Hola! Thanks for stopping by! I’m Gina from Chicago. Welcome to my travel blog dedicated to solo female travel. I love helping my fellow Latino community, underrepresented groups, and millennial women travel and reach destinations they never thought possible. Here you’ll find destination guides, honest reviews, and tips for living your very best life. This blog is dedicated to my love for going outside the box and discovering the world. I’m also self taught in a variety of skills including SEO, blogging, Pinterest, Instagram, photography, videography, Photoshop and Lightroom.
Travel has always been a part of my life. At 12, I became infatuated with the Land of the Rising Sun. At 17, a student teacher at my high school told me about teaching English abroad in Japan. After graduation from university, I was accepted as an English teacher on the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program. With no second thoughts and itchy feet, I jumped on a plane and never looked back.
Teaching English overseas changed my life forever. It allowed me to travel, educate myself in the ways of the world, and pay off my student debts. While this experience isn’t for everyone, if you’re seriously thinking about teaching English in Japan, Korea, or anywhere in the world, I highly recommend getting a TEFL certificate.
So Where Does the Story Start?
I’m half Mexican. Thus, I spent the summers of my early youth in Mexico hiking La Baranca in Guadalajara and watching Dragon Ball Zeta and with my male cousins. From a young age, I knew I was different. When my mother offered me to spend the summer with my relatives in Mexico when I turned 12, it was a no brainer for me.
One particular summer, I was trolling the internet for Sailor Moon photos after waiting for ages on dial up, (yes, I’m dating myself here) and I saw a recommendation for a book about Nihon. Whoever said books weren’t dangerous lied because I fell irrevocably in love with a country 7,000 miles away from the Windy City.
In a nutshell, I’m a third culture kid brought up in the United States. My mom was born and raised in Jalisco, my dad is an Italian-American Chicago city kid, my grandparents were from Italy, and every colorful word I learned in Spanish and Italian was thanks to the influences around me. 😉
Okinawa
Alas, the beginning of my expat journey started on a small island, 300 miles off the coast of mainland Japan once known as the Ryukyu Kingdom. Although not mainland Japan, I had the opportunity to travel around the Land of the Rising Sun and dive headlong into the world I desperately wanted to be a part of for so long.
Before I knew it, my three year staycation in paradise passed in a blink of an eye, and destiny lead my heart to the Land of the Morning Calm.
Korea
Why did I leave Okinawa? You know when you just see that one place and you’re like, “OH YAAAAHSSSSS!” That’s what Korea was like for me. It clicked. It made sense. Korea was better suited to my personality compared to Japan. I loved looking at the mountainous terrain, eating the food, and I found the culture fascinating. Since then, I’ve worked countless times with the Korea Tourism Organization, Seoul Tourism Organization, and UNESCO. I’ve also proudly added Japanese and Korean to my bank of languages I can speak.
Alas, every chapter comes to an end. In March of 2021, I left South Korea to pursue my dream of becoming a full time travel blogger and content creator and I’ve never looked back. If you’re curious about my reasoning behind leaving check out my blog post, “Why I Left Korea” here.
Where is Gina Bear now?
Honestly, I go wherever I feel like going. I work for Southwest Airlines and that comes with some pretty awesome perks. I have traveled all over the United States and taken my laptop along with me. I’m no longer metaphorically chained to my desk in a dusty classroom alone because I’m a salary worker. Believe me when I tell you, I’m grateful for it every day.
I don’t have to ask anyone for permission. I do whatever I want whenever I want. But if you really must know, right now I’m based in Austin, Texas. As much as I tried to make it work in Texas for the last three years, this state isn’t for me. I always love to look at the bright side, and as much fun as I had here, the Windy City is where I belong. Frank Sinatra had it right, “Each time I roam Chicago is calling me home.” I vibe there and there’s nothing like belonging.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What kind of camera do you use?
I use the Sony A7iii for my travel and lifestyle photography. I realize the price point of the Sony A7iii isn’t for everyone, but it was my dream camera for so long. I also use the Sigma 24-70mm lens and the Sony 16-35mm lens and it is a great every day lens. To film videos, I use my iPhone 14 Pro.
2. What do you use to edit your photos?
I mostly use paid software. I use Adobe Lightroom for both mobile and my laptop. I also have my own presets which you can check out in my shop here.
3. What do you use to edit your videos?
For my YouTube videos, I use Final Cut Pro X. For my TikToks and Reels, I use InShot. There’s both a free and paid version of the app.
4. How do I get a job teaching English in South Korea?
I made a Goliath of a blog post to help you get a job teaching English in Korea. It’s mostly geared towards Americans getting a job since I am American and I have experience. If you’re applying from Japan, then read this post.
5. How did you get started with your travel blog?
I originally started my blog as Gina Bear in Japan. At first I was documenting my misadventures as a very young 20 something lost in translation. I started writing about my experiences as an expat and on the JET Program and mostly using it as a travel diary. I soon grew as an authority on all things expat in Japan and my blog sort of took off from there. I became known as an authority on all things South Korea. If you want to start your own successful travel blog, check out my step by step guide.
6. Have you ever had plastic surgery?
I realize I lived in South Korea and it’s the plastic surgery capital of the world. But to answer your burning question…
No, I have not. I am a gigantic baby when it comes to pain. The last thing I would ever do is go under the knife. I also like myself the way I am. I have no problem with others who want to alter their appearance to feel better. Beauty should be for everyone and attainable. Everyone is entitled to do whatever they like to their own bodies. Your body. Your choice.
Honestly, I have been approached by many famous plastic surgery clinics in Gangnam who have offered me everything from free breast augmentation to whatever you can think up in your wildest dreams. I’ve turned them all down because I don’t need any work done. I have however, accepted treatments for acne from dermatology departments at plastic surgery clinics. Adult acne is one of my biggest struggles.
However, if you consider LASEK vision correction and laser underarm hair removal cosmetic surgery, then yes, I am guilty as charged.
I’m also 100% proof that if you eat right and have a healthy lifestyle (Cross Fit and being vegetarian) you can transform your body and life. Hard work can get you to some pretty awesome places.
7. Do you make an income from your blog?
Yes, I absolutely do. As much as I would love to give all my information and hacks for free, a girl has gotta eat… And not only that, I gotta fund my travels too! I make my income from proudly partnering with SheMedia, affiliate links, sponsorships, and my own E-Books about South Korea!
8. How do you travel so much? Are you rich?
I wish I had ten million dollars so I could go about traveling the world with my Honey Bear and not have to work a day in my life. I work a lot at my job with Southwest, sponsorships with travel companies I truly love, and of course my blog.
I spent a lot of time building up my social media influence as a portfolio to show people I am a professional. This enables me to go on press trips and stay at hotels for free which really helps me continue making free content for you to enjoy on the blog.
*Note: This article does contain affiliate links. If you chose to purchase through me, at no extra cost to you, I will make a small commission to help Gina Bear’s Blog keep running. Thanks!
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