Contributor

Cara Lam

Prior to winding up in rural Japan, Cara Lam spent slices of her life in Australia, Hong Kong and the United States. A full-time life-lover and an amateur YouTuber, Cara tries to document all the culture shocks and chains of thoughts through her wanderlust around the globe.

Articles

Explore

After the Quake: Two Years on, Kumamoto Stands Strong

Kumamoto’s beauty has been forever altered by the 2016 earthquake. Nevertheless, follow the locals’ unwavering strength and help the prefecture by making it a destination on your next trip to Kyushu.

By 5 min read

Live

5 Soft Skills ALTs Acquire that Are Resume Builders

Learn how being an assistant language teacher in Japan has turned you into a valuable team player for your next employer.

By 6 min read

Explore

Insider Travel Tips for Beginners Exploring Japan

Learn from this writer’s experiences — and "if-only-I-had-known" moments — so you can plan a more efficient and economical trip and still get out of your comfort zone.

By 6 min read

Live

Only the Lonely: 5 Ways Teachers Can Beat the Winter Blues in Japan

Winter in rural areas of Japan can feel cold, isolating and gloomy — especially to new ALTs — but you’re not alone. Here are five ways to slam dunk the funk without going into hibernation

By 9 min read

Live

Japan 101: Tips and Tricks to Get You Through the Winter

Winter has finally come. The ways Japanese people deal with winter may leave you puzzled but while here — take advantage of the many inventions this country has to combat the cold.

By 5 min read

Work

Bad ALT! The Unwritten Rules at Japanese Schools

"Dame yo!" How many times does my face need to burn with embarrassment until I stop breaking rules at my school?

By 5 min read

Live

Fighting Stereotypes at School as an Asian ALT

Coming to Japan as an Asian ALT was as eye opening for the students as it was for this writer in Niigata Prefecture.

By 5 min read