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TRAVEL, STUDY AND LIVE ABROAD
If you needed to hear it, this is your year! Go on that road trip across North America, study abroad a semester in Europe, backpack Southeast Asia, or even just move across the world for a couple years. It's possible, and I'm here to help!
Here you'll find things like travel guides and itineraries, advice for study abroad, how to plan a gap year, as well as how to plan a move abroad with a focus on a my current home—Japan. Come travel with me!
Hi! I’m Kirstie, your resident wanderer. Not your typical, quit my job, been on the road for ten years and never looked back kind of story, but I have been backpacking or living abroad on and off since 2015. And now in my fourth year in my current home of Tokyo, I've been lost enough times, renewed enough visas, and missed enough trains to that I think I might just be starting to get the hang of being a wanderer after all.
Whether it's your dream to travel, study, or live abroad long term, I hope I can lend at least a couple tips and tricks to help make it happen!
I swear by it, planning a trip is half the fun! But I do acknowledge not everyone shares my love of research and spreadsheets, and that planning anything can be overwhelming to start. The last thing anyone wants is to miss something, but overplanning your time also can lead to zero percent fun with one hundred percent exhaustion. So here's where to start!
I've put together sample itineraries, walking tours, and general tips and tricks to help get that planning started. Take an entire itinerary word for word, pick out your favourites and find some resources to search elsewhere, and overall just get excited!
If you're thinking of studying abroad but aren't sure if it's for you I have only one thing to say—just do it. Studying abroad is one of, if not the most, valuable experiences I've ever had. I loved it so much, I even did it twice!
From the basics of learning the travel ropes to the confidence gained after moving across the globe by yourself, studying abroad teaches you more than any class ever will. Check out my study abroad experiences, how I planned for them, and any recommendations here!
And here we have it, the big leap—actually moving abroad long-term. It's not easy, but the reward was always enticing enough for me to want to try it. After all, how else can you truly start to feel like you know a place, unless you've lived there as a local?
For tips on how to live and work abroad, with specific focus on Japan and living as an expat in Tokyo, look no further you've found your answers! From visas and opening bank accounts, to struggling with a new language and finding a community, I'll take you through the ups and downs of moving and living abroad.
“If we were meant to stay in one place, we’d have roots instead of feet”
Where to stay in Tokyo—The best areas and the best hotelsWhat's the best area to stay in Tokyo, and which are the best hotels? It depends! Here’s my list of where to stay in Tokyo broken down by budget and the convenience of the location depending on what your priorities are.
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The Best 2 Week Itinerary For Japan—Full Guide and CostsThis 2 week guide to Japan takes you through the must-see's as well as some off-the-beaten-track locations for the ultimate Japan itinerary. I also answer things like how much it's going to cost, where to stay, and the best time of year to go to Japan.
Learn Japanese in 2025: The Best Japanese Language Learning Apps, Textbooks, Classes and Strategies In my language learning journey so far, I feel like I’ve tried every app, website, class and textbook out there. So to save you the trouble, I've narrowed down the best apps, textbooks, classes, and other methods so that you don't have to!
Beyond the Golden Route: Where to Go in Japan Besides Tokyo, Kyoto, and OsakaEveryone knows the golden route of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. But there are so many other places in Japan that deserve attention! The only problem is a lot of them are pretty out of the way or hard to get to. So here are some hidden gems to visit that fit into the golden route itinerary without adding days of extra travel!
The Best 3 Week Japan Itinerary (With Options!)Whenever someone asks me how long should I come to Japan, I always say 3 weeks. But where you should go? Fear not, I’ve got you covered with the perfect 3-week itinerary for Japan! This itinerary will take you to the top, must-see Japan sites, as well as some hidden gems to make your trip feel a little more unique than your average Japan getaway.
Top 20 Things to Do in KyotoKyoto is on the top of most peoples list when thinking of visiting Japan. After spending a week there, it’s easy to see why! I’d recommend spending at least 5 days in Kyoto. With so much to see and some great day trips a quick train ride away, it’s worth taking your time to get to know this city.
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The Best Tokyo Itinerary for 5 Days (With Options!)As my current home city, I’m confident Tokyo will steal your heart. but it can also be incredibly overwhelming. So let’s break it down day by day for the best Tokyo itinerary for 5 (or more) days!
How to move to Japan in 2025So, you want to move to Japan? I obviously can’t blame you, I made the leap and there's no reason you can't do it too! Let’s start with the 3 main ways to get a visa to move to any country, which also apply to Japan.
How to spend two weeks in Thailand—the best Thailand itinerary and what to do while you're there!Thailand is one of my favourite places in the world. There's no bad itinerary, but if I had to pick, this is my version of the best 2 week Thailand itinerary to plan the ultimate Thailand adventure! From cities to jungle to beaches, it ticks off a bit of everything.
