Why I Quit My Dream Job

Summary

This video script details the ups and downs of an English teacher's life in Japan, from the initial struggles with a scammed car purchase and a dilapidated apartment to the cultural and social challenges of adapting to a new environment. Despite the difficulties, the narrator found joy in teaching and developed a successful online presence. The story concludes with the couple's transition to city life, reflecting on the importance of personal fulfillment over job loyalty and the cultural nuances of quitting a job in Japan.

Takeaways

• 🎥 The video is a personal account of an English teacher's life in Japan and their decision to leave the JET program.
• 🌐 The video creator became famous for their content about life as an English teacher in Japan, which led to many inquiries about the job.
• 🏫 The JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) program places English teachers in random locations in Japan, with many details unknown until arrival.
• 🚗 The creator and their partner, Ben, experienced a difficult start, including being scammed on a car purchase and inheriting a messy apartment.
• 🌾 They lived on an island far from major cities, which was beautiful but socially isolating and lacked many amenities.
• 👥 The social environment on the island was described as 'clicky', with existing groups not being welcoming to newcomers.
• 📚 The video creator found their teaching job enjoyable, with engaged students and a supportive school environment.
• 💼 However, the JET program's bureaucracy and the expectation to follow unfamiliar rules without support were challenging.
• 🔄 The creator faced difficulties transitioning to a new career after the JET program due to the limited understanding of their role by potential employers.
• 🌟 The couple's success in finding new jobs in a city allowed them to leave the island and pursue their dream life in Japan.
• 📝 The process of quitting the JET program was described as emotionally taxing and invasive, requiring extensive explanations and justifications for their decision to leave.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial experience as an English teacher in Japan?

The speaker's initial experience was quite negative. They felt unwelcome, were placed in a rural area with no guidance, and had to deal with a dirty apartment and a car scam.

Why did the speaker and Ben decide to move to Japan?

They decided to move to Japan because they fell in love with the country after a visit in 2019, were influenced by Japanese vloggers, and wanted a change from their life in the Midwest.

What is the JET Program and how does it work?

The JET Program is a Japanese government initiative that places foreign participants as assistant language teachers in Japanese schools. Participants are assigned to a random town and are expected to assist a native Japanese teacher in English classes.

What challenges did the speaker face in terms of housing upon arrival in Japan?

The speaker faced challenges such as inheriting a dirty and damaged apartment from their predecessor, which was covered in cat hair, had mysterious stains, and broken furniture.

How did the speaker describe the social environment on the island?

The speaker described the social environment as 'clicky' and unwelcoming, with existing social groups that were not keen on including new people.

What was the speaker's experience with the car they bought from their predecessor?

The speaker's experience was negative; they were scammed into buying a car that was worth much less than what they paid, and it was also in poor condition.

How did the speaker's experience with the JET Program differ from others they knew?

While some people had positive experiences with the JET Program, making friends and enjoying their time, the speaker's experience was marked by isolation, a lack of support, and various personal challenges.

What was the speaker's job like at the school they were assigned to?

The speaker's job was relatively easy, with engaged and funny students and kind staff. They had a lot of downtime, which allowed them to pursue hobbies and improve their Japanese.

What challenges did the speaker face when trying to find a new job after the JET Program?

The speaker faced the challenge of having a job title that was not well understood by potential employers, making it difficult to sell their skills and find a new job.

What was the process like for the speaker when they decided to quit their job at the school?

The process was described as invasive and emotionally taxing, requiring the speaker to explain in detail why they were leaving and where they were going next, which felt like a 'humiliation ritual'.

How did the speaker's hobby of filming videos eventually contribute to their career after leaving the JET Program?

The speaker's hobby of filming videos was seen as a legitimate skill by employers, leading to content creation opportunities and allowing them to continue making videos about Japan and the world.