Hi all! I’m a 22F based in NYC. I just finished my Bachelors in Marketing and I’m currently working on my MBA in International Business through a fast-track program, and will graduate in May. I’ve had an internship in marketing, but right now I’m working a serving job to save up money, because the job market is pretty bad right now. I’m living at home to save money, and I have a few thousand saved.
I studied abroad for a semester at a top university in Tokyo in 2023, so I know how the Visa process goes, and I also know how life is in Japan. I’ve been wanting to go back, because I really enjoy life there, but I’m not sure of which path I should take. My Japanese is only conversational because I never took official classes, I’d say probably JLPT 5 if I were to ever take the exam. I also have public student loans I’d have to pay next year… but technically, according to research I’ve done, if I make a foreign salary then I can report $0 income in USD and pay accordingly for my loans. Correct me if I’m wrong.
So, that leads me to my question. What’s the best route I can take into moving back to Japan, hopefully for good, or at least for a longer time. Here are the options I’ve brewed up, but do let me know if there are better ways.
Option A: Attend a language school for 1-2 years. I don’t know if I should go with a way cheap one or a decent one, I’ve seen most go up to $6k a year for tuition only, which I could probably afford for a year or two but I’ll be really living on a budget on all other aspects. But, since I’ll have an MBA in International Business, I could consider this is as a relevant way to further my education and hopefully work in some sort of marketing/business field afterwards. I’d work part-time to make money too.
Option B: Teach abroad. I have experience teaching daycare and I’m a native English speaker. I know I’ve just missed the JET applications, but I’d apply for next year and save up lots of money until then. Definitely something I can do, because at least I won’t be as broke, but it’s not necessarily my passion. Once I’m there, I can try to network otherwise. Let me know if anyone has school recommendations.
Option C: Stay in NYC and continue the tedious search for a job that either A) Will eventually transfer me to a Japan branch, or B) Will be remote and allow me to get a Digital Nomad Visa. Sort of suffering here at home and I want to be back in Japan already, but yeah.
Do let me know if you have any other ideas, or what your honest thoughts on this is. I’m open to other ideas, such as the creative industry or sucks. I am a little afraid of being behind my peers the same age as me, but at least I’m trying to do what I want to do in life. I’d love some advice and words of guidance in this tough situation! Thanks again.
by augustneedstherapy