Photo by ajpscs

Living in Japan isn’t easy for a lot of foreigners. But it isn’t that hard, either.

For Mike Green, Anthony Palmer, and Jay Matvichuk, three people who have more in common than they realize, life here has been a mixed bag. Although they’re from different places and different backgrounds, all found their way to Japan -- for a plethora of reasons -- as missionaries.


However, these missionaries weren’t spreading the word of God. They were teaching English. And they weren’t just teachers -- they were students too.

Fresh off the boat

When Anthony Palmer arrived in Osaka, his first impression could be summed up in one word, “awesome.” The vibrant nightlife, buzzing neon signs and Osakan demeanor was fascinating and new. It was a complete shift from the American south where he had grown up.