Hi all, I’ve posted here from time to time in the past. I worked in Japan for 3.5 years as an ALT. Multiple times the last 6 years I’ve been back in the states I thought I would move back to Japan. Covid royally screwed my plans to go back sooner, but I’ve tried to make the most of it while here.
Living here was fine for a while, but I’ve felt stagnant for some time now. Don’t see much of a point moving somewhere else in the US either as many jobs I’m interested in aren’t willing to pay enough salary to make the move worth it.
That said, try as I might I have had a hard time finding jobs outside of teaching in Japan willing to sponsor foreigners from overseas. While I have N2, it has not been very useful stateside and jobs I might qualify for in Japan require you to already have a working visa.
Other issue is I’m 33. I have been thinking that if I go back it has to be soon as the older I get, the harder it will get. My lease is up in a couple months so I’m of the mindset to go back now. I’m probably going to go back via Nova or some eikaiwa at this point.
Curious if anyone was in a similar situation to me? My plan is to start job hunting immediately upon arrival for better jobs once I’ve obtained the visa, though I expect to be at whatever eikaiwa I choose for a while.
Another reason I want to go back is to improve my Japanese. N2 is a solid level to be at, but after doing a few interviews in Japanese I’ve realized I still have a lot to learn. I see going back to Japan as a means to get fluency even higher and to a more professional level.
Anyways, any advice is appreciated.
by OfficiallyRelevant