If anyone would like to contribute subtitles to this video, it would be very very much appreciated❤️ You can do so through this link: ruclips.net/user/timedtext_video?ref=share&v=MFQGmpRSMGk Thanks for watching!! We chatted about some other things over on Micaela's channel, so don't forget to watch that video as well!
I would love for you to come visit Florida! I think we could be really good friends and go pokemon going around town haha. I would also love for you to meet my cats Kunio and Kou they are such love bug boys haha. I also have 2 dogs who one was abused so shes scared of strangers and the other one is a baby so I may not have you meet them. However I want to take you horseback riding too! I have a couple of horses here and you should bring Keyboardsan too, my fiancé and him would get along great! My sister also works at Disneyworld and can get us all in for free on certain days! I love your videos and I think we could be really cool friends I hope I get to meet you one day! Have a great day! I hope I get to come to Japan one day too!
I'm living in Tokyo now for almost 3 years working as cg artist, and i don't think that would have been possible at all without your channels! the amount of help i've got through your videos, was insane. everytime i didn't know something, before i moved here, up till now, i check first " what does sharla say? whad does michaela say?" I can't even imagine how you guys did it without all these guids 10 years ago haha but all my respect and thank for what you guys do here ❤ฺ
Jii En how did you stay there for three years without getting kick out? Like do you have to renew your visa or what I need to know because I want to stay in Japan for a long time?
Jii En You work at an animation studio as a cg artist? DO you mind if I ask you some questions? I am interning at an animation studio in Japan later on this year.
Where do you come from? Was it hard for you to get a job as a cg artist? I want to work for a year in Japan as well as cg artist and I'm from Germany, but I heard it is hard to get a job in a company when there are only japanese people. Can I ask you some questions as well? Would be really nice :)
It's crazy. Micaela is how I found Sharla and I have loved watching these two over the years! Totally enjoy their videos! Both of them are just the cutest ladies ever and I've learned a lot about Japan just from these two! :)
Thanks for the video guys. I'm from Toronto and this is my 9th year living in Japan. I've followed both of you for many years and its great to hear your histories and reasons for staying. Mine are very similar. While I've left family back in Toronto (born and raised there), I call Japan my home and even after 9 years find it so exciting and challenging with no plans of leaving. I left a very good IT job at BMO to follow my dream of living in Japan and while I'm not a youtuber or blogger, I now happily run my own marketing company working with lots of great Japanese companies as clients. Keep up the great work. It's always a pleasure to watch,
Hey ladies! Between the two of you, being subscribed to both your channels for a few years definitely inspired me to finally make the decision to go to Japan. I just returned home from Tokyo two days ago and I have to say I loved every moment and experience I had. It was bittersweet leaving as I appreciated so much that I finally after all these years was able to experience Japan, but am unsure when I'll ever be able to get to go back. I just wanted to thank the two of you for your videos and sharing your passions so that some of us could experience it for ourselves :) Thank you, from a random calgarian!
Micaela is looking awesome, that flower-biker look! The quintessential かっこいい! Love, love, love this video you two! Really appreciate this collab, it's nice and informative to hear your perspectives and how your life is and how it became this way 💖
Sharla I've been following your RUclips since I was 13? I'm now 21 and I'm just so happy you're still here! Haha you're the first RUclipsr I ever fell in love with and I love learning about Japan and getting educated on a country I've always found beautiful and I'm so fascinated with. You're such a kind and cool person and definitely a good teacher and mentor when it comes to explaining and informing us about Japan and its culture. So thank you! You're amazing!
It's old and new to see both of you in the same video. Thank you for doing this! Living in a different country is not easy no matter where you're from. Especially in your case since the language is totally different and the whole set of values is different. I'm happy you two have chosen to stay here. I hope you'll find more fun things than non-fun things (well, it comes with territories ;) in Japan!
I started watching Micaela's channel first. Subbed. Then found Sharla. Subbed. Watched you both for years and now I live in Japan. I work here as a teacher and if all goes to plan, my contract is until March 2019. By that time, I'll have 7 years experience teaching ESL and maybe then I could look in to the start up visa and consider my own ESL school in Fukuoka or maybe even something that I did at university. Bring musical theatre to Fukuoka for students to learn English through that way - a new form of learning English with arts. Just a pipeline dream for now, I guess. Bottom line is, you both inspired me to make it to Japan as a worker one day and now I'm here, ありがとうございました ♥
Robbie Heslop That's amazing!! My twin and I are hoping to teach and live in Japan also but we aren't sure how.. do you have any tips? Anything would be greatly appreciated ^-^
MoonyOwl I was a little unsure but once you settle after a few weeks, life is easy, students aren't so hard to listen to you, I've had no problems with people like stares etc and I teach in Central Japan. It's a lot of work and you get tired but if you want the experience of teaching in an amazing country, Japan is a great one to go to ^^
I got so excited as I was watching this video. You girls sound so passionate about life, its contagious. Im feeling inspired to change the world! ❤ and the upbeat music, good choice! Sharla Power Forever!!! 😘
I'm so happy you both collaborated to make this video. Being in a different country for over 10 years, especially an Asia where it is completely different than western countries, is amazing!! Truly impressive. Makes me wish i could go back to high school or even college and studied in Japan. Ah, maybe in another life. 💭 Thanks Sharla! -Breanna
I've always been so jealous of native English -speakers. They can just take off to a remote Asian country and just start teaching English even without any education. Even if I was native level fluent in English I'm still not allowed to teach and we have to take a much longer route if we want to go live in Japan, Korea etc and never mid about trying to find a job other than teaching. :(
Most Japanese companies require the person to be born in an english speaking country or have lived there for 5-10 years before they will be considered for teaching - regardless of their fluency
There are a few programmes that accept applications from non-english speaking countries I think, but usually they prefer English to be your first language (which is okay for me as a Brit, but sucks for my partner who was born in Spain!)
I feel you, pal. As a Latin girl I have the same issue. I'm just waiting for Spanish to popularize a little bit more to get a job as a Spanish teacher in Japan.
I feel you, pal. As a Latin girl I have the same issue. I'm just waiting for Spanish to popularize a little bit more to get a job as a Spanish teacher in Japan.
Nedeli what's your native language? I'm sure there's people who share your language looking to learn some English or even Japanese (if you're willing to learn that too)!! :)
I lived in Tokyo for 33 years. You understand the the value of being close to other great cultures. You have a chance to visit Malaysia, Viet Nam, Cambodia, Laos, and PI, among other places is of great value.
Please don't quit youtube, both of you! I follow both of you on Instagram and youtube and I love living vicariously through you two. Thank you so much for your videos.
Japanese food is actually what got me into Japan. I quickly fell in love with the culture because of their sweets. I decided I wanted to be a pattisier in Japan. I never felt a calling until the day I saw Japanese sweets, and my heart started pounding and I felt so happy and I said "I want to learn Japanese sweets and be a patisser." Now I am learning the language and plan to live there (have planned to since I was 12) and can tell people a lot about Japan and the people and traditions and cultures and ghost stories and just everything. I love Japan so much. Because of food. So...yes. They put a lot into their food ^^ I love that the most probably.
I think that you were able to perfectly pinpoint why it is so interesting and vital for some people to live abroad and challenge themselves with a different culture and language - because otherwise you get bored, and by doing so you get instead constant stimuli. I guess I wasn't able to figure out myself why it is so nice for someone to live abroad, but listening to you finally made me put it in words.
It is so crazy to see you guys together! I've followed both of you for a while and your journeys are always so wonderful and to see both of you come together is really fascinating!
You are my super favorite RUclipsrs ever! I've been following you since the start, I remember Micaela's start better, but I really enjoy your videos, your collabs, everything! Greetings and tons of love from Mexico!
i went to university in japan for a year and it was the best time of my life, there was not a single day on which i wasn't exploring and learning new things about japan and myself! i've been dealing eith severe social anxiety and depression for most of my life but i had little to no problems while living in japan and i truly miss feeling like that so i really hope i can go back there, hopefully for a longer time
Micaela-san, Sharla-san I enjoyed this video, how you two still enjoying Japanese life. I love how you like to learn new thing continuously,which I totally agreed , and how you feel Japan and other asian countries. The difference between Canada and Asia was also interesting. Thanks for shooting this wonderful video !!
I lived in Osaka for 1yr 3 months and it was the most amazing experience of my life. I'm back in America and I just miss Japan so much! I hope to go back sometime this year and explore more of Japan besides Kansai area.
Sharla in Japan I actually just visited Osaka a few weeks back so I confirm stopping in Tennoji is a good idea! The Shitennoji shrine is worth the visit, the park and the zoo are there, but Tennoji station and the Abeno Harukas building is worth exploring too!! I miss it so much, such a nice atmosphere!!!
Sharla in Japan there is definitely a lot of shopping that can be done in Tennoji. Abeno Q's Mall, Abeno Harukas, Tennoji Mio Plaza Mall are all around the same area so there's a lot to see there. For more anime and games go to Nipponbashi Den Den Town. Many shops around that area. Shinsaibashi is a popular place to go and アメリカ村 has some fun shops around there. Also idk if there is a shop in Tokyo, but りくろーおじさんの店 has some really good cheesecake. Also HEP FIVE in Umeda is a big shopping mall area (haha yeah again more shopping) and at the top there is a Ferris wheel which has a nice view. Also on the 7th floor I think there is a gudetama cafe if interested at all. Hope this helps :)
I'm glad to hear all the positive views on living in Japan. Thank you for sharing this video telling us about your honest views of your own . I really enjoyed that.
I'm 17 and on the last two months of my year long exchange in southern Japan through RYE. I actually originally applied to go to South Korea and came to Japan with little knowledge at all, but I have been working so hard and it feels so amazing to be able to communicate in another language. I still wonder to this day what it would have been like if I had been sent to South Korea, but I am so grateful to have learned about Japan and been able to make so many life long friends. ❤️️
Hi Micaela＆Sharla, I am originally from Fukuoka, and have been to Kamloops for a half year in 1997. I also stayed in Fredericton in 2003-2004. Your positive attitude towards this language and culture fascinated me a lot. I will definitely watch more videos from you. You perhaps have things you miss from home, but it is so great that you are trying to make best out of the situation. One of my friend works for Fukuoka-shi in the startup project. If you have some question I can ask her. I wish you good luck with everything!
Really interesting perspective from both of you. I'm studying to be an ELL teacher so it's nice to listen to you guys talk about the jobs there, learning the language and just everything.
Great video! I got very interested when you spoke about the vast cultural differences between the countries near Japan, could you talk more about that in another video? :)
I'm applying for a Japanese language school this year and I'm super excited about it! Your videos help me relax when I get nervous thinking about moving to a foreign country. I'll be studying for a year. How were you on your first year in Japan?
I love seeing you two together . I`ve watched both of you vlog way back when Sharla was shy and just starting to vlogand Micaela could speak Japanese like she lived there her whole life. You two are like family members to some of us . Love you both deerly!! :-)
Ive been following you both for years. Thank you for doing this video, its interesting to see how much you both have changed, and stayed in japan for this long.
You guys are so adorable! It is like I have sen you guys grow up on RUclips. Watch you guys almost since the beginning and never stopped haha. Thanks for sharing what you have shared with us :)
Hi Guys ! I watch you both , because your both are such nice people ! You both bring the Far East to me and others who live in the West , for me its California U.S.A. ! Thankyou for sharing your lives and experiences , much of us will never be able to experience in our life time !
I just came back from 2 weeks there - after 6 years since my year abroad there. I was reminded about all the things I love! We visited Kyushu too and it was my first time there - really loved it!
Everything there in Japan intrigues me and man, I'm in LOVE with the car culture over there! It's bonkers! One day I'll experience Japan by myself, that's number 1 on my bucket list.
I really enjoyed this video! I always feel so inspired by your channel to go to Japan. I really need to start planning a trip. I just want to say thank you!!
I really wanna move to Japan now. I visited it for 1 month and I'm stunned. I always wanted to go to Japan but now I don't wanna leave anymore ! I hope as a not native English speaker I could go there too :o
Why don't you come here with a working holiday visa, and you can easily stay in Japan for at least 1 year. A lot of my foreigner friends come with that visa.
depends which country you are a citizen too. Some countries offer that visa, and the amount of time also varies. most of the time its at least a year, where you can just live in another country without the immigration problem of being deported, for that year. You could work, travel, whatever.
moonie11355 Wow, you're sure? That would be amazing! I've never heard of this type of visa, plus its name is a little misleading-"holiday working visa" would make you think you've staying there for the summer or winter, because the company you're working for sent you there. 😁 I must look into it, thank you. 😊 Are you from Japan?
I have been living in japan for over 2 years, and a lot of my foreign friends come here to travel or work here with that visa. To me its a little like a trial visa to see if you like the country. However, only some countries provide this visa, for example, USA does not, and countries in Europe, Canada, Australia do provide this visa.
Interesting video! I'm currently in Fukuoka Japanese language school and planning to apply for 専門学校 here but it's not easy.. hope everything works out! It was tough when I first came here, lifestyles just so different but now I came to love it! Hope I get to stay here for a long time! Don't feel like going back to my own country xD
Sharla! I can't believe your home towns are so close to mine 😱 I live in Kelowna BC and I've been wanting to move to Tokyo for a few years now. I just finished my first year of college and I'm taking Japanese summer courses to get better at the language. I'm hoping to move within the next few years and begin teaching English to start with before continuing studies. I'm so happy you made this video it's so encouraging for those who are cautious of striking out on their own
I didn't have the opportunities to learn Japanese in school and I really really wish I had. I live in midwestern US and we don't have the same cultural diversity that BC has. But I'm now 23 years old and I've actually just started teaching myself Japanese because I've wanted to learn since I was small. Someday, I plan to at least visit. My fiance and I have considered opening a business somewhere down the line. Maybe if his paralegal job doesn't work out we'll do something like that in Japan. I'd love to leave the United States. lol
I've been trying to convince my boyfriend to travel and experience the world (he hasn't traveled much) and I've always wanted to go to Japan just because it seems almost like another world to where I grew up (southern United States). He started watching your videos with me (I was more than happy to show him my favorites) and is now more open to traveling to not just Japan but anywhere that's peaked my interest. We both enjoy your videos so much!
It was good getting to know you two a bit more!! We stayed in Korea for 6 years for similar reasons. You guys are welcome to come visit Indonesia! Peace Corps volunteers are the best tour guides, haha. :P
Thank you both so much for these videos!! I've been following you both for over 6 months and your videos have been spectacular. I'm 32 and going back to college for a degree in Japanese language and culture so I can move to Japan and work as a translator (like Sharla). I also have run my own business for 10+ years, so I was very excited to hear about the Fukuoka Startup Visa - I'd love to go that route :D
Awesome video! I love hearing your stories, especially exploring career paths. I'd be up for your perspectives on more job stuff, like the start-up details, translator and touring jobs, and stuff. Thanks : )
I've been binge watching your videos for the last few days, they started popping up in my feed now - even though I *just* got back from my first trip to Japan and Korea! (Bad timing since I've seen so many cool things in your videos that I wish I'd tried). And now I'm watching this one, and I'm from Victoria as well! I grew up in the states but I've lived in Victoria for the last 10 years. I guess I replaced you when you moved to Japan :-) Very cool, I love your channel!
Korean's super similar to Japanese so I feel like Sharla wouldn't have too hard of a time! Especially since she has some motivation for a certain someone >w
Mahina Teta I haven't noticed that, but it might just be something like she's getting the ring repaired etc.. cause she's still living with him I think
10 year veterans, the bright eyed, wondrous enthusiasm has waned somewhat as I see it in your eyes and hear it in your tone. Japan is an incredible country but few foreigners stay longer than 5 or 10 years judging from my experience. I first worked in Japan for a Gaming company (slot machines) 21 years ago. Since then I have traveled from Vancouver to Tokyo annually. Still love it but you have to be one tough cookie to make Japan your home for the rest of your days. (as a foreigner living there) The trouble is you may find yourself being lost between two shores. Sharla may be bored senseless when she moves back to Victoria and long for Japan, but also realize she really does not want to live in Japan anymore either.
Viperkal damn, that's really hard. I might experience that if I move there. Between being with family and being with the country ( Japan). If you have been there a while, could you please answer this? If someone that speaks English like me learns Japanese and moves to Japan, what jobs are there for me? I really want to know so if you don't mind telling me that'd be great.
I would like to visit Japan. Great video about living in a different country. Thanks for the perspective on Japan and in living in a foreign country. Really enjoy your and Michaelas videos.
Awesome to know! I'm in a place now where I don't think I'll want to move there permanently anymore, but I definitely want to go over and live there for a year or so, and get a real experience of it. We'll see how I feel when I actually get there!
I've started watching your videos recently and now I'm in Victoria to learn English !! I'm so excited about you are from here!Anyway your videos are awesome!! Thanks for those videos which are so interesting:)
i thought you were already sick n tired of being in japan but apparently still enjoying. Glad to hear that!! Hope you go on a trip to Sapporo n make videos on that before going back to Canada🙌
I'm still only in high school, lucky I've got some time to figure stuff out, but I keep stressing out too much. I just hope I can get it to all work out how I want. The biggest thing right now is picking a specific area I would be interested to work in. I have it pretty narrowed down, but I keep jumping between a few things I want to study and am interested in.
I'm a college student that is transferring to a Uni here in Japan (its an American Uni). You can look into one of these if you have a major you're interested in - see if a college you like has a campus in Japan you can apply to. In my experience, you'll need to be at least N3 JLPT level to work in a restaurant/store/etc. Major businesses above that usually require at least JLPT N2 (highest level is N1). If you study consistently, its not too difficult and is possible.
I love Japan too but the visa is so tough. Any advice abt the visa thing? I wanna spend more time making youtube and do less office work I love making videos Can MICAELA share more about the start up visa?
I loved this video! I'm planning on living in Japan long term so being able to see both of your perspectives was awesome! Plus it was like a blast from the past when hearing about all of your past adventures :)
I heard that SOME Japan based vloggers are actually really sick of Japan and just stay because they like being on youtube and are dependent on the income. They know that if they left Japan, they might not get as many views and would have to get some boring office job or something. Not saying it applies to these two though, as it seems they are enjoying living in Japan.
Sharla, you don't have to worry about finding a job in Canada. I was pretty much in the same boat. I've been in Japan for almost a decade. I came to Japan right after graduating from university, so I didn't have any working experience in Germany. I ended up moving back to Germany about 2 years ago. And I did find a job only thanks to my language skills. Just like you I'm bilingual ... actually trilingual? My native language is German and I'm somewhat fluent in English and Japanese thanks to my time in Japan. I found a job where I totally lacked the skills but they were desperately looking for someone who knew Japanese and the Japanese culture / business etiquette ... and they thought that's more important and harder to learn than the other skills. You'll find something similar, I'm sure! Also, what you said in Micaela's video, about only going back home because of your kids. I thought that was a very interesting point. Because if I had kids (at least if I had them with a Japanese partner) I would move back to Japan. I wouldn't want them to grow up in Germany. But I guess that's because Germany is different from Canada. I feel Germany isn't very safe anymore. It's nothing like it was when I grew up as a kid. I'm really looking forward to seeing where your life is going from here! ^___^
I can relate about coming from a small town. The town I'm currently in is a rural town with mostly elderly people. You're lucky to see a person if you go out for a walk. There's also not many jobs, which is something I have been struggling with... I wish I had the guts to move somewhere else but it's hard when you don't have a job.
I posted something similar on Micaela's channel, but thank both of you for these videos and for sharing your experiences. I'm mulling over moving from my hometown to another country due to recent personal events. I'd thought about Japan as an option, and visiting there earlier this year plus watching yours and other transplants' videos has made me seriously consider it (that plus I now have some people I know there that would help me out on the transition). At this point of my life (farther along than either of you) I think I need to expand my horizons and grow more as a person. So how long did it take to get the necessary paperwork (visas, etc.) in order before you moved over the first time? Beyond that I would just dive in head first and take my lumps as they come. Thanks again for the videos and for the tips.
Being there ten years now, what has been one of the most awe inspiring moments for you there? Like one of those surreal moments where you knew you wanted to stay there? Love you guys!
it's so weird to me how all foreigners in Japan knows each other somehow. I have friends who are friends with Michaela and also met her a few times, years ago (though I;'m not sure she'd remember me) And so given all of that, i kinda find it funny that you and I have never met while I lived there XD (sorry that was random) I wasn't even aware of your channel until I came back to Canada. As for thoughts of coming back to Canada, listen to me: don't. I came back after 9 years and it's seriously the biggest mistake I've ever made. everything is boring here and nobody can relate to the kind of life we've lead. Continue to enjoy yourselves over there!! (and yes I'm aware this video is very old XD)
I'm from kelowna, bc!! love your videos watched them almost from the beginning, I love Japan and hope that next year I'm able to go on my vacation there, when my son is old enough to leave behind with grandparents, keep it up I love the food and daiso videos!!!
Hi ! You are very cool girls, I enjoy the duo you two form. Listening to your story is an inspiration and I love that you have worked and experience things that have taken you to the place you are now. Being biligual is a great thing. Micaela, I wish the best for your upcoming business.
Is there a Q&A video or a vlog on Sharla's teaching experience in japan? Your channel is so fun and also helpful! Planning on moving to japan, my bf is an actual english teacher so he wants to do that, and i have taught before but want to know how hard it is for a foreigner to get a better/different job than teaching... i feel like getting a work visa for teaching is the easiest option but would rather work in something else if at all possible :/ advice?
If anyone would like to contribute subtitles to this video, it would be very very much appreciated❤️ You can do so through this link: ruclips.net/user/timedtext_video?ref=share&v=MFQGmpRSMGk
Thanks for watching!! We chatted about some other things over on Micaela's channel, so don't forget to watch that video as well!
Is there a specific language you'd like subtitles in? :)
All languages are welcome :D
Sure! Portuguese would be great!
I would love for you to come visit Florida! I think we could be really good friends and go pokemon going around town haha. I would also love for you to meet my cats Kunio and Kou they are such love bug boys haha. I also have 2 dogs who one was abused so shes scared of strangers and the other one is a baby so I may not have you meet them. However I want to take you horseback riding too! I have a couple of horses here and you should bring Keyboardsan too, my fiancé and him would get along great! My sister also works at Disneyworld and can get us all in for free on certain days! I love your videos and I think we could be really cool friends I hope I get to meet you one day! Have a great day! I hope I get to come to Japan one day too!
What about Greek? I don't really know if there are many Greek viewers tbh 😝😝
I'm living in Tokyo now for almost 3 years working as cg artist, and i don't think that would have been possible at all without your channels! the amount of help i've got through your videos, was insane. everytime i didn't know something, before i moved here, up till now, i check first " what does sharla say? whad does michaela say?"
I can't even imagine how you guys did it without all these guids 10 years ago haha but all my respect and thank for what you guys do here ❤ฺ
Jii En how did you stay there for three years without getting kick out? Like do you have to renew your visa or what I need to know because I want to stay in Japan for a long time?
derrick claiborne ya you have to renew your visa
Jii En You work at an animation studio as a cg artist? DO you mind if I ask you some questions? I am interning at an animation studio in Japan later on this year.
Where do you come from? Was it hard for you to get a job as a cg artist? I want to work for a year in Japan as well as cg artist and I'm from Germany, but I heard it is hard to get a job in a company when there are only japanese people. Can I ask you some questions as well? Would be really nice :)
Are you artist or in college majoring in the Fine Arts?
It's crazy. Micaela is how I found Sharla and I have loved watching these two over the years! Totally enjoy their videos! Both of them are just the cutest ladies ever and I've learned a lot about Japan just from these two! :)
I love how their eyes light up while talking about japan you can tell they really love living there 😭❤️
I can’t believe how much four years change people!!!! Wow!
自分は5年ぐらい前？初めてシャーラさんをyoutubeで見て、
ミカエラさんはシャーラさんから知りました。
昔は日本語字幕も編集で入れててタイトルも日本語メインだったけど、
最近は日本語字幕自体が無かったりでちょっと寂しかったです。
もう日本にはこないのかなー
たまには日本に遊びに来てまたキュートな笑顔を見せて欲しいです
ネットには子供や陰湿な人が多いし、
年々韓国との仲も悪くなってるのでここのコメントにも変な人が出てきてますけど･･･気にしないで下さいね
10年間も日本にいてくれて、日本を好きになってくれてありがとう
Thanks for the video guys. I'm from Toronto and this is my 9th year living in Japan. I've followed both of you for many years and its great to hear your histories and reasons for staying. Mine are very similar. While I've left family back in Toronto (born and raised there), I call Japan my home and even after 9 years find it so exciting and challenging with no plans of leaving. I left a very good IT job at BMO to follow my dream of living in Japan and while I'm not a youtuber or blogger, I now happily run my own marketing company working with lots of great Japanese companies as clients. Keep up the great work. It's always a pleasure to watch,
Hey ladies! Between the two of you, being subscribed to both your channels for a few years definitely inspired me to finally make the decision to go to Japan. I just returned home from Tokyo two days ago and I have to say I loved every moment and experience I had. It was bittersweet leaving as I appreciated so much that I finally after all these years was able to experience Japan, but am unsure when I'll ever be able to get to go back. I just wanted to thank the two of you for your videos and sharing your passions so that some of us could experience it for ourselves :) Thank you, from a random calgarian!
Micaela is looking awesome, that flower-biker look! The quintessential かっこいい!
Love, love, love this video you two! Really appreciate this collab, it's nice and informative to hear your perspectives and how your life is and how it became this way 💖
Johanness the quintessential what???
かっこいい = cool.
Sharla I've been following your RUclips since I was 13? I'm now 21 and I'm just so happy you're still here! Haha you're the first RUclipsr I ever fell in love with and I love learning about Japan and getting educated on a country I've always found beautiful and I'm so fascinated with. You're such a kind and cool person and definitely a good teacher and mentor when it comes to explaining and informing us about Japan and its culture. So thank you! You're amazing!
It's old and new to see both of you in the same video. Thank you for doing this! Living in a different country is not easy no matter where you're from. Especially in your case since the language is totally different and the whole set of values is different. I'm happy you two have chosen to stay here. I hope you'll find more fun things than non-fun things (well, it comes with territories ;) in Japan!
I started watching Micaela's channel first. Subbed. Then found Sharla. Subbed. Watched you both for years and now I live in Japan. I work here as a teacher and if all goes to plan, my contract is until March 2019. By that time, I'll have 7 years experience teaching ESL and maybe then I could look in to the start up visa and consider my own ESL school in Fukuoka or maybe even something that I did at university. Bring musical theatre to Fukuoka for students to learn English through that way - a new form of learning English with arts. Just a pipeline dream for now, I guess. Bottom line is, you both inspired me to make it to Japan as a worker one day and now I'm here, ありがとうございました ♥
I want to live there, do you need a degree to have a visa in Japan?
Robbie Heslop That's amazing!! My twin and I are hoping to teach and live in Japan also but we aren't sure how.. do you have any tips? Anything would be greatly appreciated ^-^
Myth Lisa if you want a working visa, the requirement for a visa said you did for my visa, yes.
MoonyOwl I was a little unsure but once you settle after a few weeks, life is easy, students aren't so hard to listen to you, I've had no problems with people like stares etc and I teach in Central Japan. It's a lot of work and you get tired but if you want the experience of teaching in an amazing country, Japan is a great one to go to ^^
Robbie Heslop Ahh, thank you!! The knowledge is greatly appreciated ^-^
I got so excited as I was watching this video. You girls sound so passionate about life, its contagious. Im feeling inspired to change the world! ❤ and the upbeat music, good choice! Sharla Power Forever!!! 😘
I'm so happy you both collaborated to make this video. Being in a different country for over 10 years, especially an Asia where it is completely different than western countries, is amazing!! Truly impressive. Makes me wish i could go back to high school or even college and studied in Japan. Ah, maybe in another life. 💭
Thanks Sharla!
-Breanna
I've always been so jealous of native English -speakers. They can just take off to a remote Asian country and just start teaching English even without any education. Even if I was native level fluent in English I'm still not allowed to teach and we have to take a much longer route if we want to go live in Japan, Korea etc and never mid about trying to find a job other than teaching. :(
Most Japanese companies require the person to be born in an english speaking country or have lived there for 5-10 years before they will be considered for teaching - regardless of their fluency
There are a few programmes that accept applications from non-english speaking countries I think, but usually they prefer English to be your first language (which is okay for me as a Brit, but sucks for my partner who was born in Spain!)
I feel you, pal. As a Latin girl I have the same issue. I'm just waiting for Spanish to popularize a little bit more to get a job as a Spanish teacher in Japan.
I feel you, pal. As a Latin girl I have the same issue. I'm just waiting for Spanish to popularize a little bit more to get a job as a Spanish teacher in Japan.
Nedeli what's your native language? I'm sure there's people who share your language looking to learn some English or even Japanese (if you're willing to learn that too)!! :)
I lived in Tokyo for 33 years. You understand the the value of being close to other great cultures. You have a chance to visit Malaysia, Viet Nam, Cambodia, Laos, and PI, among other places is of great value.
Please don't quit youtube, both of you! I follow both of you on Instagram and youtube and I love living vicariously through you two. Thank you so much for your videos.
i thought this was going to be a "meet my sister" from the picture!
Hannah S I thought Taylor had had her hair cut actually
I totally thought it was gonna be her sister too lol
Hannah S me to 😊
Twins, anyone?
Japanese food is actually what got me into Japan. I quickly fell in love with the culture because of their sweets. I decided I wanted to be a pattisier in Japan. I never felt a calling until the day I saw Japanese sweets, and my heart started pounding and I felt so happy and I said "I want to learn Japanese sweets and be a patisser." Now I am learning the language and plan to live there (have planned to since I was 12) and can tell people a lot about Japan and the people and traditions and cultures and ghost stories and just everything. I love Japan so much. Because of food. So...yes. They put a lot into their food ^^ I love that the most probably.
Hi I'm Japanese.I'm so happy to think that to my country.By the way which do you like "wagashi " or "yougashi "?
Great video! Cool to know you're guys' experiences and reasons why you like Japan so much.
I think that you were able to perfectly pinpoint why it is so interesting and vital for some people to live abroad and challenge themselves with a different culture and language - because otherwise you get bored, and by doing so you get instead constant stimuli. I guess I wasn't able to figure out myself why it is so nice for someone to live abroad, but listening to you finally made me put it in words.
I love when you two get together to do stuff. I get this warm fuzzy vibe of positivity ahhh...
So happy you guys are still friends after all these years.
It is so crazy to see you guys together! I've followed both of you for a while and your journeys are always so wonderful and to see both of you come together is really fascinating!
You are my super favorite RUclipsrs ever! I've been following you since the start, I remember Micaela's start better, but I really enjoy your videos, your collabs, everything! Greetings and tons of love from Mexico!
i went to university in japan for a year and it was the best time of my life, there was not a single day on which i wasn't exploring and learning new things about japan and myself! i've been dealing eith severe social anxiety and depression for most of my life but i had little to no problems while living in japan and i truly miss feeling like that so i really hope i can go back there, hopefully for a longer time
Micaela-san, Sharla-san I enjoyed this video, how you two still enjoying Japanese life. I love how you like to learn new thing continuously,which I totally agreed , and how you feel Japan and other asian countries. The difference between Canada and Asia was also interesting. Thanks for shooting this wonderful video !!
I lived in Osaka for 1yr 3 months and it was the most amazing experience of my life. I'm back in America and I just miss Japan so much! I hope to go back sometime this year and explore more of Japan besides Kansai area.
Brooke ブルック Is there anything you'd recommend to go see in Osaka? I'll be taking my sister there and I don't know much about it!!
nice comment coming in Japan
Brooke ブルック nice coming in Japan
Sharla in Japan I actually just visited Osaka a few weeks back so I confirm stopping in Tennoji is a good idea! The Shitennoji shrine is worth the visit, the park and the zoo are there, but Tennoji station and the Abeno Harukas building is worth exploring too!! I miss it so much, such a nice atmosphere!!!
Sharla in Japan there is definitely a lot of shopping that can be done in Tennoji. Abeno Q's Mall, Abeno Harukas, Tennoji Mio Plaza Mall are all around the same area so there's a lot to see there. For more anime and games go to Nipponbashi Den Den Town. Many shops around that area. Shinsaibashi is a popular place to go and アメリカ村 has some fun shops around there. Also idk if there is a shop in Tokyo, but りくろーおじさんの店 has some really good cheesecake. Also HEP FIVE in Umeda is a big shopping mall area (haha yeah again more shopping) and at the top there is a Ferris wheel which has a nice view. Also on the 7th floor I think there is a gudetama cafe if interested at all. Hope this helps :)
I'm glad to hear all the positive views on living in Japan. Thank you for sharing this video telling us about your honest views of your own . I really enjoyed that.
I'm 17 and on the last two months of my year long exchange in southern Japan through RYE.
I actually originally applied to go to South Korea and came to Japan with little knowledge at all, but I have been working so hard and it feels so amazing to be able to communicate in another language.
I still wonder to this day what it would have been like if I had been sent to South Korea, but I am so grateful to have learned about Japan and been able to make so many life long friends. ❤️️
Hi Micaela＆Sharla, I am originally from Fukuoka, and have been to Kamloops for a half year in 1997. I also stayed in Fredericton in 2003-2004. Your positive attitude towards this language and culture fascinated me a lot. I will definitely watch more videos from you. You perhaps have things you miss from home, but it is so great that you are trying to make best out of the situation. One of my friend works for Fukuoka-shi in the startup project. If you have some question I can ask her. I wish you good luck with everything!
Really interesting perspective from both of you. I'm studying to be an ELL teacher so it's nice to listen to you guys talk about the jobs there, learning the language and just everything.
Great video! I got very interested when you spoke about the vast cultural differences between the countries near Japan, could you talk more about that in another video? :)
i can't get over how much micaela looks like a mix between sharla and taylor
Ahh this video made me so happy for some reason! So nice to hear what you two like about Japan
when canadians said their towns are superclose, it means more less than 1000km
I'm applying for a Japanese language school this year and I'm super excited about it! Your videos help me relax when I get nervous thinking about moving to a foreign country. I'll be studying for a year. How were you on your first year in Japan?
You two are the reason I went to study abroad in Japan!!! Love both your channels!!
I love seeing you two together . I`ve watched both of you vlog way back when Sharla was shy and just starting to vlogand Micaela could speak Japanese like she lived there her whole life. You two are like family members to some of us . Love you both deerly!! :-)
Ive been following you both for years. Thank you for doing this video, its interesting to see how much you both have changed, and stayed in japan for this long.
You guys are so adorable! It is like I have sen you guys grow up on RUclips. Watch you guys almost since the beginning and never stopped haha. Thanks for sharing what you have shared with us :)
Hi Guys ! I watch you both , because your both are such nice people ! You both bring the Far East to me and others who live in the West , for me its California U.S.A. ! Thankyou for sharing your lives and experiences , much of us will never be able to experience in our life time !
I just came back from 2 weeks there - after 6 years since my year abroad there. I was reminded about all the things I love!
We visited Kyushu too and it was my first time there - really loved it!
Everything there in Japan intrigues me and man, I'm in LOVE with the car culture over there! It's bonkers! One day I'll experience Japan by myself, that's number 1 on my bucket list.
I really enjoyed this video! I always feel so inspired by your channel to go to Japan. I really need to start planning a trip.
I just want to say thank you!!
Wow...I really respect you two !!
honestly i respect all people who are working or studying outside of their mother country
I really wanna move to Japan now. I visited it for 1 month and I'm stunned. I always wanted to go to Japan but now I don't wanna leave anymore ! I hope as a not native English speaker I could go there too :o
Why don't you come here with a working holiday visa, and you can easily stay in Japan for at least 1 year. A lot of my foreigner friends come with that visa.
moonie11355
What would a working holiday visa entail? 😊
depends which country you are a citizen too. Some countries offer that visa, and the amount of time also varies. most of the time its at least a year, where you can just live in another country without the immigration problem of being deported, for that year. You could work, travel, whatever.
moonie11355
Wow, you're sure? That would be amazing! I've never heard of this type of visa, plus its name is a little misleading-"holiday working visa" would make you think you've staying there for the summer or winter, because the company you're working for sent you there. 😁 I must look into it, thank you. 😊 Are you from Japan?
I have been living in japan for over 2 years, and a lot of my foreign friends come here to travel or work here with that visa. To me its a little like a trial visa to see if you like the country.
However, only some countries provide this visa, for example, USA does not, and countries in Europe, Canada, Australia do provide this visa.
This was definitely worthwhile watching. Wishing you guys all the best
Interesting video! I'm currently in Fukuoka Japanese language school and planning to apply for 専門学校 here but it's not easy.. hope everything works out! It was tough when I first came here, lifestyles just so different but now I came to love it! Hope I get to stay here for a long time! Don't feel like going back to my own country xD
What a marvelous collaboration! Please make more videos together. You two are awesome and even more so together!
I am so excited that Micaela is from Kamloops! I've been living there for the last 6 years after moving from a really small town in BC. :)
Sharla! I can't believe your home towns are so close to mine 😱 I live in Kelowna BC and I've been wanting to move to Tokyo for a few years now. I just finished my first year of college and I'm taking Japanese summer courses to get better at the language. I'm hoping to move within the next few years and begin teaching English to start with before continuing studies. I'm so happy you made this video it's so encouraging for those who are cautious of striking out on their own
I didn't have the opportunities to learn Japanese in school and I really really wish I had. I live in midwestern US and we don't have the same cultural diversity that BC has. But I'm now 23 years old and I've actually just started teaching myself Japanese because I've wanted to learn since I was small. Someday, I plan to at least visit. My fiance and I have considered opening a business somewhere down the line. Maybe if his paralegal job doesn't work out we'll do something like that in Japan. I'd love to leave the United States. lol
I've been trying to convince my boyfriend to travel and experience the world (he hasn't traveled much) and I've always wanted to go to Japan just because it seems almost like another world to where I grew up (southern United States). He started watching your videos with me (I was more than happy to show him my favorites) and is now more open to traveling to not just Japan but anywhere that's peaked my interest. We both enjoy your videos so much!
Yes, I come from nyc, USA, it is a totally different culture, so there will be a lot of interesting culture shocks.
いつも良い動画ありがとうございます♪おふたりさんに末永く幸あれ！！
It was good getting to know you two a bit more!! We stayed in Korea for 6 years for similar reasons. You guys are welcome to come visit Indonesia! Peace Corps volunteers are the best tour guides, haha. :P
Wow I love Fukuoka! I visited on vacation last year and there were so few English speakers and Americans compared to Tokyo! It was such a cool place!
Respect for you both for realizing your life in Japan.
Thank you both so much for these videos!! I've been following you both for over 6 months and your videos have been spectacular. I'm 32 and going back to college for a degree in Japanese language and culture so I can move to Japan and work as a translator (like Sharla). I also have run my own business for 10+ years, so I was very excited to hear about the Fukuoka Startup Visa - I'd love to go that route :D
I’m rooting for Sharla and Micaela :)
Awesome video! I love hearing your stories, especially exploring career paths. I'd be up for your perspectives on more job stuff, like the start-up details, translator and touring jobs, and stuff. Thanks : )
I've been binge watching your videos for the last few days, they started popping up in my feed now - even though I *just* got back from my first trip to Japan and Korea! (Bad timing since I've seen so many cool things in your videos that I wish I'd tried). And now I'm watching this one, and I'm from Victoria as well!
I grew up in the states but I've lived in Victoria for the last 10 years. I guess I replaced you when you moved to Japan :-)
Very cool, I love your channel!
So glad I'll be going back in March to teach English! Your song 「LIFE〜桜のように〜」 really encouraged me Sharla! I wonder how long I may live in Japan.
i'm waiting patiently to see sharla's attempt at learning Korean from her husband ^_^
theres a challenge!
(but then again it won't be too hard ~ lol)
risinglotuswind yeah he is, she recently went to Korea to visit his family ~
Korean's super similar to Japanese so I feel like Sharla wouldn't have too hard of a time! Especially since she has some motivation for a certain someone >w
Mahina Teta I haven't noticed that, but it might just be something like she's getting the ring repaired etc.. cause she's still living with him I think
i mean her last video with him was a week ago.. so they must still be together ^_^
Mahina Teta NOPE not yet 😂😂 but we see more of his body recently haha
Lovely, inspiring video! Thank you girls! I'm an English girls moving to Japan in about 2 months from Barcelona... :D Very excited.
10 year veterans, the bright eyed, wondrous enthusiasm has waned somewhat as I see it in your eyes and hear it in your tone. Japan is an incredible country but few foreigners stay longer than 5 or 10 years judging from my experience. I first worked in Japan for a Gaming company (slot machines) 21 years ago. Since then I have traveled from Vancouver to Tokyo annually. Still love it but you have to be one tough cookie to make Japan your home for the rest of your days. (as a foreigner living there) The trouble is you may find yourself being lost between two shores. Sharla may be bored senseless when she moves back to Victoria and long for Japan, but also realize she really does not want to live in Japan anymore either.
Viperkal damn, that's really hard. I might experience that if I move there. Between being with family and being with the country ( Japan). If you have been there a while, could you please answer this? If someone that speaks English like me learns Japanese and moves to Japan, what jobs are there for me? I really want to know so if you don't mind telling me that'd be great.
I lived in Canada for five years, I wasn't happy that much. I visited Turkey 4 times and it's unbelievable experience.
I would like to visit Japan. Great video about living in a different country. Thanks for the perspective on Japan and in living in a foreign country. Really enjoy your and Michaelas videos.
Mario Lucero where r u from ?
Awesome to know! I'm in a place now where I don't think I'll want to move there permanently anymore, but I definitely want to go over and live there for a year or so, and get a real experience of it. We'll see how I feel when I actually get there!
so lovely to see you two make a vid together - this was so great!
I've started watching your videos recently and now I'm in Victoria to learn English !! I'm so excited about you are from here!Anyway your videos are awesome!! Thanks for those videos which are so interesting:)
i thought you were already sick n tired of being in japan but apparently still enjoying. Glad to hear that!! Hope you go on a trip to Sapporo n make videos on that before going back to Canada🙌
You're making me SO EXCITED for my move to Japan! Only 3.5 months to go!
Sharla you insipired me to study even harder so i could go there and live in my dream country!, i'm subscribbing!
東経60度-西経120度で、地球を縦割りすると東の中心は日本、西の中心は英国。
ブリティッシュ コロンビアは東半球圏で、レムリアの影響がギリギリ届く地域。だから日本が合うのかも？
なんてね。
貴女たちの会話を聞いていたら凄く頑張っているのですね。けれど、楽しく頑張っているように思いますので良いと感じます。良いことも、悪いことも、どこの国でも大して変わらないと思います。自由なのが一番です。悔いのないように生きて下さいね。
シャーラさん 長い間日本にいてくれて ありがとう。 震災で日本を心配してくれてありがとう。 最近の日本は震災や近くの国との関係など辛い状況が続いてストレスだらけの 息苦しい世の中になってしまったけれど 悪い事はダメだという根っこが日本人にはあります。 どうかいつまでも日本を好きでいて下さい😢
I'm a bit slow on the uptake with this video but I just loved this
Right now I've been studying Japanese and looking into jobs opportunities in Japan that I would be interested in.
I'm still only in high school, lucky I've got some time to figure stuff out, but I keep stressing out too much. I just hope I can get it to all work out how I want. The biggest thing right now is picking a specific area I would be interested to work in. I have it pretty narrowed down, but I keep jumping between a few things I want to study and am interested in.
just have back up plans and don't get down if things don't work out exactly as you wanted it too ^_^
good luck!
Nova Nocturne Thanks!
I'm a college student that is transferring to a Uni here in Japan (its an American Uni). You can look into one of these if you have a major you're interested in - see if a college you like has a campus in Japan you can apply to. In my experience, you'll need to be at least N3 JLPT level to work in a restaurant/store/etc. Major businesses above that usually require at least JLPT N2 (highest level is N1). If you study consistently, its not too difficult and is possible.
Iceechibi are you going Temple JC? have fun!
I love Japan too but the visa is so tough. Any advice abt the visa thing?
I wanna spend more time making youtube and do less office work
I love making videos
Can MICAELA share more about the start up visa?
I wish to one day experience japan!! It seems like a beautiful place to live!! Ahh I'm so jealous!!
Cleopatra Mitchell I hope you get to go.
school was not hell for me.
I loved this video! I'm planning on living in Japan long term so being able to see both of your perspectives was awesome! Plus it was like a blast from the past when hearing about all of your past adventures :)
I heard that SOME Japan based vloggers are actually really sick of Japan and just stay because they like being on youtube and are dependent on the income. They know that if they left Japan, they might not get as many views and would have to get some boring office job or something. Not saying it applies to these two though, as it seems they are enjoying living in Japan.
Sharla, you don't have to worry about finding a job in Canada.
I was pretty much in the same boat. I've been in Japan for almost a decade. I came to Japan right after graduating from university, so I didn't have any working experience in Germany.
I ended up moving back to Germany about 2 years ago.
And I did find a job only thanks to my language skills. Just like you I'm bilingual ... actually trilingual? My native language is German and I'm somewhat fluent in English and Japanese thanks to my time in Japan.
I found a job where I totally lacked the skills but they were desperately looking for someone who knew Japanese and the Japanese culture / business etiquette ... and they thought that's more important and harder to learn than the other skills.
You'll find something similar, I'm sure!
Also, what you said in Micaela's video, about only going back home because of your kids.
I thought that was a very interesting point. Because if I had kids (at least if I had them with a Japanese partner) I would move back to Japan. I wouldn't want them to grow up in Germany. But I guess that's because Germany is different from Canada.
I feel Germany isn't very safe anymore. It's nothing like it was when I grew up as a kid.
I'm really looking forward to seeing where your life is going from here! ^___^
It's super cool that you guys are both from BC as I am too!!! Never been to Victoria but I've been to Kamloops it's really pretty!!
I can relate about coming from a small town. The town I'm currently in is a rural town with mostly elderly people. You're lucky to see a person if you go out for a walk. There's also not many jobs, which is something I have been struggling with... I wish I had the guts to move somewhere else but it's hard when you don't have a job.
For some reason paid attention to the fact that Sharla's face proportions are so good. Aand pleasant to watch idk how to explain, she's just beautiful
It's interesting how they talk about the proximity of different cultures, I've never really realised that since I live in Europe.
I posted something similar on Micaela's channel, but thank both of you for these videos and for sharing your experiences. I'm mulling over moving from my hometown to another country due to recent personal events. I'd thought about Japan as an option, and visiting there earlier this year plus watching yours and other transplants' videos has made me seriously consider it (that plus I now have some people I know there that would help me out on the transition). At this point of my life (farther along than either of you) I think I need to expand my horizons and grow more as a person.
So how long did it take to get the necessary paperwork (visas, etc.) in order before you moved over the first time? Beyond that I would just dive in head first and take my lumps as they come. Thanks again for the videos and for the tips.
Being there ten years now, what has been one of the most awe inspiring moments for you there? Like one of those surreal moments where you knew you wanted to stay there?
Love you guys!
I love that you guys are Canadian as a Canadian viewer! :) thanks for sharing~
it's so weird to me how all foreigners in Japan knows each other somehow. I have friends who are friends with Michaela and also met her a few times, years ago (though I;'m not sure she'd remember me) And so given all of that, i kinda find it funny that you and I have never met while I lived there XD (sorry that was random) I wasn't even aware of your channel until I came back to Canada.
As for thoughts of coming back to Canada, listen to me: don't. I came back after 9 years and it's seriously the biggest mistake I've ever made. everything is boring here and nobody can relate to the kind of life we've lead. Continue to enjoy yourselves over there!!
(and yes I'm aware this video is very old XD)
I'm from kelowna, bc!! love your videos watched them almost from the beginning, I love Japan and hope that next year I'm able to go on my vacation there, when my son is old enough to leave behind with grandparents, keep it up I love the food and daiso videos!!!
日本語でコメいいのかなわかんないけど 君たちは3.11からいたんですね 何とも日本愛を感じます ありがとう！
Aww u guys are so adorbs ❤❤❤😍
sunnydahye Miss you Sunny!! Come back and visit and let's take a trip to Fukuoka to see Micaela and eat all the foooood❤
My name is Micaela and I approve this message.
Hi nice lady to see your all blogs
日本人ですが日本のこと この動画で気づいた面が沢山あります。多くの日本人は私を含め毎日に追われて楽しむことを忘れているような気がします。福岡注目ですよね！配信楽しみにしています！
two of my favorite youtubers
Good to see a video of you two!
Hi ! You are very cool girls, I enjoy the duo you two form. Listening to your story is an inspiration and I love that you have worked and experience things that have taken you to the place you are now. Being biligual is a great thing.
Micaela, I wish the best for your upcoming business.
Is there a Q&A video or a vlog on Sharla's teaching experience in japan? Your channel is so fun and also helpful! Planning on moving to japan, my bf is an actual english teacher so he wants to do that, and i have taught before but want to know how hard it is for a foreigner to get a better/different job than teaching... i feel like getting a work visa for teaching is the easiest option but would rather work in something else if at all possible :/ advice?