2022 Denver Language School Taiwan Immersion Program
| Travel Dates: |
March 24, 2022 -
April 2, 2022
Dates are tentative until flights are secured
|
| Group Organizer(s): |
|
| WTT Contact: |
|
| Program Tuition: |
$2,790 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
|
| Estimated Airfare: | $1,200 |
Important Reminders
Passport check
Insurance Reminder
Fundraiser
Review all materials
What to Expect
Please read through all of the information below. More details will be added as your departure draws closer.
Itinerary
We do everything possible to abide by itineraries as originally planned, but decades of experience teaches that we must be flexible in our planning. Changes to a trip’s schedule are uncommon, but Walking Tree reserves the right to make adjustments to programming in the best interest of the group.
| Day | Location | Description | Lodging |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | USA - Taiwan | Today the group will depart the USA for Taiwan and arrive tomorrow. | Airplane |
| 2 | Taipei | We will arrive in Taipei and check into our accomodation in the heart of Taipei's Da'an district. After we rest and freshen up, we will take a stroll over to Da'an forest park to see the sunset by the egret pond. Then we will get our first group dinner. If time permits, we could also take a quick metro ride to the freedom plaza and grab dinner there. Feeling satiated, we will head back to the hotel for a good night's sleep. | Hotel in Taipei |
| 3 | Taipei | We will wake up bright and early for our first full day in Taipei. We'll either grab breakfast at the hotel or hit up a nearby breakfast joint for soy milk and fried donuts before traveling to the National Palace Museum for a tour of their collection. We will follow this up with lunch in nearby Tianmu, then hop back on the MRT to Maokong, where we will enjoy a gondola ride, visit the Tea Research and Promotion Centre and sample some tea and snacks. Time permitting, we will hike over to see the Silver Stream Cave Waterfall and take a peek at the Zhinan temple, famous for its mysterious ability to split people up--dating couples beware! In the evening we will take the MRT back into Taipei city for a group dinner and a little night market browsing. | Hotel in Taipei |
| 4 | Taipei | After breakfast we will meet with our cooking instructors for a farmers' market tour, then put on our aprons for a traditional Taiwanese cooking class. After devouring the fruits of our labor, we will stop by the Jianguo Flower and Jade market in the afternoon and embark on a scavenger hunt. Afterwards, if the group is up for it, we can head over to the 228 memorial peace park for a tour of the peace museum. In the evening we will meet with a guide for a tour of old Taipei's dihua street district, learn about the city's history and sample some delicious Taiwanese snacks. | Hotel in Taipei |
| 5 | Tainan | The adventures continue as we depart Taipei for Tainan by high speed train. After checking into our accomodations in central Tainan, we will hop on a bus or ride bikes over to the An Ping Old Street the former center of Dutch colonial trade. In An Ping we will feast on more Tainanese street snacks (seafood-lovers might sample some of the famous fried shrimp wontons) before a quick tour of the An Ping Fort to learn about the history of Taiwan's tea and sugar trade (there's a reason why bubble tea is made in Taiwan!). Then we will meander over to the 安平樹屋 to see one of the most epic "treehouses" in the world. After snapping some great pictures at the treehouse, we will head back into the city center and meet with a local guide for a walking tour. If time allows, we will check out the famous Hayashi department, Koxinga Shrine and Confucious Temple. Of course our day wouldn't be complete without another delicious array of Tainanese dishes- mushroom/pork rice, shrimp fried rice, braised eel noodles, light spring rolls and green mango shaved ice, to name a few. After our meal we will take a stroll through some of Tainan's quaint alleyways, then head over to the Chihkan tower to admire the nighttime scenery. | Hotel in Tainan |
| 6 | Tainan | We will start our day with a scrumpious Tainanese breakfast at some of the shops along Kuohua street (think piping hot beef soup, millet donuts, or steamed rice/starch cakes). Next we will head over to the Taijiang national park for an ecological tour of the salt farms and a boat ride through the mangrove tunnel. In the evening we will enjoy another great Tainanese meal, and hold a group reflection where we will discuss our journey thus far. | Hotel in Tainan |
| 7 | Foguang shan/kaohsiung | After a final breakfast in Tainan, we will travel by train to Kaohsiung, drop our bags off at our accomodations, then hop on the bus to the Foguangshan temple complex. Our first stop will be the visitor center where we will dine on a delicious vegetarian lunch, before spending the afternoon exploring the temple grounds and practicing meditative calligraphy through an interactive sutra tracing activity. Feeling refreshed and perhaps one step closer to enlightenment, we will take a bus back to Kaohsiung, swing by the hotel for a quick rest if necessary, then head out on foot or by metro to the Ruifong night market. We will wrap a fulfilling day with a jaunt around the lotus pond and take a few group pictures at the dragon/tiger towers. | Hotel in Kaosiung |
| 8 | Alishan | We will depart Kaosiung early in the morning on either the 6:00am or 8:00am train and head north to Chiayi. We will then catch a bus to the Alishan forest recretion area to get a glimpse of the scenery at the peak of cherry blossom season. We will spend the day exploring the mountain's forest park and ancient trees before heading back to town. For dinner we will sample Chiayi's most famous dish: turkey rice, then return to the hotel for an early night. | Hotel in Chiayi |
| 9 | Taipei | We will take the HSR back to Taipei, drop off our bags and get lunch, then head out to do some remaining sightseeing and souvenir shopping. The avid readers in the group might want to visit a branch of the eslite bookstore to pick up some great Chinese language reading material, while the others might want to check out some of the Taiwanese hipster DIY designer gifts on sale at the Song Shan Cultural and Creative Park. If time permits, we could also visit the nearby Puppetry Art Center of Taipei. In the evening we will head over to the Taipei 101 area for a final dinner to celebrate our time in country together as well as hike up elephant mountain for a panoramic view of the city. After one last nightmarket run for bubble tea and shaved ice, we will head back to our hotel to prepare for tomorrow's flight home. | Hotel in Taipei |
| 10 | Taipei - USA | Depart Taipei for the USA. | Your own bed, eventually! |
Accommodations
In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing group accommodations. Walking Tree partners with hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, locally operated, clean and safe. We inspect each partner hotel to ensure they meet these standards.
Sleepy Inn
The cosmopolitan and vibrant atmosphere make this hotel a wonderful experience for our student groups. Selected for the great service, clean rooms and advantageous location, Sleepy Inn is an excellent place to relax between adventures around Beijing. Rooms and bathrooms will be exclusive to our travelers.
Drum Tower Hostel
The convenient location of Drum Tower Hostel reduces commute times and eases busy travel days. However, we have chosen to partner with this particular accommodation for its safety standards, comfortable and cheerful atmosphere, and commitment to good service. Free Wi-Fi access throughout the building keeps everyone feeling connected. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.
Group Flight
Once your flight schedule has been confirmed, the itinerary will appear here.
Walking Tree will secure a seat on the group flight for each participant unless otherwise instructed.
Travelers are responsible for checked baggage fees. Please visit the airline’s baggage webpage to learn if you should expect to pay anything.
We will provide a group manifest – complete with reservation codes and ticket numbers – to the Group Organizer/s before departure, and travelers will need to check in at the airport in order to receive their boarding pass and have documents verified. We recommend arriving no later than three hours prior to the scheduled departure, but contact your Group Organizer for specific details on exactly where and when to meet on the day of departure.
FLIGHT INTERRUPTION, DELAY OR CANCELLATION
Air travel can be unpredictable. Regardless of proper planning, there may still be instances when a flight is delayed or cancelled due to staffing shortages, weather, mechanical problems, etc. Please note that in such an event, Walking Tree Travel (WTT) is not financially responsible for unanticipated costs incurred by travelers en route. Our programs officially begin and end in the destination country, and because our staff doesn’t fly with the group, Group Organizers (the traveling faculty member/s) become the front-line advocate for the group in the event of a delay. In most cases of cancellations or delays, the airline will be the one who re-books travel or possibly arranges a hotel and food the night. Our primary role will be to keep families updated and provide support to the Group Organizer to reach a quick and effective resolution.
Host Community and Project Details
Packing List
What follows is a sample packing list but you know yourself better than we do so please adjust accordingly. We recommend you bring a larger piece of luggage like a roller, duffel bag, or backpack, as well as a smaller backpack that you can bring on daily outings, weekend excursions and shorter activities.
“Less is more” is a packing tip we encourage for all our travelers. The list below should cover everything you would need, but know yourself and what you are comfortable traveling with. We suggest bringing only as much as you would be able to carry on your own.
Finally, we recommend consulting a weather forecast for your destination.
CLOTHES
- Underwear
- Socks (a mixture of good hiking socks and casual socks)
- T-shirts (some quick dry)
- Long sleeve sun shirts
- Light rain jacket
- Comfortable/light-weight pants
- Comfortable/light-weight shorts
- Durable athletic/walking shoes
- Sandals, both casual and sport/water sandals
- Hat/s with good sun protection
TOILETRIES
- Your basics
- High SPF sunscreen
- Basic first aid
- Hand Sanitizer
- Medications in original packaging.
MISCELLANEOUS
- Passport
- Student ID
- Sunglasses
- Journal and pen
- Book/s
- Camera
- Debit card/US Dollars (we recommend about $100-$200, depending on amount of desired souvenirs, extra items etc.)
- Durable water bottle (Walking Tree provides all drinking water)
- Quick-dry towel
- Deck of cards or other portable games
- Portable power bank (optional)
Support Team
At a minimum, one experienced Program Leader will travel on every trip. In addition to this full time leadership presence, Walking Tree has additional staff in all destinations and 24/7 support from our headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Below you’ll find the the team members involved in the preparation, planning and execution of your program.
Greta Hagedorn
Taiwan Country Director
Georgetown University Institute of Foreign Languages and Literature– B.A. in Chinese, with a minor in Justice and Peace Studies
Born and raised in Minneapolis Minnesota, Greta began studying Mandarin Chinese in high school and fell in love with the language, eventually pursuing it as her major in university, which afforded her the opportunity to studying abroad in Harbin. After graduation, Greta was fortunate to receive a scholarship which allowed her to study Mandarin at a university in Taiwan, while she was able to audit classes in contemporary Taiwanese literature and culture, which led her to begin a master’s degree in Taiwan Studies. Traveling around Taiwan on school breaks has been one way that Greta has been able to get a better sense of the island’s histories of colonialism and post-colonial democratization that shapes local cultures and communities. When she’s not studying or helping put together trip itineraries, Greta enjoys browsing her neighborhood farmers’ market for unfamiliar fruits, practicing Japanese and going on day hikes around the Taipei area.
Emory University – B.A. Sociology and minor in Latin American History
Luke’s path to student travel began in Mexico, during a year abroad in Mexico and Central America. This formative time led him to join an international volunteer program which, after graduating from college, sent him to the small village of San Gerardo de Rivas in south-central Costa Rica. Welcomed by the loveliest of host families, his experience in this tiny town is directly connected to the beginnings of Walking Tree five years later. His love for travel still burns bright, and today he’s lucky to have a wife and daughter who are equally passionate about exploring the world. Settled in Denver, he adores his family and colleagues, skies whenever possible, and is a devoted fan of all Colorado sports teams.
Group Roster
Below is a list of the travelers enrolled on the program.
Blog and Communication
During travel we work hard to keep families updated as frequently as possible with blog posts and photos, giving you peace of mind that your traveler is safe and thriving on their program. Students regularly contribute to these posts, providing families back home a great way to vicariously track the progress of the trip. You will be notified when the first update is posted, after which we recommend checking in regularly via the black “Program Blog” button at the top of this webpage.
Assuming your school allows the use of cell phones, most destinations are wired enough to allow participants access WiFi at different moments in the program, allowing them to communicate directly with home. Ask your Walking Tree representative about the degree of connectivity on your program.
GLC Curriculum
Walking Tree has developed a curriculum of activities meant to help travelers get the most out of their trip before departure, during travel and after they return home. These simple and engaging activities are meant to spark discussion, frame experiences, and prepare participants to travel ethically and effectively both on this trip and on future adventures.For more information about student learning objectives and the format of the curriculum, click on the ‘learn more’ button below.
To view and complete the Pre-Program Activities, visit our online portal at the button below.
Standards of Behavior
In order to run a safe and successful program, it is vital that travelers are prepared to be on their best behavior and bring enthusiasm and interest to each and every day. A communal atmosphere of trust and mutual respect is the foundational. As such, all individuals participating on a Walking Tree program are required to take responsibility for their actions and adhere to a high standard of personal conduct.
IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL
- Possessing, consuming or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
- Associating with participants while they are in possession of alcohol or illegal drugs.
- Behaving in a way that consistently damages the group dynamic or jeopardizes personal or group safety. This includes consistently displaying a negative attitude, intimidating or excluding other participants, sneaking out, disobeying group leaders, and any other behavior that is not conducive to an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.
GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL OR IN-COUNTRY CONSEQUENCE
- Getting a piercing or tattoo.
- Stealing, or deliberately damaging or defacing any personal property, buildings or materials.
- Threatening physical or emotional harm, or brandishing a weapon.
- Possessing, consuming, or distributing tobacco or nicotine, including vape pens.
- Riding mopeds, motorcycles, or any other type of unauthorized vehicle.
- Being out of designated area or accommodations after curfew.
- Breaking group rules.
These standards of behavior are essential for the successful completion of your program. Please take the time to review these as a family and make sure everyone understands and agrees to them.
Health and Safety
We strongly recommend visiting the CDC Taiwan website to get the most updated information on health and vaccination considerations in your destination country. In addition, we encourage you to consult your personal family physician so you can be as informed as possible when making important decisions about vaccinations and other necessary health-related preparations before traveling.
Our in-country staff meticulously prepare for all programs. Walking Tree receives regular updates from the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to proactively stay ahead of any potential security concerns. Our in-country staff also verify the safety records of our partner organizations, vendors, and transportation providers, thoroughly vet homestay families through in-depth interviews and visits, and stay informed about important current events in the region.
Program Leaders are seasoned travelers who are CPR and First Aid certified, undergo thorough training in crisis management, and participate in comprehensive leadership training. We do our best to prepare for any eventuality and have detailed emergency protocols for our leaders, in-country staff, and U.S.-based staff.
We collect medical disclosures from all participants to ensure we can meet every student’s needs during the program. Please inform us immediately of any additional health issues not listed during your initial registration process. Leaders and in-country staff are prepared to respond promptly to any mental, physical, or emotional health concerns and follow comprehensive emergency protocols.
Insurance
While we work hard to ensure the safest experience possible for our travelers on program, experience teaches that travel can be unpredictable. For this reason, we recommend that all travelers consider a travel insurance policy with a Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) provision. Detailed explanations of plan options can be found via the link below.
To provide travelers and families with a quality option, Walking Tree has partnered with Travel Insured International, one of the most respected providers in the industry. Begin by getting a quote here.
IMPORTANT NOTE: in order to secure coverage that includes CFAR, you must purchase the plan within 14-21 days of your first payment to Walking Tree. Be careful when you read the tenets of the policy to ensure you understand the required timeframe for purchase. You must also insure 100% of your trip cost, so program tuition + flight. Please reach out to us with questions.