Lisa's Story

My name is Lisa, and I'm from Vancouver. Pretty much on a lark, I decided I wanted to move to Japan and gave myself one year to save as much as I could (very hard to do when you live in the city). I was interested in teaching English because the pay looked good, the jobs seemed plentiful, and I really was interested in teaching. I figured it was a great way to work and travel.

I began looking on the Net for jobs at O-Haiyo Sensei, and in the Japan Times newspaper available at the library. There were so many jobs throughout Japan. I had to choose between northern or southern but I didn't know where I wanted to live exactly. I did know that I wanted a safe and clean area. My family and friends were worried that I may be making a mistake going without any assistance, so I began to look for a homestay family to stay with for the first month. I found a family that I emailed and we began our friendship from there. They offered for me to stay but I had to wait for 2 days after I arrived in Japan as they had prior arrangements. No Problem!! I bought a plane ticket (a price I couldn't turn down) and packed my bags. I booked a hostel in Yokohama figuring it would be packed with other backpackers and teachers looking for jobs. I hoped to talk to them, get advice and begin my search for a job. I arrived in Japan on March 4th.

I had no idea what I was in for.

I arrived at Narita airport and found the tourist office, and I was on my way to the hostel in Yokohama. I found it easily, but when checked in there was an eerie silence in the building. Maybe all the backpackers were out sightseeing and would be back later. I was shown to my room, and when I opened the door, the room was empty窶・ bunk beds and not a sign of anyone in them, no shoes or bags anywhere. I went to the front desk and questioned the staff (they spoke little English) about anyone else staying at the hostel. They told me 10 other people were to arrive.

Okay, at least I could talk to someone as I was here alone, and it would be nice to make some friends. Wrong! Ten people did arrive later but it was not what I was expecting!! Ten Buddhist monks showed up and checked in for the night. Why there were 10 and why in a hostel I didn't have to courage to ask.

So I was on my own. I did lots of sightseeing in the 2 days I had before my homestay family came to pick me up. They brought me into their home and treated me as if I was part of their family. I don't know what I would have done with out them!

But it was time to get down to business. I sent out resumes to companies I found at O-Hayo Sensei (go figure...I was doing that at home) and faxed a few more places I found in the Japan Times. I talked to a great person named Hiro, who works at the tourist information office in Yokohama, and he helped me with a lot of questions I had.

I walked the streets of Tokyo wishing someone would jump out at me and say, "Are you looking to teach English? Well then come with me and we will show you what to do." I began getting calls two weeks later and set up some interviews. In no time at all, I was set up with a job and an apartment and moved into my place a couple days later...YES!!.

As Chris and Shawn have mentioned on their site, apartments in Japan come with absolutely nothing except for a bathroom and a kitchen sink. I had to furnish the place but had no idea where was I going to get all of the stuff I needed for cheap. Everything new or used was way over my budget (which was nothing because I only just got a job). My homestay family came through and found me a dirt-cheap microwave, stove, and a washing machine on ebay.

I have done well for myself although I had to wait 6 weeks for my first paycheck. Payday is only once a month here and I just missed the cut off day. Luckily, I had some back up money with me.

My advice to anyone that is planning to come to Japan the way I did and teach English should think twice about the situation you will find yourself in: no job, no connections, and competing for good gigs in a large city. Bring extra money, and check the Internet before you come. Much of the jobs on the Internet are also found here in the local papers. Do your research!!

I have met some very nice people along the way that I will have in my life forever.

I'm saying: COME TO JAPAN, you won't regret it . It will be the time of your life. It's an exciting and amazing place to see. Book your hostel in advance, and try to find someone here that you can rely on if you are planning for a long-term stay.

Lisa MacIntosh

If you want to ask me any questions please feel free to email me at macintoshlisa at yahoo dot ca

Thanks to:

Shawn, for telling me to come to Yokohama...love it here...
Akiko, Mako, Moa, and Maro for making me feel like part of your family
Hiro, for helping me find everything I needed. Surfs up....
My family and friends that I keep close contact with, you make me feel like I am still at home but I miss ya'll lots.