Latina Solo Female Travel Blogger
I’ve constantly been asked throughout my tenure on social media, “What’s it like living in Japan as a foreign woman?” This is a question I’ve struggled with because where do I even begin after a three-year experience in Japan? I spent most of my very young 20s on an island in the middle of the […] Read more…
Being an expat is one of the most interesting experiences of your life. It can make or break a lot of things, teach you humility and new life lessons, or contribute to some of the most traumatic experiences of your life. I’m not going to sugar coat anything because that’s who I am. There are […] Read more…
Participating in the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program was one of the best experiences of my life. I truly believe living abroad makes you a more well-rounded, adaptable, and tolerant person. It teaches you life skills you wouldn’t otherwise learn in your own home country. Living abroad makes you acquire critical thinking and solution […] Read more…
Thinking about moving abroad? While moving to a new country sounds like an exciting and wonderful adventure, it can also come with it’s own set of struggles and burdens. As someone who lived abroad for eight and a half years, I know a thing or two and can impart on you some valuable advice. Some […] Read more…
So you want to teach in Japan? Great! Teaching English in Japan can be one of the most exciting choices of your life. You’ll get to completely immerse yourself in a different culture and experience a country so different from your own, it’ll be a unique opportunity. But you must be wondering where to start. […] Read more…
If you’re wondering how to file taxes while living abroad, then I highly recommend Taxes for Expats. You probably have questions like, “How do I file US taxes from abroad?” Luckily for us, Taxes for Expats has been preparing expat returns for over 25 years for clients in 175 countries. Living abroad is a fun […] Read more…
For a really long time friends and family would ask, “Do you miss Japan? What do you miss about Japan?” For a while, I kept my silence because I could never really think of anything that made my heart ache. Honestly, I never thought I’d be writing this blog post admitting that, yes, there are […] Read more…
This week’s guest post comes from my handsome successor, Nick, who took my place in Okinawa. He just started his blog, so be sure to show him some love! You’ll really enjoy Nomadic Nick because he’s doing what I should have done when I first moved—properly documenting his experiences and giving advice on his travels. […] Read more…
Applying to teach abroad may be a daunting task. If you’re looking for the easy way to come over, programs like Interac or working at Eikaiwas in Japan sound good for the most part. If you’re considering Korea, you might go the Hagwon route, but know that not all Hagwons are created equal. Like all […] Read more…
Going to Japan for the first or [insert number here] time can be a wonderful, exciting and joyous time. If you’re reading this post, you’re most likely new to the rodeo so Gina Bear is here to help answer your questions and make your transition to the Land of the Rising Sun easier. Like you, […] Read more…
I’m taking a break from my helpful posts to discuss some very real topics. This post is kind of a damper, but cultural fatigue in Japan needs to be discussed. A new country isn’t always going to be perfect and sometimes you will get worn down. I looked up a great article about Cultural Fatigue on Vagabond […] Read more…
Last time, I posted a Japan Thrival Guide on what to do before, after, and while in Japan. I think as someone who lived in Japan for three years, there are some things I wish I knew before arrival. A new country means lots of changes, but we also shouldn’t forget some of our own […] Read more…