Now this isn’t really the spot to ask, because it’s about Koreans, but still, don’t know where else to ask, and I guess the following will be the same: I saw a documentary about North and South Korea, there was this part were families were reunited, some were happy, others were sad because they got to hear that other family members had died. The thing is, these people were describing EXACTLY how they were feeling, while it was plain obvious how they were feeling. I mean, offcourse you’re gonna be sad when you hear that someone you know died, but they said things like: “I was happy to see you at first, but know I’m sad because I hear that **** past away”
Is it common for East Asians do describe how they’re feeling when it’s not necessary at all?
(again, I don’t want to generalize Asians, I just thought this would be the same)
This is the documentary: [media=youtube]FJ6E3cShcVU[/media] it’s around 36:00
Btw: it’s a good documentary, ya’ll should see it.
Actually, i’ve always wanted to live overseas for a while to see how things are. I thought about doing this a few years back but never got a chance since i was still in college. But im done with all that now and would really like to see whats out there and kinda experience life in a completely new environment.
You or anyone else can write a long long post about how you guys went about it, i dont mind. I’d like to hear about some first hand experiences from people.
Thanks kunai, those were some of the things i was worried about too. I’ll keep that in mind.
If you got the time, it may be a good idea… even if it’s for only 1 or 2 years. Think about it… if you are locked down with a relationship or a job, you may miss the boat and never get the chance to do this. I was fortunate (or maybe unfortunate… lol) to still have this opportunity in my early 30s. I went for it because I felt like nothing positive was really going for me back in the States, and I needed a huge shakeup in my life. I sure as hell got it in the form of living in Japan for 2 years and counting.
Examples of depression I have had even up to now… general loneliness including lack of gf and lack of close friends, feeling like an outsider, frustration with language.
But like I said, even with the difficulties, I am much better off than I was back home. I have had more opportunities to better myself, and I am doing my best to take full advantage. If I’m not learning how to be a better teacher, I’m learning Japanese or freelancing with graphic design work projects or helping others with volunteer work and such.
Believe me when I say that there’s nothing like living in another country. I miss some stuff about America, but man you just can’t beat living a different lifestyle. Every day is a challenge, compared to America where I was lucky to have 2 interesting days in a month.
That’s probably all I would want to say about this topic. Maybe I’m being too honest and have said too much.
Yeah, i wanna do it now since i dont really have anything holding me back. Life is boring right now. The only thing im worried about if i decide to go is the social life. How do you guys handle being alone? I think it would be hard to make friends or meeting new people because of the language barrier.
Did you guys take the tefl courses in order to go overseas?
Kiddy porn is 100% illegal here. Many porn stores have sections tho of under-18 girls doing poses in swimsuits and stuff, and that’s creepy enough without even going into the whole “getting naked” dept.
Study your ass off in Japanese. Do a lot of volunteer work and meet a lot of people that way. Separate English conversation classes on the side (not related to main job) is a great way to meet people.
Play SFIV online or in the arcade if you are a little bored. When you do get depressed, contact people back home and vent constructively if you can. Just don’t mope too much at home. Go out and get exercise or take a trip.
You’re gonna have those moments, for sure… just don’t let it get you down too much. Just remember what kind of opportunity you have and remember to make the most of it. If you mope too much, by the time you realize it… you may have run out of time and it’s time to go back home. I’m trying my hardest nowadays not to let that happen.
I took a 50-hour course to teach TEFL, which was enough to get me in.
Hi guys. I just got into Japan a week ago and I’m in Kansai (Nagahama to be exact) and will be for the next two months. Could anyone recommend some good arcades in Kyoto or Osaka (even though all I’m really interested in is playing T6BR)? I went to Osaka yesterday and the only arcade I came across was named Athena (sp?) in Den Den town. saw a shit load of pachinkos though
As for me, I was lucky enough to meet my girlfriend who lives in the same town as me here 2 weeks after I moved to Japan and I have been with her since. If I didnt have her, I would probably be very lonely during the week. I also sometimes hang out with a few other ALTs here and there in the same area during week days once and a while but otherwise I would be just sitting at home alone a lot.
I also travel to Tokyo just about every single weekend and I have some friends there as well as a few regular bars I go to where I know a bunch of people so it has that whole sorta Cheers vibe in a way. These things mostly have kept me from feeling too lonely out here. Otherwise I would probably feel somewhat how Kunai does.
I understand the whole feeling like an outsider thing though. In most situations I will always be thought of as the gaijin and not thought of just as another person, because most Japanese people view people as either Japanese or not Japanese sadly enough. Im not saying most people treat me bad or anything, but you never really feel truly accepted. Its something thats easier to deal with once you have accepted that fact and stop being hopeful that you will fit in as one of them in many situations.
Overall I have been pretty happy here. My life back home was great and all but every time I go home to visit it just seems like Im not missing anything at all and I think I am getting more out of living here for now.
Go out and make friends like you would in any other situation… find some stuff you’re interested in and the friends will come. When I was in Tokyo I did stuff like play hockey and write for IGN and that got me in touch with a lot of people. Then when I moved to Osaka I joined a softball team with some coworkers as well as a volleyball team so I have friends from there as well. You’ll only make friends if you put yourself out there, and yea it may be hard if you’re not very good with the language, but as long as you’re upbeat about it you’ll eventually find some good people.