Hi, everyone! A bit long post but would really appreciate your time and thoughts & opinions on this post. But no bashing, please. 🙂
I need some advice or should I say some clarity in relation to choosing a new path that never in my life I’d thought considering.
I’m 30, Female, Filipino, Architect by profession, Project Manager & Technical Manager by job, and currently residing in Dubai.
I’m considering moving to Japan—main reason is I just love Japan. Since I was a kid, I know how advance Japan is when it comes to small & cute things to gadgets (gifts from my auntie who’s working there). Then I got a chance to visit Japan last year and I knew I’d fall in love with the country. It might be a bias thought after experiencing the country for only a few weeks as a tourist. I might have a shallow reason to move there but I’d choose Japan’s 4 seasons and beautiful places.
I don’t how to put this in words but don’t get me wrong, Dubai has opened doors of opportunities and financial growth for me, but I’m at the point of my life where I don’t see myself working and living here for the next 5 years (already spent nearly 10 yrs here). Man-made islands, fancy cars & restaurants, sand dunes, buildings, almost all-year summer, are not my thing. I miss the tropical vibes of the Philippines but let’s face the fact that the opportunities there are limited; living in Japan is just something for me to achieve.
As mentioned, I’m an Architect and my current job is Project & Technical Manager. But I don’t want to purse this in Japan, hence I’m thinking to learn something like graphic designing, photography, or maybe purse an ALT job. I have been reading posts here about work-life balance and job opportunities in Japan—it’s always a 2-sided coin. The only thing that bothers me is the scary side—overtime work culture.
Is overtime work culture a normal practice? Plus Christmas is something I celebrate with my family in the Philippines every year.
SO… is it worth the risk to change career path and move & live in Japan? (I have an auntie living there to be my emotional support, somehow.)
Thank you and I’d appreciate kind words of advice. It’s a safe place, isn’t? 🙂
EDIT: To add, I am overwhelmed with JLPT, N1, N5, JET… all these stuff. But I’m willing to take one step at a time.
by catluffy