Over the years, I had always focused very intensely on my studies and work. Then, when I finally had a little time and money to see other parts of the world, the pandemic hit. So what did I do? I used my downtime during lockdown to get my TEFL certification. Looking back, I’m so glad I did! Education and Linguistics have always been a passion of mine, and I am so thankful that I finally took the leap to expand outside of the traditional American classroom.

What parts of the experience has or hasn’t met your expectations?

–> My apartment is perfect for just me. It came with a futon, a small table,  a mini-fridge, and a microwave. The best equivalent I can give is that it is like a deluxe college dorm room. I have a small, but functional, bathroom (the toilet is separate from the shower in Asian houses!). My `kitchen` is minimalistic- that’s the nice way of saying that I have one cabinet, one burner, a mini-fridge, and a microwave that reminds me of my childhood Easy-Bake Oven. My bedroom/ living room is an open room that I have tried my best to make my own. I have a small balcony space for hanging my laundry. Mentally and emotionally prepare yourself for no dryers!! Everyone hang dries their washing here, and I can tell you from experience that it is not a quick process. Make sure you have enough work clothes for one washing cycle!

–> Finding friends was one of my biggest worries when moving abroad. I was petrified of being alone in a foreign country. I started networking long before I came to Japan – I would Instagram message anyone from Xplore Asia, social media expats, and other teachers from online training sessions. I would highly recommend doing this!! Most people were experiencing the same fear and excitement as I was. Knowing a few familiar names and faces during the orientation week was a major relief. I would suggest talking to people who have been in the country for some time- their insight impacted many of my decisions going forward!! I got lucky and received a message from a girl who said she would be living in the same town as me about a week before I arrived. Long story short, we live in the same apartment complex and became fast friends! I have made friends with many other teachers in my complex, and I am so thankful to have a group that understands the highs and lows of living and working in Japan.

–> The Work Ethic: Japanese work HARD, and they take great pride in the jobs that they do.  Don’t be surprised if your school is serious – teachers are expected to be good role models inside and outside of the classroom. You are representing yourself, your company, and your country at all times to both the staff and your students.

–> Japan is very affordable! I am always so surprised at the prices of things here – what would be a $150 grocery trip in the USA is roughly $70 here! The cost of living is so much lower. My rent is approximately $330 USD. My utility bills are much lower as well. Also, bills are paid at local convenience stores here!

–> The Japanese dress very conservatively. I was genuinely surprised when I saw the daily fashion here! Women often wear free-flowing clothes that cover their knees. My tip: plan to buy clothes once you get to Japan! If you have tattoos, make sure they are easily covered! I am thankful that mine can be concealed easily.

–> Anime is everywhere here! My heart is so full when my students tell me about which anime is their favorite. It’s always an easy conversation starter here!

What has been the hardest part since making the move abroad?
Even in the most beautiful places, you will still have hard days… I had a few bumps in the road initially with my school placement. The school had recently made changes to their ALT/ JTE system, so the entire staff was adapting to changes that shifted a great deal of responsibility around. I wanted to be a team player and help ease the burden on the teachers, however, I had clear goals I wanted to achieve and get out of this experience. I was able to communicate my difficulties to the staff (with the help of google translate and a great deal of gestures). Thankfully, we worked together to create a better system that has been working well since implementation. I would be lying if I said it was easy to live in a country that speaks a language you are not fluent in. I study at work during free periods and continue to take online Japanese lessons. I am learning, and I constantly have to remind myself that if people could learn languages in one sitting, I would be out of a job. I will also say that coordinating times to call family and friends can be difficult. NYC is 13 hours behind Japan, so I struggled to speak to my family regularly in the beginning. Download WhatsApp and Line before you move to Japan- it will make communicating with your family and friends so much easier.

What have you learnt about yourself?

–> Even teachers learn lessons: I have been working in education for five years, and I can honestly say that I learn something new every day. Learning how to collaborate with others is a skill that I am constantly trying to improve. Some days, I am the captain of the lesson, other days I am simply a supporting pilot. No matter the role, I always try to be the best that I can. Remember that the students need their native language to understand English. This means that some days, the JTE will be the more prominent teacher. Even if you aren’t doing much talking during the lesson, providing support and encouragement in English is still as useful to the students!

–> It’s not that serious: Difficult co-workers, language barriers, challenging students? We have all been there! Nothing feels better after a hard day than coming home and sharing it with others who know exactly what you’re going through! Laugh at yourself! Even on my bad days, I remember that I am living my dream teaching in Japan. 

–> If you’re bored, your students ate 10 times as bored: There’s no way around it – some lessons are more fun than others. Remember that some of the “boring” or “monotonous” lessons can be the building blocks for your students. Reciting the alphabet multiple times can seem like a chore, however you are giving your students the basis for a language that could impact their lives! There are countless websites and videos of how to incorporate fun into your “routine” lessons!

Would you recommend others to travel and live abroad? Why? In short, yes. In long: It takes a certain type of person to not only decide to move abroad but also to navigate the ever-changing landscape of a new culture on your own. If you are feeling burnt out in your current profession- teaching English can be a wonderful way to step out of your comfort zone and try something new! There are challenges with living and working abroad, but all in all, the bad days are only temporary. Make friends, challenge yourself, and try it!