Should i stay or should i go?

[Shell]

:?

I applied for a teaching English job with Nova last July when my first graduate job had lost its funding, and have just received my confirmation letter informing me of my departure to Otsaka airport on March 31st. However, since applying, I have found a good job here in the UK and have finally got some financial stability for the first time since leaving University in 2004.

I know living and working in Japan for a year is an amazing opportunity to develop myself and see a new country but I'm also not blind to the fact that I'd be giving up so much here. The main problem is that Nova haven't really sold the idea to me very much - highlighting the negative realities and hard facts in their literature more than anything else. They have dedicated a full paragraph of their 'living in Japan' booklet to cockroaches, claiming that most accommodation will be infested. This is the first time I've heard anything about it (and i have done my research) and needless to say I have a deep-seated phobia of them. Nova also suggest that as you will be working most of the time the only reason why you should bring some alternative clothes is for travelling. I had planned to do some socialising and party going whilst in Japan but Nova seen to have missed this out of the booklet and state 'any show of strong emotions is seen as childish to the Japanese'. Is this true?

I'm finding this decision the hardest one I've ever had to make and am scared stiff that I'm going to give up a good job and get back into debt to live in a box room full of cockroaches - only to escape by working constantly and travelling on my days off!!

Can anyone give me some positives!!!! Persuade me why I should live in Japan for a year please!!!??

 

[Nothingness]

Welcome to JREF, Shell!!!

Myself I think you should go. Hardships will make you stronger.

 

[Glenn]

Welcome to the fora, Shell! One of our moderators has written a report on his experiences with Nova, titled "The Unbiased Truth About Nova." Maybe that will help you decide. If not, he'd probably be willing to talk to you about it. Good luck with your decision and with whatever path you decide to take! Enjoy your stay with us!

 

[Brooker]

I don't think you have to worry about cockroaches too much. You can live quite comfortably while in Japan. I'm not going to make a recommendation because the answer is going to depend on you. Think about why you would want to do either thing. What kind of experiences do you want to have in your life? In my case, seeing the world and learning about another culture felt like something I just had to do. Now that I've done that, I can be more focused on my career. And remember, your time in Japan wouldn't be all about Nova, that's just what they're telling you about. You'll also being hanging out with the interesting people you meet and traveling around the country (or other countries) on your own time. Nova is just a way of having money and a place to live so that you can live it up while you're in Japan.