Job Discussion Forums

[nickelgoat]

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[furiousmilksheikali]

Sorry to hear that Japan doesn't appeal to you, it has been quite apparent on the Japan forum, however. I think a lot of people experience this and culture shock in Japan is certainly not uncommon, it manifests itself in many forms and people who have been here for years are often in a slow-burning protracted case of it. You have only been in the country for 7 months and if you feel like you need to get out then it's probably the best thing to do.

Of course, getting out is one thing the next is where to and what will you do? It sounds to me that going back to a place where there are few prospects is not the best move, however. If you don't have work lined up then it could turn out to be an even more depressing scenario, as you have mentioned. Have you contacted the University in your home state for employment?

I presume you are looking to continue working in TEFL of some kind as the vast majority of posters here are only likely to be able to offer advice about this form of employment. Or do you have any other specific ideas?

Also, I am no expert on this at all, but if you are planning to return to the US you should make sure that all of your tax issues are cleared up. I believe there was a thread on the General Forum about this.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

Before you do anything rash, you might want to do a bit of research into culture fatigue/ shock. Seven months is about the time most people are in a low period (and the weather is starting to get cooler now, too).

If I were you I would make up a list of postives about staying, and postives about going back to the States, and not limit your thoughts to just Columbus Ohio, either. You have been teaching overseas now for less than three years, and other than Korea, haven't actually been in one country long enough to be really used to it (and I wouldn't even really put Korea in that category either- two years isn't that long to get accustomed to another culture, especially if you don't speak the language).

Maybe you just need a vacation outside of Japan?

[Jizzo T. Clown]

Check out the book "What Color is Your Parachute?" and actually do the exercises in it.

When I was in Japan, I felt like I'd hit a wall, and after reading it, I realized that I was already in my ideal profession: Teaching!

This is weird, but I did go back to the US (Columbus, OH!) for awhile to make sure that there was nothing in the States for me. I tried working in a sales job and was miserable the entire time. Four months later I headed off to China, taught for a year, then back to the States to go for my MA TESOL and found a job teaching here!

Point is, you never really know what's going to happen. I wouldn't move back here just for the possibility that you might like this girl. That's the wrong move any way you look at it.

Maybe try teaching in a different part of Japan/Asia/the World??

[fraup]

I'd suggest you either
a) look at teaching for a year or 2 in the Middle East. As a single male you have an advantage there, and the pay is good, at least in Saudi.
If you save your money you will have a nice nest egg when you return
to the States.
Or,
b) do some research on places in the US that have a lot of non-English speakers and/or community colleges. Texas, Arizona, Florida--I'd avoid California due to cost-of-living issues--all should be possibilities. There are community colleges in Ohio, too; check out EAP (English for Academic Purposes) or IEPs (Intensive English Programs).

Feel free to PM me if you need more suggestions--

[viovio]

I would suggest you to look for a psychiatrist and ask for some "fluoxetina" -
I don't know the name of those pills in English.
Within a month you'll be feeling much much happier.

Get medical help, depression can be really serious.

And if you don't save enough money to live in the US, you can always try South America for a change... Go to Rio Carnival, Machu Pichu, and of course a few days in Iquique, just to settle in Vi�a del Mar or Buenos Aires for some time. That must cheer you up!!

[DainaJ]

Maybe it is culture shock, or maybe you'd do better in another country?

If you decide on Ohio, have you considered Cincinnati? A relative lives there now and we recently visited. We were prepared for a drab and boring place, but we were very pleasantly surprised. It's a cute town, nice river, variety of restaurants, university, sports teams, cultural events, etc. Housing prices are very reasonable. Don't know how far it is from Colombus, but at least you'd have your own life set up if things don't work out with your friend. Don't know about the English-teaching scene, but it might be worth a look.

Good luck to you!

PS When we lived in Germany we realized that as foreigners the only good ways to make friends was at work or by joining a club. Maybe you can join an (expat if you don't speak Japanese) organization or take a Japanese class, if you aren't already to meet people.

[Laurita02]

Hi, I�m from the Cleveland area and I just wanted to let you know about job opportunities. I work for a place called ELS Language Centers at Case Western Reserve University, they have other centers at other universities across the US, so you may want to check them out. I am fairly new to the whole ESL teaching thing, and only have a TEFL certificate but they hired me. The job comes with benefits and vacation and all that good stuff, the pay is not the best but it�s a good place to work. Also, I know just off the top of my head that Cleveland State University and University of Akron have ELIs that were looking for teachers a few months back, so maybe they�d be hiring again. And lastly I have seen job openings for teaching ESL courses at Cuyahoga Community College. I�m just letting you know this because if there are positions available in Cleveland, there may be even more in the Columbus area. If you have any questions feel free to PM me.

[Elizabeth2004]

You have my sympathy! One thing I wonder if you've considered is trying to become a public school teacher. You already have the MEd but would have to jump through some hoops for certification, and I don't know what the need for ESL is in Columbus is, but it might be greater in Cincinnati AND you might be able to switch subjects or go into elementary education without taking courses forever. I believe you can teach in private schools without the certification as well - less money, better conditions. Not sure about the local Ohio market but there seem to be more "mature" adults moving into teaching these days. Good luck.

[furiousmilksheikali]

nickelgoat, I think we'd appreciate your reply to us one way or another. I'm getting worried about you mate.

[rusmeister]

[nickelgoat]

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[furiousmilksheikali]

It sounds to me like getting out of Japan would be the best thing for you. My advice is to start looking hard for jobs or at least leads for jobs for when you get back home. It's important that you don't see leaving Japan as the only solution to your problem.

Without wanting to come across as a "Japan apologist" I hope you realize that being late for work is not good form almost anywhere in the World although I will grant you that it is considered a particularly bad thing in Japan. I've also had run-ins with Japanese employers who have been all smiles while concealing certain grudges that I only find out about much later and I too have been pissed off with certain people who have justified unreasonable behaviour on the grounds that "It's Japanese culture and as a foreigner you just won't understand." More often than not it's just a very lame excuse.

As for the two people in the office who requested lessons and then backed out of it I would say that certain kinds of fickle behaviour such as that occur everywhere and shouldn't be taken personally. You also can't expect "the Japanese girl" to be understanding about you using a racial slur. What's the difference between saying that and saying "typical n****r!" or any other inexcusable comments?

Anyway, good luck with whatever you do and I'm sorry that Japan didn't work out for you.

[stoth1972]

I would stear you away from coming home, nickel. I'm from Cleveland, Ohio originally (OSU alumnus), and returned to the US two years ago. I chose Seattle, hoping to find more like-minded people (Ohio is not a great place to be after years abroad). I like it here, but the culture shock in returning is TREMENDOUS. I'm still suffering. As for your qualifications, ESL teachers in the US don't make squat. It's just not the kind of job that you can support yourself on well, let alone anyone else. If you really want to stay in ESL, I'd recommend trying some other places abroad. If all else fails, read "What Color is Your Parachute?".

[like2answer]

Never taught in Japan, so don't know the culture. However, I am a female.

1) Don't go back to the US just because there [u]might [/u]be a chance of having something special with a woman there. You need to go back as a strong man or it will never work.

2) There are great jobs in other countries. I work in the UAE and I know a lot of ladies who really want to date men your age. I know HCT is hiring and if you did your on-line application today http://recruit.hct.ac.ae/ you might be here by Feb11th (when the new semester starts). That is if you don't mind giving your job in Japan the correct amount of notice they probably want.

3) Depression is something not easily dealt with when one is alone. There are western counselors in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Try to get out and exercise more.

4) The weather in the UAE is usually sunny and warm (better for depression in my opinion).

5) You might meet me... I'm delightful.

Best of luck.