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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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Being Black in China
Many wonder what being Black in China is like. This is a tough and complex question, but it largely depends on a variety of factors. The city one is in, one’s nationality, skin color/physical features, gender, etc. City: In major cities like Beijing and Shanghai, the average local is educated and well-traveled enough to not really stare at you. Also, in major cities, Black foreigners are more common, which means many locals will probably have had some interaction with Black people at some point in their life. In smaller cities/provinces, Black people are rare of course; however, that doesn’t mean you will be mistreated. Locals in smaller cities will be…
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Being Black in Korea
I spent 27 months in South Korea and loved every minute of it. Coming as a 21 year-old fresh out of college was the experience of a lifetime. Until this day, it remains as one of the best times in my life. I am often asked my experience being Black in Korea. While it is true that anti-blackness exists in Korea (as it does all over the world) it is not to the extent most people think. I recall very few instances of overt anti-blackness during my time here. It is important to note that my experience as a Black person may have been different from others based on my Japanese…
