Quote:
Originally Posted by DarkAngelAthena
WOW... dejavu 
I used to be just like you... When I came to Japan from the United States last January, without completing at least my AA from the community college in my hometown of CA, I thought, "I can just finish my degree in Japan instead of here. I will go to language school and then just transfer to college for the next two years." So 6 months earlier I enrolled at a language school, and hopped on a plane without truly thinking about the plan as a whole: how was I going to get around without knowing a word of japanese? how was I going to find my way to and from school if I wasn't able to even read signs properly? and worst of all, financial planning was a complete mess, so I went without food for about a week... lost 7 pounds that was about the only positive thing that happened that month  I also didn't truly know how large Tokyo was, about 50 times the size of my home city (not to mention more than 500,000 times the population) so that being the case finding my way around tokyo was a mortal combat with the train maps for the first month or so. I was lucky enough that the guest house I chose to reside in had other gaijin who spoke english and had the similar experience, and honestly if they hadn't helped me I probably would've ended up somewhere on the next island trying to find my way home. The first week of school, came home with torn bloody feet from walking too much around rail stations, I was like pac man mazing all through the JR line trying to catch the proper route home... coming back tired, frustrated and slightly homesick. Up to now I am still struggling to keep up my study and transfer into a technical school, with a very low chance I will make it... but honestly if I had known that it would be this much of a hassle I would've waited until I completed my AA at least.
***Yes, Japan has nice people and culture, but if moving here is something your serious about, then take your time... a college degree first is the best way to start. Finding a job without one is not [i]impossible[i] but please note that it is extremely difficult (unless you like handing out tissue flyers on the corner for a living) as well as having the proper visa to do so.
***Also, I can see why you would think that we have no real freedom back in the US, and I do agree to a certain extent... however, you also don't realize we have more freedom than alot of other countries right now. Some people in other places don't get the oppurtunity of even a high school education, as where others have as high as a masters degree and get paid only a little more than the equivalent of minimum wage we have in the states. Many who grow up fortunate enough to have everything they need don't realize how important the basics are... until they have none
I don't mean to discourage you or anyone who desires to go to school and work or live in Japan, if that is your dream and goal in your career or life then by all means follow your dreams  but just realize that it is alot easier said than done. It is not impossible, but nor is it easy. |
Very good post. Life in Asia is not as simple as some of the kids on this forum could even imagine.
Employers will not hire a foreigner to hand out flyers or tissue, cost too much, and there is no need for an English speaking employee.. The best thing is to look at gaijinpot.com and look at the job posting there. So far I have't seen a job that have requirement less than a 3 years University/College degree......
The whole thing you mention about master degree and wages... STRONGLY agree, well to a certain extent. Take China for example, you can hire a software engineer for approximately 4000 RMB a month, thats roughly around 500 USD, with housing and insurance, the bill comes out to be around 900 USD.... And THATS considered "high" already...