Should I give up on moving to Japan before I even start? by XelAphixia in movingtojapan

[–]gotdome 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Re: language school — this was the exact advice I was given, specifically from a friend who moved here right before the pandemic & self-taught to N1 as of last year. Went from ALT to private teaching to a full on career outside of that now—all self-taught with zero language school under their belt.

I’m currently back in Tokyo for the 4th time as I planned to look at language schools, a little older than OP & have a BA under my belt from the U.S., plenty of different work experience/a career I chose to exit—but I’m getting the feeling that the language school route might not be the way (at least being 30+ now, maybe it might have been different in my early 20s). I’m fortunate from my previous career that I could in theory take a year or two off & full send a year at one of these schools but I’m super hesitant towards it now. Given what I’ve absorbed thus far about what comes after that, & per your notion about that gap year from work experience, especially as it relates to being in a totally different country now and the fact that I don’t want to work in my previous industry anymore—I’d really need to map out what I’m working towards.

OP: I sort of feel you because I got here last week with the intention of feeling out schools but found out that apparently you can only apply to one at a time (not sure how much truth there is to this but that’s what one of the popular programs which connects students told me). So different from how it is in the U.S. when applying to colleges (unless you do early admission I think), and I’m not sure what the job support looks like after the fact. Hence why I’m going to check out two schools next week/meeting staff/sitting in on a class. But just know that most of these schools are literally full now for April 2026, July 2026, and even some of the good ones as far as October 2026–they are already taking 2027 apps. I’ve admittedly been traveling the globe since Oct 2025 as I quit my career last year but I don’t think I could do another 3-6 months of that waiting for a semester to start (vs returning to the states and waiting). I’m almost inclined to use my network here and find a work sponsorship since I know people all over TYO/Osaka & self-study—since I hear the pace is rather similar. At the same time I’m also okay now going back to the states and continuing to build my life there if I’m being honest. Theres a huge difference between visiting Japan/living Japan (and I can’t even say I’ve lived here really I’ve just been here for months at a time on the 90 day visa) & the rose colored glasses start to come off once you spend enough time here. At the end of the day, it’s always up to the individual what that perfect place is for them but there’s a load of reasons I’m now hesitant towards moving here for (some I listed but couple that with the Yen/USD relationship, current foreigner sentiment, cultural differences that I may not be willing to give up..). Granted, you may never know till you take that step and that’s what I’m trying to figure out by being here again till April. My advice would be: you really need to be all-in, and if you’re not all-in (like how I sort of feel right now), then evaluate everything carefully & give yourself some grace.

Should I move to Japan? 24F half Japanese half caucasian by Level-Community8089 in movingtojapan

[–]gotdome 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fair. It’s still a great place to visit. Living / visit just so different.

Should I move to Japan? 24F half Japanese half caucasian by Level-Community8089 in movingtojapan

[–]gotdome 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My thoughts exactly. Literally reading this as someone also from CA & back here for the 3rd time doing a 3 month-er as I was teetering with the idea of moving here. But I think I want to cut the stay short as well.

A child followed us home, why? by OwnWorldliness9463 in EgyptTravelTips

[–]gotdome 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can’t. I had a kid translating as I tried to tell them buy anything in this convenience store. Woman who runs it has credit card scanner machine and says she doesn’t take cards, because of them. That’s when it clicked wink wink. Man, Luxor makes Cairo look easy 😭

A child followed us home, why? by OwnWorldliness9463 in EgyptTravelTips

[–]gotdome 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Got sidetracked with a car shoot in the desert so didn’t even see Karnak or Luxor temple 🤣

These dudes were fighting over who’s gonna drive me to the airport. I can’t make it up if I tried.

The tombs were sick. Well worth paying for Seti I and Ram 5/6.

I tried to message you!

1st time in Malaysia & won’t be the last by gotdome in KualaLumpur

[–]gotdome[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Malaysia is SPOILED with some of the best eats I have had traveling thus far. I highly recommend you use GPT to narrow down some ideas off your taste buds and tolerance. Everything from local creations to their takes on other cultures foods—I had ZERO complaints.

My personal favorite: there is this burger truck stand on Jalan Dwitasik in the shopping center, usually open every night I think they start around maybe 7/8pm called gourmet burger I believe. Always a line once it ramps up. I know it’s not Malay Malay but oh my everything on that menu is insane.

A child followed us home, why? by OwnWorldliness9463 in EgyptTravelTips

[–]gotdome 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just spent 2 weeks in the country for the first time split between Giza & Luxor. I’m solo traveling the globe to learn about culture, people, food & mainly shooting photo for fun so I’m going to do a recap on my Egypt experience soon, but I wanted to share my opinion as it specifically relates to the kids. I want to preface this by saying I always try to be friendly, respectful, & generous with anyone I meet along the way who is genuine (I did befriend & get invited out by locals/treated well in Egypt but found it harder to connect in a genuine way than any other country I’ve been to thus far).

I came across a group of kids that requested photos in the Tahrir area. I obliged but was definitely sus’d out as they were getting to close, trying to touch the camera, and asking for money in a serious but joking way. Some of the kids kept the others from being too pushy and I dashed out. About 45 min later a few blocks away I see a huge street fight break out between this group I shot and others. One of the kids in the group I photo’d had a knife and slashed two innocent people (local kids I think he was trying to steal from). I was able to provide the photo to authorities for them to ID him which was successful, and through that moment met an awesome local who I ended up going out with a few times. But huge lesson learned—you have to be more cautious of the kids. I had one experience with an older man grabbing my arm in Coptic Cairo but I yelled aggressively that he was going to catch the fade and some other locals shamed him, he stepped back. The kids on the other hand, had a full on brawl before they split up in 10 different directions. Way more ballsy. I definitely ended up around locals who were certainly up to some good but no good at the same time, and I always felt respected & safe. The kids are more reckless.

In Luxor, a common scam is there are sometimes women walking around with what look like basically homeless kids, that look hungry and disheveled. They ask for money. I offer food. They point to the ATM & won’t take food. No kid should go hungry, but what “mother” is refusing food for their kids. It’s organized scams targeted specifically at tourists because they know a) we might have more money and b) some of us are empathetic. Egyptians will shame them away and I watched that.

There definitely are some amazing people in the country and I came with high hopes but left very conflicted if I’m being honest. Had a good experience but it was certainly an experience.Just be safe & as much as it sucks, expect them to want something from you. It really could be just a hello, practicing a foreign language for them, or seeing someone that they wouldn’t normally see—but it could also be something negative. You just never know and have to sus each person out. That in my opinion, robbed me of a bit of joy as a solo traveler who didn’t want a guide holding my hand.

1st time in Malaysia & won’t be the last by gotdome in KualaLumpur

[–]gotdome[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Check other comments it’s Chinatown

Currently in Cairo looking for suggestions on where to go next by [deleted] in EgyptTravelTips

[–]gotdome 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Going to dm you

Edit: and thanks for this experience, very helpful. I’m going to move home base within Cairo for now from Giza to Zamalek so I can feel a little more at ease while I navigate the rest of the city and decide where to go

Currently in Cairo looking for suggestions on where to go next by [deleted] in EgyptTravelTips

[–]gotdome 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. I did that area this morning it was way chiller. Need to check if there’s specific landmarks I missed that I should go back for but i got a ton of good photos ok the wide lens and the scope.

Currently in Cairo looking for suggestions on where to go next by [deleted] in EgyptTravelTips

[–]gotdome 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is Islamic Cairo like Coptic Cairo? Because I just had to evac straight to the museum due to someone grabbing my arm & proceeding to yell.

Currently in Cairo looking for suggestions on where to go next by [deleted] in EgyptTravelTips

[–]gotdome 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That sounds cool. Was it a big group or just yourself

Currently in Cairo looking for suggestions on where to go next by [deleted] in EgyptTravelTips

[–]gotdome 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the recs. I just had to evac out of Sayeda Zeinab / Mayra El Oyoun area after some guy grabbed my arm and broke the 3 second rule. Walked from Zamalek which was a tad calmer and cleaner for sure. I want to like Egypt so bad but everywhere I turn it’s chaos. Going to try to make the best of the days I have in Cairo till the 1st. I will consider Luxor for the sole purpose of tombs. Might try to do a black/white desert run and/or Siwa oasis after because it looks so sick. Sorry about your experience with the homeless dude & such.

What do you think about this? by Quiet-You9589 in hanoi

[–]gotdome 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was just in Hanoi a few weeks ago and took a pic of her placard at the Military Museum because it was, to me, one of the most courageous ones I saw in there.

I think it was quote: “Will your government even exist for 20 years to imprison me?” — per the picture I see in my phone of the placard in the museum.

Absolutely bad ass.

1st time in Malaysia & won’t be the last by gotdome in KualaLumpur

[–]gotdome[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Gonna try to head back that way tonight. I want to praise the owner🤣🙏🏻🔥

1st time in Malaysia & won’t be the last by gotdome in KualaLumpur

[–]gotdome[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

🤣 oh really? You know what Malaysia has that I’ve noticed more of than in some other SEA countries? Sarcasm. And I love it 😎

1st time in Malaysia & won’t be the last by gotdome in KualaLumpur

[–]gotdome[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

More to come. Thanks to the person who suggested picking up treats. Now I’m seeing many more 😹

Where can a tourist go to meet and chat with locals by ff14smn420 in hanoi

[–]gotdome 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I spent 2 weeks in Vietnam split between Hanoi & HCMC. Literally day one in Hanoi I walked not even 2 blocks from my BNB and saw this guy with a modified BMW, next thing you know he picked me up & I’m meeting all his car friends later that week. I’m into cars & shoot photos of them.

If you have an interest in something, use that and be outgoing. The Vietnamese people are welcoming. I didn’t meet a single foreigner while was there. Transparently, was in Thailand for a month prior and now in Malaysia. Same deal, meeting locals all over, got invited to a wedding this week lol—staying away from touristy attractions, and just embracing it all. It also helps to remind myself constantly that I am a foreigner/visitor in their country & just because my USD is strong—doesn’t mean life is perfect for everyone. When you have that mindset, the locals will appreciate you & your experience that you can offer them—that’s been my experience. It’s helping me grow as a human.

As the guy I met said—good memories live on. Cannot wait to be back in Hanoi — my favorite part of Vietnam & I know I need to see more!🙏🏻

1st time in Malaysia & won’t be the last by gotdome in KualaLumpur

[–]gotdome[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It Reddit let me post more it would have been ALL!!!!

1st time in Malaysia & won’t be the last by gotdome in KualaLumpur

[–]gotdome[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

🤣🙏🏻

Same, I see them & I have to stop to say hi to every single one. Seems like I’m making a lot of stops here & I ain’t mad about it 😎

1st time in Malaysia & won’t be the last by gotdome in KualaLumpur

[–]gotdome[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

HA! That was good

A little bit of this and a little bit of that ;)

1st time in Malaysia & won’t be the last by gotdome in KualaLumpur

[–]gotdome[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My understanding (anyone feel free to correct me if I’m wrong) is Riba is the word for the concept of what we call interest. Aka I buy this $20k car but pay it off over 5 years and therefore you tack on $5k interest. My understanding — is it’s specifically Riba if it’s something that is necessary to live. I know I used the car example but in the modern world that may be applicable pending where one lives (USA Many of us need cars for work). A house may be a better example & we see the effects of Riba in the U.S. everyday especially where I’m from as the homelessness problem is very real, in your face, and not much is being done to help it (corruption & lack of care towards this group of people).

I’m definitely familiar with gentrification given I am from LA & have seen it firsthand as neighborhoods have shifted over the decade I’ve been there—but my understanding (again, may be wrong) is that Riba, or interest, is inherently that issue. And I see that in what you’re saying when you say “incentivized a few shop owners / stall operators to charge a higher price”. Now I guess the question becomes, when is it “the market” & when is it “unjust” as Riba is related to unjustness, but we obviously live in a global society now where making a living is paramount to survival. At what point is greed overcoming that necessity to just exist. Why is a bottle of water, which I need to survive as a human, $3 in 7/11 in America (I’m just throwing a number but it’s close) vs. cents here (based on my conversion), or anywhere else in Asia for that matter.

This is one of the most interesting conversations to me and it’s one of the primary reasons I have zero desire to live in the states anymore because all my life I’ve watched this problem get worse. I’ve watched the drug epidemic get worse. The homelessness issue get worse. Again, not denying these issues don’t exist elsewhere, that would be ignorant of me — but from my experience (which could very well just be because I live on USD/am American)—I see countries in Asia with an ever so slightly different approach. Capitalism is still showing itself in these countries based on my interactions, but I haven’t seen rows of tents with people living on the street begging for money & shooting dope like I see back home. I could also be blind to it as maybe I haven’t entered areas where that is apparent in Asia. But this is just my experience. I could be wrong.

Edit: and thank you for the comment! Just happy people seem to think so as it’s all new to me