What I’ve learned from living in Japan

I’ve been back in the UK about seven months now and, what with the rapid approach of the end of the year, it seems appropriate to reflect a little on my time in Japan. Also, I’ve been invited to participate in Whoa… I’m in Japan‘s blog carnival which is looking at the question “What Have … Continue reading →

A taste of JET

I wasn’t a JET. When I tell people I taught English in Japan, they often respond with “oh, were you a JET?”. Then I have to explain that I wasn’t a JET (Japanese Exchange Teaching Programme), and I wasn’t an ALT (Assistant Language Teacher). I worked for a private language school (“eikaiwa” in Japanese). This … Continue reading →

The Stress Free Guide to Leaving Japan

Leaving Japan was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Luckily, I had a little help… I was asked to review Laura Pepper’s e-book The Stress Free Guide to Leaving Japan for the wonderful Being A Broad magazine. The review has just been publishing in Being A Broad’s new online magazine … Continue reading →

Surviving in Japan (without much Japanese)

Surviving in Japan (without much Japanese) is one of the best websites available for tips on how to survive in Japan when your Japanese isn’t quite up to scratch yet. The website, created by the lovely Ashley Thompson, covers everything from tampons to teaching, mosquitos to mail – and all in amazing detail. I’m mentioning this … Continue reading →

Everybody’s talkin’ at me…

The title of this post comes from the song “Everybody’s Talkin’” which was recorded by, among others, Harry Nilsson. The lyrics have been in my head since I got back to the UK: Everybody’s talking at me I don’t hear a word they’re saying Only the echoes of my mind People stopping staring I can’t … Continue reading →

Love Letter to Japan…

Love Letter to Japan by The Bird and The Bee From the west to the east, I have flown to be near you I have come all this way to be close, to be here with you And now, all my heart I will lay down precisely at your feet My beloved, oh my sweet, … Continue reading →

It’s nothing to do with the earthquake!

Talk about bad timing. This week at school we started announcing my imminent departure. Naturally students are surprised and, as I suspected would happen, I have already been asked a few times: “Are you leaving because of the earthquake???” So I’d just like to clear this up: No. I am not leaving because of the … Continue reading →

Yokoso!

I know a couple of people who are due to travel to Japan soon. They are coming here to live and teach English. Actually, in March/April I imagine a lot of people are due to come to Japan. The new Japanese school year starts in April, and that means a new batch of ALTs and … Continue reading →

Moving update

My shipment of boxes was due to be collected today, but I was doubting that it would all go according to plan after the recent disaster in Japan. Of course, I would have understood my plans having to change but naturally I didn’t want to have to re-plan everything I had already planned so carefully. … Continue reading →

Where is Shizuoka?

Literally thousands of people have visited my blog over the last couple of days, and I have had many messages from strangers, concerned about their loved ones in Shizuoka Prefecture. So, I thought I’d just give you an idea of the geography of it all: Click on the map for a larger image (Image source) … Continue reading →