I travel around the world despite having social anxiety, struggling with depression and ptsd. It is true that the problems won`t magically dissapear when coming to a new country but it is taking me out of the comfort zone.
This was a very well done video and it is something to think about for many people considering Japan as an option. I personally appreciate it as it helps me try to separate what I consider escaping vs personal growth and how they compare as well.
Having lived in Japan for only 1 year, almost everything in this video is true. I am however returning in 2018 because despite its problems, it's a wonderful country.
When my sister died long time ago, decided to go to NY and learn English. That was the one of the reason I overcame my problems and sometimes it works.
I used to think that moving to Japan would make my life better, but i realised that's not the way to solve your problems the way you can solve them is going by your own of course i would live in JP i don't care if is bad or not i would learn japanese and just accept the fact many people from there does not like foreigners. And i'm sorry to hear that from your sister.
The problem is people who come in Japan think Japanese will adapt to them, that's not happening" Japan is totally different than western countries, its a different country offcourse its not gonna be like the country u come from! People here react how u act or ur behaviour is, If ur offensive Japanese will just avoid u, and it will come in ur mind that people are treating you like second class citizen! If you gonna live in foreign country u need to adapt to that country this goes for everyone
We have a saying, 'when in Rome, do as the Romans do.' I feel like this is a notion that is being forgotten as time goes on. Of course if you go to a different land, with a different culture, they're going to have different values and different ideas and they shouldn't have to change them just because you don't share them. After all, how would you feel if the situation was reversed?
27 years ago after burning all my bridges in the UK, I came to Japan. Over the years I have made enough money to educate myself to MA level (27 years ago I didn’t even have a BA) and continue to see my career going from strength to strength.
so a year ago i wanted to go to japan to basically escape from the problems the west is facing atm. fast forward about a year, i know i want to go but i can't figure out why. now, watching this video, it's helped me realized that i want to go -not to escape- but to learn from a country and peoples different from my own, and to be able to say that i did just that. Thanks mate for helping me figure that out.
Thank you ! You made so much sense, the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. That really put things in perspective, you are also very pleasant to watch. Cheers
I moved to Japan as a teacher, but had to move back home because of some family issues, so I was unable to complete the full contract (though I gave full notice and left on good terms). At the time I had been feeling kind of isolated in Japan (though I had many friends there) so, while I was upset I had to leave because of reasons outside of my power, I wasn't entirely upset about the prospect of leaving. It's been a little over half a year now and now I really want to go back. I know the feelings of isolation might very well be an issue again, that a few of my hobbies I won't be able to take part in while I'm there, but the good times I had there were great, I really loved the places I went and the new things I did, and that thrill of actually living in Japan never really went away while I was there. So I guess the issue is whether or not I should come BACK to Japan
I came here with a very positive mindset. I thought I was infallible. I was beyond wrong. Moving to a new country, especially one which is the antithesis of western culture, is the toughest challenge I have ever faced. Frustrations, loneliness, depression and barriers are like having your personality run through a taffy machine. Trust me when I say, nothing can prepare you to make the move. Everyday i wish I could go home, and I could go home if I wanted. The only reason I am still here is because I am scared of failing a challenge than making a smart choice. My best recommendation is to at least have 3+ semesters of Japanese under your belt.
Definitely allowing yourself time to truly decide whether it is or is not for you is a good idea. Knee jerk decisions usually result in regret afterwards.
5:15 - For a while I had intentions of living in Japan temporarily for a few years, but working conditions is one of the reasons I have abandoned those plans. The culture still fascinates me but I'll stick with being a tourist
Why Foreigners don't tells good things about the countries they are. Then which countries are good ones to travel to. They said Finland is bad Ireland is bad, South Korea is bad now Japan is also not good to come. Then which countries?
@@Nwaarmy come to other country get treated like outsider.. I wounder how you gonna feel like eh? Nah that shit doesn't happen in every where but Japan is well known for that.. And to answer your question. It is that no place is prefect...cause as long as we humanity resides world will never be perfct cause we as human being are imperfect being
I like how honest and insightful you are. Completely agree. Escaping to another place simply to avoid your own problems may not necessarily solve your problems. Anyone going to a place w/out goals or direction will be more lost. However, if going to a place, such as Japan, to challenge yourself will certainly make you grow. After all, we don't grow when we are not exposed to new and different experiences. I went to Japan as a tourist and I do admire their culture. However, going to Japan also made me discover things that I'm not necessarily too fond of. And you nailed it - Japan always has this reputation of its people being polite, with top notch customer service. Well truth is, there are not so nice people too. They just don't verbally say mean things to your face...or maybe it's because I don't understand Japanese. Lots of great people, don't get me wrong. My experience as a tourist in Japan was generally pleasant...little stressful because everything was so foreign and different for me. Lots of learning. But coming back to my home country (U.S.), I learn to appreciate things things I have in my life that the Japanese doesn't really have..
Very good points on everything. I remember after my best friend died years ago I was just weeks away from moving to another state in the US. I did go ahead and move and it was a terrible experience. My thought at the time was "I'll be so busy in a new area I won't be able to grieve as much' and it was 10 times worse because I didn't have any friends or family there to help. Moving to a new place is not a panacea for problems in your life.
How do you only have 21k subscribers? You're great youtuber and your videos always make me think. Another great one with advice that a lot of us needed to hear. Have a fantastic trip this weekend!
You bring up points that people, myself included, may not want to hear. But they are very much valid points that must be considered. Thank you for sharing them
People who are unsure should visit Japan (preferably alone, or with the person they're contemplating moving there with) for a few weeks. If you embrace the opportunities to exit your comfort zone by meeting new people, trying to speak Japanese and doing new things, you probably have the right mindset. If not, well at least you briefly got the escape you desired, but now you know that just changing the scenery won't effect much change in you.
Husbando man in 1080p. Subbed! Edit: I'm really digging the honesty here. You've put pieces of different things I've thought about separately into a very eloquent and better organized package. There is a big disconnect in humans between their wishful thinking (which we very naturally use to delude ourselves) and the reality of situations. So like you've mentioned, when we think of an interesting place like Japan, we want to jump to the conclusion that being elsewhere will just shove all of our problems out of the way. Unfortunately, inside ourselves is the last place we want to look when problem solving, but really, making our lives better from the inside out will drastically improve our circumstances where ever we may be.
I like your comment about practice being more important than merely talent in making us succeed and grow (I am paraphrasing) and facing challenges as key to growth. Thanks this is a very helpful video not only about travelling and changing your environment to live in another country but also about the pitfalls of escapism
Although I agree that one shouldn't go to Japan in order to escape one's problems, I found that many, possibly most, of the teachers I met in Japan were there for that reason. It was one of my dreams to live in Japan and I think for the right reasons. But once I returned to the States, I found that deep underneath all of my right reasons there was a longing to escape. I'm now planning on returning early next year for the right and the wrong reasons.
You're right. Around 5 years ago I was desperate to leave my country, relocate to Japan and leave all the problems here. Now that I have faced my demons, I still want to leave, but I chose a different country based on careful study. I will visit Japan eventually, but not as means to escape, and certainly, not with plans of staying. Thanks for speaking about this important issue
Thanks for the video. You are correct. Leaving your country will always present challenges and if you cannot deal with such then it doesnt matter where you are in the world..Its good to know that your motivation for moving is the proper choice which will bring its own changes to your life. Hopefully good though☺
Hey Dave, I think you did a real good job trying to differentiate the right motivation from the wrong. It’s something I’ve thought about many times and not easy to explain to someone else. Clearly, it is up to the individual to get to the bottom of why they feel the need to relocate to a seemingly very exotic place like Japan from wherever they live. And it takes a lot of insight about themselves to successfully identity their true deep down motivation to do anything. But I love that you try to help them. Great video.
This is a well articulated video! And thank-you for posting something more realistic. I am going to Japan for my studies and I often have to catch myself because sometimes my love for another culture can turn into escapism. A little isn't harmful but understanding the reality about yourself, your culture, and people is very important. Not everything is picturesque, not everything is horrible. I think people, including myself, tend to wear spectacles that they want to see the world through, without acknowledging the complexity of the situation.
As a long term resident of Tokyo/Japan , I totally agree in what you’re saying . After 30 yrs of playing the topics you discuss here in my mind and professional life , I still have no conclusion about Japan . It all depends on your relationship with Japanese people !! Firstly , you have to fall in love with the people which will automatically assimilate you into the rhythm of Japan , but the problem with this is that as most Japanese people grow older , their outlook on life changes . When you meet a young Japanese person who is besotted with all things foreign , the conversations are often about looking at Japan from the exterior and you seem to have very modern exchanges on Japanese society . Then , as they grow older .. to our dismay , they begin to have views based on remorse and one day , your progressive Japanese partner becomes all the things they were against as a young person !! This is caused by the society > work , rules for daily life in a crowded city etc. , a young person can be a tattooed goth , then turn into the salaryman/lady from hell !! Tenacity isn’t actually a strong point of the Japanese. Cow towing to the Status Quo is everything here !! Behind the scenes , they can be very very extreme (xxx) , but on the surface it’s all about not ruffling feathers .. Japan was at the forefront of Art , Design and Food until the 2000s , but the “don’t ask , don’t tell” omnipresent ethos , has led Japan to become backward on the World stage .. to live peacefully and happily in Japan longterm , one has to assimilate totally !! That means giving up on any qualities which run against the grain and to totally agree with the rules !! (Think - standing at an empty road crossing when the lights are red and not crossing the road even there is no traffic for miles) ..... Japan is a wonderful , safe and very peaceful place to live , but compared to other countries it is a homogeneous society even though there are people from cultures of all nations living here - there is an expression “WareWare” which means “We The Japanese” !! My advice to anyone ever contemplating living here , would be to understand that the Japanese people will never change .. so don’t expect it !! It is ALL about loving everything Japanese and going along with the mind set !! Anyone hoping to challenge the status quo here would be foolish to waste their time and energy !! There is a wonderful lady of Aristocratic English Heritage living in Kyoto called Venetia Stanley Smith (on UA-cam) ..... I think she has transitioned very successfully from WEST to EAST .. it’s better to keep curiosity, respect and a slight distance for successful life in Japan ; To have fun and keep it light !!
I feel like at the moment I want to escape to grow. Through having already moved abroad once, I've found out so much about myself that I think would've taken a lot longer to discover in my home country. I'm still an introvert and love spending time on my own, but overall I've become a lot more social here. Living somewhere else where I barely have a history gives me a lot of freedom in a way and I try to care less about what other people think of me. As an artist, Japan has always inspired me, but for a long time I didn't even consider it as a holiday destination, because I was scared of a culture shock. Now that I'm older and wiser (haha) all I want IS the culture shock and challenge myself more to simply grow more as a person and be in a country that has been somewhat part of my life ever since I watched my first anime (cheesy, but true lol).
This only reaffirms my goal. My main goals are to learn the language, and engage it successfully with locals in casual and work environments, and the idea of making a sustainable living in a foreign land across the planet just seems rewarding. Like they used to say about New York before its peak: "If I can make it there, I can make it anywhere." Also the nature of the small apartment I would assumedly start in, and the process of moving overseas would mean I finally have to cut back on most of my belongings, take only the essentials, and get a fresh start away from excess in a more minimalist lifestyle.
Great video. I've thought about it before and I came to the conclusion that is a matter of both. I'm trying to leave the place I live in behind for personal reasons. But I could leave anywhere, but i choose Japan. I'm looking forward to learning a new language, a new culture, and have a fresh start where I could be a bit more. I'm 25 years old and still in college. I should have already graduated and started my career but mishaps happen. I'm aware of the fact that not everything is perfect. I went to Japan this summer and realized the negatives and i saw the positives.
I plan on moving to Japan after college. Their lifestyle is my cup of tea and I hear they need people in the tech market, I don’t mind the long work hours it’s no biggie. It’s my dream to live there and I’m going to pursue it.
I will go to Japan next month and work, i am an American. And i have a masters degree in English in languages i know Japanese Spanish and french. And i think ten of my friends are doing the same thing and i think they have more skills than i do.
I'm from the US, and have no Japanese heritage, but Japan feels like a second home to me. The first time I visited was 2016 and every trip since then, I have had many good experiences (I have had a few bad ones too, nothing crazy, but that's anywhere). I enjoy the challenges that Japan gives me. There is something about Japan that I find soothing just the country in general. Also, I have been fascinated by Japan and the culture since I was a kid. I have been able to study, visit for pleasure, work, and travel. The Japanese culture is so deep that you have to visit as many places as you can to experience it, and that is my goal. I like that it is easy to travel around and explore Japan with the convenient public transport and feeling safe enough to walk around on your own. I love visiting Parks, Temples, Museums, and Nature Reserves the most. They are also filled with information about the nature, about Japan, it's so interesting! I struggle with mental health (ADHD, Anxiety, Depression), but I have been to Japan several times already and hoping to go again soon.
Fantastic video. It's so true. I see a lot of people live abroad to run away from their problems. They make the country they live in as some sort of wonderland that will solve their problems.
Amazing commentary on something that no one talks about in this "community!" Especially the company aspect. I love how many people shit on English Teaching, when in reality English Teaching jobs are better in almost everyway to most salaryman jobs in terms of pay, hours, and treatment.
While I've met people who taught other languages for work, I'd say they are not as prominent/easy to get/well paid as English teaching jobs. I'd say if you were going to be a French teacher you want to have some form of training to better your odds of getting a job capable of supporting a visa. There is definitely "English Privilege" in Japan. Native English Speakers have a MUCH easier time finding work in Japan. But If you have the passion, I'm sure you'll be able to make it here. ;D
feeling reassured that my decision to take the leap and move to Japan (pending CoE and visa approval) was at least made with the right intentions! thanks for another great video! I've been watching your content for about 9 months but this is my first comment - If you're seeing this, Hi! Thanks! Keep going!
I came back from a 1.5months stay in Japan, it was pretty darn cool. Like a movie adventure there's so many things to see! I wish you the best of luck in Japan!
Been here 2 months now. I idealised them and the place (loved it as a tourist.) Working for a big eikaiwa and i see a very very different side of the country now.
I really appreciated your point of view and your advices, thank you for that. Could you list some examples (situation, etc.) that lead you to make this video?
ive been to japan on holiday twice and would love to come to for longer for work ( i buy and sell retro videogames ) and have friends there. and i found it easy to get on there, even with depression.
Our (my husband and myself) personal reasons why we have decided to move to Japan next year: *adventure *challenge *experiences *history *desire to learn *a great place for our son to grow up Thank you for another great video Dave! Absolutely love your channel.🙌🏽
Fantastic video over a great topic. I think a lot of people use escapism and really have to reflect on what's best for them. Have fun in Yokohama 🤘🏽🤘🏽😁😁
Changing country is a mental process, nowadays with this kind of internet and worldwide connection there are few different things regarding places, they are all the same entirely... I think its a matter of preparing yourself and ask into the mirror if its really want you want, because people are the same everywhere, at some places they have more values than others. I've been undergoing this mental process for a while to really see if it is what i want or not, i've been struggling myself now with other questions regarding what is the point in living a life if you don't do stuff that you dream of, that's the motivation i get from, life isn't easy, it never was.
I'm in a world of confusion now! Thanks for the video, it's really thought provoking and I think it's a very healthy reminder to be self-aware. I'm in South Africa and I want to immigrate one way or another. I've been a victim of crime too many times and I just don't want to settle here for many other reasons. I've always adored Japanese culture, and teaching there is one of the easier ways to get into the country in a sense. So I'm 50/50 on if I'm trying to escape or not :')
I think there's a bit of both in my decision to go to Japan. I want the new experience, the challenge, and the ability to explore a country that I've been interested in. At the same time though, I would like a change in scenery from what I'm used to. I want to get out of the job I'm in and try my hand at teaching. And I'd like to live somewhere else than my own hometown that I've lived in all my life. I think at the end of the day though, I tend to lean on the side of Japan being an exciting new (upcoming) chapter in my life rather than viewing Japan as a "cure-all" for any problems I might have currently. Thanks for the discussion and inner-reflection though. Keep up the great work!
That makes a lot of sense. Usually we have a number of different aspects within our overall choice and so painting it in either that stark black or white is a mistake. Thanks for checking out th vid. Truly appreciate it.
There is a children's book by Dr.Suess called "I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew" which is a perfect summary of the things you discussed in this video. No matter where in life you go, there will always be problems. It is a facade to believe that anywhere is a utopia. I am taking the leap to move to Japan with Interac next month. I have been told that I will be in Chiba and videos like this help me in creating a realistic expectation as opposed to an idealistic one. Good stuff here! Hope to bump into you in Japan sometime.
best of luck! how're preparations going? By coincidence I might be heading the same direction myself (but working at an eikawa as opposed to with interac). Chiba looks really nice, it has a cool overhanging monorail system and apparently has better air quality in comparison with other nearby towns, which is a plus!
ha, I know the feeling! There are loads of things I need to do upon arrival but there's not much else I can organise at home except finances, clothing, learn the language etc. I'm going through Nova, I don't have an arrival date yet, I've been told that will be confirmed once my CoE has been approved (which I'm guessing will be in about 10 days) - they seemed keen to get me out there before Christmas. At a guess, I'd say maybe mid-november?
I don't think any western people or any other nationality for that matter should move to japan, nothing like visiting a country to experience a rich culture only to be surrounded by other foreign people who think or wanna be Japanese, I just feel like that would ruin the experience
I think that people are still who they are going to be no matter where you choose to live. I think it’s a matter of learning of who not to be around and being around those who are similar to you. Like minded individuals who are similar to you exist in different countries. But I think that if your goal is to truly experience a new culture and be inviting within yourself to accept what’s around you and such, you’ll have a better experience. For myself, my goal is to continue learning Japanese and I’d like to live in Japan. I’m well aware that the society is different but, it’s a matter of strategy and knowing who you mesh well with and who you don’t as well as how you observe yourself and your actions... who you are makes a difference and accepting a culture and it’s differences are important I believe. Have an open mind and heart. And reflect ing inside yourself is something I try to do on a daily basis, even here in my home country. I love challenges and having ambition to do better.
Even if you went to Japan with escapists ideas, I'd say it's a good learning experience, you'll soon realize how easy and comfortable is living within your own culture/language and gain confidence. The material confort in Japan is great though, especially if you come from a 3rd-ish world country
i am going to japan because I am bored tbh and really need a break , I look out my window and see the campsies it just look like mount Fuji with the clouds and snow etc but obv not as big . I started teaching myself kanji I like the way it is completely different from our alphabet , I think japan for me is not the answer but it will help in solving the equation
Great video! However, I think I have to reconsider some things before trying to move over to Japan :( I still feel, however, that Japan is better placed in some things than the country were I'm living right now. So, even if it might be a mistake, I need to still try to know if it is a mistake. Thanks for making this video :)
I definitely agree with you! I am someone with social anxiety, a very inwardly thinking person. And I do not like my life here in Europe. But it is not that I think that a change in scenery or culture will magically solve my problems. It is the challenge of the change that is appealing to me. I get frustrated by baby steps. I want to do something impactful. To myself. I want positive change within myself. I don't want to leave to be healed at the mercy of some other entity (job/woman/culture, whatever) I want to leave to be able to heal myself, no strings attached. Open doors and windows, wings spread. Leaving to do the same thing in another place and expect change seems stupid. Leaving to force yourself to change something yourself seems like a step forward. It is not escapism from a place without, it is from a place within.
I'm simply going over there because I finally would like to be a much longer time to experience the country. And for that I will be needing a job there. Simple as that
I live in a third world country and I hope to afford myself and my family better opportunities by moving to Japan. Then, would you say you have an advantage if you speak,read and write Japanese before you get there?
everyone is like that in my family, we cant cope without delusions of the real world, but its been working pretty well for the last 3 generations so you cant complain.
I loved the perspective! I am going in December to Japan. I did not know how to put it into words, but to challenge myself feels right. Keep up the good work. Also, do you have any 'must see while in Japan' videos?
Thank you for the good discussion arising video. IMO, I am really feel sorry for people from abroad who like Japan and studied in Japan because generally the society is yet unprepared for them to develop careers. The situation is the same not only with them but with Japanese people who live off the ‘PROPER’ route in Japanese society. I am one of them. However skilled I become, I have almost no chance to have my career in mainstream companies in Japan because of their employing system unique in bad way. It is a big discrimination not considered to be a discrimination. So, I am sharing the same struggle with foreigners in Japan. The system is also one of the main reasons for the long lasting economic decline of Japan. We have to change the society but cannot. As you say, it is true and sad that in Japanese companies, abuse on employers is quite common and they do not think it is abusive. We have to be ashamed. I dont think Japan is collectivism culture but as for business practice, they are very group oriented in a bad way, I would like to point out the biggest misconception foreign people can have on Japanese collectivism is that Japanese people prefer collectivism. But it is totally wrong. Most of Japanese people, more or less, hate it and we want to stop the bad culture from the bottoms of hearts. But we can not because it is just like comunism society full of anonymous informers The society in Japanese companies are naturally designed for them ti get forced to spy each other, so however eager they are to abolish the bad collectivism in Japanese company, Collecitivism in Japanese company makes nobody happy.
I think the only way today for foreign people regardless of your background to develop career in Japan and have work life balance is to work in a start up company run by millenial generation. Such companies tend to hate the Japanese bad business and working culture with age-hierarchy of the elder generation. The hottest social issue today in Japan, especially among young genration is to change our working culure.
Well said. I think this was something I thought about (and honestly, still thinking about), so I'm glad you posted about this. I had created a life goal of moving to somewhere new for so long that I had forgotten "the why". Was the reason because I was trying to achieve some ambition I had when I was younger or to better my world view though experiencing a different culture abroad? I'll mull over these thoughts and consider that book recommendation. Thanks for the share!
...Just being the devil's advocate here. Would your counter-argument of escapism work if the situation was flipped and a Japanese or which ever individual from which ever country wanted to come to a "western" country was the one in question ?
for me personally more than escapism its not living in a country where everytime you step outside your home theres only a 50% chance youll make it home alive, as a woman in a country with quite high rates of violence i dream of living in a country where i can just walk down the street without worrying about being killed.
I think it was in one of Prozzie's most recent vlogs touched on this as well. But I think one of the things you need to remember is when you move to a new place you have a chance to start a new, with new people and what not. You can reinvent yourself. But yes, wherever you go, you bring your problems with you. #SPRAYTROOPIN #SPRAYFIERCE #SPRAYINSIDE!! #ChurchofTroopin
DaveTrippin No, I'm sure there is merit there for wanting to try to move to Japan, but I think I was trying to make it all roses. I will visit a few times first, and then see if i still feel the same.
Well, I left my home country to live abroad for all the wrong reasons apparently. ^^ And yet, I found what I was looking for. The one thing where I agree is that it is always good to be aware of your own motives if you can afford it. It also doesn't hurt to be aware that your expectations may not be met. I did bring along my own problems with me, but the difference in setting allowed me to address them in a way that I don't think I ever would have managed in my home country. The other "problems" that arise in your destination country can worsen whatever problem you were trying to flee from, but they can also alleviate them. I'm not promoting some kind of "don't look before you jump" philosophy, but, well, put it this way. You asked the question "why come to X destination country?" But another valid question is "why stay in X home country?" I had no good answer to that. The cons severely outweighed the pros. I left out of sheer escapism, no sense of adventure or desire to challenge myself or anything like that. I just wanted, strike that: needed, out. I don't expect most people to understand this, but not everyone leaves because they want to. Sometimes you leave because you have to. Although my departure had nothing to do with economic reasons, in many ways I feel more kinship with economic migrants than with those who leave to "challenge themselves". If you are part of those fortunate few who have the luxury of examining their own motives and choosing to leave or stay only on the basis of that examination, then Dave's advice is spot-on. But if you're not part of those fortunate few, then all we can do is either make the extra effort to recognize that people like us just weren't considered as part of the equation here, or we can take it personally and begrudge the fact that somebody just told us that we "shouldn't" have done the only thing we could have done. The former is definitely the healthier option, and probably the truest one of the two.
+PeRK Fortunate few who can examine their choices... That's a bizarre statement if I ever heard one. You state that you had no other choice but to leave given how bad your situation was, sounds like you had more awareness of your situation than you'd admit. And I said in the video escapism is not bad, it's the why of the escapism that matters. Your, why, made sense for your situation. You sound like the poster child of what I described.
+DaveTrippin Thanks for the reply Dave. Maybe my wording was a bit off. The "fortunate few" was not meant to refer to people who can "examine their choices". It was meant to refer to people who can base their decision to live abroad solely on that examination of their motives. Does that make sense? But you're right, you did say escapism was not bad in itself. I guess the nuance I'm trying to get at is that you can separate the "why am I leaving" question from the "why am I moving to this specific country" question. I had all the wrong motives for that second question: unexamined assumptions, idealized view of the country, etc. etc. But despite all of that, it still worked out well because I had a good answer to that first question.
Wow, quite insightful! I've never quite seen an argument for escapism worded so clearly and elaborately, but I'm glad to have come across this perspective! Gives me a lot to think over now, given the dominant perspective for so long has been "escapism is bad."
I’m an introvert. I was thinking of moving to a different country (japan or china mostly) because of the cultural difference that values more introversion and a reclusive life. is that escapism? yes, japanese people are more polite and reserved in general.. so? that’ll just make it easier for me to approach people. they also share the same interests as me (video games and that nerdy stuff).. is that escapism if I’m aware of all that? the problem with my own country is I don’t like how warm and outgoing people are, how they approach other people, how they move in packs. one thing I noticed about japan for example is that almost everyone lives alone. in my country if you live alone they’ll pity you and try to force you to socialize.. that’s just annoying and I can’t find a real connection with people because basically, we ARE indeed culturally different.
Hi Dave, thanks for the great video. I was just wondering how you managed with the social aspect of moving to a new country. Was it difficult to make friends locally? Were you worried about moving to a rural area and feeling isolated? Were your main friends people who you were teaching English with over there? Thanks, big fan :)
Basically kind of like I mentioned in the video I have a belief in an underlying humanity and although it gets culturally represented in different ways the spririt of your actions can remain the same. With that in mind I would always intend to be courteous and appreciative of people and I got along just fine.
This was very helpful , I honestly was having doubts about it . I love my country and I know japan is a much richer and high cost place to live in , whilst here it's low and easy. I was picking between being a programmer there which has always been my dream or staying here to be a pilot to fly planes . It will be very hard , If I do pass the scholarships I might actually go there . I am still not sure how it all works but I am going to continue to work hard on learning the language , I have atleast 4 years before I apply . If anyone's reading this , this is just an explanation to clear my mind . I am very open minded so If you want to share an opinion , I'll actually listen.
I travel around the world despite having social anxiety, struggling with depression and ptsd. It is true that the problems won`t magically dissapear when coming to a new country but it is taking me out of the comfort zone.
Me too ;)
:) How is that working out for you?
That’s really inspiring! I have panic disorder and I’m going on holiday to Japan soon. Any travel trips for staying calm and having fun? :)
Vegard Heyerdahl ...cool for you - it takes a bit to make yourself get out there, but I have never regretted it myself
That's the spirit! Always good to hear people who stand up and face their problems.
"Wherever you go, there you are."
This was a very well done video and it is something to think about for many people considering Japan as an option. I personally appreciate it as it helps me try to separate what I consider escaping vs personal growth and how they compare as well.
Having lived in Japan for only 1 year, almost everything in this video is true. I am however returning in 2018 because despite its problems, it's a wonderful country.
masochist
@@giannilyanicks1718 more optimist
Great advice, Dave. People wanting to come to Japan need to be very self aware and honest about their motives for coming here.
When my sister died long time ago, decided to go to NY and learn English. That was the one of the reason I overcame my problems and sometimes it works.
I used to think that moving to Japan would make my life better, but i realised that's not the way to solve your problems the way you can solve them is going by your own of course i would live in JP i don't care if is bad or not i would learn japanese and just accept the fact many people from there does not like foreigners. And i'm sorry to hear that from your sister.
Those western otakus, especially weaboos are not going to admit this
I would just send them this video really
I am exactly what you are talking about, and honestly, I already knew. But I'm 36 yo, that's probably why. I wish I saw this 15 years ago.
The problem is people who come in Japan think Japanese will adapt to them, that's not happening" Japan is totally different than western countries, its a different country offcourse its not gonna be like the country u come from! People here react how u act or ur behaviour is, If ur offensive Japanese will just avoid u, and it will come in ur mind that people are treating you like second class citizen! If you gonna live in foreign country u need to adapt to that country this goes for everyone
We have a saying, 'when in Rome, do as the Romans do.' I feel like this is a notion that is being forgotten as time goes on. Of course if you go to a different land, with a different culture, they're going to have different values and different ideas and they shouldn't have to change them just because you don't share them. After all, how would you feel if the situation was reversed?
@Gammy Leddack I agree
27 years ago after burning all my bridges in the UK, I came to Japan. Over the years I have made enough money to educate myself to MA level (27 years ago I didn’t even have a BA) and continue to see my career going from strength to strength.
How old were you when you came to Japan, if you don't mind me asking? And did you get your BA and masters in Japan?
pretty impressive my friend. hope ur having a good time in Japan.
12 yrs ago I left Japan broke, so now I brought enough to retire here
masochistic
so a year ago i wanted to go to japan to basically escape from the problems the west is facing atm. fast forward about a year, i know i want to go but i can't figure out why. now, watching this video, it's helped me realized that i want to go -not to escape- but to learn from a country and peoples different from my own, and to be able to say that i did just that. Thanks mate for helping me figure that out.
Thank you ! You made so much sense, the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. That really put things in perspective, you are also very pleasant to watch. Cheers
I moved to Japan as a teacher, but had to move back home because of some family issues, so I was unable to complete the full contract (though I gave full notice and left on good terms). At the time I had been feeling kind of isolated in Japan (though I had many friends there) so, while I was upset I had to leave because of reasons outside of my power, I wasn't entirely upset about the prospect of leaving. It's been a little over half a year now and now I really want to go back. I know the feelings of isolation might very well be an issue again, that a few of my hobbies I won't be able to take part in while I'm there, but the good times I had there were great, I really loved the places I went and the new things I did, and that thrill of actually living in Japan never really went away while I was there. So I guess the issue is whether or not I should come BACK to Japan
Only you can know Cogged.
did you work a whole month and pay them the wholes months of work salary just to leave on good terms?
just because he speak perfectly the lannguagre?
I came here with a very positive mindset. I thought I was infallible. I was beyond wrong. Moving to a new country, especially one which is the antithesis of western culture, is the toughest challenge I have ever faced. Frustrations, loneliness, depression and barriers are like having your personality run through a taffy machine. Trust me when I say, nothing can prepare you to make the move. Everyday i wish I could go home, and I could go home if I wanted. The only reason I am still here is because I am scared of failing a challenge than making a smart choice. My best recommendation is to at least have 3+ semesters of Japanese under your belt.
Definitely allowing yourself time to truly decide whether it is or is not for you is a good idea. Knee jerk decisions usually result in regret afterwards.
japaznese make zero efforts to undertand us.
5:15 - For a while I had intentions of living in Japan temporarily for a few years, but working conditions is one of the reasons I have abandoned those plans. The culture still fascinates me but I'll stick with being a tourist
Wise words Dave. I hope that people who ache for change in their lives get to see this too. In my opinion it applies to life on broader sense too.
Why Foreigners don't tells good things about the countries they are. Then which countries are good ones to travel to. They said Finland is bad Ireland is bad, South Korea is bad now Japan is also not good to come. Then which countries?
@@Nwaarmy come to other country get treated like outsider.. I wounder how you gonna feel like eh? Nah that shit doesn't happen in every where but Japan is well known for that.. And to answer your question. It is that no place is prefect...cause as long as we humanity resides world will never be perfct cause we as human being are imperfect being
I like how honest and insightful you are. Completely agree. Escaping to another place simply to avoid your own problems may not necessarily solve your problems. Anyone going to a place w/out goals or direction will be more lost. However, if going to a place, such as Japan, to challenge yourself will certainly make you grow. After all, we don't grow when we are not exposed to new and different experiences. I went to Japan as a tourist and I do admire their culture. However, going to Japan also made me discover things that I'm not necessarily too fond of. And you nailed it - Japan always has this reputation of its people being polite, with top notch customer service. Well truth is, there are not so nice people too. They just don't verbally say mean things to your face...or maybe it's because I don't understand Japanese. Lots of great people, don't get me wrong. My experience as a tourist in Japan was generally pleasant...little stressful because everything was so foreign and different for me. Lots of learning. But coming back to my home country (U.S.), I learn to appreciate things things I have in my life that the Japanese doesn't really have..
Very good points on everything. I remember after my best friend died years ago I was just weeks away from moving to another state in the US. I did go ahead and move and it was a terrible experience. My thought at the time was "I'll be so busy in a new area I won't be able to grieve as much' and it was 10 times worse because I didn't have any friends or family there to help. Moving to a new place is not a panacea for problems in your life.
How do you only have 21k subscribers? You're great youtuber and your videos always make me think. Another great one with advice that a lot of us needed to hear. Have a fantastic trip this weekend!
Thanks very much Anna. Gonna keep working my ass off to get well above that number. To the moon!
You bring up points that people, myself included, may not want to hear. But they are very much valid points that must be considered. Thank you for sharing them
People who are unsure should visit Japan (preferably alone, or with the person they're contemplating moving there with) for a few weeks. If you embrace the opportunities to exit your comfort zone by meeting new people, trying to speak Japanese and doing new things, you probably have the right mindset. If not, well at least you briefly got the escape you desired, but now you know that just changing the scenery won't effect much change in you.
So on point. Thanks for the reminder. A new place is not nessarily paradise.
subscribed, because your reasoning are much more deeper than the typical youtube videos. thank you.
Cheers, Niki, kind of you to say.
Husbando man in 1080p. Subbed!
Edit: I'm really digging the honesty here. You've put pieces of different things I've thought about separately into a very eloquent and better organized package. There is a big disconnect in humans between their wishful thinking (which we very naturally use to delude ourselves) and the reality of situations. So like you've mentioned, when we think of an interesting place like Japan, we want to jump to the conclusion that being elsewhere will just shove all of our problems out of the way. Unfortunately, inside ourselves is the last place we want to look when problem solving, but really, making our lives better from the inside out will drastically improve our circumstances where ever we may be.
I like your comment about practice being more important than merely talent in making us succeed and grow (I am paraphrasing) and facing challenges as key to growth. Thanks this is a very helpful video not only about travelling and changing your environment to live in another country but also about the pitfalls of escapism
+Salimagne Fuentecilla Cheers S thanks very much for checking out the video and your reflections on the material. Glad to hear it was useful.
Although I agree that one shouldn't go to Japan in order to escape one's problems, I found that many, possibly most, of the teachers I met in Japan were there for that reason. It was one of my dreams to live in Japan and I think for the right reasons. But once I returned to the States, I found that deep underneath all of my right reasons there was a longing to escape. I'm now planning on returning early next year for the right and the wrong reasons.
We're all going to die so isn't it better to die with international experience
You're right. Around 5 years ago I was desperate to leave my country, relocate to Japan and leave all the problems here.
Now that I have faced my demons, I still want to leave, but I chose a different country based on careful study. I will visit Japan eventually, but not as means to escape, and certainly, not with plans of staying.
Thanks for speaking about this important issue
Thanks for the video. You are correct. Leaving your country will always present challenges and if you cannot deal with such then it doesnt matter where you are in the world..Its good to know that your motivation for moving is the proper choice which will bring its own changes to your life. Hopefully good though☺
Hey Dave, I think you did a real good job trying to differentiate the right motivation from the wrong. It’s something I’ve thought about many times and not easy to explain to someone else. Clearly, it is up to the individual to get to the bottom of why they feel the need to relocate to a seemingly very exotic place like Japan from wherever they live. And it takes a lot of insight about themselves to successfully identity their true deep down motivation to do anything. But I love that you try to help them. Great video.
Cheers Rie. Thanks very much for checking ou the video and your kind words.
This is a well articulated video! And thank-you for posting something more realistic. I am going to Japan for my studies and I often have to catch myself because sometimes my love for another culture can turn into escapism. A little isn't harmful but understanding the reality about yourself, your culture, and people is very important. Not everything is picturesque, not everything is horrible. I think people, including myself, tend to wear spectacles that they want to see the world through, without acknowledging the complexity of the situation.
k tellusastory Cheers K. Thanks for checking it out.
As a long term resident of Tokyo/Japan , I totally agree in what you’re saying . After 30 yrs of playing the topics you discuss here in my mind and professional life , I still have no conclusion about Japan . It all depends on your relationship with Japanese people !! Firstly , you have to fall in love with the people which will automatically assimilate you into the rhythm of Japan , but the problem with this is that as most Japanese people grow older , their outlook on life changes . When you meet a young Japanese person who is besotted with all things foreign , the conversations are often about looking at Japan from the exterior and you seem to have very modern exchanges on Japanese society . Then , as they grow older .. to our dismay , they begin to have views based on remorse and one day , your progressive Japanese partner becomes all the things they were against as a young person !! This is caused by the society > work , rules for daily life in a crowded city etc. , a young person can be a tattooed goth , then turn into the salaryman/lady from hell !! Tenacity isn’t actually a strong point of the Japanese. Cow towing to the Status Quo is everything here !! Behind the scenes , they can be very very extreme (xxx) , but on the surface it’s all about not ruffling feathers .. Japan was at the forefront of Art , Design and Food until the 2000s , but the “don’t ask , don’t tell” omnipresent ethos , has led Japan to become backward on the World stage .. to live peacefully and happily in Japan longterm , one has to assimilate totally !! That means giving up on any qualities which run against the grain and to totally agree with the rules !! (Think - standing at an empty road crossing when the lights are red and not crossing the road even there is no traffic for miles) ..... Japan is a wonderful , safe and very peaceful place to live , but compared to other countries it is a homogeneous society even though there are people from cultures of all nations living here - there is an expression “WareWare” which means “We The Japanese” !! My advice to anyone ever contemplating living here , would be to understand that the Japanese people will never change .. so don’t expect it !! It is ALL about loving everything Japanese and going along with the mind set !! Anyone hoping to challenge the status quo here would be foolish to waste their time and energy !! There is a wonderful lady of Aristocratic English Heritage living in Kyoto called Venetia Stanley Smith (on UA-cam) ..... I think she has transitioned very successfully from WEST to EAST .. it’s better to keep curiosity, respect and a slight distance for successful life in Japan ; To have fun and keep it light !!
I feel like at the moment I want to escape to grow. Through having already moved abroad once, I've found out so much about myself that I think would've taken a lot longer to discover in my home country. I'm still an introvert and love spending time on my own, but overall I've become a lot more social here. Living somewhere else where I barely have a history gives me a lot of freedom in a way and I try to care less about what other people think of me. As an artist, Japan has always inspired me, but for a long time I didn't even consider it as a holiday destination, because I was scared of a culture shock. Now that I'm older and wiser (haha) all I want IS the culture shock and challenge myself more to simply grow more as a person and be in a country that has been somewhat part of my life ever since I watched my first anime (cheesy, but true lol).
Very well articulated. Thanks!
This only reaffirms my goal. My main goals are to learn the language, and engage it successfully with locals in casual and work environments, and the idea of making a sustainable living in a foreign land across the planet just seems rewarding. Like they used to say about New York before its peak: "If I can make it there, I can make it anywhere." Also the nature of the small apartment I would assumedly start in, and the process of moving overseas would mean I finally have to cut back on most of my belongings, take only the essentials, and get a fresh start away from excess in a more minimalist lifestyle.
Great video. I've thought about it before and I came to the conclusion that is a matter of both. I'm trying to leave the place I live in behind for personal reasons. But I could leave anywhere, but i choose Japan. I'm looking forward to learning a new language, a new culture, and have a fresh start where I could be a bit more. I'm 25 years old and still in college. I should have already graduated and started my career but mishaps happen. I'm aware of the fact that not everything is perfect. I went to Japan this summer and realized the negatives and i saw the positives.
I plan on moving to Japan after college. Their lifestyle is my cup of tea and I hear they need people in the tech market, I don’t mind the long work hours it’s no biggie. It’s my dream to live there and I’m going to pursue it.
Good luck Fuze. May the adventure go well for you.
I will go to Japan next month and work, i am an American. And i have a masters degree in English in languages i know Japanese Spanish and french. And i think ten of my friends are doing the same thing and i think they have more skills than i do.
Interesting and honest video for all those considering the move to Japan (like myself). I'll definitely check out that book.
I'm from the US, and have no Japanese heritage, but Japan feels like a second home to me. The first time I visited was 2016 and every trip since then, I have had many good experiences (I have had a few bad ones too, nothing crazy, but that's anywhere). I enjoy the challenges that Japan gives me.
There is something about Japan that I find soothing just the country in general. Also, I have been fascinated by Japan and the culture since I was a kid. I have been able to study, visit for pleasure, work, and travel. The Japanese culture is so deep that you have to visit as many places as you can to experience it, and that is my goal.
I like that it is easy to travel around and explore Japan with the convenient public transport and feeling safe enough to walk around on your own. I love visiting Parks, Temples, Museums, and Nature Reserves the most. They are also filled with information about the nature, about Japan, it's so interesting!
I struggle with mental health (ADHD, Anxiety, Depression), but I have been to Japan several times already and hoping to go again soon.
Fantastic video. It's so true. I see a lot of people live abroad to run away from their problems. They make the country they live in as some sort of wonderland that will solve their problems.
Amazing commentary on something that no one talks about in this "community!"
Especially the company aspect. I love how many people shit on English Teaching, when in reality English Teaching jobs are better in almost everyway to most salaryman jobs in terms of pay, hours, and treatment.
While I've met people who taught other languages for work, I'd say they are not as prominent/easy to get/well paid as English teaching jobs. I'd say if you were going to be a French teacher you want to have some form of training to better your odds of getting a job capable of supporting a visa.
There is definitely "English Privilege" in Japan. Native English Speakers have a MUCH easier time finding work in Japan. But If you have the passion, I'm sure you'll be able to make it here. ;D
feeling reassured that my decision to take the leap and move to Japan (pending CoE and visa approval) was at least made with the right intentions! thanks for another great video! I've been watching your content for about 9 months but this is my first comment - If you're seeing this, Hi! Thanks! Keep going!
I came back from a 1.5months stay in Japan, it was pretty darn cool. Like a movie adventure there's so many things to see! I wish you the best of luck in Japan!
your trip sounds fantastic! Thanks, I'm excited to get started!
MeMus 989 how’s the move so far?
Thanks for the eye opener man, I love Japan but I don't think I'm ready for the challenges
Been here 2 months now. I idealised them and the place (loved it as a tourist.) Working for a big eikaiwa and i see a very very different side of the country now.
Great thoughts as always, Dave! Thanks for yet another informative video :)
Dave, this video was truly eye opening. Indeed you speak the truth. Once again, thank you.
I really appreciated your point of view and your advices, thank you for that. Could you list some examples (situation, etc.) that lead you to make this video?
morisma From a life spent reflecting on why I have made the decisions I have. Some good, a lot bad ;)
ive been to japan on holiday twice and would love to come to for longer for work ( i buy and sell retro videogames ) and have friends there. and i found it easy to get on there, even with depression.
I can really relate to this. Thank you for your thorough explanation.
Our (my husband and myself) personal reasons why we have decided to move to Japan next year:
*adventure
*challenge
*experiences
*history
*desire to learn
*a great place for our son to grow up
Thank you for another great video Dave! Absolutely love your channel.🙌🏽
Tigerlilycoconut well good luck, i plan to move there my self one day, for at least 5-6 years for the same reasons as yourself
Fantastic video over a great topic. I think a lot of people use escapism and really have to reflect on what's best for them. Have fun in Yokohama 🤘🏽🤘🏽😁😁
Changing country is a mental process, nowadays with this kind of internet and worldwide connection there are few different things regarding places, they are all the same entirely... I think its a matter of preparing yourself and ask into the mirror if its really want you want, because people are the same everywhere, at some places they have more values than others. I've been undergoing this mental process for a while to really see if it is what i want or not, i've been struggling myself now with other questions regarding what is the point in living a life if you don't do stuff that you dream of, that's the motivation i get from, life isn't easy, it never was.
Indeed. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Yep, you nailed that analysis Dave. Good job!
I'm in a world of confusion now! Thanks for the video, it's really thought provoking and I think it's a very healthy reminder to be self-aware. I'm in South Africa and I want to immigrate one way or another. I've been a victim of crime too many times and I just don't want to settle here for many other reasons. I've always adored Japanese culture, and teaching there is one of the easier ways to get into the country in a sense. So I'm 50/50 on if I'm trying to escape or not :')
We're all escaping a little. Be aware and try to not too much and you're fine 😉
Thank you! ☺️ That's reassuring!
I missed your videos! They are very thought-provoking! (And I don't even try to live in Japan)
I think there's a bit of both in my decision to go to Japan. I want the new experience, the challenge, and the ability to explore a country that I've been interested in. At the same time though, I would like a change in scenery from what I'm used to. I want to get out of the job I'm in and try my hand at teaching. And I'd like to live somewhere else than my own hometown that I've lived in all my life. I think at the end of the day though, I tend to lean on the side of Japan being an exciting new (upcoming) chapter in my life rather than viewing Japan as a "cure-all" for any problems I might have currently. Thanks for the discussion and inner-reflection though. Keep up the great work!
That makes a lot of sense. Usually we have a number of different aspects within our overall choice and so painting it in either that stark black or white is a mistake. Thanks for checking out th vid. Truly appreciate it.
Romanticizing a country is easy. Understanding it is a life pursuit.
Amen. So it is.
Thank you for making this!
There is a children's book by Dr.Suess called "I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew" which is a perfect summary of the things you discussed in this video. No matter where in life you go, there will always be problems. It is a facade to believe that anywhere is a utopia. I am taking the leap to move to Japan with Interac next month. I have been told that I will be in Chiba and videos like this help me in creating a realistic expectation as opposed to an idealistic one. Good stuff here! Hope to bump into you in Japan sometime.
best of luck! how're preparations going? By coincidence I might be heading the same direction myself (but working at an eikawa as opposed to with interac). Chiba looks really nice, it has a cool overhanging monorail system and apparently has better air quality in comparison with other nearby towns, which is a plus!
MeMus 989 0 preparation so far haha. But it will be a busy month. Do you have an expected arrival date? And which company are you with?
ha, I know the feeling! There are loads of things I need to do upon arrival but there's not much else I can organise at home except finances, clothing, learn the language etc. I'm going through Nova, I don't have an arrival date yet, I've been told that will be confirmed once my CoE has been approved (which I'm guessing will be in about 10 days) - they seemed keen to get me out there before Christmas. At a guess, I'd say maybe mid-november?
How is your Japanese now?
are you guys there yet? i'd like to know lol
Nice advise Dave. Really appreciate your videos and keep doing this vlog because your good at it!
Keep it up!
Title looks like an Evangelion Rebuild.
lol true
Haha nice catch :P
I don't think any western people or any other nationality for that matter should move to japan, nothing like visiting a country to experience a rich culture only to be surrounded by other foreign people who think or wanna be Japanese, I just feel like that would ruin the experience
Thank you for your insight. It's important to hear opinions that you might be unconsciously suppressing. Good food for thought.
I get where you're coming from, mate as someone who has been living in China for the last 17 years.
wow 17 years in China? thats a long time. cant imagine but been in Japan like 22
I think that people are still who they are going to be no matter where you choose to live. I think it’s a matter of learning of who not to be around and being around those who are similar to you. Like minded individuals who are similar to you exist in different countries. But I think that if your goal is to truly experience a new culture and be inviting within yourself to accept what’s around you and such, you’ll have a better experience. For myself, my goal is to continue learning Japanese and I’d like to live in Japan. I’m well aware that the society is different but, it’s a matter of strategy and knowing who you mesh well with and who you don’t as well as how you observe yourself and your actions... who you are makes a difference and accepting a culture and it’s differences are important I believe. Have an open mind and heart. And reflect ing inside yourself is something I try to do on a daily basis, even here in my home country. I love challenges and having ambition to do better.
Very insightful! Thanks very much!
Awesome real talk video bro, keep it up!!
Even if you went to Japan with escapists ideas, I'd say it's a good learning experience, you'll soon realize how easy and comfortable is living within your own culture/language and gain confidence. The material confort in Japan is great though, especially if you come from a 3rd-ish world country
Great video man. This is what i needed to hear!
i am going to japan because I am bored tbh and really need a break , I look out my window and see the campsies it just look like mount Fuji with the clouds and snow etc but obv not as big . I started teaching myself kanji I like the way it is completely different from our alphabet , I think japan for me is not the answer but it will help in solving the equation
Great video Dave, as always!
Outstanding! Wise Teacher.
Great video! However, I think I have to reconsider some things before trying to move over to Japan :(
I still feel, however, that Japan is better placed in some things than the country were I'm living right now. So, even if it might be a mistake, I need to still try to know if it is a mistake.
Thanks for making this video :)
I definitely agree with you! I am someone with social anxiety, a very inwardly thinking person. And I do not like my life here in Europe. But it is not that I think that a change in scenery or culture will magically solve my problems. It is the challenge of the change that is appealing to me. I get frustrated by baby steps. I want to do something impactful. To myself. I want positive change within myself.
I don't want to leave to be healed at the mercy of some other entity (job/woman/culture, whatever)
I want to leave to be able to heal myself, no strings attached.
Open doors and windows, wings spread.
Leaving to do the same thing in another place and expect change seems stupid.
Leaving to force yourself to change something yourself seems like a step forward.
It is not escapism from a place without, it is from a place within.
Daelaron You suffer with “social anxiety” and are an “inwardly-thinking” person? You’ll fit right into Japanese society.
I'm simply going over there because I finally would like to be a much longer time to experience the country. And for that I will be needing a job there. Simple as that
Appreciate your views.
Yeah, this really hit home. Thank you.
Thanks for listening.
Excellent video.
I live in a third world country and I hope to afford myself and my family better opportunities by moving to Japan. Then, would you say you have an advantage if you speak,read and write Japanese before you get there?
i totally agree Dave...keep your videos coming mate.
Cheers Mike I appreciate the support. Will do.
everyone is like that in my family, we cant cope without delusions of the real world, but its been working pretty well for the last 3 generations so you cant complain.
Hey if you're getting by, could be worse. ;p
Great video, thank you again!
Glad you went with the Rode mic. You won’t be regretting that!
Dave,
When you applied to become an ALT, did you already have a teaching certificates (TEFL etc)?
Dennis Nicolas I did not. I got that later. I only had a degree when I started.
I loved the perspective! I am going in December to Japan. I did not know how to put it into words, but to challenge myself feels right. Keep up the good work. Also, do you have any 'must see while in Japan' videos?
+StrategyKB I would say my Nikko video in the travel Playlist really shows a must see place.
DaveTrippin thank you!
Thank you for the good discussion arising video.
IMO, I am really feel sorry for people from abroad who like Japan and studied in Japan because generally the society is yet unprepared for them to develop careers.
The situation is the same not only with them but with Japanese people who live off the ‘PROPER’ route in Japanese society.
I am one of them. However skilled I become, I have almost no chance to have my career in mainstream companies in Japan because of their employing system unique in bad way.
It is a big discrimination not considered to be a discrimination.
So, I am sharing the same struggle with foreigners in Japan.
The system is also one of the main reasons for the long lasting economic decline of Japan.
We have to change the society but cannot.
As you say, it is true and sad that in Japanese companies, abuse on employers is quite common and they do not think it is abusive.
We have to be ashamed. I dont think Japan is collectivism culture but as for business practice, they are very group oriented in a bad way,
I would like to point out the biggest misconception foreign people can have on Japanese collectivism is that Japanese people prefer collectivism.
But it is totally wrong. Most of Japanese people, more or less, hate it and we want to stop the bad culture from the bottoms of hearts.
But we can not because it is just like comunism society full of anonymous informers
The society in Japanese companies are naturally designed for them ti get forced to spy each other, so however eager they are to abolish the bad collectivism in Japanese company,
Collecitivism in Japanese company makes nobody happy.
I think the only way today for foreign people regardless of your background to develop career in Japan and have work life balance is to work in a start up company run by millenial generation.
Such companies tend to hate the Japanese bad business and working culture with age-hierarchy of the elder generation.
The hottest social issue today in Japan, especially among young genration is to change our working culure.
Well said. I think this was something I thought about (and honestly, still thinking about), so I'm glad you posted about this. I had created a life goal of moving to somewhere new for so long that I had forgotten "the why". Was the reason because I was trying to achieve some ambition I had when I was younger or to better my world view though experiencing a different culture abroad? I'll mull over these thoughts and consider that book recommendation. Thanks for the share!
You can escape to Japan. BUT and this is a big but, your resolve for wanting to move there has to be stronger than anything else.
Good structure for personal decision making, thanks +DaveTrippin!
...Just being the devil's advocate here. Would your counter-argument of escapism work if the situation was flipped and a Japanese or which ever individual from which ever country wanted to come to a "western" country was the one in question ?
HikikomoriGamer great movie
for me personally more than escapism its not living in a country where everytime you step outside your home theres only a 50% chance youll make it home alive, as a woman in a country with quite high rates of violence i dream of living in a country where i can just walk down the street without worrying about being killed.
Thank you for the video
I think it was in one of Prozzie's most recent vlogs touched on this as well. But I think one of the things you need to remember is when you move to a new place you have a chance to start a new, with new people and what not. You can reinvent yourself. But yes, wherever you go, you bring your problems with you.
#SPRAYTROOPIN #SPRAYFIERCE #SPRAYINSIDE!! #ChurchofTroopin
Turns oit all my reasons were escapism. Thanks for shedding that light on it.
Haha.. well maybe it`s a blend? It may not be all bad.
DaveTrippin No, I'm sure there is merit there for wanting to try to move to Japan, but I think I was trying to make it all roses. I will visit a few times first, and then see if i still feel the same.
Well, I left my home country to live abroad for all the wrong reasons apparently. ^^ And yet, I found what I was looking for.
The one thing where I agree is that it is always good to be aware of your own motives if you can afford it. It also doesn't hurt to be aware that your expectations may not be met.
I did bring along my own problems with me, but the difference in setting allowed me to address them in a way that I don't think I ever would have managed in my home country. The other "problems" that arise in your destination country can worsen whatever problem you were trying to flee from, but they can also alleviate them.
I'm not promoting some kind of "don't look before you jump" philosophy, but, well, put it this way. You asked the question "why come to X destination country?" But another valid question is "why stay in X home country?" I had no good answer to that. The cons severely outweighed the pros. I left out of sheer escapism, no sense of adventure or desire to challenge myself or anything like that. I just wanted, strike that: needed, out.
I don't expect most people to understand this, but not everyone leaves because they want to. Sometimes you leave because you have to. Although my departure had nothing to do with economic reasons, in many ways I feel more kinship with economic migrants than with those who leave to "challenge themselves". If you are part of those fortunate few who have the luxury of examining their own motives and choosing to leave or stay only on the basis of that examination, then Dave's advice is spot-on. But if you're not part of those fortunate few, then all we can do is either make the extra effort to recognize that people like us just weren't considered as part of the equation here, or we can take it personally and begrudge the fact that somebody just told us that we "shouldn't" have done the only thing we could have done. The former is definitely the healthier option, and probably the truest one of the two.
+PeRK Fortunate few who can examine their choices... That's a bizarre statement if I ever heard one. You state that you had no other choice but to leave given how bad your situation was, sounds like you had more awareness of your situation than you'd admit. And I said in the video escapism is not bad, it's the why of the escapism that matters. Your, why, made sense for your situation. You sound like the poster child of what I described.
+DaveTrippin Thanks for the reply Dave. Maybe my wording was a bit off. The "fortunate few" was not meant to refer to people who can "examine their choices". It was meant to refer to people who can base their decision to live abroad solely on that examination of their motives. Does that make sense?
But you're right, you did say escapism was not bad in itself. I guess the nuance I'm trying to get at is that you can separate the "why am I leaving" question from the "why am I moving to this specific country" question. I had all the wrong motives for that second question: unexamined assumptions, idealized view of the country, etc. etc. But despite all of that, it still worked out well because I had a good answer to that first question.
Wow, quite insightful! I've never quite seen an argument for escapism worded so clearly and elaborately, but I'm glad to have come across this perspective! Gives me a lot to think over now, given the dominant perspective for so long has been "escapism is bad."
Great words of wisdom man!
Awesome reflection. To the point.
I’m an introvert. I was thinking of moving to a different country (japan or china mostly) because of the cultural difference that values more introversion and a reclusive life. is that escapism? yes, japanese people are more polite and reserved in general.. so? that’ll just make it easier for me to approach people. they also share the same interests as me (video games and that nerdy stuff).. is that escapism if I’m aware of all that? the problem with my own country is I don’t like how warm and outgoing people are, how they approach other people, how they move in packs. one thing I noticed about japan for example is that almost everyone lives alone. in my country if you live alone they’ll pity you and try to force you to socialize.. that’s just annoying and I can’t find a real connection with people because basically, we ARE indeed culturally different.
Hi Dave, thanks for the great video. I was just wondering how you managed with the social aspect of moving to a new country. Was it difficult to make friends locally? Were you worried about moving to a rural area and feeling isolated? Were your main friends people who you were teaching English with over there? Thanks, big fan :)
Basically kind of like I mentioned in the video I have a belief in an underlying humanity and although it gets culturally represented in different ways the spririt of your actions can remain the same. With that in mind I would always intend to be courteous and appreciative of people and I got along just fine.
This was very helpful , I honestly was having doubts about it . I love my country and I know japan is a much richer and high cost place to live in , whilst here it's low and easy. I was picking between being a programmer there which has always been my dream or staying here to be a pilot to fly planes . It will be very hard , If I do pass the scholarships I might actually go there . I am still not sure how it all works but I am going to continue to work hard on learning the language , I have atleast 4 years before I apply . If anyone's reading this , this is just an explanation to clear my mind . I am very open minded so If you want to share an opinion , I'll actually listen.
Good video. This is a life tip too.