Yoyo English Club

• 9/29 (Tue.) A Successful Life in Taiwan
  Host: Julian

• What does a “successful life” look like in Taiwan today?
  For many people, the traditional path seems familiar: get into a good university, find a stable or high-paying job, buy a home, get married, and start a family — preferably all before a certain age.

• But is following this checklist really the same as living a successful life?
  As society changes, more people are questioning whether career titles, property ownership, income, or marriage should define success. Some are choosing flexibility, meaningful work, personal well-being, or simply the freedom to live life on their own terms.

• In this meeting, we’ll talk about how Taiwanese society defines success, how social comparison affects us, and what success means to each of us personally.
  No preparation is required. The reference materials below are optional.

## Discussion — Session 1

Society’s Definition of Success

1. What are the top three milestones of a traditionally “successful life” in Taiwan?
2. How is your generation’s idea of success different from your parents’ generation?
3. Why do homeownership, marriage, and career status still carry so much weight in Taiwan?
4. Have you ever fallen into the “social comparison trap” after seeing other people’s lives on social media?
5. If you could remove one traditional expectation from Taiwanese society, what would it be?

## Discussion — Session 2

Defining Success for Yourself

1. How do you personally define success today? Has your definition changed over the past 5–10 years?
2. Would you choose a high-paying but stressful career over a lower-paying job that gives you more freedom?
3. What does good work-life integration look like to you?
4. Do you know someone who chose to “live life on their own terms”? What can we learn from them?
5. What advice would you give to a fresh graduate who feels pressured to join the rat race?

## Useful Expressions

The rat race
A competitive and often exhausting pursuit of money, career success, or status.

• Status symbol
  Something that shows wealth, achievement, or social position.

• Peer pressure
  Pressure to behave or make choices similar to people around you.

• Work-life integration
  Finding a sustainable way for work and personal life to coexist.

### 🇸🇪 Curious About Swedish Culture? Join Our Next English Discussion!

What does it really mean to fit in in Sweden? 🤔

This Saturday, October 3rd, our club is exploring the do's and don'ts of Scandinavian life, hosted by Laura!

Get ready to discuss everything from:

🚫 Essential social etiquette (What not to do!)
🛒 The IKEA phenomenon and its global impact
🏆 The legacy of the Nobel Prize

We'll share personal experiences about cultural differences and learn more about this open and innovative society. Don’t miss this chance to practice English, meet new people, and explore Sweden from afar!

When: Saturday, October 3rd
Where: 25 Café (formerly Dante Coffee)
Who: Everyone welcome! (Please see the links in our main group page to prepare before the meeting).

Check out our infographic below to get a head start on the discussion topics! 👇