Hello,
This is a heavily talked about topic, especially at the moment, but I wanted to put my thoughts into words and hopefully receive some advice.
I love Japan, so far, but I've got some major issues with my placement. Mainly, I cannot drive and where I am there is nothing, other than a ramen shop and some overpriced izakayas, and a very limited train schedule. This means I've struggled, without relying on others (which, often, are too busy to help, which is entirely understandable), to find any activities or hobbies in my evenings which aren't in my home. I live in a house, which is relatively big, which is great but can make me feel incredibly isolated when I come back to many empty rooms (I've nothing to use them for). Being so far from everyone, also, means that I've rarely (until recently, because of Christmas events, and JET Conference) gotten to know or see the other JETs in my areas, although I have started to become friends with many of them. My school is very relaxed, and I get on well with most of the teachers, but I only have maybe 5 lessons a week on average (can vary from 0 to 8, but vary rarely the latter). This means I barely know my students, and they barely know me. I don't particularly mind deskwarming, but it feels like I'm just scamming them (and still without things to spend my money on). Also, I've spoken to my teachers about being involved in more classes, and two of them warmed to the idea (but only when they're not drilling the textbook, which is many of their classes), and my other two teachers nodded and have only had me in, no joke, probably five or six of their lessons each since I've arrived.
The Yen is awful at the moment, so I don't see much point in saving my money (I think, regardless of my decision, I'll spend it to travel around Japan). There are so many plus sides, and things'll certainly (I hope) get better. But right now, I can't see the core issues (isolation, transport difficulties, work issues) being resolved by staying another year.
I don't want this post to sound super negative, so I'll put a twist on it for the end. I've managed to do some really great things since I've been here. Like climbing mountains, festivals, and volunteering in English-related events (Halloween, Christmas, notably). My area is also surrounded by some stunning views, and my limited Japanese, which I really enjoy studying, and get lessons at school for free, is improving greatly.
I have people waiting for me (friends, girlfriend, family, dogs – which are rather old and I have to see before they die) but other than them I have no real reason to return to my home country (other then, maybe, aiming for a Doctorate).
Any and all advice is welcome. Do you think there are things that ultimately, are problems I'm creating for myself? Or things that just take time to fall into place?
by EliteHazard