Hi, I’m planning on moving to Japan as I’ll be studying a specific traditional art as a disciple, there are only a handful of masters alive in this work and I would like to eventually become one but it is something that would require me to stay for years.
The issue is of course money and visa. Speaking with my Master, it’d be a bad idea to go for a cultural activities visa as it’s 1. a pain in the ass to get 2. I couldn’t afford to live for years as I’m not rich. I think ideally, the best outlook would be to land a job in Japan and study as a disciple in my free time, but I don’t know what I should be looking for on that part.
I’m 22 and I have a bachelor in Foreign Languages (majored in English), my degree is comprised of economics, politics and management through the use of foreign language. I’ve worked a year and a half as an Assistant Manager in a restaurant, full time while studying. I also tutored English for a year as part time, and taught French as part of a month long internship, and built a professional website as part of another month long internship. My experience is a little everywhere but it’s confusing me about which path should I go for, would I have realistic chances at getting a job ? Where should I even look for ?
I’m not a native English speaker (I’m French) so Eikawa and ALT are likely out of the question, apparently. I’ve been giving my best at studying Japanese for hours everyday, I don’t know where I’d put myself on the JLPT but everyday conversation is fine, my weaknesses are reading and handwriting while my strengths are understanding and talking. I have a Japanese girlfriend, and while she speaks great English we use Japanese 95% of the time.
She mentioned being willing to marry me (she brought the subject first in fact) and while I can see myself marrying her I wouldn’t want to be a leech and a burden.
I’m coming for two weeks to Japan this monday, to see my master and we’ll probably establish some stuff while there, but I don’t want to burden him more either.
Any advice is welcome, really.
by The_Charge