Hello everyone, I am writing this post primarily to seek some comfort because I'm having a really hard time now that I've moved out of Tokyo, back to my home country briefly, and on my way moving to a neighbouring country (for a new job).
I used to live in Tokyo before covid for 2 years and last year I moved to Tokyo for 1 year. Getting the new job in Europe is a long story, but I was actually hesitant about taking it and I feel a w f u l now. After my first stay as a grad student for 2 years in Tokyo, I actually didn't want to leave, but it was for the best to move back due to mental health issues. I also couldn't find a job due to lack of language skills/no work experience/ covid. Moving away in 2021 was literally the worst day of my life.
The reason why I moved back this time is because I currently only have N3 and the job hunt hasn't been great. I still had a few months left on my visa, but I took safety over risk and moved back now to Europe (I'm 31, so I feel somewhat pressured about career/ savings/ stability/ [insert societal expectation] ). I honestly worked SO hard this last year to build a life in Japan, leaving behind amazing friends (all staying long-term for PR or Japanese), a great routine that energised me every day (I was attending language school while working a remote job from Europe)… I honestly feel dumb for doing this to myself. Yeah of course the money is better in Europe but honestly? A bigger salary is actually not worth this dark cloud over my head, I realise.
I did have a dream of becoming a therapist, which was the main reason why I'm moving now, but I can't see myself living in this new city for years to finish the degree I planned. And actually, I don't know if I would enjoy being a therapist while missing out on the joy of building a life in Japan. I might not get the dream job in Japan, but maybe something that could be enough to find meaning for at least the next couple of years (or, who knows, decades). I love Tokyo wholeheartedly, even though she can be a pain in the ass sometimes.
My plan is now to save up lots of money in the next couple of months so I can afford language school for a year, get N2, and hopefully find anything decent. What are some of your experiences of moving away (and back again)? Would love to hear some success stories!
by Scary-Wasabi-4407
7 comments
Thats a tough one.
Sometimes I go with the path that I will least regret.
In your situation I would choose to move back to tokyo and figure out my work situation later.
Do it while youre still young
I would fixate less on N2 and more on how you can express yourself and convey your strengths in Japanese in an interview setting.
Recruiting is all about managing hiring risk – and by not being Japanese you are already on the back foot in a lot of respects.
If you can finish up the therapy degree and get certifications, the expat community always has a shortage of qualified ones here.
Sometimes you have to jump in order to find out what you really want to do. Find out what you need to do to go back and start working on it.
Once you start putting in work toward your goal you’ll feel a lot better. At N3 you know where your weaknesses are, no need to wait for a language school in order to start improving.
Wow i actually am in a quite similar situation.
I moved out of tokyo back to europe for similar reasons and now am in a total midlife crisis.
If you need someone to vent / talk to you can dm me!
What did you got to grad school for if you don’t mind me asking
For your own sake i suggest properly up skilling yourself in your home country and then returning to Tokyo with a proper career. You don’t want to be stuck in dead end jobs in Japan, assuming you can even get a visa.
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