Duce! I would kill to have access to a few more educators with that sort of passion & presence in the classroom.
That Southeast Asia tour sounds incredible. Singapore’s system is fascinating (not to mention wildly efficient), & I’ve got deep respect for the cultural value placed on education across the region. But even still - it's broken, too–granted it's broken for different reasons (hence my chosen livelihood) than back home, but it can certainly benefit from some broad stroke refreshes, as well.
I’ve been based in Taiwan for a while now, and while I didn’t plan to stay this long… the community, the lifestyle and the sense of possibility here really grabbed me.
The "school" I co-partner is a bit of a learning lab—we’re trying to build something human-centered, joy-driven & deeply rooted in real-world learning. We work with kids from ages 4–15, blending language immersion, project-based exploration & storytelling-rich experiences. We’ve got kids building worlds in Minecraft, investigating world-class heists, cooking middle Eastern falafel & bottling lightning.
I'm a little of an everything—vision-holder, curriculum designer, mentor and janitor. I love rollin up my sleeves & wearing different hats on an hour–to–hour basis. My days are rarely the same & they're almost always a blast to be a part of.
If you're curious, I actually just published a piece that tries to capture the heart of our work here:
Where Fish Don’t Climb Trees
It’s more story than sales pitch, but I hope it gives a feel for what we're building out here.
If you ever make your way back to Southeast Asia, I’d love to connect—door's always open. Really grateful you took the time to read and share, brother. Appreciate the work you’re doing in Brooklyn and beyond.
🫶