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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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Traveling to Xinjiang: China’s Wild West
Xinjiang is one of China’s most unique regions and one truly worth exploring if you have time. Xinjiang is far from what most would imagine China to be. Uyghurs, the majority group living in Xinjiang, are culturally distinct from most Han Chinese. Aside from their physical features, they mostly practice Islam, speak Uyghur, and have their own cultural traditions. Although a part of China, traveling to Xinjiang almost feels as if one is in an entirely new country. One can describe it as China’s Wild West. Sayram Lake I had limited time in Xinjiang, so I tried to visit the most accessible places from Urumqi. One place was Sayram Lake,…
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Black Barbershop in Shanghai
If you’re of African heritage living in Shanghai or thinking about moving to Shanghai, it is likely you’re looking for a barbershop that can cut black hair to keep you fresh from week to week. Cultura is the place you’re looking for. Cultura is located at No. 263, Lane 99 Zhongtan Lu or 中潭路99弄263号, 近远景路 You can walk here from Zhongtan Road station on Line 3/4. A full cut costs 300 RMB , but if you schedule regularly, Paul, the barber, will charge you 250 per cut. A bit on the expensive side, but Paul takes his time and cuts very well. When I first came to Shanghai, I…
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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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Dali: One of the Most Scenic Places in China
Yunnan is often regarded by Chinese locals as the most beautiful province, and after visiting, I couldn’t agree more. I visited Dali, one of the most scenic places in China and was absolutely stunned by its natural beauty. If you’re in China, Dali is one place you should visit. How to get to Dali Assuming you’re not already in Yunnan province, first you’ll need to fly to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan. Next, you’ll need to decide whether you want to go to Dali by bus, train, taxi, or plane. There are several night trains leaving Kunming from 8 to 11 that take about 6-8 hours on average. You can…
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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…
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Which Section of the Great Wall is the Best?
Contrary to what most people believe, the Great Wall is not one long continuous wall, but rather multiple walls. Each part of the wall is unique and not so unique in its own way. Many travelers often have trouble deciding which part of the Great Wall they’d like to visit. With so many walls to choose from, travelers are often left wondering, “Which section of the Great Wall is the best?” The most popular part of the wall is Badaling and consequently the part you will want to AVOID, especially during Chinese holidays and weekends. A simple Badaling Google search is all you need to see to deter you from…
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How to Travel to Tibet Without a Tour
Many people often ask, “How can I travel to Tibet without a tour?” The process, while it seems difficult, is actually straightforward and a lot easier than you think. Tibet is generally defined as Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) located in western China. While this is true, Tibet, the cultural region, extends much further into China. One can visit additional parts of Tibet in Gansu, Sichuan, Qinghai, and Yunnan provinces. These provinces, plus TAR make up what is known as the three traditional regions of Tibet: Lhasa, Kham, and Amdo. Kham encompasses parts of northern Yunnan Province and western Sichuan Province. Amdo extends into parts of Sichuan Province, Qinghai Province, and Gansu Province. Lhasa…
