Ni hao! My name is Francesca, or “Si Jia” in Mandarin, and “Su Ka” in Taiwanese. I am a Taiwanese-American from the Bay Area who grew up knowing very little about my heritage. I pursued the American dream, attended law school in San Francisco, and passed the California Bar exam in my 20’s. Then, during my mid-30’s, I made the drastic decision to quit my prestigious job as a lawyer and moved to Taiwan in order the explore the motherland and my roots.
I became a travel scout for a local tour agency in Taiwan (as well as a writer for Taiwan’s Tourism Bureau) touring the entire island for off-the-beaten-path destinations that provide the most unique and authentic Taiwanese experiences for foreign tourists. I quickly noticed that these rich and diverse places were not only unknown to most locals, but they were completely hidden from the rest of the world; Google Maps either had 0 reviews of these places or had not listed the place at all. The most interesting thing I’ve done as a Local Guide is to share my motherland with the entire world. For example:
- I was either the first or one of the first Local Guides to add English reviews to places in Taiwan that show photos and tell the history of:
- The only place where visitors can learn to make 130-year-old traditional Taiwanese pastries
- The only place on the island that offers hot air balloon rides
- Sustainable farms in Taiwan that offer DIY experiences for tourists
- A Taiwanese chef who returned from a French, Michelin-starred restaurant to create a fine dining experience from the island’s local ingredients
- I created a list that features indigenous-owned businesses who otherwise lack the marketing resources to advertise to the English-speaking visitors that they seek:
- I have made multiple edits and proposed adding new places to Google Maps, including an indigenous restaurant I visited that was started by the tribe’s youth who returned to their village to improve their local community.
Being a Local Guide has allowed me to further my passion for sharing this beautiful, diverse, and friendly island with the entire globe. As a Level 6 Guide, I know that my reviews about Taiwan’s hidden treasures are being seen by the whole world:
It has been a privilege to be able to learn about my heritage while simultaneously giving back to my community as a Local Guide. Google Maps and the Local Guides program has allowed me to put Taiwan on a map, and it’s something I look forward to continuing as a permanent resident of this island!
