Before I say anything else: I am well aware that this not a *great* plan. I understand I might very well fail and that I’m not being very financially responsible. I am ok with those things.
I don’t have anyone in the know to discuss this with and I feel like I’ve repeatedly told the steps I’ll be taking to curious people in my vicinity so many times I’m afraid I’m missing something (legally) obvious.
I’m 36, female and scandinavian. I have lived in Japan twice before, totalling about 7 years (5,5 years as a student, 1,5 years on WHV). I studied at a language school for 1 year and 9 months, after that one year at a tourism vocational school (専門学校) before quitting that (my biggest regret) and changing to a graphic design vocational school (2 years, which I finished). Realised too far into the design course that I absolutely couldn’t work in that field but by then I was out of money so I left Japan after graduating.
Went back on a WHV because they had just become available in my country (and just a couple of weeks before I turned 30, at that).
Now I have about one year left of my bachelor’s degree (in Japanese, which I know is useless but I really didn’t want to study (I just wanted to qualify for a working visa) so I picked something I like and figured I could do). I have no marketable skills, which is why I don’t plan on looking for a job in Japan from my own country (I highly doubt I’d get anything and I’d just be getting older while trying).
So my last hurrah, if you will, is this: I plan on applying to another vocational school for next year (April start). My university courses are all online, so I will finish my thesis in Japan (will be done by the start of June, and I’ll have no other classes than the thesis one).
The vocational school offers courses for foreign students which includes some advanced Japanese courses (I passed N2 a long time ago and since I haven’t lived in Japan in many years now I really need to brush up on it before I feel I can join the workforce) and general business classes.
Now, I can only save up enough money to last me one school year. I would like to make the most of that one year, but my plan is to start looking for work within a couple of months of arriving and leave the school before the second year starts. At that point I will have my bachelor’s.
This is where I’m struggling to find any real answers online. While obviously not ideal, are there any issues with finding a job and applying to change your SOR when you’re supposed to have one year left of school, if that school is in no way necessary for your job/visa qualification? Or is there anything else I’m overlooking?
I understand I’m not guaranteed to find a job just because I’m in Japan. Like I said, I understand the risks. You’re welcome to scoff at me in the comments though, I can’t blame you.
Thank you!
by Standard-Guarantee94