Thanks for commenting. Yes, it might seem weird to avoid people of a similar culture abroad, but I should explain that back then I was trying to learn Spanish and knew quite a few English teachers who lived abroad but yet hung out with their own, and never learnt Spanish. I didn't want to do that.

Now I'm older and have enough cultural difference going on in my home life to not need it elsewhere!

I'm also from London, a city where I think nationalities tend to blend more than in the US. There are so many nationalities, you tend to mix with friends from work, activities or your neighbourhood, and nationality plays a smaller role. At least, that was my experience.

I'm sure if I lived in Taiwan I would be VERY keen to meet other foreigners, such a different culture to my own.