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joncharles
Joined: 09 Apr 2004
Posts: 132
Location: Beijing
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 Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 9:40 am Post subject: |
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I'm a little bit the opposite of PaulH. I didn't work real hard in the beginning on my Japanese (although I did try). I concentrated on enjoying my life in Japan. I didn't save much money, but I did meet a lot of wonderful people, both foreign and Japanese. This gave me a history and support in Japan. If I had locked myself in my apartment eating istant ramen and counted my yen, I would have never made it past one year. I chose the right path for me, although it may not have been the best path. I often regret my limited Japanese, and I think about what my life would be like right now if I hadn't come here or if I'd gone home already.
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I have similar feeling "Guest of Japan." I didn't really start getting interested in studying Japanese until it was too late. As a result I learned little and now have forgotten more. I did spend a lot of my time socializing with Japanese friends (they liked to practice their English). They introduced me to more of the culture than I would have experienced had I just hung out at home or with the other teachers at the local beer joint. I ended up staying for three years. My mistake was that I left... I am now having a tough time finding a school that will hire an old geezer like me from out of country  |
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Gordon
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 5309
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 9:43 am Post subject: |
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I think it can be easier being in Japan with a family. It gives me a sense of normalcy and routine that would otherwise be lacking. We do many of the same things that we'd do in any country and I disagree with Paul when he said
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| seeing as we have families it kind of focuses the mind, just like a convict before execution. |
A family keeps me focused in a good way. |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
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| Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 10:49 am Post subject: |
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| Gordon wrote: |
I think it can be easier being in Japan with a family. It gives me a sense of normalcy and routine that would otherwise be lacking. We do many of the same things that we'd do in any country and I disagree with Paul when he said
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| seeing as we have families it kind of focuses the mind, just like a convict before execution. |
A family keeps me focused in a good way. |
You missed my meaning: if you are single, looking at the prospect of getting married and spending 20 years here, perhaps raising a family, it helps to clear your thinking, focus you on your long term goals before you get married, rather than coast along on a 3 year visa like many do. I know guys and girls in their 30's not married and many have no commitments or responsibilities outside themselves.
Having a wife and kids or the prospect of them makes you put down some roots and forces you to take stock of your life and what you can do in this country. I am focussed too, but you have to be, unlike when you are single and still on the JEt program or whatever.
Try being a BA grad, working in an eikaiwa like a 20 year old and raising kids in this country and you are in for a very rough ride. |
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