Love Boat 2007 Info?

[panman]

Does anyone have any info on Love Boat 2007 yet?

[phatib]

what are the age ranges for people who can go to love boat

[Nella180]

I'm also looking for Love boat 2007 info. (apps, when to apply and all that)

[BigLew]

What the hell? 3 1st time posters in a row on this one thread? Someone please tell me what is going on. Is this another one of those secret asian things I haven't found out about yet?

[mizz_jocie]

I found it so I decided to share it with you guys cause I understand the hassle you guys have to go through.

but since im new I cant post urls which is retarded but this is what i did.

GO on google:
2007 Overseas Compatriot Youth Summer Formosa Study Tour To Taiwan

type that down

and then there are two pdf files that has the application.
Enjoy =)

[bluemonq]

but since im new I cant post urls which is retarded but this is what i did.
Application (http://www.ccclaroc.org/ccc2/CCC2/Formosa%20Application.pdf) (pdf)
Admissions Guideline (http://www.ccclaroc.org/ccc2/CCC2/Admission%20Guidelines.pdf) (pdf)

[mrman]

Does anybody know which cities each of the 3 camps are held in?

Also, it looks like the age limit has been extended to 27; is this the first year they've done this?

[mrman]

btw, I kinda assumed it was, but this program is open to people from mainland China too, right?

[taiwandollie]

wow i wish i found this forum earlier..looking for that site was such a pain in the butt..:mad:

im excited!! but i don't know which month i'm gonna sign up for yet.:confused:

[mizz_jocie]

Yeah Im excited too, hey do u guys know its its really competitive to get in, or like if u can pay the money you'll get in?

[taiwandollie]

i don't think it's that competitive anymore if they are extending the age range. 16-27?? i think it's too big of a gap.

I read the history on wikipedia..lol..and it used to have up to 1000 participants but that was before some accident and once DPP got into power they cut down the funding. (Cuz KMT used it as a political tool or something like that)

I found out that the first and second camp are gonna be at jian tan. The 3rd camp is going to be at tai chung.

[SunWuKong]

What the hell? 3 1st time posters in a row on this one thread? Someone please tell me what is going on. Is this another one of those secret asian things I haven't found out about yet?

sorry for the late response. Love Boat is basically a college summer camp in Taiwan for mostly Taiwanese Americans and Taiwanese Canadians. it's supposed to be educational, a sort of "get in touch with your roots" kind of thing, and promoted in order to attract Taiwanese American and Taiwanese Canadian talent to Taiwan. but you get several hundred college kids together, regardless of race or ethnicity, and it basically becomes a sex-and-party camp. same thing goes for Love Boat.

[waterloovic]

Has anyone seen any links to more specific information for the 2007 trip then the registration forms? I.e. the location and/or itinerary for the 3 camp dates.

Also, post 2004, there seems to be very little information on the internet regarding experiences. Has anyone seen some detailed journals from 2006 or 2005?

Last, if there really is no information on the net, I assume the local culture office had the information you needed? I guess I really should just give them a call, but in this age of do-it-yourself on the internet I'd like to see if there's anything first. I'm sure lots of you can understand our addiction to the net. :smile:

[SunWuKong]

Has anyone seen any links to more specific information for the 2007 trip then the registration forms? I.e. the location and/or itinerary for the 3 camp dates.

Also, post 2004, there seems to be very little information on the internet regarding experiences. Has anyone seen some detailed journals from 2006 or 2005?

Last, if there really is no information on the net, I assume the local culture office had the information you needed? I guess I really should just give them a call, but in this age of do-it-yourself on the internet I'd like to see if there's anything first. I'm sure lots of you can understand our addiction to the net. :smile:


try calling the Culture Center of Taipei Economic & Culture Representative Office in the United States: (301) 869-8585. here's the website: http://www.ocac.gov.tw/overseaseng/index.asp?nodeno=3735&con=235&cou=151 　

[Ganplosive]

Yeah same here, thinking about signing up for the camp but have no idea as to which one. Will call and find more details.

[mizz_jocie]

hey you guys. I have a question. You know about the health certificate we have to get signed do we take that to our family doctors? I tried my on campus clinic but she was like how i have to pay $80 for that or something

[AngryABCGirl]

sorry for the late response. Love Boat is basically a college summer camp in Taiwan for mostly Taiwanese Americans and Taiwanese Canadians. it's supposed to be educational, a sort of "get in touch with your roots" kind of thing, and promoted in order to attract Taiwanese American and Taiwanese Canadian talent to Taiwan. but you get several hundred college kids together, regardless of race or ethnicity, and it basically becomes a sex-and-party camp. same thing goes for Love Boat.


I'm waiting for the invasion of ABCs at 劍潭 (where Love Boat is housed/held) and at the big clubs once it's summer here. I swear it turned into LA Asian club nights when it was Christmas break season. Prepare to be ripped off by cabbies.

[waterloovic]

I live in Canada so my doctor will be unlikely to charge me anything to have it filled out. I'm going to go see him today. I wonder how serious they are about the health form though, I really think they actually include it to make the parents feel better, i.e. everyone that's going is in good health, rather then them actually looking too closely at it.

I don't live at home anymore, but I told my mother about it, since its quite a long trip, so now she's all over it and is working to get all the info from the local OCAC.

Oh were gonna get nuts! Goose and Redbulls for everyone!

[AngryABCGirl]

It's more of a liability issue for the ROC government, plus they really really really don't want anyone with HIV going into the island. You might as well be a leper.

[Moong Joong]

hmm i wish there were something like this for chinese australians in hong kong or something...

[waterloovic]

If they really wanted to keep the people that check those medical boxes off out, you think they wouldn't say "don't apply" right on it, and leave it for the back room to reject them. Since by deduction, no applications that are sent in will have those boxes checked accurately.

Anyone know when they get back to you about acceptance, maybe someone from a prior year?

[mizz_jocie]

I live in Canada so my doctor will be unlikely to charge me anything to have it filled out. I'm going to go see him today. I wonder how serious they are about the health form though, I really think they actually include it to make the parents feel better, i.e. everyone that's going is in good health, rather then them actually looking too closely at it.

I don't live at home anymore, but I told my mother about it, since its quite a long trip, so now she's all over it and is working to get all the info from the local OCAC.

Oh were gonna get nuts! Goose and Redbulls for everyone!

Hmm. I live in canada too, the only reason why I went to see the clinic at my university, the receptionist said how I had to pay for it, and i was like would my health card cover it, and she said it was something called a third person check up and how I had to pay for that, so I guess I probably have to go back home for it.

[mizz_jocie]

I'm waiting for the invasion of ABCs at 劍潭 (where Love Boat is housed/held) and at the big clubs once it's summer here. I swear it turned into LA Asian club nights when it was Christmas break season. Prepare to be ripped off by cabbies.

seriously? LA Asian Club nights. that sounds pretty awsome. Ripped off by cabbies? hmm I guess we could just flutter our eyelashes for a good deal. Would that work?

[SunWuKong]

seriously? LA Asian Club nights. that sounds pretty awsome. Ripped off by cabbies? hmm I guess we could just flutter our eyelashes for a good deal. Would that work?

it would probably work better if you spoke fluent Mandarin and not dress like Americans/Canadians.

[taiwandollie]

wow i've been to the doctor 3 times in two weeks..and im going for the 4th time today. All for the health forms.. i had to get 2 shots, a tb test and blood/urine tests >.< and the results come at different times. arghh:mad:

i hope you guys didn't have to go thru as much trouble..

oh and a question to everyone: how good is your mandarin (if u speak it) or taiwanese?

[Napoleon Chynamite]

This thread is so weird haha b/c the people that post in it don't post anywhere else on the forum and the people that post elsewhere don't post here.

[AngryABCGirl]

seriously? LA Asian Club nights. that sounds pretty awsome. Ripped off by cabbies? hmm I guess we could just flutter our eyelashes for a good deal. Would that work?

Uh, yeah right. Learn the streets and know where you're going, most important part, it's really obvious you're not from around so it's not worth it trying to pass even wearing the clothes unless you've live here for awhile. Unlike places like Shanghai and Hong Kong that are a bit more diverse and have more of a transglobal population, Taipei is very localized for lack of a better word.

The big famous American style clubs in Taipei, like Luxy or Plush or Room 18 are really overrated. For some reason most ABCS love it, but they're the people who fly in every winter and summer in and enjoy clubbing with other ABCs in Taipei for some reason. An average club in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, or Hong Kong have them beat by far in my opinion and have just as many Asians.

The smaller bars and lounges is really where it's at in Taipei for high-class night life (for cheaper and equally fun times, beer house and BBQ places). Check out a 乾杯 or go to a nice lounge in area. Or go to a traditional beer house.

Anyway, my point is don't just club while you're here and stay in the East District of Taipei, there's a lot more to being in Taipei and Taiwan for that matter. Honestly Taipei in a lot of ways has a lot more in common with other international Asian cities than with the rest of Taiwan, so don't just waste your time here drinking.

[bluemonq]

I really just wonder why the organizers haven't just given up on trying to promote their original agenda, seeing how most of the participants don't care about it. At least that's what I hear from friends who've been on it.

And by "give up" I mean just kill it.

[Tao]

I really just wonder why the organizers haven't just given up on trying to promote their original agenda, seeing how most of the participants don't care about it. At least that's what I hear from friends who've been on it.

And by "give up" I mean just kill it.

but then what would the kids tell their parents?

[waterloovic]

Since I've started applying, I've spent a good deal more time with my mother, as she seemed to want to get involved in the process. From what I hear, the cabbies are already a sketchy group and as soon as they can tell you are foreign (as noted by poster above) they will increase their charge. The other thing she mentioned, that may or may not be prejudice, is that it's not Mandarin that they use as the watermark but your ability with Taiwanese. Since I speak pretty good Mandarin, but zero Taiwanese, I don't expect to get a great deal. On the other hand, I've traveled a bit around Asia and I'm pretty used to dealing with sketchy people; its probably from growing up in Scarborough (one of the more diverse and some say sketchy part of Toronto) and dealing with all economic strata of individuals. The key is to be sincere, but not meek; confident but not cocky.

I think people like the main clubs because they are probably towards the younger end of the spectrum. You don't really appreciate high-end clubs until you get a little older, money has less weight and you've become "bored" with riff-raff and drama. However, when you're younger, half the fun is throngs of people and getting plastered on moderately priced booze. :smile:

Regarding the shots, I just had quite a few as well. Lucky my doctor is really organized and I got everything done is just 2 relatively quick visits. First was the TB test and blood, etc, the second was all the shots I needed all from Tuesday to Thursday. He didn't charge me a dime.

[waterloovic]

Does anyone know anything about the age limits? The English application instructions says 16 to 27, but the Chinese says "over 16 and under 27". Per my local office they say that it really means 17 to 26. Can anyone confirm or heard anything different?

[taiwandollie]

lucky you waterloovic:smile:

yeah my mom says the same thing about the cabbies. Since i was a kid visiting taiwan, my mom would ALWAYS say "don't speak english" before we got into the cab. Sometimes she would tell me not to talk at all. >.<;; lol.

I can understand taiwanese pretty well..but when i try to speak it..it just comes out awkwardly. :frown: haha i guess i should try to improve it in the next few months. There's just never anyone to practice speaking to. The few Taiwanese friends i have are still out of town at school at utm, ubc, western, mcmaster etc..

and despite how overrated luxy and those other clubs are I still want to see how it is...but also check out the more local stuff. How does this sneaking out thing work?? How often and easily can we do it?

[waterloovic]

I'm sure it won't be too hard to sneak out. Looking at some of the pictures from 2006, they all seemed to have a good time, though I didn't see too many pictures of them out...I guess once you're on the 2nd half of the trip on buses you don't go out as often. I mean, unless you're in the city in any country, there's no where to really party outside the city.

[mizz_jocie]

Since I've started applying, I've spent a good deal more time with my mother, as she seemed to want to get involved in the process. From what I hear, the cabbies are already a sketchy group and as soon as they can tell you are foreign (as noted by poster above) they will increase their charge. The other thing she mentioned, that may or may not be prejudice, is that it's not Mandarin that they use as the watermark but your ability with Taiwanese. Since I speak pretty good Mandarin, but zero Taiwanese, I don't expect to get a great deal. On the other hand, I've traveled a bit around Asia and I'm pretty used to dealing with sketchy people; its probably from growing up in Scarborough (one of the more diverse and some say sketchy part of Toronto) and dealing with all economic strata of individuals. The key is to be sincere, but not meek; confident but not cocky.

I think people like the main clubs because they are probably towards the younger end of the spectrum. You don't really appreciate high-end clubs until you get a little older, money has less weight and you've become "bored" with riff-raff and drama. However, when you're younger, half the fun is throngs of people and getting plastered on moderately priced booze. :smile:

Regarding the shots, I just had quite a few as well. Lucky my doctor is really organized and I got everything done is just 2 relatively quick visits. First was the TB test and blood, etc, the second was all the shots I needed all from Tuesday to Thursday. He didn't charge me a dime.

Alright so im guessing I just have to go back to home to get my check up and shots, its probably because of the walk in clinic.

It's too bad that the locals automatically charge us a higher price because they know we are foreigners, and I don't think we can avoid the prejudice there.

As for the clubs, I agree with Taiwan Dollie. Im not going to Taiwan just to party and get drunk, I want to go there and know my roots. If i simply wanted to party, im not going to travel around the world to just get drunk...i might as well just stay here and put my money into something else. I'd like to check out the clubs just to see what its like, but even that my friend said some of the clubs there are pretty sketch.

[bluemonq]

but then what would the kids tell their parents?
No, I mean, from the point of the organizers, why even bother having it?

Besides, lots of parents already assume it's about partying and clubbing and pack their kids off on the trip, hoping that they kid will find that "special someone" who just happens to be Chinese/Taiwanese. Wouldn't make a difference.

[fresh tangerine]

hmm has anyone ever been on loveboat that doesnt know any manderin or taiwanese? and on the form.. if you dont have a family member or a friend in taiwan, do they not accept you or something?

[taiwandollie]

boo i went to hand in my apps today but the lady who's suppose to process it wasn't there. =/

I still don't know which camp to sign up for...1 or 2. Are they suppose to be different? Can't find any info online. which ones are you guys signing up for?

-i think anyone can go on the trip as long as they are asian or part asian, so even if you don't have relatives or friends in Taiwan it should be okay. But call and ask to make sure?

[SunWuKong]

-i think anyone can go on the trip as long as they are asian or part asian, so even if you don't have relatives or friends in Taiwan it should be okay. But call and ask to make sure?

no, you have to be Overseas Chinese. meaning, you have to be of Chinese descent, and be born and/or raised outside the Greater China area. how they verify that you're not lying, i have no idea. and i have no idea how that applies to mixed Chinese people or if there's a cut-off age for what is considered being raised overseas.

[taiwandollie]

thx sunwukong i forgot the most important part. haha overseas chinese.

[diorchick]

Whyis it so hard to access information on the loveboat? Not sure if its the same for you guys in America but im struggling to access the pdf's you've all added and with many google searches, nothing is coming up!

Let me double check, being from England i can apply right?

[fresh tangerine]

hmm..i think u do need a relatives address.. anyone know if i can borrow theirs? i promise i wont get into trouble. hahahaha

[simonsays]

hmm has anyone ever been on loveboat that doesnt know any manderin or taiwanese? and on the form.. if you dont have a family member or a friend in taiwan, do they not accept you or something?

I went on the trip last year (Camp 2), and only knew a minimal amount of mandarin. Granted that I'm cantonese, and was able to pick up quite a few things, there was still a good amount who couldn't speak chinese in any dialect. I don't think it makes a very big difference. You'll definitely learn some basics throughout the trip. Most of the program presentations and speeches will be in mandarin, but it wasn't like anyone cared what they said anyway. The important stuff will be in (broken) english... (like "no flip-flops in the cafeteria," or "bed check is at 11pm").

Regarding the posts on the taxis, the chances are very high that you'll meet some very fluent mandaring-speaking participants. Traveling around with them is definitely a plus when interaction with locals is required - such as in taxis or shopping. You'll probably be hanging out in groups anyway. I did however, take the taxi on the same route with fluent friends and without, and was charged the same. (all I did when riding alone was point to the address on a business card, and didn't even say anything) So in my case, I didn't experience the increased foreigner's rate that some of you were talking about.

[simonsays]

Does anyone know anything about the age limits? The English application instructions says 16 to 27, but the Chinese says "over 16 and under 27". Per my local office they say that it really means 17 to 26. Can anyone confirm or heard anything different?

The age limits were increased since last year. I don't think they were stictly enforced though, since I met some 15-year-olds. The majority were definitely between 16 and 19. It tapered off drastically after 20 yrs old. (I only met 3-4 other 23 year olds, and one 26)

[waterloovic]

Thanks for the info Simon. I guess I'll just wait and see. When did they get back to you last year regarding the details and your acceptance?

Well, my Mandarin is pretty close to fluent, so I guess I'll do ok. =)

[taiwandollie]

i feel old:eek:

[Dltprm]

As do I. I feel like it maybe a little on the late side for me. But thanks for the inforamtion so far.

*Looking into program, but has Biochemistry Exam....*

[taiwandollie]

well i finally handed in my application..haha=/
the admin lady said camp 2 is almost full..and she also said that 60 people applied so far from toronto but they need more to fill up the rest of the camps.
My first option is still camp 2 i guess...

did you guys get yours in yet?

[amaryllis]

i applied via mail back in earlyish january. and i havent heard anything. for those who applied in person, did they tell you anything right away??

[mizz_jocie]

yeah the lady told me camp two is mostly full and its mainly highschool students

My option was camp 1

[taiwandollie]

ach full of highschool students?
:eek:
haha damn i think im gonna call the lady and ask for a switch...
not that there's anything wrong with highschool students=)

She said that i'll hear back from them in march on whether or not i got it. So probably the same for you guys?

[amaryllis]

march?! gah...
the deal i have with my parents is, if i go, i dont have to get a summer job (all the camps are right in the middle of the summer). but if i dont go, i have to get a job. *sigh*

[jenc]

just googled up this site!

i signed up for camp 1 :smile:. if anyone else is in group 1 lemme know we can chitchat or facebook..wahtevvvs.

[mizz_jocie]

ach full of highschool students?
:eek:
haha damn i think im gonna call the lady and ask for a switch...
not that there's anything wrong with highschool students=)

She said that i'll hear back from them in march on whether or not i got it. So probably the same for you guys?

yeah i Know what you mean, I wanted to sign for group 2 but then when i found out that info i changed my mind. you can switch to group 1 and chill with meee! k now i just sound like a creeper. anyways. so we dont know if we got in, until march? are they going to mail us something or you have no idea

[simonsays]

yeah i Know what you mean, I wanted to sign for group 2 but then when i found out that info i changed my mind. you can switch to group 1 and chill with meee! k now i just sound like a creeper. anyways. so we dont know if we got in, until march? are they going to mail us something or you have no idea

yea, you'll be notified by (snail) mail :smile:

[guitardoodsez]

im going to camp 1 too.

[P_YIMZ]

would have joined camp 1 but can't because of graduation. is camp 2 full?

[jenc]

last i heard, someone said camp 2 is getting full and is majority high schoolers.

[waterloovic]

But wait, how do we know the composition of the camps when no one has had replies as of yet? And since people apply from all over, your rep wouldn't really know the ages right?

I guess someone could know, if they are really organized and share a lot of information, but that doesn't seem to be the case. :smile:

I still signed up for camp 2 cause the dates are best for me, and I'm certainly not in high school. So there will probably be a few more. :smile:

[amaryllis]

has anyone tried calling to see how their application is doing?
or is that even possible?

the only time i have phoned the office, the guy said the applications werent out yet, and then i found this website, and there they were.:rolleyes:

[jenc]

waterloovic--good point! i really dont know though, i was just posting what someone else said on this thread. but yeah that does seem alittle sketch..

oh well. im just waiting til march comes..we've still got awhile.

[devinzha]

hey are u guys all going with friends, cause i'm debating if i should go this year since none of my friends want to go.

U gusy mind if we have a roll call of whos going and which camp and age

[taiwandollie]

i might have one friend from mcgill going...and one highschool friend from church..but they haven't signed up yet..so we wont be in the same camps. i just want one good girlfriend to go with me.>.< (those two are guys) but all taiwanese ppl i know are fobs..so they can't go:frown:

roll call eh..

camp 2 (for now..still deciding on switching..haha so i can chill with mizz_jocie=D)
age: 21...but im gonna be 22 by the time camp rolls around..

[guitardoodsez]

well i just called our local office and apparently both camp 1 and 2 are full now. anyone going to 3? i havent signed up yet, i was in the process. i really wanted to go to 1 or 2 too.

[jenc]

im going w/out knowing anyone either... probably better that way, cause i'm sure it'll be fineee for all of us :) i signed up for camp 1, 18.

[mizz_jocie]

oh wow, camp 1 is full now, wow that is really quick.
lol Taiwan dollie. I'm pretty sure the camps would collide and if they do that would be awsome.
Yeah I'm going not knowing anyone but the experience is going to be pretty awsome. I'm excited.

Roll Call --- (p.s say where you're from)
Camp 1
18
From Toronto- Canada
=)

[phatib]

oh wow, camp 1 is full now, wow that is really quick.
lol Taiwan dollie. I'm pretty sure the camps would collide and if they do that would be awsome.
Yeah I'm going not knowing anyone but the experience is going to be pretty awsome. I'm excited.

Roll Call --- (p.s say where you're from)
Camp 1
18
From Toronto- Canada
=)

hey, what do you mean when you say a camp is full? Does that mean applying to a camp is useless now?

[waterloovic]

Did they go into any detail as to how its full? As in, head office has more then enough applications for Camp 1 and 2 and asked for no more, or that they already picked and notified the people going to Camp 1 and 2 that have been selected?


I applied for camp 2, but I haven't heard a thing...

[epitom3]

Roll Call --- (p.s say where you're from)
Camp 2
19
From Irvine - USA


Its wierd how the camps work. I think each location can have a maximum of 25 sign ups per camp. So like the Santa Ana, CA location has 25 spots for Camp 1, 2, 3. Once those are full you can't join the camps from that location. However, if another one is close you can apply for those 25 positions if they are still open. Thats what I ended up doing.

I called the Santa Ana location and Camp 1 and 2 have already been filled with like 11 spots left in Camp 3. So I called up the location in El Monte, and they had one left for Camp 2. So I drove all the way there and got into Camp 2.

They do this so that one camp isnt overrun by people in just one area.

[taiwandollie]

oh wow you made that much effort to get into this program:wink:
but that's smart still..i wouldn't have thought of that.

Someone should make a facebook account for this year's loveboater..haha

[jenc]

haha i'll do it (u mean group right?) u can post your names/college or if u dont watn to make it public, message me ur names and i'll invite.

[jenc]

orrr... just search for the group. (Loveboat 2007)

[devinzha]

I went to get my physcal done today....but now i'm too lazy to apply since its going to be hard getting in now.

think i'll just go next year :-(

[jenc]

u should try anyway :)

[squally]

How much NT do you guy think you need to bring back?

I mean I know there is the registration fee of 17, 500 NT

But what about like for other things? (For yourself i guess)

I understand it is your only preference of X amount of money you want to bring.

My question is what is the optimal amount of money you think you should bring? Do you think 10,000 NT would be enough for your personally expense? (About $400 CAD)

Yes im new to the forum too...and i am going to Camp 1 ..im 17

[nogo]

You can always easily withdraw money from your debit card, so you really really don't need to bring loads of money there.

[diorchick]

Man it was so hard finding info for the Loveboat in England...tried everything i could! Luckily my friend who applied previous years managed to dig out some contact info! I've applied...just before the deadline *fingers crossed* and hope to get a place!

Any other BBC's going on the tour?

I've signed up for camp 3 - Manchester, England - 22 Yrs old =)

[squally]

Wouldn't you need a taiwan debt card?

LOL im new with this...since i just got my debt card last week...is a PC one..(President Choice)

[amaryllis]

i dont know if it also applies to taiwan since ive never been there, but i went to china, and i had no problems withdrawing money from the bank (bank of china). I have a HSBC account.

[squally]

I guess i should talk to the bank lady about this~

I wish it was summer already! Urgh can't wait~

Anyone looking up at plane tickets yet?

[amaryllis]

It's March!!
Anyone get their info in the mail yet??

[waterloovic]

Not yet. But I don't think they mailed them out from the local offices until Feb 28th? So it might take a little time? Anyone from prior years reading this give us some indication of when you received your response?

[squally]

I think we may recieve it by the end of march...but i can't wait i hope it would be sooner...like march break soon!

[epitom3]

yea i thought it was the end of march.

[umichmed]

anyone apply from chicago area?

[kimpossible]

I read a lot of the posts about money. Here's my suggestion, refined over the past 8 years. Mind your itinerary and see if you have a layover in Japan. A lot of flight paths go through Narita.

Take a combination of your country's domestic currency (we take about $200-300 USD for personal use), about 2000-4000 yen, and NT leftover from the previous trip. If no NT (taibi, whatever you say) then I just use my debit card from my domestic banking institution.

CALL your bank before you go. Debit and credit, if taking a credit card. Your account may be frozen if the bank sees an unexpected charge in another country.

Exchange NT preferably with family. Banks can be a MAJOR pain in the ass for person-to-person exhange and the change makers at the airport are very expensive. With ATM withdrawal you pay a minimal fee and get the current exchange rate. Beware of 'old' NT though it would be hard to come by. The currency was swapped out... 3? 4? years ago. ATMs at banks will have good currency. Be sure to withdraw a good amount when you do withdraw. A lot of places run on cash only and it can be hard to get by on a card. Also reduces your bank fee:withdrawal amount ratio.

A pinned, dedicated travel topic for overseas Chinese to Taipei be useful in F&T, I guess, since the travel info needs are unique. Wish I could centralize all the LoveBoat info.

[waterloovic]

Anyone hear anything yet? I hope they don't make us wait until the very end of March.

[taiwandollie]

i haven't heard anything yet:mad:

ANother week and a half till the end of march...

im probably gonna bring at least 5000nt...haha cuz i know i'm gonna buy a lot:biggrin:

[LadyC]

I got my reply this afternoon. They called to let me know I was accepted. Yay!

[umichmed]

Group 2 from Chicago here

[squally]

Congrats on your acceptence! Can't wait for mine~

[fresh tangerine]

hmm..they make the rules seem so strict.. i wonder if it really is that strict. it seems like everyone still sneaks out at night and the tour isnt really about studying or anything.. but is there a chance that they might become hella stricter or something? would that ruin the whole trip?

[waterloovic]

I think they don't because they know the breaking point can't be that high with the group that is there.

We will take a certain amount of learning, waking up early, etc. But given that we are a) away from our parents b) generally have money if need be c) grew up with reasoned skepticism towards authority, we would end up doing what we want anyway, and / or as a last resort just quit and spend our own time in Taiwan.

[amaryllis]

I chatted with one of the counselors from last year on facebook. He's in highschool:eek: So I wonder if he was just an anomaly, or are more of the counselors younger (thus less percieved authority...)

[fresh tangerine]

does anyone happen to have an idea of the schedule and what we do? and is it possible to arrive at a later time.. maybe july 5?

[umichmed]

where is everyone from and what camp are you in?

i'm in camp 2

[squally]

Question. I don't have my Canadian citizenship stuff yet, and well my mom is concern if i go back to Taiwan i won't be able to get back from Canada.

I was wondering if thats true and would i be stuck in Taiwan.

If you guys know anything related to this issue or know who i should speak with that will be greatly appreicated:smile:

[umichmed]

Do you have student Visa... if so, should be fine

[amaryllis]

anyone from vancouver got their answer yet? My mom phoned, and they told her April 10th, but I see that many of you have gotten a reply, so it's making me nervous:frown:

[nogo]

haha hey i'm from vancouver too and i haven't gotten anything yet either =P

[waterloovic]

I haven't got my confirmation either, but my mother spoke to the local director and he says things should be ok. It seems that as long as your application got mailed in, then you should be good to go. (I.e. if they rejected you, they didn't even send in your application in the first place). But take that info with a grain of salt, and it's only what I heard here in Toronto.

On a separate note, I think we should discuss (maybe out of this forum and more geographically) some good flight prices / deals that we may be finding.

So for me for example, I'd be interested in any great deals out of Toronto or Vancouver. So far the best price I've found is about $1900 cdn out of Buffalo, flying from Toronto would be about $2800 cdn.

[jenc]

not sure if this will help since im not from toronto :) but from washington DC i got a deal for 1160. my agent said that the seats are going by fast this year, so i hope everyone is able to get tickets!

my mom called today and they are currently scrambling to get our notifications out, but applications are currently being processed in taiwan. (not sure of exact details, im just the messenger! :)

[jenc]

**oh and note, i am going earlier (mayish) to see my fam so that make a difference in price!!

[jenc]

**oh and note, i am going earlier (mayish) to see my fam so that make a difference in price!! :wink:

[taiwandollie]

im leaving from toronto in early june and im paying $1875. If i had left on may 31st it woulda been 200 dollars cheaper but i have to stay for grad...

going back later in june/early july is the most expensive...i'm not sure about how good the deals are.

:frown:

but i'll keep my eyes open~

[waterloovic]

Who are you flying with? How many transfers?

[taiwandollie]

i'm flying alone. sigh.
haha toronto-van van-taiwan. I can't handle too many transfers...i pray my stop off is around an hour or less. ^^

[jenc]

oh man, ur so lucky. i have two stops with a few hours of stop offs!

[lookitsyoyo]

I'm still deciding whether to go. I'm signed up for Camp 1 and I'd be flying there from Houston.

Does anyone have more information on the program? The information that I got from them was really minimal.

[guitardoodsez]

i got my info in the mail today, im in camp 2!

[umichmed]

camp 2 looks like a sausage fest so far...

[epitom3]

agreed. >.>

[amaryllis]

I got my acceptance in email form today :)

big issue here is that i cannot understand half of the things they sent, because they are in chinese and 1. I do not understand chinese, 2. my computer does not understand chinese. I will have to go hunt down a chinese reading friend soon!

[nogo]

Amaryllis, I take it that you're from Vancouver as well??

I just checked my gmail account just now and there it was! Which school are you at right now?

[umichmed]

if anyone from the US is looking for good travel deals, check out EVA airlines

you can get tickets to Taipei for $750 from LAX in early june

[mizz_jocie]

Did anyonr In Toronto get replies yet?

[amaryllis]

Amaryllis, I take it that you're from Vancouver as well??


yup!

I'm looking up flights, and they dont seem to be that cheap. I flew to Macau last year (changed planes in Taipei) and that flight was under $1000 w/o tax. Every flight that I seem to be finding costs more than $1000!

[nogo]

yeah, same here. most of them come out to $1400 after taxes.

which camp are you in?

[amaryllis]

hahah i forgot to mention it, im in camp 1 :smile:

I can't believe that for travel in June I need to be putting in my passport application basically now.

[jenc]

be sure to do it asap or get expedited service! mine took 12 weeks (they tell you its 10 weeks)... they are experiencing large volumes of requests this year. expedited is 4 weeks :)

[nogo]

you're in camp 1?? that's awesome.

haha this is random question, but are you one of cass' friends going up to taiwan too?

the lineup at Sinclair Centre is incredibly long, make sure you get there before it opens and do the application online. i had a friend who got there at 6am and didn't finish until 10am.

[amaryllis]

i actually don't know anyone else whos going. none of my friends seemed interested:frown:

The acceptance letter came at a really bad time, cause now I'm really excited about the summer, but have tons of exams to study for now:frown: I'm too easily distracted:frown:

[wilmatic]

dont forget to bring condoms!!

[mizz_jocie]

Hey Hey!
Got my acceptance letter. after a whole weekend of freaking out that I wouldnt get accept...my daddy calls and says yes! I am accepted and now I definently have something to look forward to this summer!
Who else is in camp one!
Super excited!

If the camp starts on June 25th...when are people leaving?

[taiwandollie]

condoms...hahah..man...

ahhhhhh i'm still waiting for acceptance...rawr.....

[umichmed]

don't think group 2 will be needing any condoms unless someone is gay

[nogo]

i actually don't know anyone else whos going. none of my friends seemed interested:frown:

The acceptance letter came at a really bad time, cause now I'm really excited about the summer, but have tons of exams to study for now:frown: I'm too easily distracted:frown:


Yeah, finals suck, especially with the playoffs on right now too.

[taiwandollie]

:redface: yay i made camp 2!!!

boooo nashville lost todayy~~

[epitom3]

man.... camp 2 is a huge sausage fest.

[wilmatic]

when I went a few years ago, I knew of 2 girls who had sex. One of them I was pretty close to during the trip and told me about it. Now if I knew of only 2 girls who got laid, imagine how many that actually did get some. It's gonna be an orgy fest!

[gario]

Hey guys, I did a search on google for OCAC Love Boat hoping to find some information on the possibility of switching from the second to the third program. If anyone can point me in the right direction or give me an email address to contact, that would be much appreciated.

Anyway my google search landed me on this thread, which I find pretty cool, as some of you are going to be in Taiwan as well this summer. I'm Gar, business major @ the University of Washington. Anything else? send me an email.

I went on the 2006 language program last year @ tamkang and it was pretty crazy (esp on the weekends). Anyway I'm in the 3rd program this year in love boat 07/07/07-??? with some college friends. If you guys have been to Taipei, you might be aware of club Luxy. Anyway I'm good friends with the team of facilitators, so get in touch with me if you'd like to party it hard.

I prob won't check back for a while, but my msn: gar_lee@hotmail.com aol: crzygarxlikewhoa

Help me out if you can! (I'll get you into Luxy)

[gario]

Oh btw, switch to camp 3, because I'll ensure you'll have *ucking crazy weekends.

[gario]

Unless I'm able to switch to an earlier one. (is that possible?) sorry for the multiple posts, I can't figure out how to edit.

[taiwandollie]

switch to the second!!! =)

i can't wait to party at luxy hahah

[gario]

If I knew how, I totally would.

[jenc]

hey gar, il email you the link with local #s. it wont let me post a link for some reason!

[gario]

That would be mucho appreciated. Thanks.

[kchen]

Camp 3 here.
CA.

[diorchick]

Got my letter! Yey!

My friend hopefully coming too! Thats 2 british girls! =)

Camp 3! Woohoo!

[epitom3]

man... is there like no one going to camp 2?

i wish we had 2 british girls :(

[umichmed]

man... is there like no one going to camp 2?

i wish we had 2 british girls :(

it's all good, we can meet the camp 1 girls

[waterloovic]

Lol, getting a little worked up about not having enough girls eh?

I'm sure there will be plenty of girls there for you to meet, if not at the camp then in Taiwan. But forget about that for now, just think of all the fun times we're going to have there partying, relaxing and hanging out.

[epitom3]

hahaha yea... i'm really hyped to meet so many new faces, its like welcome week (in college) all over again.

[gario]

Why would you not get worked up about girls?

[diorchick]

Can anyone help?... Although i've got my acceptence letter i've still got zilch information on what i need to do before i come over... and all the info i do have, im just unable to read! (im not fluent in Mandarin just yet:confused: )

> Visa - Do we need one? And which one do i need?
> Are you guys making your own way to the Taipei Armed forces Hero house by yourself or with the assistance with the O.C.A.C?
> And finally what "portable instrments for the talent show" do we need? Hmmm.... im confused! =S

P.s...Will anyone be staying in Taiwan after the study tour is over?
Im planning on staying for a while after to maybe fly to Shanghai to do some travelling or look for some work :biggrin:

[wilmatic]

Can anyone help?... Although i've got my acceptence letter i've still got zilch information on what i need to do before i come over... and all the info i do have, im just unable to read! (im not fluent in Mandarin just yet:confused: )

> Visa - Do we need one? And which one do i need?
> Are you guys making your own way to the Taipei Armed forces Hero house by yourself or with the assistance with the O.C.A.C?
> And finally what "portable instrments for the talent show" do we need? Hmmm.... im confused! =S

P.s...Will anyone be staying in Taiwan after the study tour is over?
Im planning on staying for a while after to maybe fly to Shanghai to do some travelling or look for some work :biggrin:

visa - you'll need one if you stay more than 30 days. Talk to your travel agency for more info.
Transportation - They should have counselors waiting at the airport w/ buses if you're arriving the day of the program.
instrument - only if you have one and you would like to perform at a talent show.

[jenc]

oh and i think you have to fax back your flight into as a confirmation that you're going on the camp (and for transportation from the airport). my mom di that part for me cause i couldn't understand it!

[forainda]

DAMN I wish I knew about this earlier .... I wanted to go when I was graduating HS but I wasn't old enough .... now that I am graduating college ... if I don't go this summer ... I'm probably going to get deployed to Iraq next spring....

Hope mom can pull some strings

[gario]

Go here if you want any other loveboat info.

washington.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2242022550

[forainda]

now that everyone already has their loveboat slots i doubt ppl check this but ....

so i got in touch with my coac rep in flushing ny and they are telling me there are slots in this other program that is also "loveboat"

but it is on a different timeline ... a two week and four week thing ... and then on top of that they are letting 14yr olds go ....

anyone have any insight on this ??

[jenc]

i think i heard about this. but i believe you have to do some program called AID to go tutor kids before touring like loveboat.

[epitom3]

wow AIDS sounds like fun

hahaha stupid joke, but i had to

[forainda]

yea .... but then you tour with a bunch of teens .... and they make you pay also ... anyone have any last min info insight or contacts on how i can go loveboat it up before i "Iraq" it up... i just want to get away see taiwan meet people and have fun....

Dave

[amaryllis]

see if you can get on a waitlist or something, thats all I can think of :)

[musicloops]

I'm going in june earlier than the date, and I'm staying past the date to leave by a few days. I'm in the first camp :)

[diorchick]

Can someone confirm if we do or dont need a visa??

I keep hearing deiffernt stories from differient people. Someone says we automatically have 30 days in Taiean before we have to arrange for a work/holiday/student visa if we stay longer.

The guy i spoke to when booking my flight said a warning came up on his screen saying that we needed to obtain a visa after 14 days.

Someone else has said to me, you need one before entering Taiwan :confused:

HELP?!?!!

[musicloops]

I would ask your parents.. I think they would know and if not they'd find out. that's what I did, I called my mom and asked about my visa and passport etce etc etc.

[jenc]

i think its 30...but im not positive so im sorry to add to your confusion!

http://www.boca.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=1443&ctNode=116&mp=2

i just got back from the visa office to get mine for over 30 days..and the max stay for me is 60 days.

[Teresa]

It seems like a lot of people are in their 20's from what I've read. How often do 16/17 year olds attend there? XD

[ho4lyfe]

In the states, i believe its 30 days. and the camp itself is 29 days. but im sure most of us are going earlier and staying later. so the visa is around 100 usd. which sucks balls. but i heard you are able to go to a local police station to obtain the visa a couple weeks before the 30 days. did any of you guys get this already, or know more information on it?

[ho4lyfe]

edit* local police station IN TAIWAN.

[ho4lyfe]

and why does the loveboat camp 3 have significant more members than camp 1 and 2?? is it more popular than the other two camps. i thought camp 1 was gonna be the most-in-demand because its closet to taipei, where the parties at.

[jenc]

hey, i heard the same thing about getting a visa in taiwan if you have one already. after getting mine (for 60 days,$100usd lasts for 5 years) the guy said that if i end up changing plans to stay longer, i can go ahead and get it renewed there. but im not sure if u can get one if you don't have a visa already. should call!

ho4lyfe i think ur right, camp 1&2 was most in demand this year. it filled up the quickest compared to 3. thats what the lady said when i applied :)

[ho4lyfe]

thanks for your help. sounds good to me.

[Tifferton312]

Did you guys hear about the placement tests? That's right...tests. Writing and speaking from what I understand.

...Doomed.

Speaking Test: ...
Writing Test. [Insert Name Here]

...I think that about covers it haha XD

[kchen]

Yes, there are placement tests on the first day of the program. They want to see how fluent and proficient you are, but if you're not, don't worry about it. It's not a big deal.

[Tifferton312]

Hahaha....that's good. Here's to the "bonehead class" :biggrin:

Anyone have any food and drink recommendations?

[kimpossible]

It's about trip time so I'm going to unstick this. Hope you all have a fun and safe trip.

[Banana]

Why is this called Loveboat again?

[Adaon]

Cuz it's basically a cruise to hookup with people and do whatever under the guise of goin' to school over seas.

[MOTUL]

How did find out that Camp 2 is filled with high school kids? LOL

Good thing I'm signing up next year.

[Azn Retribution]

if only the chinese part of me was taiwanese.
but then again.. didnt the descendants of most filipinos immigrate from taiwan? haha.

if only i was 18 or 19 again.

[epitom3]

lol camp 2 was filled with high school kids? i think there was like 10 max

[Justin1130]

HOW DO I SIGN UP!??!!?!?
booooooooooooo
i dont wanna call im too lazy
whens the deadline

[kimpossible]

It's that time of year on YW where I start feeling like the Den Mother for Troupe Love Boat. At any rate, some of your fellow applicants have already started. Please go here for Love Boat 2008. (http://forums.yellowworld.org/showthread.php?t=33849)