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China vs. Japan vs. South Korea: Which Should You Live In?
Since late 2012, I’ve had the privilege of living in China, Japan, and South Korea, and during this time, I’ve been able to truly immerse myself into each of their unique cultures. China, Japan, and South Korea are three countries that often come to mind to foreigners (mainly western) when seeking employment abroad, but the differences among the three are not widely understood. Below, I’ll highlight their key differences and help you better decide which country is best for you. Food: China: Chinese is my least favorite among the three, as much of it is pork based and very oily, which concerns me as a very health conscious person. With…
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A Guide to Climbing Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji is one of the world’s most famous mountains and one deeply important to Japanese people as it is one of their 3 holy mountains. Each year, thousands flock to Japan hoping to catch a glimpse of Fuji on the train passing by, while the brave ones attempt to climb it. At 12,389 feet (3,776.24 meters), Mount Fuji ranks as the largest in Japan, and 7th largest peak on an island in the world. Fuji is iconic and has served as the inspiration for many artists and poets worldwide and after climbing Mt. Fuji and seeing the views for myself, I can see why. Here is a guide to…
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How Studying Abroad in Japan Changed My Life
Being bi-racial, African-American and Japanese, I always had a fascination with Japan. Growing up in the U.S, I often wondered what living in Japan long-term would be like. I had visited Japan several times, but often for short periods of time. As a child, I knew one day that I would get the opportunity to stay longer and that I would not hesitate to seize that opportunity. In November of 2010 as junior at the University of Maryland College Park, I applied to study abroad in Nagasaki at Nagasaki University of Foreign Studies, and by December I was admitted. I will admit, it was one of the happiest moments in…
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Day Trips From Tokyo
Many travelers visiting Japan will fly into Tokyo and spend a few days here before heading off to their next destination. For those with limited time in Japan that can’t afford to go far or just have a few extra days to spare, here are four places you can visit if you’re looking for day trips from Tokyo. 1) Kamakura: A small city about an hour by train from Tokyo famous for its temples, beach, and giant Buddha. From Tokyo Station, take the JR Yokosuka Line to Kamakura Station. 2) Hakone: A mountainous area west of Tokyo, 1-2 hours away by train, famous for its hot springs, scenic views, relaxed…
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How to go to Graduate School in Japan
In 2009, the Japanese government started a program to attract foreign students, which became known as the “Global 30”, now the “Top Global University Program.” The Japanese government selected the most elite schools and began offering English-only undergraduate and master’s programs. Since 2009, graduate school in Japan for international students has become more popular than ever. The beauty of this program is that you do not need to take the GRE for admission. You simply apply as you would do with any other school. How much is it? Compared to the U.S (my home country) it’s amazingly cheap. One semester cost me around $3,000. I graduated in 3 semesters and…
