Job Discussion Forums

jcook77 · Joined: 08 Oct 2010 Posts: 32 Location: Tokyo

Regrets

1. Should have studied basic Japanese
2. Should have paid off debt
3. Should have been more patient/calm in the first six months (even though I came in my late 20s I still feel like I was immature and didn't react well to adversity for a while)
4. Should have been more adventurous
5. Should have paid closer attention to cultural differences/been more open-minded (When you come across as uptight or uncomfortable with yourself, NO ONE will want to befriend you)
6. Should have lived in a guesthouse when I first moved to Tokyo

Pats on the Back

1. Stepped right in with a survivor mentality (Went through some health problems/personal issues and came out OK)
2. Only stayed at eikaiwa 1.5 years
3. Moved to Tokyo from Niigata (more work, more money, more excitement)
4. Never stopped looking for better jobs with better pay (made my own luck, made myself available)
5. Didn't rush into a relationship and get married (obviously a personal opinion, but lotsa unhappy married people around me)
6. Traveled around Japan by myself on local trains (highly recommended)

Ketchup19 · Joined: 16 May 2011 Posts: 6

Great thread and really helpful! I'll be heading to Japan in September for my first ESL job!

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

Vince · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 559 Location: U.S.

Regrets:

Shouldn't have rushed into some relationships. Should have matured more before getting into any relationship.

Should have gotten a masters degree before going to Japan (too much anxiety about getting one when I was there).

Should have studied Japanese more intensively.

Should have paid off debt.

Should have left Tokyo after a couple of years and tried other areas in Japan.

Should have traveled to other Asian countries.

Should have found a new martial arts school, rather than clinging in vain to one that was no longer practical for me.

Shouldn't have allowed some things to frustrate me so much.

Successes:

Got out of eikaiwa before too long.

By paying attention to my colleagues from other countries, I smoothed out some of the coarser aspects of my American demeanor.

Took advantage of Tokyo's excellent consumer market to delve into several interests that still fulfill me.

Stayed dedicated to my workout schedule.

Traveled throughout Japan.

westbrook1 · Joined: 11 Jun 2011 Posts: 45

think_balance · Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Posts: 67 Location: Japan

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

I don't think it's just people in Japan, but people everywhere. Then again, in the land where some people consider sleeping and eating to be hobbies, it could be the place.

But seriously (even though the above comment was true), people in a profession may think they could be doing more in that profession or in another. It's just depends on what you expect and how hard you're willing to work for it.

westbrook1 · Joined: 11 Jun 2011 Posts: 45

I'm convinced that most people only live up to maybe one third of their potential in life. A lot of that has to do with lack of opportunity and not desire. Life is tough.

seklarwia · Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 12:53 pm Post subject:

ssjup81 · Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 1:33 pm Post subject:

I wish I could've spoken more, actually. That's about it. Oh, and I know I couldn't predict it, but wish I could've saved up more money before the Tsunami/Earthquake incident and would've bought a new laptop much earlier than I did.