Hello all! I’d like some advice if possible, I’m planning on leaving a dead-end job later this year and gonna travel the world for 3-6ish months, first stop being Japan. I’ve been studying Japanese for maybe 6 years now and can comfortably converse almost as well as I do in English.
My question is, I can leave in early November and spend November traveling Japan until my N1 exam in Kyushu (Dec 4), reasonably being able to study 3 hours a day (plus I’d be surrounded by Japanese for the whole month which would help), or I could spend that month still at my job, around 5 hours a day, but without being surrounded by Japanese (I live in the US).
Some things to consider, if I stay until just before the test, it’d make it 1 year exactly that I spent at this job (if that’d help my resume vs 11 months).
Any thoughts? I appreciate any consideration, thank you!
5 comments
I think it depends on your goals and your previous experience. If it’s a dead end minimum wage job or low paying in your field job, then I’d leave for sure.
If you’re getting a reasonable salary and it’s in your field AND you want to get another job later in that same field, then maybe its worth to stay, save up a bit more, and it will look good on the resume.
But ultimately, I think there’ s no wrong decision. Good luck on your journeys and have a great time!
you’ll probably be happier if you just jet and spend more time in Japan.
Do you need to money? If you don’t then you may as well travel, it will be more fun.
I wouldn’t sacrifice your travel for the sake of N1 either. Maybe unless you absolutely need it for whatever you are doing next. At the end of the day JLPT means very little and you can try again in half a year.
Not sure if this is something you’d be interested in, but I got a job, working as an English instructor for GABA. They helped me get a one year work/holiday visa and make my own schedule. It’s a good way to make some money to supplement your travels and live in Japan for a year..
Stay on the job.
Money and resume over N1.
you dont need to be surrounded by Japanese to pass N1. you just need to be able to read kanji well.