Need Advice: Moving to Japan

[Ameesh]

Originally posted by: Flyermax2k3

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis
Oh great.. Another American who wants to turn Japanese and teach English because he loves Dragonball Z. I hope they laugh at you dorky tshirts there.

Thanks for the helpful advice

Let me clarify a few things here: DBZ is teh suck compared to real anime and I don't own any anime pariphernalia (i.e. t-shirts or anything of that kind) so you can just quietly back out of the thread now unless you have something useful to say.
I've already explained why I'm going over there, and it's not because I'm some crazed DBZ fan. I want to go over there because I'm in love with Japan, it's people, and their culture. Anime is *not* the only reason I'm moving over there, it just happens to be a part of their culture. That and I'd prefer not to be in the U.S. when the next "terrorist" attack occurs and this country goes to hell.
This has been a dream of mine for quite some time and I'm certainly not going to listen to any asshats such as yourself who would rather see me fail than live out my dream.

you are jonsing for japanese women aren't you

 

[Flyermax2k3]

Originally posted by: CanOWorms

Originally posted by: Flyermax2k3

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
How old are you? What sort of education and work experience/skills?

I am 22 and an aviation student in college. I have been working retail for the past 6 years (mostly technology sales/repair). I have a natural gift for language, and this is the only thing I want in life. I have great genetics (my mother graduated from the Air Force language academy in Santa Barbara, CA and I have an even bigger gift for language than she). This is what I'm meant to do. No amount of ill-wishes and comments from naysayers will prevent me from doing this, nor will they cause me to fail. I will succeed because of the natural talents G-d has given me.

Are you going to finish your degree? What other languages do you know?

You probably just can't randomly legally immigrate over without a job lined up. You should probably get your degree and maybe do the English teaching thing there.

I will not be finishing my current degree. The school I'm attending is a joke. I speak English and Spanish, and am learning Japanese. I also used to speak German but have forgotten more than I remember

 

[Flyermax2k3]

Originally posted by: Ameesh

you are jonsing for japanese women aren't you

HAI! Aki Kawamura isn't the only reason I'm moving over there though

 

[atom]

you are jonsing for japanese women aren't you

LOL for reals.

But seriously, what do you really know about Japanese culture that you are so in love with? Have you ever been there? Reading about a place and actually living there are two totally different things.

 

[Flyermax2k3]

Originally posted by: atom

you are jonsing for japanese women aren't you

LOL for reals.

But seriously, what do you really know about Japanese culture that you are so in love with? Have you ever been there? Reading about a place and actually living there are two totally different things.

Let's just put it this way: I've been into anime, manga, cars & racing (WRC & JGTC are da bomb), samurai, and just about everything else Japanese for longer than I care to remember. It's always been my dream to go there and now I'm going to make it happen.
I'm not claiming to be some expert on Japan or it's people & their culture, I'm just fascinated by it is all.

 

[Babbles]

Maybe you should plan a two week vacation to Japan before you decide to move there.

 

[hjo3]

Originally posted by: Flyermax2k3

I'm moving over there because it's my dream and I now have the opportunity to live out that dream. I'll be moving on my own, not as a part of any program (school or otherwise). I want to be a voice actor in anime because I'm a huge anime fan and I have a great voice for such things

Nanyangview, is that you?

 

[RabidMongoose]

No offense, but this post is kind of funny. I hope you do follow up on this dream and everything works out, but you need to plan some. You don't know Japanese, but you're learning it. However, you want to move in a couple of months? And you want to be an anime voice over actor? I would imagine that you would really need some kind of inside contact to even be considered - not to mention you probably have to be Japanese. Seriously, this sounds ridiculous and extremely naive. You sound more like you're 13 instead of 22.

Perhaps you should finish your degree first and then go through the JET (or whatever) program or just visit for a couple of months. You might end up screwing up your future in a strange attempt to be an anime voice over actor. However, if you decide to go and become an anime person, good luck.

 

[CanOWorms]

I agree, I would take a vacation before permanently moving there. I've also been told that they dislike Americans that come over because they're obsessed with anime, samurais, etc.

 

[Flyermax2k3]

Originally posted by: RabidMongoose
No offense, but this post is kind of funny. I hope you do follow up on this dream and everything works out, but you need to plan some. You don't know Japanese, but you're learning it. However, you want to move in a couple of months? And you want to be an anime voice over actor? I would imagine that you would really need some kind of inside contact to even be considered - not to mention you probably have to be Japanese. Seriously, this sounds ridiculous and extremely naive. You sound more like you're 13 instead of 22.

Perhaps you should finish your degree first and then go through the JET (or whatever) program or just visit for a couple of months. You might end up screwing up your future in a strange attempt to be an anime voice over actor. However, if you decide to go and become an anime person, good luck.

Will you people *please* read what I've said? This is simply the first step! I'm not going to just up and move over there. I'm gathering information so I can prepare for this.
Concerning my future: I have no future in this country. I'm doing this because it is my sincere belief that the tribulation is upon us and we have precious little time left so I'm going to go live my dream before this world goes to hell in a handbasket You don't have to agree with me on this one, it's my belief and there's not a thing anyone here can say to me to change my mind - see my sig

 

[boyRacer]

Coooooooooooooool... id wanna do that someday... right smack in osaka... drifters all around...

 

[CanOWorms]

Originally posted by: Flyermax2k3

Originally posted by: RabidMongoose
No offense, but this post is kind of funny. I hope you do follow up on this dream and everything works out, but you need to plan some. You don't know Japanese, but you're learning it. However, you want to move in a couple of months? And you want to be an anime voice over actor? I would imagine that you would really need some kind of inside contact to even be considered - not to mention you probably have to be Japanese. Seriously, this sounds ridiculous and extremely naive. You sound more like you're 13 instead of 22.

Perhaps you should finish your degree first and then go through the JET (or whatever) program or just visit for a couple of months. You might end up screwing up your future in a strange attempt to be an anime voice over actor. However, if you decide to go and become an anime person, good luck.

Will you people *please* read what I've said? This is simply the first step! I'm not going to just up and move over there. I'm gathering information so I can prepare for this.
Concerning my future: I have no future in this country. I'm doing this because it is my sincere belief that the tribulation is upon us and we have precious little time left so I'm going to go live my dream before this world goes to hell in a handbasket. You don't have to agree with me on this one, it's my belief and there's not a thing anyone here can say to me to change my mind.

I'm sure they've read your posts... but you say you're going to leave in February/March, planning on randomly moving there with no job, only a few thousand dollars (have you taken into account the airplane tickets to even get there?), have no understanding of the language despite your incredible God-like genetics, etc. It paints an interesting picture.

 

[atom]

Originally posted by: Flyermax2k3

Originally posted by: atom

you are jonsing for japanese women aren't you

LOL for reals.

But seriously, what do you really know about Japanese culture that you are so in love with? Have you ever been there? Reading about a place and actually living there are two totally different things.

Let's just put it this way: I've been into anime, manga, cars & racing (WRC & JGTC are da bomb), samurai, and just about everything else Japanese for longer than I care to remember. It's always been my dream to go there and now I'm going to make it happen.
I'm not claiming to be some expert on Japan or it's people & their culture, I'm just fascinated by it is all.

I don't think you truly grasp that moving to a foreign land means accepting EVERYTHING about the culture, both good and bad. As a foreigner you are able to pick and choose to learn about aspects of a culture that interest you. You really don't have a clue as to what it means to be absolutely immersed in all aspects of it until you at least visit there for a while.

I feel the same way about immigrants wanting to move to the USA. The US is more than just Hollywood glitz and glamour and "the American dream". Many people want to move here and are ill-prepared for the day to day life as an American, some of which is not all that pleasant. Seriously consider just taking an extended vacation there before you go all out.

 

[poopaskoopa]

Well.... First and foremost you should finish your education. Whether or not your school's a joke, the diploma will be a tiebreaker between the guy who received a degree from a joke school and the guy who went to a joke school but didn't get a degree. In many cases it's a requirement in decent jobs in both the U.S. and in Japan. I don't wanna discourage you from living out your dream, but you really ought to have some contacts before you get in and make sure you can work legally. I've met quite a few people enarmored with the idea of living in Japan, and as a guy who lived there for 15 years, I think they're nuts. It's a very nice place to visit, but not to live. Just think of living in the States, and shrink everything. Your space, transportation, gadgets, and your spending power.

 

[Flyermax2k3]

Originally posted by: atom

Originally posted by: Flyermax2k3

Originally posted by: atom

you are jonsing for japanese women aren't you

LOL for reals.

But seriously, what do you really know about Japanese culture that you are so in love with? Have you ever been there? Reading about a place and actually living there are two totally different things.

Let's just put it this way: I've been into anime, manga, cars & racing (WRC & JGTC are da bomb), samurai, and just about everything else Japanese for longer than I care to remember. It's always been my dream to go there and now I'm going to make it happen.
I'm not claiming to be some expert on Japan or it's people & their culture, I'm just fascinated by it is all.

I don't think you truly grasp that moving to a foreign land means accepting EVERYTHING about the culture, both good and bad. As a foreigner you are able to pick and choose to learn about aspects of a culture that interest you. You really don't have a clue as to what it means to be absolutely immersed in all aspects of it until you at least visit there for a while.

I feel the same way about immigrants wanting to move to the USA. The US is more than just Hollywood glitz and glamour and "the American dream". Many people want to move here and are ill-prepared for the day to day life as an American, some of which is not all that pleasant. Seriously consider just taking an extended vacation there before you go all out.

::sigh:: does anyone here have any actual advice? (there were quite a few helpful people that posted early on but it's been nothing but naysayers lately) If you don't have anything positive to contribute I'd prefer you keep your views to yourself. I'm not asking for reasons not to do it, and any further posts in such a manner will just plain be ignored. I'm done defending my decision, the only person I have to justify my decision to is me.
Now please, if anyone knows of any resources that can help me in my transition or just plain HELPFUL advice, I'd greatly appreciate it.
Thanks once again!

 

[Flyermax2k3]

Originally posted by: poopaskoopa
Well.... First and foremost you should finish your education. Whether or not your school's a joke, the diploma will be a tiebreaker between the guy who received a degree from a joke school and the guy who went to a joke school but didn't get a degree. In many cases it's a requirement in decent jobs in both the U.S. and in Japan. I don't wanna discourage you from living out your dream, but you really ought to have some contacts before you get in and make sure you can work legally. I've met quite a few people enarmored with the idea of living in Japan, and as a guy who lived there for 15 years, I think they're nuts. It's a very nice place to visit, but not to live. Just think of living in the States, and shrink everything. Your space, transportation, gadgets, and your spending power.

Thank you for your opinion and experience! It's great to hear from someone who's actually lived there. I have already taken into consideration the nature of Japanese living (i.e. crowded, small, fast-paced, etc.) and am accustomed to such living already. I am a college student living in school housing, after all I don't have a problem with lack of personal space (see: college student again) so I'm not troubled by that at all. In fact, I would much prefer the closeness of Japanese society than the distance found in American society. I understand as an outsider I will be ostracized by many, and accepted by some. I can deal with that. I've been living my entire life in this manner so it's nothing new to me.
Thank you again for your input and I look forward to anymore helpful comments you may have

 

[Sid59]

lol .. this has to be one of the best so far for 2004.

i have no advice but i wish you well. A few months of learning japanese might not cut it. Reading, reproducing, and talking japanese is incredibly hard.

i have a friend from Osaka, who is attending my University and she's always telling me about japan. it's a fun place to be but there's a good reason why she chooses to travel and attend international universities. She likes the diveristy that doesn't exist in Japan. She enjoys the stretch of her money for buying entertainment and goods.

if anything, as people said .. get contacts asap. they are the best bet. easier to find places to stay and teach you the ropes.

 

[Flyermax2k3]

Originally posted by: Sid59
lol .. this has to be one of the best so far for 2004.

i have no advice but i wish you well. A few months of learning japanese might not cut it. Reading, reproducing, and talking japanese is incredibly hard.

i have a friend from Osaka, who is attending my University and she's always telling me about japan. it's a fun place to be but there's a good reason why she chooses to travel and attend international universities. She likes the diveristy that doesn't exist in Japan. She enjoys the stretch of her money for buying entertainment and goods.

if anything, as people said .. get contacts asap. they are the best bet. easier to find places to stay and teach you the ropes.

Thanks! You're right on the contacts, I do need to get some... Guess I'd better start looking

 

[slycat]

...I will succeed because of the natural talents G-d has given me.

whats your problem?..if you truly believe God gave gave you your talents, at least be man enough to
give props and glory to the proper namesake...he is God, not G-d.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

I think your line in my sig speaks best.

- M4H

 

[Flyermax2k3]

Originally posted by: slycat

...I will succeed because of the natural talents G-d has given me.

whats your problem?..if you truly believe God gave gave you your talents, at least be man enough to
give props and glory to the proper namesake...he is God, not G-d.

You're not familiar with Judaism at all, are you? Please don't post anymore in this thread.

 

[Flyermax2k3]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
I think your line in my sig speaks best.

- M4H

LOL, good one M4H. Do you like my new sig quote? I think it fits me well

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: slycat

...I will succeed because of the natural talents G-d has given me.

whats your problem?..if you truly believe God gave gave you your talents, at least be man enough to
give props and glory to the proper namesake...he is God, not G-d.

Dammit, don't start this again. We've gone a whole thread without Flyermax going on a religious bender.

Now kiss and make up, you two.

- M4H

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: Flyermax2k3

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
I think your line in my sig speaks best.

- M4H

LOL, good one M4H. Do you like my new sig quote? I think it fits me well

:beer:

- M4H

 

[Flyermax2k3]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire


Dammit, don't start this again. We've gone a whole thread without Flyermax going on a religious bender.

Now kiss and make up, you two.

- M4H

see sig