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Fighting Stereotypes at School as an Asian ALT
“Wow! Cara you completely blend in with the students. I can’t tell that you’re a foreigner at all!” As a small Asian girl (5′2″ or about 157 centimeters) with tanned skin and (previously) straight,...
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Bad ALT! The Unwritten Rules at Japanese Schools
It’s only been a year, but I’ve already lost count of how many times I’ve felt my face burn to a bright apple red from breaking what I now know are unwritten rules of etiquette at my school. When we...
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Japan 101: Tips and Tricks to Get You Through the Winter
The Japanese winter can be tough with the thin-walled houses and no central heating at home. In rural and snowy places, roads sometimes don’t get plowed, making everyday mobility a challenge. The...
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Only the Lonely: 5 Ways Teachers Can Beat the Winter Blues in Japan
For the past 20-something years, December and winter to me has meant Christmas — a time for festivities and kindred spirits. My family and friends would plan big get-togethers, decorate their homes and...
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Insider Travel Tips for Beginners Exploring Japan
So you’ve come to work in Japan and are now wondering how to travel around this dynamic country in the most cost- and time-efficient ways? Great, let’s brainstorm together. Read on to learn about the...
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5 Soft Skills ALTs Acquire that Are Resume Builders
If you’re like me, looking for a job after being an assistant language teacher (ALT) without a technical degree or much other working experience, then you’re probably wondering the same thing about the...
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After the Quake: Two Years on, Kumamoto Stands Strong
The world turned upside down for Kumamoto on April 14, 2016. An earthquake measuring Shindo (degree of shaking) 6.5 on the Japan Meteorological Agency seismic intensity scale (near the upper end) was...
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