After almost nine years in Taiwan, I have finally received permanent residence status - another benefit of being married to Pei Han. This development has brought about significant changes in my life and feelings, the greatest of which is the sense of freedom I now enjoy.
Previously, I had a working visa, which was sponsored by the school at which I teach. This meant not only that I couldn't legally teach at any other school, or in my home, but also that at the whim of my boss I could have my contract cancelled at any time, thereby canceling my working visa and forcing me out of the country to get a new visa and find a new school at which to teach, a threat that was occasionally hung over my head in moments of heated disagreement between the two of us. This hurdle to my sense of security and belonging has now been removed. The only thing I am not allowed to do now is vote, as I have not changed citizenship.
Prior to receiving my permanent residence visa, Pei Han had applied for and received a license for us to open our own little English school in our home so that I could teach legally at home. It is actually just a single classroom on our first floor, and I am the only teacher, but having that license has lent legitimacy to our operation and attracted a flood of new students. I do not have to be concerned about people questioning why a foreigner is teaching in his home, which is not something that most people are concerned about, except the bosses of other English schools who feel that I am illegally taking their business and threaten to report my actions to the police. Now that hurdle has crumbled.
This legitimacy in my teaching operation has also allowed me to feel that I now have a place of my own in Taiwan, that I am not dependant on the actions or whims of others. I have a newfound sense of belonging. When I walk down a street and people stare at me or point me out because I'm a foreigner, I hardly take notice anymore. It might be because I have gotten used to it, or as I have recently thought, because I feel that I have just as much a right and a claim to be here as they do.
Having my name in lights is all the proof I need for that claim.
Dion Marc Delport
17 June 2008