It was my first day off after I had officially started teaching and I was already itching to explore some new territory. It was a toss up between Kobe and Kyoto on where to check out first! As soon as a colleague mentioned an amazing hike he had just went on in Kyoto, my mind … More Hiking in Kyoto!
One of the reasons why I love that I live in Osaka is that it is so centrally located. If you look on a map of Japan, Osaka is practically smack dab in the middle. This makes it easy and convenient to access other cities throughout Japan! About 45 minutes to the East of Osaka … More Nara: My First Day Trip!
I made it! I’ve officially been in Osaka for 24 hours. Below are my honest, first impressions and observations of the city that I now call home. Green Tea Flavored Everything! Green Tea Gelato was our dessert on the plane. Little did I know, this was a clue to how huge green tea flavored items … More Osaka: First Impressions!
I’ve done it, the near impossible. Two checked bags and a carry-on later (and some help from Sonny’s for my heavy, wonderful shoes), and my life is packed and ready to go to Japan. It only took me three, maybe four, okay five times tops to repack until my bags made the 50-lb weight limit. … More My Packing Checklist: What Made the Cut for Japan!
I’ve been patiently awaiting my housing placement in Osaka and last night I finally got some news! Good or bad? You can decide. To back up a little bit, ECC allows you to send them your housing placement preferences. For me, I requested to be in Osaka and in a private apartment. Well, I am … More Just In…My Housing Placement in Osaka! (And my reaction to the unexpected)
Well, I made it to Fort Lauderdale yesterday. What a whirlwind of emotions. Saying goodbye to Orlando, my home for the last 7.5 years has been no easy feat! Here are some of the things I will miss and not miss from the city I had come to call home. What I Will Miss: My … More Sayonara Orlando! What I Will Miss & What I’m Happy to Leave Behind.
Not all countries require a TEFL certification, but as teaching English abroad is gaining popularity, more countries are beginning to make them mandatory! There are generally two options: In-person or Online. When deciding which route to take, keep in mind that this is supposed to be a course designed to prepare you for teaching English as a foreign … More How to Obtain a TEFL Certification?
Congratulations! You’ve decided to teach English as a foreign language! Now, what? How do you narrow down which companies to apply for? There are so many companies out there that this can seem overwhelming! Something that I found useful for myself was making a list of things that were important to me. Below is this list in … More How to Decide What Company to Teach English For
I’m 26 years old and I’ve traveled to 12 countries. Considering I did not get my passport until 2009, I’d say, giiiirl ya done good! Each vacation abroad has been a unique, inspiring experience. But… that’s just it, they’re vacations. They’re over before I know it. My longest stay in one country was when I … More Why I Decided to Live Abroad.
When You Wander 