Experiences Experiences Japan Life Personal Travel & Culture

How My Friends and Family Reacted to My Plan to Study in Japan

When I reached the decision to study abroad in Japan, it was not a decision that had been made out of the blue. I like to think of it as something that had been planned out for me. Now, I don’t mean to be dramatic, but when I sit back and reflect on my life, …

Experiences Experiences Experiences Japan Life Travel & Culture

Life With Covid-19: How I Pass the Time During Self-Isolation

It is now cherry blossom season in Japan–and also three weeks into self-isolation since my school issued the order for all students to stay indoors due to the coronavirus. And honestly, I’ve reached the point where I am both resigned and annoyed. Just to make things clear, though, I do not have the virus. Most …

Culture Japan Travel & Culture

The Daily Struggles of Muslims Living in Japan. Is it Hard to Be a Muslim Here?

I would like to preface this post by stating that I do not welcome questions regarding my religion, so I’d rather not be asked about it. This is not out of shame, but rather, my preference for privacy. — Whether you’re Muslim or otherwise, if you are a Malaysian, it is easy to immediately recognize …

Experiences Experiences Japan Travel & Culture

Japan, One of the Worst Affected Countries by Covid-19. What Is It Like Here?

I took a short break last week because it was birthday week, but I’m back with a new update. This time, I’d like to touch on a hot topic that is currently all over the news: Covid-19. While the issue of Covid-19 seems to be dying down back home in Malaysia, the same cannot be …

Culture Malaysia Travel & Culture

The Malaysian Valentine’s Day: A Day to Find Your Soulmate Through Oranges

Alright, here we go. My first post that will solely be about Malaysian culture. Or to be more specific, Malaysian Chinese culture. For those of you who don’t know, Malaysia is an immensely multicultural and multiracial country. So even though Valentine’s Day isn’t exactly popular in Malaysia as a whole, and many say that it …

Culture Japan Travel & Culture

The Japanese Valentines Day: A Special Time to Show Off Your Chocolate-making Skills

We’re all familiar with the Western version of Valentine’s Day, where the couple would go all out to celebrate their love. This would often involve flowers, chocolates, a fancy dinner and an exchange of gifts. It is a special day for couples, as they would carve out time on this day just for themselves. And …

Culture Culture Education Education Japan Malaysia Travel & Culture

Let’s Talk Education: How Japanese Teachers Differ from Malaysian Teachers

For the majority of us, our teachers played a huge role in our lives. We spend 5-6 days a week at school with our teachers, who are not only there to educate us, but also to look out for us. In many ways, we look up to them as our second set of parents. They …