White walls, black tiles, and swaying palms. Fu Xinyan and his wife get their first picture taken together in front of their Australian home, more than 10 years after immigrating. (Jimmy Lin)

Taiwanese immigrants pursuing an education or better life in Australia are having a tougher time than they expected.

Some are compelled to fly all the time to keep their careers going, while their wives stay behind as "solo mothers" to manage the family on their own. Others give up careers or businesses in Taiwan in the interest of keeping their family together, and instead live idle lives in this foreign land. Still others see immigration as a one-way ticket, let go of their old lives, seek new opportunities, and put down roots in Australia.

Taiwanese immigrants differ greatly. They emigrate at different points in their careers, have different attitudes, and encounter different luck. They're like a handful of seeds cast onto Australian soil, blossoming into myriad varieties of flower.

Among the biggest questions for immigrants are: "Should I put down roots?" And, "How do I put down roots?"