So I am graduating soon with a b.s. in psychology, and my goal is to go to graduate school for a clinical psychology ph.d. However, I really want to take a break from the stress of school, so I’ve been thinking about teaching english in japan. Nothing is set in stone yet, but I am in the talks with some companies (heart, aeon, ecc, and peppy). My friends think it’s a great idea to take a gap and work in japan, but my parents and other adults think it won’t contribute anything to my career goals and that I should just visit as a tourist.
What I am afraid of is getting to japan and deciding to be there for more than a year or two or changing my career field to education but working back home (USA). I have nothing against the field (I love teaching), but it is known for being not as well-paid as other positions, and I’d like to be able to support my family in the future. I considered the MEXT scholarship, but there really aren’t english-speaking programs in my field of research.
So my question is this: **For anyone who had similar plans of teaching as a gap before going to graduate school for a different subject, how did things turn out?** I know everyone’s lives are different, but any insight is helpful. If anyone has tips/advice about the companies I mentioned, I definitely welcome it too, thanks!
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Following because I’m in an eerily similar situation. Back home now and pursuing m. Ed and wondering if I made the right call.
I’d go with your parents’ and other adults’ advice: go to Japan (when it’s possible) as a tourist. If you’re planning to eventually settle in the US and raise a family there, spending a couple of years working in Japan is not going to help you, especially if you’re not planning to go into education or some field that requires experience in Japan. A position you can get straight out of university and with (presumably) no very strong abilities to speak or read or write Japanese will be badly paid and no afford you any opportunities for advancement or career building. You’re unlikely to even be able to save any money for graduate school.
Teaching as an ALT will only help your career if you want to be a teacher, mostly an EFL teacher. Otherwise its just a gap year like backpacking etc. You will get some life experience out of it though: Living by yourself in a foreign country with a very diverse culture from your own often leaves a lasting impression on people.
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I will add though, if you want to come teach here, its not certain if you will be able to come in the next year or so (thus your ‘gap year’ in your studies could be even longer). Theres a backlog of ALT’s trying to get into the country and it could be a while before all the Covid mess calms down.
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Personal recommendation – go to grad school, come as a tourist. Japan will always be here, but chances to go grad school may not.
I took a gap year between my Bachelor and my Master, but I did the opposite of what you’re thinking.
I *knew* I wanted to get into teaching, but I purposely took a Working Holiday to Japan and just travelled and freelanced with a tourism company for extra money. Then I went back home and did my Masters in Teaching as originally planned. The only difference the WHV did for me was make me open to working in Japan more than I had before.
I obviously grew up with the whole idea of Japan and overworking etc but after living there I built a lot of great connections and friendships and now I’ve taken a job for an international school there for next year. If it doesn’t pan out, I’m obviously keeping all my options open and making sure I still have my licence and things for if I want to come back home, or even go to another country altogether.
P.S. I do not teach English.
Can’t talk about myself but I got to know the ALT that came before me.
He came after studying 4 years in some broad science field, came to Japan as an ALT for one year, went back to do another 4 years in bio-chemistry. He now works at some start-up bio-tech company and really happy.
He said the year in Japan taught him to enjoy the moment and to live in the moment. After he sent me a message with those words, he disappeared from Facebook.
> For anyone who had similar plans of teaching as a gap before going to graduate school for a different subject, how did things turn out?
I didn’t plan it this way but I re-trained as a lawyer after returning home. Worked out pretty good IMO.
In short, I went to Japan all pepped up and over-confident (had just done my masters in teaching – thought I was amazing). 5 years later I came back a little bit more patient/mature and explored paths I wouldn’t have previously dreamed of.
My path has been longish but I’m glad I’ve followed my dreams the whole way through. Never been a dull moment.
Careers don’t have to start immediately. If you have the freedom now to spend a year or so in another country being paid to be there, that’s about the best you can ask for. The thing about, “do it later as a vacation” is, vacations never seem to work out when you’re older.
I’m going to go against the general consensus here and say absolutely do it. I know so many people who started grad school right after they taught for a year or two.
If you don’t do it, you could regret it. Not many people can say they lived in Japan and while it has its issues, it’s a really fantastic place to be. Just make sure you have a solid plan in place.
I studied my masters while teaching full time. The best part of teaching here is that you will have a lot of down time as an alt that you can use to study and then go back home. You get your Japan experience and your masters at the same time. I’ve known a few people who did this, some of them did the tesol masters because they ended up loving teaching and they went onto university/international school, some of them went home and used their new qualifications there. Personally I did a masters in information management and library studies and will go home to work as a librarian
I was very similar to you. I got a BA in psychology and came to Japan for a year to teach. I wound up staying 2.5 years and then went back to pursue my masters in marriage and family therapy. However, I quit that program after a semester because I didn’t like the program and also I missed Japan. So I came back to Japan and got an MA in TESOL instead. Then I got a university teaching job and it pays pretty well. Now I am about to switch from teaching to advising because it blends psychology and teaching together.
You mentioned being afraid that you will change your plan if you come to Japan. My question for you is, so what if you do?
I don’t think there’s any real reason to rush into grad school during a pandemic. Similarly to you, I was aiming to take a gap year before going into grad school. Even though it’s been tough not really getting to go out or travel, I don’t regret it at all. People of all ages go to grad school, and getting the time/money/energy to travel across the world can be hard, esp once you have a career or family.
ALT work doesn’t pay well, but it’s livable for a singleton and it’s been the least stressful job I’ve ever had. It helped put my future career choices into perspective for me. It can be a valuable experience in ways that aren’t obviously furthering your career.
I went for a year. Stayed for 4. Then went to law school. Have fun.