Teaching/Life Question

[UpInTheWoods]

Hi all! So I had kind of a broad spectrum of inquiries for you all today. I'm thinking of taking kind of a sabbatical in Japan while I'm taking a semester off. A lot of really unfortunate things have happened in my life and at this juncture I don't know if my dad is gonna survive his alcoholism, let alone find another job like the one he lost because of it, and I don't know if my mom is going to be able to continue making rent on her apartment. I also don't think either of them is going to be able to pay for my college. I've been helping them out as much as I can while still being a full-time college student but because of my obligations to them continuing conventional university will be impossible. All of this has given me some perspective. I'm not going to be a coward and not follow my dreams, I'm not going to keep going to a college, study a subject I hate, and get a job I'll hate even more just so I can make a lot of money. Call me a romantic, but I'd rather be poor and happy (note: poor, not homeless) than rich and miserable. One of my dreams has been to spend at least a semester's worth of time in Japan. The other has been to study music at Uarts Philadelphia to get my masters in performance and composition. The latter I can do on my own, but the former I need some help. I've read that you can get a job as a private English teacher in Japan without a four year degree. I also know you need a work visa. With that in mind, here's some stuff about me:

English is my Native Language
I have had two years of college thus far
I am a hard worker
I speak little Japanese. Probably enough to barely get by.

With this in mind, would this goal be at all attainable? I know it's not realistic, but I have the money to get there and back but I'd rather work my way back and spend some time in a country I've always wanted to visit. I need to know the following:

Would I be able to find a Job?
Would I be able to find a place to live?
Would I be able to buy any food?

[Samurai_Jerk]

Hi all! So I had kind of a broad spectrum of inquiries for you all today. I'm thinking of taking kind of a sabbatical in Japan while I'm taking a semester off. A lot of really unfortunate things have happened in my life and at this juncture I don't know if my dad is gonna survive his alcoholism, let alone find another job like the one he lost because of it, and I don't know if my mom is going to be able to continue making rent on her apartment. I also don't think either of them is going to be able to pay for my college. I've been helping them out as much as I can while still being a full-time college student but because of my obligations to them continuing conventional university will be impossible. All of this has given me some perspective. I'm not going to be a coward and not follow my dreams, I'm not going to keep going to a college, study a subject I hate, and get a job I'll hate even more just so I can make a lot of money. Call me a romantic, but I'd rather be poor and happy (note: poor, not homeless) than rich and miserable. One of my dreams has been to spend at least a semester's worth of time in Japan. The other has been to study music at Uarts Philadelphia to get my masters in performance and composition. The latter I can do on my own, but the former I need some help. I've read that you can get a job as a private English teacher in Japan without a four year degree. I also know you need a work visa. With that in mind, here's some stuff about me:

English is my Native Language
I have had two years of college thus far
I am a hard worker
I speak little Japanese. Probably enough to barely get by.

With this in mind, would this goal be at all attainable? I know it's not realistic, but I have the money to get there and back but I'd rather work my way back and spend some time in a country I've always wanted to visit. I need to know the following:

Would I be able to find a Job?
Would I be able to find a place to live?
Would I be able to buy any food?

If you are American you cannot get a visa that will allow you to work without a bachelor's degree unless you marry a Japanese or have 10 years or more experience in your field. So go ahead and give up.

A couple of things to keep in mind:
- Few people are happy being poor.
- Running away from your problems never solves them.
- If you're not going to go to college, learn a trade.

[Taro Toporific]

Would I be able to find a Job?

No degree, no visa, no jorb.

Would I be able to find a place to live?

Would I be able to buy any food?

Japanese don't eat so therefore there are no supermarkets and restaurants in Japan.

[UpInTheWoods]

haha well that's a shame. Oh well. I figured it was a lofty pipe dream, so I'm not too terribly disappointed. Well, I am but I expected to be haha. Well, thanks all for the help. I do really appreciate it. Just to clarify a couple things for my own sake:

- Few people are happy being poor.
- Running away from your problems never solves them.
- If you're not going to go to college, learn a trade.

1. Agreed.
2. Also agreed, my affairs are in order and this was supposed to be more of a life journey to better myself. Is it kind of an escape? I won't argue with you and say my intentions are totally pure, but they're also not totally corrupt either.
3. I plan on finishing out college, I just can't pay for it anymore haha. That's life I guess. Hopefully I can find another way in the form of loans.

Well either way, I'm not gonna be sore about it. I kind of needed a reality check. Rather than give up and cry about it I'll see if I can take steps needed to making it happen (aka, a degree) and maybe try again in a couple years haha.

Again, thanks for the responses. It was very helpful!

[Iraira]

Assuming your an American, finish your degree (4-year degree) or do as SJ said and learn a trade. Keep in mind, Japan's economy ain't all that great right now, and the demand for English teachers isn't great enough (even with the exodus) that most legit companies would risk hiring a person w/o a BA/BS.
So unless you are able to suck up gobs of radiation without any harmful effect to your person and don't mind working in Fukushima, stay where you are, get some diploma(s), experience, etc., that will open doors for you. Japan will (probably) rebound in the future. When that happens, see where you are in life and whether it's worth it.
My mentor, Takachanpoo once said something to the extent of "J-pussy is not rehabilitation for foreigners", which is somewhat correct, as J-pussy can cause the same problems as any pussy.

[Greji]

as J-pussy can cause the same problems as any pussy.

Yup, but ain't they great problems!!!!