Living in Japan
If you are interested in Japanese culture, working in TEFL is one of the best ways to go to Japan. With our programme, working in a public school system, you learn a lot about Japanese daily routine and life through interacting with students and teachers. Learning basic Japanese is not difficult, and with a little effort you will appreciate a new found independence in what you can read and hear as well as be appreciated by the people around you whether in school, town, or during a trip. It's important to always be open minded; Japan moves in its own way and on its own time. So don't worry about feeling weird, it is just a different culture.
You will see that Japan is a fascinating place to live, but at times being a long distance away from home can become a bit overwhelming. One major source of trouble for new arrivals to Japan arises when attempting to live in the same manner as in their home country. Many will say, "Oh, in my country, we don't do this!" This is a natural tendency, as it is difficult to know what type of lifestyle to expect in a different culture. However, it is not only challenging to live in a western fashion in Japan, but also very expensive. The key is to try to live as the Japanese do, and this applies not only to lifestyle and eating habits, but to behaviour as well.
The initial period after arrival in Japan is, without a doubt, the most difficult, and the resulting stress is something for which you need to be prepared. Living in a new culture can be like riding an emotional roller coaster; sometimes elation is felt, sometimes depression. It is inevitable that you will at times feel lost and confused; however, it is equally inevitable that as time goes on things will get easier and begin to make more sense. If you are armed with some good sources of information, realistic expectations and a few basic survival skills, the transition to life in Japan will be much easier.
