Life Journey with Cheenee

By Cheenee Villanueva Pixabay image by AlexDE A few months ago, Japan’s emergency response team saved my life with their quick response. Before that, I witnessed a road accident near my school where two medical helicopters and an ambulance arrived. After a few minutes, the helicopters evacuated the casualties and took them to the nearest hospital. I never thought I would one day need emergency help, until that freezing winter night when I needed help and Japan's emergency response saved my life. These life-saving moments led me to write this blog about Japan’s healthcare system. I'll explain how Japanese health insurance works, what to expect from medical expenses, emergency hotlines, and how Japan's healthcare system may help you or your loved ones in an emergency . Calling 119 on a Winter Night On a cold winter night, I felt a strange chest pain and had difficulty breathing. The trains had already stopped running after midnight, and living alone in my apartment in Japan a...

by Cheenee Villanueva Hi there! I’m Cheenee, a foreigner living and working in Japan. Moving abroad in my 30s has been a life-changing experience for my career and personal growth. Japan has taught me how to adapt, stay resilient, and find balance in a new environment. In this blog, I’ll share what it’s really like to adjust to life in Japan and face the challenges that come with it. You’ll get a glimpse of how I adapted to a new culture and embraced exciting new adventures.  If you’re curious about life as a foreigner abroad or you just love stories about personal growth and adventure, you’re in the right place! Surprising Things in Japan Moving to Japan was a big step, and there were surprises along the way. Here are some of the cultural norms I encountered that are new to me: Politeness is extreme! People bow at each other for daily greetings, and even your boss will bow at you! Eventually, I became accustomed to bowing to others. Slurping is a sign of appreciation. It might see...