Job Discussion Forums

[rebecca432]

Ok so I'm leaving for Japan in a week and a half and now the panic is setting in. I'm wondering what the hell I am doing leaving a country I know and love for one that is strange. I don't know anyone in the country, I haven't learned any Japanese, I've read bad things about Nova (although most of the gripes are things I can deal with), and I'm worried about little things like accessing my money and having enough money to survive. However, it's too late to back out now. I bought my plane ticket, have my visa, and have an apartment waiting.

I really want to go to Japan to teach English but I just need to calm down and relax so I can actually enjoy the experience without worrying myself to death. Has anyone had these same feelings?

[Sweetsee]

Can't say I have had the same feelings, but you'll be all right, don't worry. You have a job, right? Is someone meeting you at the airport?

[Quibby84]

We are leaving in a week and three days to but we are excited. The only thing we are nervous about is packing up our apartment on time (because we have to be moved out in 4 days and nothing is done yet). Be excited! If anything, it will be a new experience, and if you hate nova I am sure that you can find a job around that you will like better.

Maybe we are riding a plane together...lol...when do you leave?

[User N. Ame]

[Vince]

When I went to Japan with NOVA, one of their American administrators met me at the airport, took me to my apartment, and even gave me a quick orientation of the apartment's features. If I remember correctly, I also got a map showing the way from my apartment to the train station, and from the destination station to the school. Once there, the English-speaking staff girls facilitated quick introductions and took me to meet the other teachers. The other teachers were a wealth of information, and I knew I wouldn't find myself out in the cold.

There are lots of details to be attended to (getting your gaijin card, learning the trash system, getting your hair cut, etc), but you'll pick it up like the thousands of other newbies have. Before long, you'll be the laid-back foreigner dispensing advice to the newbies.

[Hoser]

Don't worry you're going to have a great time! If you're only staying for one year then it will basically be like a year long vacation but you get paid.

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

And if you stay for longer than a year, you'll be accustomed to it and probably learned enough Japanese to get around by yourself with no problems. Learning to speak enough for restaurants, stores, casual conversation at bars etc really isn't all that hard, and most Japanese people are very very accomodating with learners (unlike many people in other countries, including my own, Canada) and try to figure out your intended meaning (often this means they will switch to English which turns it into a mini English coversation class for them, but if you can get them to use really simple Japanese, it'll go a lot better for you in the long run). Fast food restaurants- and some others- have little menus with pictures on them (right where you worder at McD's etc) so you can just point to what you want.

[rebecca432]

Thanks for the replies. I'm leaving on Tuesday January 9th so it's getting close. I'm flying into Osaka, and Nova people are supposed to meet us at the airport, get us to our apartment etc so I guess I'm lucky in that respect. I am getting excited and learning not to worry as much about things since I'm lucky that I have a job, apartment etc lined up. I am also able to actually go abroad and learn about a new culture which is something many Idahoans and most Americans don't do. Anyway, this board is really helpful albeit depressing at times but that's the reality of life. Keep up the good work and maybe I'll actually contribute meaningful posts one day.

[tokyo376]

The first few months are the best part (stranger in a strange land). Relax and enjoy.

[Venti]

[gaijinalways]

Actually, worrying is good for you, it shows you haven't totally given up yet.

As to the staff at the airport, I wouldn't put much faith in that one. My wife left a page for my parents at the airport (that we were on our way, their plane was early). My parents heard the page, but no one could give them the message in English.

[supervisor133]

Hi Rebecca, glad to hear you are feeling a bit more relaxed about jetting off. Yes, you will be met at the airport and shouldn't have too much difficulty finding your apartment (someone may even take you all the way there). One of the real advantages of starting out in Japan with NOVA is that they take care of details like the apartment and your co-workers and housemates will help you out with the finer details.

Good advice about the mobile phone. Usually they try and set you up with a Docomo phone. I recommend J-Phone/Vodaphone. They were always reliable, loads of people have them now (amazing what Beckham can do for your corporate image) and they are slightly cheaper (at least they used to be, though this may no longer be the case).

Good luck and enjoy Kansai!

[Alberta605]

But Rebecca why are you coming to a strange country, leaving the one you know and love to work for a company that by now has such a reputation that most of the employees look like Quibby's cat photo?

when i first came to Japan, 7 years ago, i was told that when things get tough to remember why I came to Japan in the first place....ensure you have a decent reason for coming or you'll be toughing it out before you leave early.

On the encouraging side, after a period of adjustment Japan is very often a very fine place. The Indian curries are the finest and karaoke rocks baby!

[rdb]

I found the first couple of weeks the toughest. I spent the night before training sitting in my hotel room crying and wondering why I had left the familiarity of home. A lot of the people in my training group seemed to find it much easier to adjust and didn�t miss home at all, whereas I was homesick the first day. As it turned out I renewed my contract a couple of times and outstayed everyone in my training group. Maybe the same will be true for you. As for getting around and everything, don�t worry. Although I came with Aeon, many of the friends I made in my very small town were NOVA employees and they all said they got all the help they needed from coworkers etc when they arrived. You�ll do fine I am sure, but even if the first few weeks are tough, stick it out as most likely you�ll settle in and love the experience in the long run.

[canuck]