"I felt lost when my parents sent me to San Francisco for high school," said Julie Chang (
"Of course I was scared. I was lonely without my family around, especially when I was sick. Many of my friends got into trouble, because nobody could guide or discipline them."
"Drugs, guns, gambling ... they tried everything. Some even attempted suicide to get revenge on their parents for `deserting' them like this," said Chang, who returned to Taiwan right after she graduated from San Francisco State University in 2000.
"This phenomenon is a result of Taiwan's rigid education system, as parents are eager to send their children abroad in order to `escape' from it," said Ku Chung-hwa (
"We must guide them through educational means, so they can obtain correct cultural identity," said Ku.
"Then, based on their feelings for their motherland, we can help them expand their vision, and build a mature world view," said Ku.
The professor said the government should accelerate reforms to the education system, and push for the internationalization of education.
US is still No. 1
Today the US remains the first-choice destination for emigrants from Taiwan.
However, due to all these difficulties, young emigrants often face the dilemma of whether to return to Taiwan after college.
"US society is no longer as open as people think, especially after the 9/11 Incident," Wang said, adding that the country has become more conservative since US President George W. Bush took office.
"Besides, due to the economic downturn, it is not easy for colored people to find ideal jobs anymore, even for those with relatively high degrees," he said, adding that he may suggest to his children that they go back to the rapidly growing Asian market once they finish college.
According to an OCAC survey, about 32.9 percent of the 2,166 respondents said they plan to move back to Taiwan in the future.
About 4.5 percent said they plan to return to Taiwan soon, while about 28.4 percent said they plan to do so eventually. About half of them said they are not sure yet for many reasons.
Pop star Wang Lee-hom's (
"I am considered a foreigner in America, and also a foreigner in Taiwan. I find that quite funny," he said. "To say that I'm an American acknowledges only part of me, and vice versa."
He suggested that those who are in his shoes keep an open mind, and sincerely accept who they are.
"Now, when you talk about Chinese people, you're talking globally. Being an ABC (American-born Chinese) is something that I'm proud of. I am who I am. It's alright."
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