The Expat Blogger’s Journey through Expatriation

I had taken part in the InterNations survey asking expat bloggers a series of basic questions.  They asked things from why I decided to move to Japan to some of the typical problems from adapting to a foreign culture and reverse culture shock when I return home.  It is a pretty interesting infographic that they created.

Some of the interesting things to note are what people found difficult.  I personally found the bureaucracy, missing family, and making new friends to be the most difficult at first, but after you start to get a better network, it isn’t so difficult.

Confused Expat Trying to Survive in Japan

I also found it interesting that I was like everyone else in that I needed to bring my computer, but also my camera!  How could bloggers not want to bring their own camera!

All an Expat Needs to be Happy: Camera & Beer 😉

When it comes to contacting people back home, I don’t use Skype at all.  I just don’t.  I was never a phone person and I never will be.  Video phones?  No chance.  I prefer e-mails when it comes to my parents but when it comes to friends; Facebook is No. 1 as I don’t have to worry too much about things.  I would prefer to use G+ now but very few of my friends actually use it.

Regarding the stats at the bottom, I’m very surprised (yet not very at the same time) that women took the survey a lot more than men.  Also, being Canadian meant that I was in one of the larger groups of origin and living in Japan meant I am in one of the larger groups of countries where people live and took the survey.

So the question is “what are your own answers”?

Note:  I have not been paid to share this infographic.  While I took part in the survey, I decided to share this on my own.

PS:  Notice I am having a “coming out” of sorts.  Almost all of my face can be determined in this post.  If you want to see more, comment below as I’d be happy to share more in the future.