Hi guys, I just need some advice and / or an objective opinion. My friends have consoled me and told me everything’s fine but I can’t help feeling awful.
I taught at the same two schools as an ALT for 2 years and wanted to finish my contract for this year too before heading home but so much stuff has happened with my family and a job opportunity at home and I decided to leave mid-contract. I explained to one teacher (Japanese) who is a close friend that some stuff at home has badly affected my family (true) but left out the part about having a job opportunity at home that won’t come up again, I just felt really crappy mentioning this because I really cared about the students and it wasn’t just a money-making job for me (considering it didn’t pay jack) and I didn’t want this person thinking all I care about was the money. There were so many things going on it wasn’t one factor.
This teacher told other teachers about it (its not a huge deal but I kind of wish they hadn’t) so now most of the adults know I left for “family reasons”. Many were very supportive, principal said I would be welcomed back anytime. Other were clearly pissed that I left mid contract and I understand why, I just felt I had no choice at the time but wish I waited now to finish my contract…. the job could’ve waited but my parents were semi hysterical about various things going on at home and I owe them everything so I felt obligated to come help them when they needed it.
I’m seriously afraid I burned bridges. I actually wanted to come back someday, when I’d saved money, when my japanese was better and I’m going to chat with some of my old (japanese) coworkers soon again and will tell them about the job I got I just really hope they don’t think it was an easy decision for me to leave and I just did it for the job. There was so much going on I cant even list it all.
How bad is what I did? Should I not tell them about the job? People keep telling me its not a huge deal but I think they’re just trying to make me feel better.
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Edit: thanks for all the advice, I appreciate it
17 comments
Your friends are correct, it’s not a huge deal. As soon as you leave, they’ll get a replacement and forget about you. In addition, do what’s right for you. If you’ve got to help your family, then do it. A job opportunity on top is an added bonus. Good luck.
Seconding the previous comment. The only way you would be burning your bridges would be if you just upped sticks and left. If you’ve given plenty of notice there is absolutely nothing wrong with this.
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This is my experience teaching in Japan. Heck as a worker for a company( in most cases) :
You are disposable and replaceable.
So you should treat your company as the same.
Don’t worry about it or overthink it.
Trust me, do what is best for you.
We all were like you in our first 2 years, we had this naive way of thinking. The ones who are upset you’re leaving,,, really think about it,,, if someone said to you they are having family issues and need to leave can you imagine being upset with that person? Especially when it hardly affects you at all?
Do. What. Is. Best. For. You. within reason of course.
I wouldn’t worry about it at all.
A couple of years back my colleague actually left in the January (with still three months left on their contract) to return home and start an amazing job at Facebook.
We kept it hush and he made an excuse of family issues. Everyone at work was really supportive even though they were all a little messed up by hun leaving early. Why would you any sane person not wish you well and hope for the best with your family situation? Especially being half the world away!
You haven’t burned any bridges I assure you.
Good luck with the new job and I hope your family will be okay
You’re going to keep worrying about this but it won’t change what has already happened. Maybe, if possible, you can shift your thoughts when you feel the guilt creeping in. Try to think less of it as burned bridges and more as you closed a gate that you may be able to open someday.
Remember this, we are very replaceable so they may be upset but they will find someone new.
You had your reasons for leaving, you completed that mission.
People are indeed trying to make you feel better, so allow it. You value family and there is no shame in that, but maybe Japan isn’t ideal for you because sadly, we all know this, they don’t put much stock in family first. ‘Job First’.
Any decent coworker would say go for your career. You don’t have tenure, and going to a better job is natural. Congratulations!
You’re fine, OP. The fact that you’re worried about it even after you’ve left speaks highly of your character.
I broke contract in my 5th year, and it really tore me up. But ultimately, I did what I had to do and I don’t regret it. I did everything by the book, had the support of my co-workers, but got chewed out and called a liar by the BoE. I just kept cool and apologized and I ended up working for the same BoE years later as a direct hire for a while.
You’re not the first or last ALT to sip mid-contract. I’m sure you’re not even the first at that school.
Say your goodbyes to the kids and the teachers. Despite what some people say, some of those kids will miss you if you’ve done your job well.
That being said, your actual employer is the dispatch company and they don’t give a shit about you so you shouldn’t care about them. Do what’s best for you and don’t look back.
Feeling this kind of allegiance to a company is a huge mistake. When it comes to business/work, do what is best for you, ALWAYS. Don’t do anything illegal, immoral, or unethical of course. But don’t feel bad about taking the road that is best for you.
It’s normal to leave mid contract. I did it as an ALT. I even told the school it is because I got a job in the city over that was a better opportunity for me. I didn’t really care what they thought, but they were supportive and they knew the dispatch company wasn’t great.
If the teachers at the school took it badly, I still wouldn’t really care. You need to make choices that benefit your life.
As a fellow teacher and ALT in Japan, it wouldn’t even matter for 2-3 years. Considering you’re working in a public school even the principal and teachers rotate and the roster would be totally new (ALT included), you shouldn’t worry much about the guilt tripping culture here in Japan. Stay firm on your decisions and always have a back up plan just assurance to whatever happens.
I left in the middle during summer break on my 2nd contract. There was no issue. Was very easy and painless. Interac did the explaining to the school, I did my goodbye speech over the PA, and left.
DO IT.
There are no bridges in the ALT/Eikaiwa world to be burned. I and many others have jumped ship to jump a rung up on the ladder many times. They will often put junk like two to three month notices required in your contracts… They are bluffing two weeks and out the door.
This culture by the way is slowly seeping outward far beyond that of English teaching. There is less and less loyalty between worker and company these days. It’s eat or get eaten.
The only people you should ever be concerned about are immigration.
It sounds like you have done everything in a positive manner for others, while still protecting your own interests.
Don’t worry so much, you did it in the right way