Is achieving my goal, possible?

[JsC]

Good day everyone!

I'm currently an 18 years old guy half Greek half French, living in Greece and I have a dream that I want to absolutely achieve.
I've readed in several forums that english teaching is the most "easy" and popular job to get if you want to live Japan but since i'm not a native speaker will it be very hard for me to do so? If yes, are there any other jobs that I could be hoping for?

By the way, next year I'm going to decide what degree I'm gonna choose to go for, so if you have any suggestions about what should I choose to be a little closer to achieve my goal I would really appreciate it.

I just started learning the japanese language so I don't think I'll do anything yet for at least 3-4 years.

If anyone that dont mind to talk and help me on MSN about all these feel free to add my address. (jasonxgr90@hotmail.com)

I will really appreciate any help, thank you very much!

[ASHIKAGA]

So, what exactly IS your goal? Living/working in Japan?

I suggest you do a forum search for "Working in Japan", "Jobs for foreigners in Japan", etc. There are many threads here that discuss that very topic.

Good luck!

[Emoni]

As Ashikaga said, "What is your goal?" I didn't see you actually state it. We are just assuming that you, "Want to work in Japan," but you need to have an indepth reason and explanation of that goal.

I'd be absolutely willing to help you on whatever path you choose, but you need to list what you want and why first.

[JsC]

I started liking everything about Japan when I was around 12 years old and it always was my dream to live in it.
I really dislike how things are going out in Greece and with all that in mind I set off my goal to live my entire life in Japan. Thanks for your understanding.

[Emoni]

I see.

So because you liked aspects that trickled out from a country 4000+ miles away, and you don't like the way things are in your own country, you are going to run off and live the rest of your life in a country you have never been too, know little to nothing about, probably cannot speak the language, and have no connections or relatives/any support at all.

So, am I understanding this all correct?

Here's your reality check. I liked Japan and things about it since I was 6 years old due to a family Japanese-American friend. As my knowledge built, I became more and more interested. However, at no point did I intend to run off and spend the rest of my life in a place I've never been to and have no person experience in. Now that I do have two years experience living there, I'm still not sure if I want to live there; however, I can say I want more time there and I really miss it and everyone I know there.

Do this the smart way. Start learning, the language especially, learn proper manners and behavior as well as basic cultural knowledge. Then take a three or four week trip there after saving up the money. Get to know it, travel, and make some penpals. There is NO downside to doing this and it won't be a waste of time even if you do end up not liking Japan enough to live there. It will be an eye opening and very good experience for you. If you feel you can't get enough, and continue to have an interest... during college work out a study abroad program for a year. If that isn't enough... sign up for JET or graduate school there. If THAT isn't enough... (well you get the point, and if you get to here, you'll know what other options exist).

This isn't just a situation of "Wham Bam, thank you Japan." Where you go over and life from here on is bliss. Know where the hell you are going first! Escaping where you aren't isn't usually the best place to start from when you desire to go to another country.

Learn... then do. Start looking at your options. By options I mean realistic options such as learning the language and culture, a rotary or study trip. Things like that.

Please don't end up being one of those people who lives in a fantasy world about Japan, yet has never been there, but tells everyone how great it is and how life will be wonderful when they arrive because it is their purpose in life. Those people really piss me off, and even more so when I have to put up babysitting them or getting caught in the middle of something stupid they do when they somehow do end up in Japan a short time before they end up running over the ocean back to their home country due to total lack of preparation.

Yeah... so please start reading and get to work. It will be rewarding I promise you that.

[JsC]

Thanks a lot for your reply, Emoni.
Well things are not really like that, I do know things about Japan and I pretty know that before everything I should learn the language and a bit of the lifestyle out there.
I'm not some of the random guys that you mention, this goal have been set for me years ago. The thing I really would like to know is if I should keep looking forward about finding a job as an english teacher or not. Does non native english speakers stand any chance of getting a job there? If not what other jobs should I go for?

Thanks in advice, any help is appreciated.

[Emoni]

Sounds like you have a starting base then for your age. Things will expand in college for you, and I STRONGLY recommend a trip or study abroad program. Start preparing and looking into that now. Same with the language, it's gonna take a life time to learn it... literally (the process never ends).

As for non-native English speakers getting jobs. Yes, it happens. However, it's damn rare and you have to have some strong skills in a field and high Japanese language to do it. After that you still might just end up in a gawdawful job that they work you to death at. If your English is good, if your skills in another language are good and you know how to teach it, there are opportunities for you still. You'd need some sort of certification though.

Simply put, this isn't a run off to Japan this year sort of deal. You're looking at a lot of preparation. It seems you are starting in a somewhat reasonable mindset (however, the "I'm gonna live in Japan for sure!" thing you better be careful on). Get started on checking which universities have study abroad connections or company connections with Japan, know what you enjoy doing (besides studying about Japan), and start the language seriously now. You aren't going anywhere without strong qualifications in Japan, and that starts with a college degree.

[Glenski]

The thing I really would like to know is if I should keep looking forward about finding a job as an english teacher or not.Sure, why not? Just get qualified.

Does non native english speakers stand any chance of getting a job there? If not what other jobs should I go for? Plenty of non-native English speakers working here. Some as teachers (of English or other languages), some as non-teachers. Look at Ghosn!

You have to realize that non-native English speakers have an obviously tough time convincing immigration and employers that they can teach English. Immigration regulations call for 12-13 years of your education to be completely in English if you are a NNS and want to teach English, for example.

For most non-teaching jobs, a fairly high level of Japanese is needed. Makes sense, doesn't it? Japanese alone is not enough, though. The locals speak, read, and write it fluently. So, for most non-teaching jobs, I think you have to ask yourself the question: "What can I do that a local Japanese cannot?" And realize that many Japanese live at home with parents, so their expenses are lower than someone living in an apartment. That means they are more willing to accept lower pay. Culture is different, too. Many businesses expect workers to stay long hours without overtime. Lots of foreigners would not tolerate that, and if they leave "early" (as in "on time"), they are sometimes criticized by their Japanese co-workers, or they simply find their contracts may not be renewed.

[Mike Cash]

I started liking everything about Japan when I was around 12 years old and it always was my dream to live in it.
I really dislike how things are going out in Greece and with all that in mind I set off my goal to live my entire life in Japan. Thanks for your understanding.

You do realize that Japan is full of youths who say the same thing about Japan and have a goal to go live their entire life in XXXXXX, don't you?

[JsC]

Really appreciated your help Emoni and Glenski, thank you.


You do realize that Japan is full of youths who say the same thing about Japan and have a goal to go live their entire life in XXXXXX, don't you?

And what this will change to my plans? I do not care as long as I can make it, even if it's hard.

[Half-n-Half]

I think what Mike was saying is that their are plenty of youths in Japan who do not like their country (Japan) and wish to live their entire life in some other mystical country. In other words, Japanese versions of you.

If they think their country is flawed enough in some way they would want to leave, then maybe you should look into those flaws and why they would want to leave. That's just my two cents anyways.

[uchimizu]

Hi,

I believe Emoni said it very eloquently, but I would like to tell you my personal story. During college, I started learning japanese without being especially interested in the country (I needed a second language, and I wanted to learn a non european one, back a while ago, Japanese was the obvious choice). I went there as a language student and liked it so much that at one point, I thought I would settle there.

Fortunately (and thanks to a few warnings I received), I still continued my studies back home, graduated and started working in Europe. Then, I had an opportunity to go to Japan on very good material conditions. While I enjoyed the daily life, and had a happy private life, working in Japan (http://uchimizu-en.blogspot.com/2008/03/foreign-manager-in-japan.html) was so though that I decided, after a few years, to come back to Europe.

Also, I realized that some of the things I took for granted in Europe (such as a sunny summer, my family ) were obviously not present in Japan, and I missed them quite a lot.

I am not saying that it is not possible to settle in Japan, but I would like to state that there are several steps on the way to integration to Japan, and you may well pass the first hurdles, fail at one point, and come back home.

So I recommend you really leave your options opened.

Good day everyone!
I'm currently an 18 years old guy half Greek half French, living in Greece and I have a dream that I want to absolutely achieve.
I've readed in several forums that english teaching is the most "easy" and popular job to get if you want to live Japan but since i'm not a native speaker will it be very hard for me to do so? If yes, are there any other jobs that I could be hoping for?
By the way, next year I'm going to decide what degree I'm gonna choose to go for, so if you have any suggestions about what should I choose to be a little closer to achieve my goal I would really appreciate it.
I just started learning the japanese language so I don't think I'll do anything yet for at least 3-4 years.
If anyone that dont mind to talk and help me on MSN about all these feel free to add my address. (jasonxgr90@hotmail.com)
I will really appreciate any help, thank you very much!

[Glenski]

Plenty of American youths write on forums like this (heck, even those in their 20s or 30s!), and complain about the USA offering nothing for them, or similar talk like yours. They want to escape. Fine. Nothing wrong with that.

All I'm telling you is to plan ahead. Here's one route.

Read. Don't read about manga and anime. Read about living here, working here, relationships, business, etc.

Come for a visit. Yeah, that's the ticket! Actually see what it is you are reading about. A tourist can't get all the exposure needed, but it's something. Do a homestay, get on an exchange program, join a tour group. Whatever it takes. Make friends that can tell you things about life here (although it will be only from their Japanese point of view, not that of foreigners).

Read about what expats do and think and experience here.

Decide what career you might want to pursue. You're going to need a college degree or years (3-10) to get a work visa.

Figure out what the market is in that field. Find out what other foreigners have done in it. How they got in, what their mistakes were, etc.

Then, and only then, search for job opportunities. See what is offered. Internships might be offered.

Then, apply for work.