Tag: Cultural adjustment Japan

  • Understanding “Otsukaresama Desu”: A Small Phrase That Holds Japan’s Heart

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    When I first started working in Japan, I noticed one phrase floating around the workplace more than any other: “Otsukaresama desu.” People said it so often—after meetings, after lunch, even in the middle of the day. At first, I wasn’t sure what it really meant. But over time, I realized that this simple phrase carries…

    Written by

    Genevieve G.
    A man wearing a white shirt rests inside a parked car with a towel over his eyes, taking a nap after work.

  • My First Year Reflections: Life in Japan

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    A year ago, I left my nursing career in America and moved to Japan to begin a new chapter with my husband. It was daunting—new country, new marriage, and a language I could barely speak. I didn’t know if I could find my place here. Then, through a free caregiving training program, I not only…

    Written by

    Genevieve G.