The Author

Caroline Pover graduated from the University of Exeter, Devon, UK, a qualified primary school teacher with a First Class Honours degree in Mathematics and Education, and a Dean’s Commendation. After teaching at the same school she actually attended, a desire for adventure led her to Tokyo in 1996. Caroline was soon hired by an alternative Japanese high school, where the entire curriculum was dedicated to international understanding — the first high school of its kind.

While teaching by day, Caroline launched her own magazine for foreign women in Japan, entitled Being A Broad, and interviewed 250 foreign women as she wrote her first book, Being A Broad in Japan: everything a Western woman needs to survive and thrive. She established Alexandra Press (named after her mother) under which to self-publish her book, which was released in 2001. Within three months it became a number one bestseller, and Caroline was soon in demand as a motivational speaker to men and women throughout Japan.

The success of her book led to further publishing projects: for Tokyo English Life Line, the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, and Tokyo American Club Women’s Group, as well as corporations and individual authors. In 2004, she took over the first free publication in Japan — Weekender magazine (established 1970), publishing two issues per month, and revamping the magazine and the business, until she sold it in October 2008. She still publishes the monthly Being A Broad magazine and oversees the Being A Broad support network at http://www.being-a-broad.com.

Caroline was recognized at Foreign Executive Women’s 20th anniversary celebrations in 2002, for her many contributions to the foreign women’s community in Japan. She was also awarded the British Business Award for Best Entrepreneur at the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan’s 60th anniversary celebrations in 2008.

Drawing upon her background in education and interest in child development, Caroline’s second book is the first ever comprehensive guide to international schools throughout Japan, and combines her two passions: publishing and pedagogy. Still just in her thirties, Caroline is a stroke survivor, and this book is a particular joy to her, as it wasn’t that long ago that she was unable to write an email, let alone a book!

Find out more about Caroline Pover at her website.