Japan

Even if you’ve visited Japan as a tourist before, you may not be prepared for what it’s like to live in the country as a foreigner. Some experiences may be difficult — even stressful at times. Having said that, if you strive to learn the language as best you can and immerse yourself in the culture (by making friends and picking up hobbies), you may be pleasantly surprised. The first step, though, is knowing what to expect. Feeling Like an Outsider Usually, one of the first things a foreigner will tell you about living in Japan is the sense of being an outsider. You can live in the country for decades and still be seen as a foreigner, simply due to your appearance. The good news is that as more people move to Japan from other countries, this is becoming less pronounced in many places. Different Standards Learning as much as possible about cultural etiquette is important — not just to fit in but to show respect to those around you. If you’ll be in a new situation, do your research. The good news is that Japanese people will not hold you to the same standards. They’ll understand that you’re…