Working and Living in a different country?

Hi

For awhile now I have been considering that when I finish my Bachelor's Degree, I want to work and live in another country different from my birth country of the United States. I don't mean temporarily either but permanently. I am curious whether anyone else has decided to do this and what your reasons are/were. I would list all mine except I don't truly know all the reasons. The biggest reason is that I have lived in America for 26 years and I honestly find it bland and boring. It's not exciting to live here anymore for me.

An interesting aspect about me is that I was not born and raised under any specific culture such as Southern, Mexican, African, etc etc. My parents claim we have no known ancestry outside of the US. The farthest back they know our ancestry goes is to the Southern United States. This is an advantage for me because it does not present any barriers for me to "adopt" a culture. I don't really know what country I would choose to live in but Japan would probably top the list followed by one of the other major developed countries. I have had an immense interest in almost everything about Japan since I started watching anime.

I have already decided I want to spend a year abroad studying Japanese language in Japan and YES, I am aware that Japan is not the Japan reflected in anime so please don't insult my intelligence by assuming this. I have done extensive reading and studying on Japanese culture and I hope to vastly increase my knowledge as well as make many Japanese friends when I go to study abroad. I am looking forward to staying with a real Japanese family during my stay abroad as well and I also at a later date plan to apply for the JET Programme to teach English as an ALT once I have completed my bachelor's degree.

Simply put, I want to know if anyone else has decided to do this and not for a set period of time such as spending a year abroad or something but for good. The country of choice also does not matter.

I myself have never been to another country, but I have several friends that have spent time in some and have fallen in love with them.

And I know some that have moved to another country quite successfully.

However, you have to keep in mind that you are doing this for the right reasons. And honestly, I don't see how you are doing this for the right reasons.

You state the reason you want to move is because you find America boring. A place being boring is rarely because of the actual place but because of your unwillingness to explore your options there.

And the fact that you not only are moving for this reasons, but you hardly have a place you want to seek. The best you could provide was Japan because you became interested in it through Anime.

Visiting a place for that reason is fine. And discovering that you fall in love with it is fine. But going with the mindset of wanting to move to the place because you're bored of your own country and have a mild interest in that one?

Shallow reasoning.

If you don't change your outlook, I can guarantee you that you will find any other place you live in boring and bland as well after a short time of living there. And you'll quickly find yourself regretting making such a big decision.

My reasons aside, has anyone ever decided to work and live in a different country other than the one where they were born. This is more about other people's reasons than my own. I know my reasons to move need to be good but at the present time I am more interested in other people's views. Also I have more than a mild interest in Japanese culture. I literally want to know everything there is to know about them. I want to know about their lifestyle, cuisine, education, what beliefs and values are common among them, everything. I want to know as much about their culture as an native Japanese person does. My interests are also distinctly Japanese as well. I love reading manga, listening to Japanese music, and watching Japanese anime. I find Japanese women far more attractive than many of the women I have seen in America, I guess you could just say I am more drawn to the beauty of Asian girls. That might seem like a petty reason but why would I choose a woman that I was not physically attracted to?

Enjoy weeabodom?

How is anything I have said considered being a weaboo. My facts are not in any way based off of anime. I have studied intensely about Japanese culture and other aspects from respectable texts and from people who have lived in Japan most of their lives like my Japanese language professor. I am trying to find some people in Japan to correspond with. I asked if anyone else had considered living and working in another country? Do you think I give one half-assed shit what you think of my reasons. NO!!!

My reasons are MINE and mine alone. I didnt come here to have them shoved back in my face. I came here to find other people who had or want to live and work in another country and that is not limited to Japan but any country, Spain, France, Russia, Canada, etc etc.

If my work takes me to another country, then I would live there for however long I have to. But I don't see myself ever permanently relocating to another country and dropping my citizenship. I relate really well to my country's core values and principles, and am relatively happy where I am. Sure, life gets boring sometimes, but that's when you have to step up and search out new things. You'd be surprised by just how much your country may have to offer you.

Although it is unsolicited, here is my response to your posts on Japan:

I realize that it's a big step, that's why I want to make doubly sure and that's why I' going to study abroad through UNLV(University of Las Vegas) as well as through the JET Programme. I am fairly sure that lots of people still play video games, I know the Nintendo Wii is a big hit over there as well as games like the Final Fantasy and Tales series and probably more. Who listens to the radio these days anymore, I would just download my songs through the Japanese Itunes store and I welcome the chance to find genres of music I have not heard. Most of my music falls into the pop or rock category with a few that I would actually term rap because they rhyme so much. I might like anime but I am no otaku, the person in america who calls me that will get a severe tongue-lashing from me. I wouldn't do that in Japan though.

The purist and prejudice attitudes might be an obstacle but I believe if you show that you truly want to be part of the society and are willing to rebuild yourself to do that it would be hard for any person not to respect you even if they did originally believe that you shouldn't be there or did not like you because you came from America or somewhere else. You will find prejudice in America just as easily.

As for senpai and kouhai relationships, I can see that some people may act like that but I'm sure there are just as well many that don't. There are tons of managers here who treat their employees like crap and many places have co-workers that do things that could be called abuse. I have known a lot of co-workers who weren't angels either and a few I would outright call demons

For public transporation, I can't say much against that, I knew Japan is prone to stuff like that so I'll just have to deal as it comes up

As far as the free speech thing, I probably do take it for granted but I also hate it when people say stuff without thinking or type stuff without thinking simply because they can. There's also how people tell you their opinions whether you want to hear them or not. Restraint of the mouth in my opinion isn't common here.

As far as I know people are also open about things at the end of the workday. I think I remember it being common that at the end of the workday many japanese go to a karaoke bar or some other place to have drinks and socialize. It's my understanding that they do open up at these times although I don't know how I feel about the mass drinking considering I don't like alcohol but I'm sure i could get around it. Japanese feel they need alcohol in order to open up, I have no such restriction. I am proud I do not drink, do drugs, or smoke at all.

As far as not being accepted, I think that will depend on how hard I work at it. I know there will be different things but I am eager to adapt. At any rate, I will never be satisfied if I don't try my best and if I didn't do it at all I would have one large regret on my deathbed. In any case, Australia was my plan B, mostly cause it's still close to Japan although it would be another country I would have to learn. Don't try to poke holes in this please. I'm not even considering it at the moment and if I did it would only be after I have truly decided Japan was not the country for me. I believe every person has there ideal country and just because you were born in one does not mean its the best country for you.

Unless you have a solid few years of work in the country you are raised in don't even think about going to look for your first job in a different country, it will not happen.

Be warned that with academic inflation a 4 year degree is kinda required, I would suggest you look into getting your masters in a specific area of your field of interest to have a great chance at finding a job you will enjoy. Those two extra years can make one hell of a difference.

If you honestly want to move to another country for work hold a job for a few years and think over your decision again to see if you can find a better position and why you even want to move to the location. You would be amazed at how long of a vacation you could take to your dream country with a solid job elsewhere.

The last thing I want to mention is the idea of it gets old. Visiting a country and living in a country are two separate matters. It may be fun the first few years but after a while you will feel the same way you are today in your country, you will want to be somewhere else that is more fun or different. However if you visit a country now and again for periods of time you will be able to enjoy it because it is something of a rarity.

Overall think about your options and explore every reason before you make up your mind and keep your thought process single track for the next few years.

The bachelor's degree I am thinking of pursuing is Information Management Systems because I believe it would go well with my AAS Degree in Information Technology. I am working towards becoming a system or network administrator with becoming CIO at the top of my list. Basically what you would call your company IT guy. I am still a couple semesters away from finishing my AAS and then I will probably start on my Bachelors degree as well as earn a few IT certifications along the way. I guess I wouldn't mind being paid under the table long as i get paid but isn't that illegal in Japan like it is here?

Well before I make a permanent decision I am going to do a year studying language abroad and probably apply to the JET Programme to teach as an ALT. You need a Bachelor's degree for admission into the JET Programme though so that will have to come later. These trips would serve to help me make up my mind whether I wanted to stay permanently or not but that choice would take serious thought and time because aside from renouncing my US citizenship which is required since Japan does not allow dual citizenship, I would also need to reside there for a period of 5 years or more as well as some other things.

Solid advice. Making the permanent move to another country involves so many more important factors other than the cultural aspect (ie: health care, education, legal system, etc). It's a hefty decision, but if you ultimately think that you will benefit from it in the end, then all the best to you.

Finally, allow me to make this analogy: When you're learning to drive a car, which better prepares you for the actual experience of driving? Reading the manuals and attending the driver's education classes, or sitting in the car with the instructor?

Reading about and studying culture can give you a small idea of what to expect, but it is by no means the whole picture. I wish you all the best during your stay in Japan, and I hope that you will be treated and respected as someone who is more than just the "foreign exchange student".

I apologize for reacting as rashly as I did. I'm just sick and tired of people trying to make the case that enjoying anime and video games like Final Fantasy are suitable reasons for thinking that they'd enjoy living in Japan.

I agree. Turning a hobby instead a means of making a life decision is rarely the right choice.

Because in the end, it's a freaken hobby.

You don't live in a country because you have an interest in their culture. You visit a country because you have an interest in their culture.

You live in a country when you want to live their way of life as your own.

So for your own sake, rethink your plan of living in another country. Because you are just going to end up in a big disaster.

You say that you aren't doing this just because of anime/manga and that you studied their culture too. But what you don't understand is that you are using your perception of anime and manga to glorify what you see in their culture. So basically, yes you are doing this for that reason.

And don't kid yourself, if you go to japan you WILL be considered an otaku because you like anime and manga at your age. For god's sake, you're posting an h-manga site. You might like to think you aren't one, but the truth is that you are. Otaku aren't necessarily the ones portrayed in anime/manga where they are disgusting and have dozens on games and stuff. But you have to remember why they are portrayed that way.

Because the customers are primarily otaku. Why would you even piss off your customers by calling them things like otaku which they most likely have had to endure and feel about. No, instead you downplay it, you make it seem like otaku is either something interesting and amusing like in some manga, or that they are disgusting people that the readers really aren't so they can feel that hey "I'm really quite normal."

My view is the opposite, I believe if you truly want to know another country's culture then you should live in their country. Living in another country and doing your absolute best to mirror the attitude, behavior, and culture of that people would give you a perspective on your own culture that many Americans lack. Visiting a country might give you some glimpses into their culture and the people but not nearly as much as living there.

I don't know where you picked up that I want to live a different lifestyle or in a different way from the Japanese because I don't. I will spell it out, I DO WANT TO LIVE THEIR WAY OF LIFE!!!. I have no intention of attempting to live an American lifestyle in Japan.

I really don't see in what way I am using manga/anime/video games to glorify Japan. I used to consider myself a gamer but now I hardly touch my video games. I watch anime at best probably a few hours every week to catch up on my shows the same way any person would catch up on their live tv shows. I do not read manga except for mainstream like Naruto, Bleach, One Piece and even so its only to keep up on them. I do not spend hours a day reading manga. You want to claim an otaku is anyone who likes anime or manga? That's a load of crap. Otaku are people who are so obsessed with their anime or manga that they have lost all connection with reality. They pretty much shun people because they find their anime characters so superior to real people. For crying out loud the former prime minister of Japan likes to read manga. You wanna call him an otaku to his face? I remember because I saw a news article somewhere about it a long time ago.

I'm still studying now, and yeah I do plan to live/work not in this country. Reasons? Well, let's see... tradition maybe. I'm sick of pretending to believe in the shit I simply don't, and saying openly that I don't is simply not the wisest thing to do here. I had enough. =_=

Well, I don't have any set destination yet, I'm still trying to collect as much info as I can. I need to complete this degree first anyway. As if I'd get a stable job out there without one. XD

So yeah, anyone living in US, UK and the likes, I totally appreciate it if you can provide some insider's view about your country...

hehe u ppl... and here me an my frnds hope to study and work in america ....

*sighs* No, you don't want to live their way of life. You want to live the way of life that you have a skewed perception of.

Anyone can tell you have this skewed perception, that you don't have a freaken idea of the reality of what you are suggesting you are wanting to do.


And you're idea of trying to convince me you're not an otaku falls short extremely fast when you take into the account that YOU ARE POSTING ON A FUCKING H-MANGA SITE!

Here's a fantastic idea, why don't you let me live my life the way I want to. If I fuck up then I have no one to blame but myself. I'm kind of curious now just what makes you such an expert on the Japanese way of life you claim you know so much about that you can tell me I don't want to live it. The reality of what I want to do is perfectly clear to me and I think I know myself best.

Now, on to the otaku insult you just leveled at me and since you linked being an otaku to posting on fakku.net, the insult you just leveled at everyone who has ever posted on the forums here or frequented this site. You certainly have balls telling that many people you believe that they have completely lost touch with reality and that you believe that they believe anime characters are superior to living breathing people.That is essentially what an otaku is. A forum is a forum, there are many topics that get discussed on this site that have absolutely no relation to anime, manga, video games, or Japan.

no, you just pull the extreme examples of an otaku out and act like that is the only example.

Question, what is a nerd? The easily defined ones would be the ones with big thick glasses, pocket protectors, tucked in shirts and so on. The ones that you can look at and go "WOW!"

But that is not the only people you would define with the term, and it is not the only people you would define with a negative connotation.

Otaku is the same damn deal. Yes there are otakus that have lost touch with reality and only like 2D. But that is not the only people defined as otaku.

Why? Because Otaku is a SOCIAL definition dipshit. That means that it is based on how society would define you, in this case the Japanese Society. And they would define you as a fucking Otaku.

Why do I know about Japan? Numerous reasons. I have friends who have moved from there to live in America, usually because of family. I also have had a friend or two move there from here. And I also established online friendships with people who currently live there or have lived there.

You are not the first person that has talked about this sort of thing, and you won't be the last. And I've seen the exact same advice given.

RETHINK YOUR FUCKING DECISION!


You seem to only focus on the positives or what you see as the positives. You give offhand comments about knowing the negatives, but it is so freaken obvious that you don't have a damn clue.

But no, I don't have a right to control your life. But I do have every right to go into why you decision is terrible and that you are making a horrible mistake.

I assume the decision you think I should re-think is moving there and working there. I don't recall saying I was positively sure I was going to move to Japan and live and work there. I believe I said at least twice that the decision to do that would be made AFTER I have spent a year abroad and after I have taken part in the JET Programme after my Bachelor's degree has been finished. That is years away, probably at least half a decade. I am barely two semesters away from finishing my Associates Degree in Information Technology. I will most likely decide to study abroad before I start my Bachelor's Degree and on that decision my mind is already made up. I look forward to the experiences I will have staying with a real Japanese family and learning their language and culture and whatever else I can cram into my head.

There are things I can not know until I am actually in that country. I can read a hundred books on Japanese culture but it still would not prepare my mind entirely for it. However, if I don't do this I know I will forever wonder if I made the right decision not to. There's a saying that I heard someone use once, I forget where and I think it was "Many people are not living their lives, they are dreaming their lives." I refuse to be the same. I could sit in my room and within minutes I could have a picture of the life I want to lead in Japan. I have tried to do the same for America but I honestly can't.