Abstract
This study examined the living and working experiences of 14 Taiwanese working holiday makers (WHMs) in Belgium as they negotiate their identity and social lives while they live overseas, using both participant observation and semi-structured interviews. The study demonstrates that the low salary level and high work pressure in Taiwan are two of the major factors pushing these young Taiwanese to leave their homeland and work overseas. However, the majority of these Taiwanese WHMs face difficulties in speaking Belgium’s local languages, and their opportunities for work are further limited by the temporary visa regulations. Workplaces run by mainland Chinese, especially in the hospitality industry, have become vital places for Taiwanese WHMs to negotiate their ethnonational identity. Although they only have limited social lives and networks in the host society, they claim that they have developed intercultural competences and a greater open-mindedness by living in the multicultural and international environments of Brussels or other Belgian cities.
Highlights
In this study, the work experiences, social lives and ethnic identity negotiation practices of Taiwanese Working Holiday Makers in Belgium were examined
After six years of working, I felt tired of work and life in Taiwan, and I wanted to try something new ... and at the time, many of my Taiwanese friends encouraged me to be a working holiday maker overseas
This study examined Belgian Taiwanese working holiday makers (WHMs)’ work and life experiences and the related issues of ethnic identity negotiations while working and living abroad
Summary
The work experiences, social lives and ethnic identity negotiation practices of Taiwanese Working Holiday Makers in Belgium were examined. Since 2004, the Taiwanese government has established working holiday program contracts with many foreign countries. The first contract was signed with the Australia and up to the middle of 2020, the Taiwanese government had signed contracts with 16 other countries, including New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, German, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Belgium. The United Kingdom offers a two-y ear working holiday visa and Australia allows them to remain for a second year if they fulfil certain requirements regarding the special credit accumulation system (Chi & Lin, 2017)
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