Farewell to Formosa
It is more than a decade since I first came to Taiwan. During that time Taiwan has played a big part in my life, but my time there has finally come to an end and I am returning to Australia. This news may come as a surprise to some readers of this blog, but I have spent the past few weeks meeting with and saying goodbye to friends in Taipei and Taichung.
These past few years in Taiwan have been a rich learning experience. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to study at National Chengchi University (NCCU) where I completed a Master’s degree in Taiwan Studies. Dr David Blundell gave me some great guidance in the process of writing my thesis. David is currently editing a book titled Taiwan Since Martial Law. I have written a chapter for the book based on my thesis research and it should be published in the next few months. I will post the details of the book on this blog when it is available.
After graduating from NCCU I went to work at the Research Centre for Austronesian Peoples at Providence University. This gave me the chance to spend some more time in Smangus and to get to know the community of Marqwang in the rear mountain area of Jianshi Township. I have also visited a number of other indigenous communities around Taiwan with Dr Lin Yih-ren and thank him for his guidance and support. I must also thank Lahuy Icyeh, Watan Talu, Neqo Soqluman and Wang Hsin-han for their help over the last year.
In these past few years Venerable Chao Hwei (昭慧法師) has been very supportive and helpful. I will never forget her generosity in hosting the INEB Conference at Honghsi College in 2007. She also invited me to participate in the campaign against the Penghu casino and subsequently observe the referendum in Penghu. I have also participated in several conferences that she organised and other events at Hongshi College (佛教弘誓學院). I really must thank all the people at Hongshi College for everything they have done.
There are also many other friends and classmates who I have met during my time in Taiwan. There are lots of great people here and thank you to all of them for their friendship.
Some people have asked me if this blog will still be online after I leave Taiwan. I plan to keep this blog online for the forseeable future and I will even continue to write the occasional post about various Taiwan related topics. I will of course be closely following the news from Taiwan over the next six months in the lead up to the legislative and presidential elections.
About
Images of old Taiwan
INEB study tour: Taipei
Formosa Betrayed set for February 2010 release
New home for David on Formosa
Posted: July 25th, 2011 under Taiwan.
Tags: hongshi college, nccu, Providence University
Comments
Comment from David Reid
Time 25 July 2011 at 2:47 pm
Thanks Ashish. I am not planning to create a new blog about my life in Australia. If people want to know something about what I am up to in Australia they can check my Flickr, Twitter and Google Plus.
Comment from Tortue
Time 25 July 2011 at 2:53 pm
Indeed quite a surprise! Hope that the return in Australia won’t be too difficult 
Comment from Ben Goren
Time 25 July 2011 at 3:02 pm
Your presence and voice will be greatly missed Dave. You have helped bring many good causes to light and contributed immensely to better understanding of aboriginal peoples to those inside and outside Taiwan.
Comment from Nino
Time 25 July 2011 at 8:10 pm
You really like to live on islands, eh 
Be careful, Ozwan is a tiny bit bigger
You were the first Taiwan blog I’ve read and I may have not always agreed with what you’ve said, but I’ve soon understood, that you’re a blogger with passion and a spine, with depth of mind and an open heart. For that you have my respect and admiration. And one will hardly find another blog about Taiwan with such a rich resource on this beautiful island and its people. Thank you for being an inspiration for other bloggers.
And best of luck! I’m sure you will visit Formosa many times in the future.
Comment from Tim Maddog
Time 25 July 2011 at 9:11 pm
David, you’ve been a great asset to Taiwan. Keep spreading the truth about Taiwan to people in Australia whenever you have the opportunity. The Taiwan blogosphere won’t be the same without you here.
Best wishes in everything you do!
Comment from Todd
Time 25 July 2011 at 9:40 pm
Best of luck David! Hope you got some nice shots during yesterday’s photowalk! Stay in touch!
Comment from Manuel
Time 26 July 2011 at 12:43 am
No love story with somebody in Taiwan, only with Taiwan?
Comment from Kaifu Wu
Time 26 July 2011 at 10:00 am
I’m a casual follower of this blog and your twitter feed David. Your blog was the first invaluable, tw-centric blog I found two years ago that lead to many other similar blogs and sites. You will be missed, and best of luck upon returning to Australia.
Comment from Sebastian
Time 26 July 2011 at 12:20 pm
Thank you for all the great posts about Taiwan. I wish you all the best for the future!
Comment from Jade
Time 26 July 2011 at 7:50 pm
David,
I am one of those people who understand the real Taiwan because of your blog and many of others who love and care about Taiwan. You and many bloggers really make a difference for Taiwan’s future. You will be missed dearly. I wish you the best and hopefully continue to see your insight analysis about Taiwan.
Comment from Bryan
Time 27 July 2011 at 5:50 am
I’ve been a reader since 2005–albeit a quiet one–and just want to thank your for blogging and sticking with it over the years. So many blogs come and go, but I have always appreciated your blog and your commentary.
While I hope you continue to blog about Taiwan, I would also really love to hear about Australia from your perspective.
Comment from Gina
Time 27 July 2011 at 8:54 am
Hi Looking forward to read more opinions from u about Taiwan!
Comment from Sujay
Time 28 July 2011 at 3:54 pm
As a Taiwanese, I am always interested in what foreigners think about Taiwan and have been lurking in the forum of Forumosa and various blogs hosted by you guys. From time to time, I find foreign people willing to contribute to this somewhat politically isolated/misunderstood island with genuineness. It makes me feel grateful. Among these, David you are the most impressive one and Taiwanese people really owe you a lot for the effort you have made.
I wish you all the best and welcome back to Taiwan any day.
BTW, don’t you think you should stay till Tsai win the presidential election
Comment from photografree.net
Time 31 July 2011 at 2:20 pm
Such a shame, I just arrived here and found your blog, only to find out that you’ll be leaving Taiwan. All the best, though!
Comment from Kaminoge
Time 31 July 2011 at 10:26 pm
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog. All the best to you in your future endeavors!
Comment from Echo
Time 1 August 2011 at 11:37 am
Hi, David,
Couldn’t say enough for what you did for Taiwan. I am particularly grateful for your insistence on many different human right issues in Taiwan. We will most probably never meet in real life, but your passion will always occupy a corner of my heart. Take care and hope everything goes well in your future journey.
Comment from David Reid
Time 1 August 2011 at 4:05 pm
Thanks to everyone for their comments. I am sorry I haven’t had time to reply to them in more detail.
Comment from 英文SEO
Time 1 August 2011 at 9:11 pm
I’m Chinese and live in taiwan now, but still like your blog, very good.
Comment from Elisa English
Time 2 August 2011 at 12:33 am
Hi, David
I was born in Taiwan but have lived abroad for over half of my life. I have been reading your blog, Michael Burton’s and J Michael Cole’s to stay on top of current affairs in Taiwan. I really like your views and enjoy reading your articles. Farewell and good luck! ^.^
Comment from Keith
Time 10 August 2011 at 5:17 am
Hi David
Well good luck. Taiwan will miss you. Not many people have a passion for Taiwan like you. All the best!
Comment from Ashish
Time 25 July 2011 at 2:38 pm
Wish you All the very Best David
Do let us know any other blogs/website that you would be posting to in future.