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Living in Taiwan comes with a level of convenience that can be difficult to appreciate until you've experienced everyday life here.

In this episode of Sumo Slap, I talk about some of the conveniences I've experienced while living in Taiwan, with a focus on transportation and travel. From getting around cities to traveling across the island, Taiwan's transportation infrastructure can make exploring the country surprisingly easy.

I share my own experiences using Taiwan's public transportation, what makes getting around different from life in the United States, and how that convenience affects everyday life as a foreigner living abroad.

Whether you're considering moving to Taiwan, planning a trip, or simply curious about what daily life in Taiwan is actually like, this episode offers a firsthand perspective on one of the country's biggest advantages.

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Taiwan is an incredible place to live, but it’s also an island where natural disasters are a part of life.

In this episode of Sumo Slap, I talk about some of my own experiences with natural disasters while living in Taiwan, particularly earthquakes and what it actually feels like to experience them firsthand. I also touch on typhoons and some of the other natural events that come with living on the island.

I share some of the moments that have stayed with me, how my reactions to earthquakes have changed over the years, and what it’s like adjusting to something that once felt completely unfamiliar.

This is a personal look at natural disasters in Taiwan and what experiencing them has been like as someone who lives here.

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Moving to Taiwan was one thing. Learning how to build a life here was something completely different. In this episode of Sumo Slap, I share the story of my first year teaching English in Taiwan. The highs, the lows, the unexpected challenges, and the moments that made me question whether I had made the right decision. If you're curious about teaching English in Taiwan, moving abroad, or just wondering what expat life is really like, I hope this episode gives a realistic perspective on that first year. New episodes explore life in Taiwan, living abroad, travel, personal experiences, and the challenges and rewards of starting over in another country.

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Four years ago I moved to Japan expecting to start a new chapter. Just one month later, I made an unexpected decision to leave, and move to Taiwan. In this first episode back, I share the story behind those four weeks in Japan, why I chose to leave, and how that decision shaped my life. It's a personal story, not a comparison of countries, and if you're interested in living abroad or teaching English in Asia, I hope you find something valuable here.

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What is it actually like to move to Japan to work and start a new life?

In this episode of Sumo Slap, Chris looks back at his first two weeks in Japan after arriving to work as an English teacher. From navigating Narita Airport and Yokohama's train system to discovering what "furnished apartment" actually means, the experience was very different from what he had imagined.

Chris talks about the challenges of arriving in a completely unfamiliar country without speaking much Japanese, figuring out public transportation, dealing with an unexpectedly empty apartment, and trying to navigate everyday situations as simple as ordering food and throwing away the trash.

He also talks about his first experiences in Tokyo and Yokohama, meeting the group of people he would begin his Japan experience with, visiting places like Akihabara and Shibuya, eating some incredible ramen, and beginning training for his new job as an ALT.

But this isn't a story about Japan being good or bad. It's about the reality of moving abroad and discovering that the experience rarely unfolds the way you expect it to.

There is frustration, uncertainty, culture shock, and plenty of moments where Chris wonders what exactly he has gotten himself into. There are also friendships, new experiences, incredible food, and those strange little moments that make moving to another country worthwhile.

Recorded during Chris's first weeks living in Japan, this is an unfiltered look at the beginning of his life abroad and the uncertainty that comes with taking the leap into something completely new.

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It's been a minute. Join Chris and Jordan on overly discussed topics regarding Japan, expats, and "becoming Japanese."

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This episode is especially beneficial for those wondering what English teaching abroad is like and how it opens up opportunities in foreign countries. New guest, Hunter, joins the Sumo Slap podcast to talk about his experiences living and working abroad for over seven years.

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In this legendary episode, Chris is joined by long-time friend Jordan. They reminisce about friendship origin story and adventures in Maui. Stick around to find out the latest info on Japan.

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Current information regarding expected arrival date in Japan and how the global pandemic has impacted the timeline. 

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Chris talks about his surgery experience and righteous failure.

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