Life goals in Japan.
It's has been a long life goal and dream of mine to visit Japan, which slowly intensified into a desire to live in Japan for an extended period of time. I went on to study Japanese in college for 3 years and tried multiple different ways to get there through exchange, but exchange didn't seem like the right choice for me. I wanted to get college done asap and going to Japan through exchange would not give credit towards my major. I eventually figured I'd save up money and plan myself a little trip as a graduation present to myself. I would also be able to test out if the idea of living there was something I could do. And so, everything fell together perfectly and I was able to go for a whole month. The experience was definitely amazing and life changing. Not only was I all on my own experiencing a whole new sense of independence, but I was also way far out of my comfort zone and I did pretty ok! Now that I'm back home I'm finding myself with a greater desire to return, and return for longer!
How to get back?
Right now I'm in the very beginning stages of figuring out what my next visit will entail. Will I be heading back for a simple 2-4 week vacation? Can I be brought in as an English teacher? Maybe find out how to support myself for a 3 month trip (max I can stay without a visa)? Enroll in school there?
The first option seems like the easiest and most possible, but 2 weeks is way too short to seem worth the effort. I'd rather continue to save up to do more. I would love to be an English teacher. They could place me in the rural of rurality(not a word) and I'd be happy. However, I have a 8 year old doggy to take care of and the uncertainty of her being able to come with me is too worrisome. Enrolling in school would also be the same, and I would need to be fluent like right now! My ideal plan would be the third one; bring Molly and find a pet friendly place to live for three months vacation. How to pay for a 3 month vacation? Work my butt off I suppose! A 3 month plan would be best in case I couldn't bring Molly too. It wouldn't be too long of a time away from her and she could stay with my parents.
Now if I studied enough and finally became fluent in Japanese that would be a whole different story. A whole lot more options will open up! So for now I'm mostly working on just getting back (probably 2-4 week vacation), but keeping a 3 month vacation in mind, and will keep working on my Japanese in the mean time to reach ultimate awesome level planning capabilities (what... even...?)! If you are dreaming of visit Japan don't let anything or anyone stop you! You can do it! Even if it's a 1:1,000,000 possibility! (So you're telling me there's a chance?)
Read and watch about my most recent trip visit the mega post here!
I've been studying Japanese in a school for almost two years now. I'll be going to Japan for the second time, but for three months to study the language full time in a school in Kyoto. I go in January and come back in April. I'll be quitting my full time job of five years but I think it's the best decision I've ever made! Perhaps doing something like that would be good? Provided you have saved up enough money to live there comfortably and to support yourself when you come home.
ReplyDeleteThere are schools that offer short or long term study and 1 month there is equivalent to studying for 3 months in your home country You get to go for a longer time, see how you adjust and still get to come home to fluffy babies :-)
That is so awesome! I think heading into a new adventure is always a justified reason to quit a job! Haha. You're going to have an amazing time, I know it! How was your first trip?
ReplyDeleteThank you for the info. I will definitely look into going back to study Japanese. That would be perfect since I desire to become fluent. Don't know why I didn't remember that that was a possible option! Thanks again!
I have a dream to live in Japan , too. I was born there but when I was 4 years old my parents moved to US. Now I am trying to move back to Japan. I love this country. Best regards!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome! I hope you get back, it is a pretty amazing country.
ReplyDelete