Hey yall, sorry if this is long. I'm applying to teach in Japan in the next year, the application process is quite lengthy but in the meantime I'll be completing my TEFL Cert. Ive been teaching in the US for 4 years now, and I absolutely love working with kids. I've taught all sort of after-school subjects with K-12 students. I'm an older sibling to lots of on younger siblings and that started my passion for working with kiddos. And honestly I don't need to be a homeroom teacher, teaching art, cooking, history and many other things has been a joy. It's been a dream of mine to teach abroad for years, I only narrowed it down to Japan because i understand the language well thanks to some friends there and lots of research later. I'll be visiting there in December and I'm very excited.
Now here's where I'm worried. I'm gay, autistic and I'm not cis. The biggest reason I felt comfortable with the japan the most out of the countries I was invited to teach in was because I had a friend there…he has since made me really uncomfortable and I can't call him a friend anymore. Ive heard Japan can be isolating, and my autism doesn't help. I'm very close with the majority of my family, and when I'm without them I don't function as well. I know it sounds like I'm setting myself up for failure here moving all the way across the world but dang I'm 23! This in my dream and my therapist is encouraging do it! My family is too! I have to try! So! I have to try and make friend there before I go! So I maybe have a community to meet when i settle in.
I know this is a lot, and I'm aware of how silly I sound. But when I think about staying where I am now, and never exploring because I'm too afraid to leave my safety net…I feel absolutely miserable. I want to make a home for myself abroad, someplace my family can come to and have fun. So…how do I go about making friends in japan before I'm even there?
by YoniLaika