In 1986, after finishing university in the States, my boss found me a $40,000 annual job offer. Due to personal reasons, I decided returning to Taiwan teaching. My boss asked me, “How much money can you earn yearly in Taiwan?” I smiled, without answering.
💰 Sacrifice and Choice
Returning to Taiwan, teaching at National Taiwan University for a month, opening my first paycheck—deducting income tax—barely NT$30,000. Then US-NT exchange was 1:40. I smiled wryly—I loved this job!
Later NT strengthened to 1:26, thinking not bad. Writing my boss, NT strengthening raised my salary 1.5x. Boss replied asking if yearly income exceeded $40,000. I smiled wryly, still no answer. Though NT strengthening closed Taiwan’s manufacturing, canned factories disappeared.
I truly loved university work—teaching, researching, my favorite, most rewarding work—helping small farmers processing and promoting agricultural products.
High school friends achieving business success always kindly asked at gatherings, “Study so much, teaching at university earning so little—any regrets? Want switching to industry?”
I always smiled, no answer. Thinking, after retirement, the nation would care for me.
💔 Betrayal After Contribution
Well, the nation would care for me!
Unexpectedly, these past years, government broke its promise, completely uncaring about my sacrifices. Calling me “rice bug,” shamelessly dragging down national finances!
I really am speechless. High school friends’ concern becomes deeply ironic. My advisor, in his nineties with memory loss, surely still thinking I enjoyed happy Taiwan retirement.