Considering Japan for my future.

[bELyVIS]

Originally Posted by MMM

I wonder how all the people (like me) that moved to Japan before the Internet existed survived without a bevy of advice from strangers from around the world...

you're right. Let them make their own mistakes.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by bELyVIS

you're right. Let them make their own mistakes.

I am just having a bit of a realization with this thread...there is a zone between underpreparing and overpreparing. We have had posters spend months here preparing for a 2 week vacation.

There's a point where you get diminishing returns.

I have spent a lot of time in Japan, so I don't prepare much for my trips other than telling friends I am coming. I usually have a half-dozen things I want to do, which means half or more of my days have no schedule, but I usually have no trouble finding something to do.

At the same time, I am lucky that I get to come to Japan often, where for others it will be a one-time experience. I guess I am saying I am glad that I came to Japan with a "clean slate"...without any preconceived notions or fears that the Internet seems to be good at feeding. That era is surely over.

[spicytuna]

Originally Posted by solemnclockwork

Yes just about going to any other country can be ration the same way. I don't want to stress descriptive and short answers about going to another country. People are different and what draws them to another country is not important as long as they understand why they themselves are going.

So why does it have to be Japan? What is it about Japan that makes you want to live there? Judging by your responses, it sounds like you've already made up your mind... which is a little mind boggling because you've never even visited the country.

[ThirdSight]

Originally Posted by MMM

I guess I am saying I am glad that I came to Japan with a "clean slate"...without any preconceived notions or fears that the Internet seems to be good at feeding. That era is surely over.

Seconded. It's a shame.

Here's what you do clockworkjapangoer:
1. Get a college degree.
2. Save up some money.
3. Learn Japanese: speaking, reading, & writing.
4. Go to Japan.
5. ???
6. Profit.

I can't say much about wanting to stay there permanently. I thought the same when the thought of going to a foreign country jumped into my mind, but you change your mind rather quick when you figure out that everything you know is wrong or, if it isn't wrong, different.

[solemnclockwork]

Belyvis,

I know well enough without visiting Japan I will have no real evidence of what the country is like. Hence why I came here to get a framework to think about. Until I actually visit, I will "have my heads in the clouds". I'm just trying to break the ice on this.

MMM,

you make an excellent point, which I didn't think of it that way. I'll just try to have general goals set, instead of planing everything. Better more to have a flexible life then a brittle one.

Spicytuna,

I haven't made up my mind, and I've stated won't do so until I visit the country. Everything right now can be taken for hypothetical until I'm in college and visited the country and by then I'm sure I've changed some things I want to do with my life.

Why Japan? I like the landscape, closeness to the ocean (it's an island) architecture, Mountains, it's size, cities and the amount of people there. Take in mind What I have to go on is what I've learned over the years. Secondly besides the teaching job, it's also an religious thing. I would be spending much of my time (what I can) helping out local churches with mainly youth ministry and what ever else they could need help on. I probably should of said it sooner, but I would also be going to work in churches there too.

Thirdsight,

I will say you right, right now I don't even need to think about staying permanently, just let what comes, come. That's why I choose to take a step and post about my ideals, thus I gain valuable knowledge from people who are knowledgeable about it. I would much rather have an idea, and the knowledge of what can/would come from an experience person then to screw up myself.

[killyoself]

Yeah, you definitely shouldn't rush into anything. Japan can be hard m'kayyy, and you need to learn the language m'kayyy, this place is not a paradise land m'kayyy, and don't think it's like it is in the anime m'kayyy. Don't forget to get married to a Japanese person or get a degree before you come here or YOUR LIFE WILL BE A LIVING HELL!!!!!!!! Pfft, nooobies

[solemnclockwork]

Serously, you claim to be Unversity teacher and you come to troll my thread? How umprofessinal are you going to act? Do you need a physchotrist to talk to to fell loved? Grow up.

[killyoself]

What's a physchotrist??

[MMM]

Let's cut the meaningless bickering.

[solemnclockwork]

I will say I went over the line. Hence the grammar and spelling mistakes. I'm cool now so no worries on that part.

Well to get back on topic, One area that I should of pointed out in all this is my religious background. I'm Christian, (the post above make me look bad, anger is not your best friend) and I do take part in many church roles. One I'm currently apart of is technology management. What I do is manage the sound board for Sundays and Wednesdays. This relates to above reasons why I would go to Japan; to help out a church(s). Of course if that doesn't happen I will take part in churches in the US, point is regardless where I'm at I'll be in the church in some form. This leads to me having more help then the average person when it comes to people that can help me go/ get settled, I will also have an extra outlet for stress. Japan also in a way could be considered an "Mission field" for me, I have great desire to help the Christians that are there wither I'm in the United states or over there. Also one the reasons why I need to pray/give a lot of consideration about going there.

I really should of given more light to this part of my life, if anyone is confused about this I will offer more of an explanation about it.