Down a lane in Taipei's Zhongshan District, there's a café decorated with koalas, Australian flags and memorabilia. They tell a personal story for of one of the 110,000 Taiwanese youths who have gone Down Under for a working holiday. Its owner, Alan Chien, traveled the country from 2012 to 2015 and keeps the memories alive today. There's also Mike, who traded a career in the Taipei police force for selling designer clothing in Melbourne, and Ray, whose time overseas reshaped how she sees herself. But working holidays aren't without challenges. From exploitation of farm labor to scams, the risks are real. Still, many say the rewards go far beyond a paycheck.
