You have a pounding headache or a runny nose. You walk into a supermarket in Prague, head to the "health" aisle, and expect to find shelves stocked with Tylenol, DayQuil, or aspirin. Instead, you find vitamins, tea, and maybe some band-aids. For many expats, this is the first "culture shock" of the Czech medical system. In the Czech Republic, the rules surrounding medication—even simple painkillers—are significantly stricter than in the US or UK. Navigating the Lékárna  (Phar

Living in Prague offers a wonderful opportunity to experience rich history and culture in the heart of Europe. But for many Japanese expatriates and their families, life overseas comes with a significant source of anxiety: healthcare. When you are unwell, your energy reserves are low. The thought of navigating a complex foreign medical system, trying to describe subtle symptoms in a second language, or understanding complicated diagnoses in English or Czech can be overwhelmin