Hi everyone, as the title says, I’m currently evaluating my options to move to Japan (ideally as soon as possible, but minumum several months at least), figure I should share a bit about myself first!
I am currently 25 with a Masters in Engineering and 3 years of work experience (most of this in IT consultancy, so it’s pretty eclectic lol) and did my JLPT N4 exam in December last year, which I was lucky enough to pass. I am doing my N3 in July, and am pretty confident but studying every day to make sure of that of course! I have been to Japan twice since 2023 and am pretty good at speaking conversationally, even managing to make a few friends from my most recent trip.
After working in IT for 2 years in my home country, I left my job earlier this year as felt extremely miserable about working a job that I didn’t really enjoy or have any real passion for, and didn’t want to be stuck doing that forever whilst having regrets about having not tried other things. After thinking long and hard about what I want out of life, I looked at everything and I realised that the only thing I’m demonstrably passionate about and even weirdly disciplined about is studying the Japanese language, I have been doing so consistently for years and honestly regret not doing my JLPT exams earlier in life, but better late than never right? Whether or not I pass N3 this time, it doesn’t matter, I’ll just keep studying.
Anyway, my trips to Japan and considerable thinking have led me to the conclusion that I have no issues slogging through the shitty long hours of work that often come with living and working in Japan if I have the chance to be there. I know it’s not a perfect place and has its own problems that I’d have to face (all on my own to add, as I have no family there), but I honestly see myself there and it would be the best oppurtunity to truly immerse myself in the language and culture, and be far away enough from home to really strike out on my own and build my own life in the way that my parents did for us. I do love my family and have plenty of friends here but just feel stuck and feel drawn to at least trying life in Japan.
I have looked into options to live and/or work in Japan and it looks like my options are:
* **Becoming an ALT through JET or a private company like Interac**
Thankfully my country has JET so I will be applying to that in Autumn/Fall once applications open, I already have my essay/statement planned out, though I’ve heard doing the JLPT isn’t exactly seen as a benefit to the application – is that true? Regardless, I follow r/JETProgramme and have read a fair few testimonials online, ranging from glowing to very negative, but this seems like it imburses you well enough, not having to worry about sorting your own accomodation is a plus, and it seems like a very rewarding experience if you go in with the right mindset. I can’t say my intention is really to make English teaching my career, but who knows? Either way, JET is probably my main plan right now.
* **Language school + part-time job**
I’m a little confused on this. I have the savings and could get financial support to do a year or two, I guess these schools prepare you for doing N2/N1? My intention was to try those levels if I end up in Japan anyway, but it seems like I could join a school in Tokyo and then work a part-time job on the side, as long as I keep my hours to 28/week? Can anyone vouch for this route, and does it really make sense if I’m disciplined about my self-study anyway? I have felt sometimes that having a proper environment would have helped me with learning stuff like grammar earlier on in my journey.
* **Get to N1 in my home country and then apply to the kinds of jobs I’d be doing here but in Japan**
This is more of a long-term route I guess, and seems like a lot of work to do stuff I don’t particularly enjoy but in Japan instead. With the ALT stuff it’s at least a gamble, but I don’t think being in Japan would automatically make me enjoy IT or engineering work, but since my plan is to work towards N1 I’m not entirely ruling this out as it could get me to Japan someday?
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Apologies for the very lengthy post, just tried to give as much information as I can. Thanks so much for taking the time to read through this, and I look forward to hearing people’s thoughts 🙂
by SlimIcarus21