Coronavirus in Japan: current situation
***** Article first published on March 20, 2020 and updated on May 21, 2022 ***** Due to the constantly changing nature of events, please see here for the latest information on Japan’s travel advisories or confirm with your local Japanese embassy. After a two-year...
Coronavirus in Korea: current situation
***** Article first published on March 20, 2020 and updated on April 1st, 2021 ***** We know many people are wondering about the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation in Korea, so we wanted to give you the latest update from inside the country. Life continues as normal and...
Learn a language during self-quarantine to prepare for your next trip
Many of us don't know when we'll be able to travel abroad again next time. But that doesn't have to mean that we should forget our dream! What's a better way of spending a lot of time indoors, than to learn a language for your future travel? And by learning new...
Chopsticks and bowing – learn more about Japanese customs
There are many Japanese customs imprinted in the Japanese society, that can be a bit confusing for foreigners. Why sitting on the floor? What can and can’t I do with my chopsticks? It might sound like a lot, thinking about what you should and when to do it, but don't...
Come with us to find the best food in Japan
Known around the world, Japanese food is exceptional but to many, it’s only Sushi. To the rest of us, it’s so much more. Trying different dishes is definitely one of the things you must do if you visit Japan. Sushi and Sashimi For many outside of Japan, these two...
Where to start: understanding the cost of studying abroad
When starting any new adventure one thing that can get in the way is the cost. Sometimes this can make your dreams seem completely impossible. This is often the case when you’re not quite sure what should be included and what you need to think of. That’s why we’ve put...
Everything you need to know about JLPT 2020
The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is the test used globally to measure your Japanese ability. It can be used in visa applications and job applications to measure non-native Japanese speaker's abilities. This article will guide you through everything you...
Japan Airlines is giving away 50,000 free tickets to tourists – here’s how you can win!
Japan Airlines has recently announced that, to help visitors explore lesser known destinations of Japan, they will give away 50,000 domestic flight tickets, including the Olympic games period! This huge giveaway, open to international tourists, will allow travelers to...
The best presents for travellers this Christmas
Have you started your Christmas shopping yet and wondering what to get for that person in your life that seems to have it all? Well, we’ve got a few ideas for that adventurer in your life. Ranging from the cheap to the not so cheap, we’ve covered a range of gifts for...
Exploring this festive season: Christmas markets in Europe
If you’re studying abroad in Europe this year then you'll know that it’s definitely time for the Christmas markets in Europe. Christmas is a major festival in Europe and as you may know, has spread over to countries like Japan where it’s not really celebrated but they...
Get packing: Your Japan travel checklist
When traveling to Japan, you’ll need to make sure you pack properly and while there are some items you might expect to pack for any trip, our Japan travel checklist makes sure that you have everything you need, especially when traveling in Japan. Cash and Credit Card...
Learning Hangul: The best apps to learn Korean
Hangul is a brilliant language that is intriguingly constructed. Unlike Japanese or Chinese, it’s made up of syllable blocks and you’ll want to start by learning these first. From there it's much like any other language where vocab, grammar and conversation practice...
Summer school in Japan: The perfect way to expand your horizons
One of the best times to visit Japan is over the summer months with sunshine and festivals galore. If you’re still at school or University but want to make the most of your summer, one of the best ways to do that can be through a summer school in Japan. What’s...
Make the most of your free time – The best apps to learn Chinese
Learning Chinese, the language generally considered to be one of the hardest in the world, can seem like a daunting task. It's not as hard as it seems though with hundreds of apps out there to help get you started. They're the perfect supplement to a study trip so you...
Prepare for your adventure of a lifetime with our Asia travel checklist
Now Asia is a big continent but there are some specifics that are worth thinking about when travelling over to that side of the world. We’ve put together our Asia travel checklist to help you get prepared for your trip. Layers Wherever you decide to travel, layers are...
Feeling hungry? – The best food in Taiwan
Taiwan is well known for having delicious food that offers its own twist on some of our favourites in Asian cuisine. Many are so popular that they've made it around the world but you might not always realise they're from Taiwan. We’ve put together a list of our...
Otaku culture – so much more than Manga
If you’re a Japanophile or maybe you’re just into manga or anime, you may be familiar with Japanese otaku culture. It can have a bit of a bad rep but it covers a lot of things and there’s a lot in Japan, and in particular Tokyo, that caters to otaku culture. The term...
Exploring religion: Shintoism and Confucianism
Shintoism and Confucianism are two major religions in East Asia and share many similar values despite one being humanist and the other with many gods. Confucianism Confucianism is a humanist religion that developed in response to Buddhism and Taoism and was based on...
Just what are the best apps to learn Japanese with?
Apps are a great way to supplement your learning and give you a great opportunity to get ahead with your learning particularly if you're doing a short course over in Japan. They give you a chance to learn on the train, plane or just when you've got some time to kill....
Taking the JLPT Test in Japan: Charlotte’s experience
Are you thinking about taking the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) in Japan this July 2020? All Japanese learners eventually come in contact with this official examination, either to test their language skills or because it is needed for university or their...
How to decide where to study abroad
The world really is your oyster when you’re trying to decide where to study abroad. But it can be tough deciding on one place when there are so many different options for you to explore. We take a look at some of the main things you should consider when deciding where...
Study in Asia: study abroad options in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan
Asia - a continent rich in diverse cultures and traditions - offers many eye-opening and rewarding opportunities to study abroad. We take a look at three of the region’s top study destinations to see what they have to offer for those who want to study in Asia. Japan...
Get packing! Our checklist for travel and study abroad
When travelling abroad obviously, one big part of making your trip perfect is packing the right things. While there are always some basics, there are also country-specific items and if you're studying abroad too, there are slightly different considerations, so here's...
Explore the world through language: alphabets of the world
With 3866 written languages around the world and there are several different types of system, that’s a lot of languages and understanding the difference can get confusing. What’s more, is that even if some countries share writing systems you then have to learn the...
44 countries, 1 continent: Europe travel tips
With 44 countries in Europe, there's much to be explored so here are our top tips for travelling around Europe if you're hoping to visit a few countries while you're here. Different currencies Firstly, there's money! A must if you want to do anything. While much of...
The ultimate overseas experience: the benefits of studying abroad
Ask anyone who has done a study abroad programme and you’re likely to hear about what an amazing experience it was. Travel is always eye-opening and often life-changing, but there are a number of benefits of studying abroad, rather than just travelling abroad. Here...
Taking a year out? We’re here with our top gap year ideas
Taking a gap year after school and before starting University or going into the world of work can have a huge number of benefits whatever you might choose to do. But then there’s the question, what do you do? Here’s a list of your main options and our favourite gap...
Getting away from it all: Why you should study abroad in the summer
The summer holidays, we all get one but what are we supposed to do with it? If you want to make the most of yours, then why not study abroad this summer. Wherever you're heading in the world, the summer can be one of the best times to travel and study. The sun can...
The career benefits of studying abroad
It’s needless to say that studying abroad is beneficial for personal development, but what about professional? The career benefits of studying abroad are significant too, with overseas study experience sure to make an impression in many ways. Foreign language ability...