I don't want to live in Japan.

[samurai007]

Originally Posted by MMM

I am not sure how this thread I started over two years ago got life breathed into it again, but I still think my original assertion is true. I would never recommend someone move to a foreign country without at least visiting it once. This is especially true when the one moving does not speak the native language of the host country, and the culture is as different as it is for Westerners.

And I do know people that "loved Japanese culture" before signing contracts and moving there sight unseen, and not only break their contracts and go home after a few months, but actually went more than a little crazy.

I had never been to Japan before going there as a JET, and I didn't speak the language at all. I went because I knew I'd never have the money to travel unless I worked while I was there, and JET was, IMO, the best foreign job out there that I found. I wasn't dead set on going to Japan... I looked at Europe, South Korea, Taiwan, and other places as well, and the JET program's features were the deciding factor for me, not some long love of Japan, which is why I'd never learned Japanese before going. I just knew that I wanted the experience of living and working in a foreign country. If JET had been a creation of some other country, I'd have gone there instead.

That said, I really enjoyed Japan, and I traveled as much of it as I could while I was there. I often tell prospective JETs, most of whom have never been to Japan before, that the most important single feature of a successful JET isn't teaching experience or Japanese language skill or anything like that... it's adaptability, flexibility, and a sense of humor. It's being able to take what work and life in a foreign country throws at you with a smile. If you have that, the rest will work itself out. If you don't have it, you probably won't last very long.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by samurai007

That said, I really enjoyed Japan, and I traveled as much of it as I could while I was there. I often tell prospective JETs, most of whom have never been to Japan before, that the most important single feature of a successful JET isn't teaching experience or Japanese language skill or anything like that... it's adaptability, flexibility, and a sense of humor. It's being able to take what work and life in a foreign country throws at you with a smile. If you have that, the rest will work itself out. If you don't have it, you probably won't last very long.

I would agree with paragraph 100%. I think, (it was 2 years ago), my original target in this thread was not people like you necessarily, but the opposite: those focused on Japan without really knowing what they were getting into, or without a realistic focus. You took the lateral approach: I'll go anywhere, and take whatever is thrown at me. I was somewhere in between (or maybe both) in that I knew I wanted to go to Japan, so I majored in Japanese in college, and visited three times before I lived there for three years. Since returning to the US, I have never worked a job that wasn't related to Japan somehow, but I have never felt the desired to move back there again. I visit every year, just about, and love it when I am there, but am always happy to get home, too.

[tokusatsufan]

Originally Posted by MMM

And I do know people that "loved Japanese culture" before signing contracts and moving there sight unseen, and not only break their contracts and go home after a few months, but actually went more than a little crazy.

You can go mad from any country if you're not suited to it. Maybe I'm "not suited" to the UK.

[samurai007]

Originally Posted by MMM

I would agree with paragraph 100%. I think, (it was 2 years ago), my original target in this thread was not people like you necessarily, but the opposite: those focused on Japan without really knowing what they were getting into, or without a realistic focus. You took the lateral approach: I'll go anywhere, and take whatever is thrown at me. I was somewhere in between (or maybe both) in that I knew I wanted to go to Japan, so I majored in Japanese in college, and visited three times before I lived there for three years. Since returning to the US, I have never worked a job that wasn't related to Japan somehow, but I have never felt the desired to move back there again. I visit every year, just about, and love it when I am there, but am always happy to get home, too.

I know you weren't really talking about me, and I agree with the point of this thread... that's why I participated in it years ago, and today. I'm just pointing out that, as you say, our motivations and focuses were a bit different.

I don't know that visiting a country a few times will really prepare one for living and working there long-term. As a tourist, you are on an exciting whirlwind tour of temples, castles, and other sights, everything is exciting and new, and you might well be left with unrealistic expectations of the country. That's why I'm saying that while sometimes visiting a country first may be a good idea, to get at least some feel for the place, too much shouldn't be read into it. I think your own personality matters more... if you are adaptable, you can go to a place sight unseen and make a go of it. If you are set in your ways, I don't think trips in advance will be of much help, except perhaps in opening your eyes to some of the differences and difficulties you may face, such as ordering food, getting directions, a taste of the culture, etc. Most of them, though, won't really show up until you are working there day in and day out with Japanese colleagues, having to do your own shopping, cleaning, cooking, banking, etc.

[konbini]

I think it would be nice to live there in a small town near the mountains. Much better quality life than big cities there. When ever you wanted to have some action, you could go into a larger city.

[ryuurui]

Originally Posted by MMM

I am not sure how this thread I started over two years ago got life breathed into it again, but I still think my original assertion is true. I would never recommend someone move to a foreign country without at least visiting it once. This is especially true when the one moving does not speak the native language of the host country, and the culture is as different as it is for Westerners.

And I do know people that "loved Japanese culture" before signing contracts and moving there sight unseen, and not only break their contracts and go home after a few months, but actually went more than a little crazy.

Nonsence. Visiting Japan even for a month or two will not do the trick. Got to live and work here to get it. I have never visited before I came. You just arrived and dealt with it, period.

And to the last par of your post. This is exactly what I am talking about. I am not sure why you are arguing things that I have said before. They go crazy because they are weak, or just let the reality get to them. If you do that there is a great chance it will break you and send you home.

Then, you mention people who sign a contract and move here. I bet you did it the same way, as work visa is usually issued for 1-3 years. I came over and had nothing, except my masters degree and fluent English. I did not have a company to fix my visa, find me an apartment or help in any other way. I was not working as a teacher either, like 90% of the foreigners.

If you start at the bottom, nothing can touch you.

[matt2fat]

i know this thread is old but jeez..fantastic topic!

id never traveled to japan before..letalone any other country. but july last year i decided to apply for a working holiday visa and gave it a wurl (first time leaving my own country) ..iv now been living and working here for 7months! the first month was mindblowing..i couldnt stop noticing all the super huge differences between both cultures..it was novelty just to take a poo...i was in awe..then, the next four months i (with my mind already blown) couldnt stop picking out the bad things about japan..to be honest..i was unhappy and just wanted to go home!

it was at the 5month mark where i had to choose whether or not to extend my visa a further 6months..i bit the bullet and decided to stay...now at 7months i cant believe i ever thought the way i did! i dont know exacly why i had such feelings and why i feel different about japan now but i feel as if i jumped over some sort of hurdle..i still have my days but overall, im super happy to be here!

when i read this thread from the beginning for its original purpose, having the experience i have now i can so understand why this (original) thread was made!

in the end, it all boils down to what makes your boat float. if you think japan is your life calling..make a plan, make it happen, spend the money and experience it first hand..everyone feels and handles things different to others.

if you love japan only for its anime/manga and popculture..visit japan in short bursts..you will enjoy it more. when living here..it all gets old fast..i like anime very much..but since living here i never watch it. its kinda like a hobbie...if you start a career doing your hobbie, it would suck all the fun out of doing it...same with the anime/manga and jpopculture...keep that sparkly fuzzy feeling everytime you visit..its a great feeling.

all in all, when i do leave japan im gonna feel sad..sorta like breaking up with a girlfriend when you dont want to..but you have to. when i arrive back to my own country id be happy knowing that at some point im my life i called japan home. i would defently go back..to revisit old feelings and memories!

[MMM]

Originally Posted by tokusatsufan

You can go mad from any country if you're not suited to it. Maybe I'm "not suited" to the UK.

I am not talking about theoretically "going mad" but actually going mad. One woman I knew had her electricity cut because she didn't pay the bill, but didn't do anything about it for weeks. She assumed her school was spying on her. Another thought the government was spying on him through his wristwatch. They both had to be escorted home.

Originally Posted by samurai007

I don't know that visiting a country a few times will really prepare one for living and working there long-term. As a tourist, you are on an exciting whirlwind tour of temples, castles, and other sights, everything is exciting and new, and you might well be left with unrealistic expectations of the country. That's why I'm saying that while sometimes visiting a country first may be a good idea, to get at least some feel for the place, too much shouldn't be read into it. I think your own personality matters more... if you are adaptable, you can go to a place sight unseen and make a go of it. If you are set in your ways, I don't think trips in advance will be of much help, except perhaps in opening your eyes to some of the differences and difficulties you may face, such as ordering food, getting directions, a taste of the culture, etc. Most of them, though, won't really show up until you are working there day in and day out with Japanese colleagues, having to do your own shopping, cleaning, cooking, banking, etc.

Again, I agree. Personality is everything. But even functioning as a tourist in a non-native language can give you a hint as to how you might do. No one can gauge their own personality, so I recommend at least one trip in advance.

Originally Posted by ryuurui

Nonsence. Visiting Japan even for a month or two will not do the trick. Got to live and work here to get it. I have never visited before I came. You just arrived and dealt with it, period.

And to the last par of your post. This is exactly what I am talking about. I am not sure why you are arguing things that I have said before. They go crazy because they are weak, or just let the reality get to them. If you do that there is a great chance it will break you and send you home.

Then, you mention people who sign a contract and move here. I bet you did it the same way, as work visa is usually issued for 1-3 years. I came over and had nothing, except my masters degree and fluent English. I did not have a company to fix my visa, find me an apartment or help in any other way. I was not working as a teacher either, like 90% of the foreigners.

If you start at the bottom, nothing can touch you.

Pretty much everything I say is nonsense to you, whether you agree with it or not.

I visited Japan over summer vacation to stay at a friend's home when I was in high school for a few weeks. What I learned on that trip was 1) I liked Japan and 2) I would like it even more and be able to function on my own if I spoke the language. So after high school I made learning Japanese and living in Japan my short term goals.

Visiting Japan for a few weeks opened my eyes up vastly, and I am glad I was able to come home, regroup, and make a clean and happy go of it.

Ryuurui, as to the latter part of your post, please speak in concretes, again. Ethereal statements like "they let reality get to them" don't mean anything to me. Yes, they probably didn't have tiger's blood or Adonis DNA. Neither did I, I just had a little bit of experience that carried me a long way.

[hunterofpeace]

Originally Posted by MMM

Yes, they probably didn't have tiger's blood or Adonis DNA.

Aaaahahaha. You know.... I was just thinking that he was reminding me of Charlie Sheen. Brilliant reference. Winning!

[ryuurui]

Originally Posted by MMM

I am not talking about theoretically "going mad" but actually going mad. One woman I knew had her electricity cut because she didn't pay the bill, but didn't do anything about it for weeks. She assumed her school was spying on her. Another thought the government was spying on him through his wristwatch. They both had to be escorted home.



Again, I agree. Personality is everything. But even functioning as a tourist in a non-native language can give you a hint as to how you might do. No one can gauge their own personality, so I recommend at least one trip in advance.



Pretty much everything I say is nonsense to you, whether you agree with it or not.

I visited Japan over summer vacation to stay at a friend's home when I was in high school for a few weeks. What I learned on that trip was 1) I liked Japan and 2) I would like it even more and be able to function on my own if I spoke the language. So after high school I made learning Japanese and living in Japan my short term goals.

Visiting Japan for a few weeks opened my eyes up vastly, and I am glad I was able to come home, regroup, and make a clean and happy go of it.

Ryuurui, as to the latter part of your post, please speak in concretes, again. Ethereal statements like "they let reality get to them" don't mean anything to me. Yes, they probably didn't have tiger's blood or Adonis DNA. Neither did I, I just had a little bit of experience that carried me a long way.

nah not everything you say is a noncense, nor I am arguing for the hell of it. Change tiger for a dragon and then remove that Adonis noncense and it gets warmer. Nice sarcasm though I liked that.

You want concretes? What for? You just gave us two.

On a side note, you think I am bitching and complaining, spitting venom and all that. You guys should listen to some of the Japanese I know, ranting about everything. Only yesterday, we sat in a coffee shop after a negotiations with our company representatives and one of the girls (Japanese) said, "this country is seriously f. up in the head".

Another friend of mine, who is translating my book into Japanese, is sick when she has to come back here.

I told you once already and i dont want to repeat that I still think that Japan is great, but some things will drive you nuts, and if you cant handle it you will end up thinking that your wrist watch is stalkig you. People cant stand the rush, stress on trains, robo-freaks with titanium souls, cold human relations, lack of ability to relax, lack of ability to adjust or appreciate other cultures or points of view (dont pick on this one, as i can accept your point of view, just need to be low on tiger's blood) or a fact that world does not evolve around Japan.

but anyway, what do i know lol