Getting cold feet....

[anonomousn]

ahh..... I know this is going to be one of the best experiences of my life, going to japan for the summer, but at the same time the back of my mind understands all the people I will be missing back home. What if I get to Japan and it is just okay? I don't want to waste time I could spend with people I really care about.... I guess this is just part of the whole nervousness/paranoia before leaving, but I could use some reassurance. Any similar experiences?

 

[Emoni]

Time

Going for a whole year here... I understand your feelings even more so. However, sometimes you need to take that big step and explore. You will learn a lot, and from everyone I talk to going to Japan is one heck of an experience. But just remember to explore and get out and do stuff!!!

A summer is a very short time really, the people you know will be there when you get back and you can tell them all the stories you have. You might find that a summer was WAY too short in the end.

Fear makes you think, just make sure you THINK not just react to it. I would say, "Go for it."

 

[ArmandV]

The experience just may make you a more interesting person to your friends. You will experience things that you will treasure the rest of your life. Get out of your fishbowl and enjoy it!

 

[Gord]

everything said is true. I miss my friends and family but I'm going to miss the friends I've made here more. You'll be having too much fun to sit around and mope. You only live once, don't spend it missing your friends if you're in another country for only a few months. Besides, it'll make your return that much better!

 

[Tim33]

Im more worried about the fact i cant speak the language, tbh i have not even thought about the people i leave behind.

I guess you know the langauge alot better then i do so think of yourself lucky.

 

[duff_o_josh]

it is easy to live in japan not knowing japanese, english is everywhere and lots of people can speak it . you really have nothing to worry about, really.

 

[Iron Chef]

My advice is simply this: remember you get out what you put into it. Sure, it's entirely possible to live and work in Japan for a year or more and rely on using only English and some broken Japanese to get by but... if you really want to immerse yourself and get the most out of your time there, I suggest making a concentrated effort to study the language after you've settled in. You'll most likely also gain a deep respect and appreciation for the culture along the way because you'll have made many new friends with your newfound language ability (limited as it may be).

I'm always amazed at some of the foreigners I meet who do absolutely nothing on their days off except to sit around their apt.s eating fast food, playing online games with their buddies back home, renting porn, and generally doing the same things they could/would be doing if they had never left their hometown. On the other hand, I have also met the "cultural tourist" who takes every opportunity to try new things, visit new places, check out the local sights (temples, shrines, etc.), and generally try to converse with the locals in their native tongue as much as possible. Who do you think will have better memories and experiences to take back home with them after they have long since left Japan...?

At any rate, i'm sure you'll have a blast once you arrive. It's natural to be a bit apprehensive at this stage but just remember that when in Rome do as the Romans do and i'll wager you'll find in a year's time you'll be having the same feelings now except it will be about leaving Japan and returning home, heh.

 

[Defleshed]

I don't see the problem.

 

[Mike Cash]

The problem is developing the ability to have one's mind focussed on enjoying where one happens to be rather than spending time wondering if he isn't missing out on something better by being somewhere else or with other people.

 

[Pachipro]

ahh..... I know this is going to be one of the best experiences of my life, going to japan for the summer, but at the same time the back of my mind understands all the people I will be missing back home.

Take it from me, and a few others here, when you get to Japan you'll completely forget all your "friends" back home. Besides, why worry about them? It's your experience, and one that you will cherish forever. At your age you'll be making new friends and expanding your experiences beyond what some of them will ever hope to experience. Believe me, you will not be wasting time by not spending time with your "friends". In the blink of an eye the summer will have ended, your memories will be intact, you will be one happy camper for having visited Japan. And you'll wonder why you ever thought you'd miss your friends back home. If they're your friends, they'll still be there. Enjoy yourself, live for the moment, expand your horizons, and don't worry a bit about them. You'll be glad you did.

 

[Miko-Kokoro]

For one, I'm happy you actually get to go to Japan! (I have to wait 2 more years) But still, if you get discouraged, just re-read over all these posts and try to imagine what it would be like if you didn't have the chance to go. Like Iron Chef said about there's two different kinds of tourists. be the the one who actually sees the cultural differences and beauty of Japan. if I were you....I wouldn't let anything hold nme back and seeing Japan, why should you be afraid?

 

[duff_o_josh]

the funny thing is, is that you are worried about leaving for two months. maybe you should stay home.

 

[TheKansaiKid]

I think feelings of apprehension before trying something new is common and healthy, I think you'll have a great time.

Advice that I wish I had been given before I went to Japan:

Don't worry about money too much, never play the converting game of "Holy Crap this pizza costs 30$" Just think of it as yen with no connection to real money and you can relax and have a lot more fun.(I hope either you or your dad is rich)

2 months may seem like a big chunk of life, but time will fly by you'll be home before you know it.

 

[Gord]

great points posted by everyone in here. You only live once, why have "not going to japan even though I could've" on your list of regrets? I'm sure most of your friends would be dying to go to Japan. The trouble is, most people fall into life too fast and don't have time to do something like this. Do it, don't look back. When I came here, I knew no japanese. Here I am 7 months, and I know a few words more than nothing. Not knowing the language is no reason not to enjoy your stay. Seriously, go. GO.

 

[Matadon]

I think feelings of apprehension before trying something new is common and healthy, I think you'll have a great time.

Advice that I wish I had been given before I went to Japan:

Don't worry about money too much, never play the converting game of "Holy Crap this pizza costs 30$" Just think of it as yen with no connection to real money and you can relax and have a lot more fun.(I hope either you or your dad is rich)

2 months may seem like a big chunk of life, but time will fly by you'll be home before you know it.

If you and/or your parents aren't wealthy, then DO pay attention to the amount of money you spend -- it takes a period of time before you start looking at foreign currency as Real Money, because it looks and feels different than money does back home. So, even though 'ichi-man en' doesn't feel like a Benjamin, remember that it's still worth about the same.

On the flip side, don't be so miserly that you can't go out and do anything. Sure, a pizza will cost $30 and be tiny, and a 'grande' at Starbucks will be tiny and cost $5, but it's worth it for the experience. Also, go to local, smaller shops, and you'll likely save money over the big chains, and don't forget that combini sell really good, cheap bento for 100-500 yen ($1-$5).

Last but not least, it's always normal to feel that sense of apprehension -- hell, I've travelled a lot, and I'm going to Japan for my first time this summer, and I'm nervous as hell, despite the fact that I've got a lot of support built up for this trip (Japanese girlfriend, other friends in Japan, two years of Japanese study, etc.) Just go there, throw yourself in, and have fun.

 

[ArmandV]

I enjoyed every minute I've been to Japan. Well, except for the 24-hour flu bug I caught during my first trip there three days into it.

You can prepare your health before you go by taking Vitamin C for several days before you go and during your trip. Also, I would recommend getting some anti-bacterial wipes (for your hands), aspirin, Immodium, Tums, Chapstick, nasal spray and Cold Eze lozenges. You may as well be prepared for any potential illness before it happens. You may have a difficult time locating a drug store, and even if you do, everything's in Japanese. If it turns out you didn't need to use them, you can always use them when you get home. This worked great for me last year.

 

[Sensuikan San]

ahh..... I know this is going to be one of the best experiences of my life, going to japan for the summer, but at the same time the back of my mind understands all the people I will be missing back home. What if I get to Japan and it is just okay? I don't want to waste time I could spend with people I really care about.... I guess this is just part of the whole nervousness/paranoia before leaving, but I could use some reassurance. Any similar experiences?

Quit worrying, get all your stuff prepared, start looking forward to the opportunities you are creating .... get on that plane and go !

Lottsa folks would give their hind teeth for it !

In two months, you'll be back anyhow ! And think of the stories you'll have !

I've never been to Japan - but have travelled somewhat - and always benefitted from it - the good trips and experiences, and the bad.

Imagine how many of us on this forum felt, when (some of us with families in tow ... ) we left our own countries ... knowing that we probably weren't coming back !

That's scary ! But you do it !

Go ... have a great time .... don't waste it !

Best of Luck !

ﾆ淡ﾆ停?｡ﾆ停?