Those are my three visa options here in Japan.
What was I thinking, "just figuring it out" once I got here? Obviously, that's not working out.
At first I thought, oh I'll just get a student visa. I want to study Japanese anyway, and it'll be cool to be in group classes with people from all over the world.
Well, it's not that cool. First of all, all the schools are full. They can't get me in until next year, April.
And after that? I'm a slave to the school. I have to maintain attendance 5 days a week, 3 hours a day. For a year.
Yes I can work. But only up to 28 hours a week.
If I mess around at all, it'll compromise my visa. If I don't like the school, well too bad. I'm stuck there.
On top of all that, you have to pay tuition.
Okay fine, I can't wait for the student visa. On to Plan B.
But wait, I still want to learn Japanese. How about I take some classes while I'm here?
This was considered the best school in Osaka. I went to a trial class, and so glad I tried before I buyed. Because it sucked.
I could've taught the class better myself, and I barely know the language.
The first 15 minutes were wasted checking attendance.
International students? 90% were from China, and the room was filled with Chinese. I pretended like I couldn't understand. I didn't want to get dragged into talking over the teacher or the other students presenting, cuz that's what they were doing the whole class.
Textbook open. Read the dialogue. Read it again. Listen to the dialogue. Listen again. Read to your partner. Again. Switch. Again. Repeat. Ugh.
This is what people pay for?
I couldn't imagine having to drudge there almost every day. And stuck doing it too. I would've killed myself.
So it's just for the visa. They're paying for the right to stay in the country. And paying in time, more importantly. I figured it wasn't worth it.
On to Plan B...
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Enjoy!