Well, I think that this is probably the thing that deserves the most critical thinking in our lives. What will I do with myself? What will I do after high school? What will I do after college? What will I do after...
Lately, i've been having to think of what i'm going to do with myself. For the past 17 years, i've been kind of oblivious to it. Now i've got to make some decisions, or the decisions will be made for me. I believe that the rest of my life lies in what I do in the next few years. I believe that the few years after high school, adjusting into adult-hood, is when we develop the most as people. Here's an example. I hang out with some 20+ year old girls on a regular basis. Some people tell me, "Hey, you should try to get with one of those girls. They are really cool aren't they? And good looking at that". Of course I agree with them. Yeah, they are really good people, and they are pretty cute. But, take a look at the situation. I am not even 18 yet, and by my beliefs, these girls, rather, women, are on a much higher level of life than me. I'm still in the years of childhood, living with my parents, depeneding on others. They, on the other hand, are productive members of society, creating a future for themselves. That is why I say, "No, sorry. Yes, these girls are really cool, and that's why I want to be their friends". As of now, I am finishing up high school, and will graduate early at the end of the Fall semester. After that, I plan on going to Japan for a year or two to study the language and create memories and have experiences that will be there until I die. My main goal is to be able to communicate with Japanese, because the majority of them that I have met are really cool, and I enjoy their culture, history, etc. But if being able to speak Japanese lands me a job, hey, that is awesome. When I come back, I either plan on going to community college and then transferring to a university, or pretty much just going into the work force and putting off college until later. As far as what i'm going to study, i'm still undecided. There are a lot of things I love learning about, such as war history, computers, Asia (mostly Korea, Japan and China), film, photography and English (maybe i'd like to teach English someday. But not to English speakers). Now, that may sound like a lot of cool stuff to study about, but where is it going to get me? Will knowing who the emperor of China was way back when going to put food on the table? The answer, unfortunately, is no. These, are the things I love to learn, but they have no practical use in the real world, and will only provide personal growth. I value this much more than material posessions, but if I don't have money or food or a place to live, what good will that do me? So now i've got to look at my options and rethink them. Finding a good answer from all of this will be extremely hard, and I probably won't find one for another 10+ years, and by then, it's kind of too late. My goal is to be able to have a nice job doing something I love. That right there is something only a few people are able to accomplish.
Here's a conversation I had with my friend tonight. He's Japanese, but living in Thailand. I think he's got a good thing going for himself, and i'd like to be as lucky as him someday. He is a well-educated man who has travelled around the world and is living his life happily.
He is 2
I am 1
Crappy job=probably working at McDonald's or something like that to get some money before I go off to study. Supposing I do.
2
so you won't go to college?
1
after i come back maybe
2
when are you coming back?
1
well, i am still not sure if i will go this april or not. my mom still hasn't made up her mind. but i'd like to do a 2 year program
2
langauge school is in Japan, and temporary crappy work is in US right?
1
haha yes
2
two years program in Japanese course?
2
I'm not your father.....
2
so I try not to father you but I think you should go straight to college
2
even if japaense is what you want to study
1
yeah, that's what i'd like to do...i think it would be a good life experience, and i could have something to start my adult life with
2
a lot easier for you to find a job in Japan (life in Japan) if you have a college degree
1
yeah, college is a good idea. but after 12 years of studying things i don't like, i figure it would be nice to finally study something i do like
2
you can study what you'd like to study in college
2
and I tell you, studying hasn't really started yet
1
yeah, there is a huge difference between high school and college
2
I would say there is a huge difference between undergraduate in college and graduate program
2
LJ is telling me he feels a bit jolt in his office in Tokyo, earthquake
1
and of course there's always the money problem...studying for 4 years at a college is going to have me paying it off for the rest of my life (most likely)
1
earthquake in tokyo? or aftershock?
2
quite the opposite I think
2
I think
2
if you won't go to college, you're going to have to pay for not going for the rest of your life
1
i plan on going to college, but not right after high school
2
it's good you take a year off from school and work for a year or two
2
but language schools in Japan, are not designed to teach you language
1
oh, really? then what?
2
not anymore than colleges in US that offers Japanese course
2
they were established to rip people like you off who are dreaming to go to Japan
2
most "language schools" are for profit, not for teaching, whether it teaches English or Japanese, they don't even care if you don't show up
1
i've thought about that...but there's no way i can tell. not from here anyways. you are right, though. i know a lot of those schools are for profit, and that is why i have been looking and looking...i've looked through so many schools trying to find good ones
2
lot of Asian students apply to those schools so they are a convenient tool to issue them a documents necessary for visa
2
I'd rather say if you really want to go, go there as a tourist, search for schools on your own
2
find a friend to stay there with
2
like Jess
1
the only schools i know that are good are the american ones. the majority of students there are american, and if they get ripped off, they will beat somebody up haha
2
I might be telling you things you don't wanna hear
1
no, this is quite alright
1
it's good to know
2
but you're a good boy, I think you deserve something good for your future
2
just one advice
1
it's stupid not to listen to other people's opinions
2
if you are not gonna land on any decent job (or life for that matter), you're not gonan land at any decent job in Japan
2
did I tell you I had an American neighbor just nextdoor till about two months ago
1
ahh you didn't tell me. how come he was there?
2
he graduated Georgetown law schoool, he's a lawyer
2
he lived and worked in Japan as a lawyer, he worked in Thailand as a lawyer too, now he left and don't know where he went, but he said he's lucky he can choose where he wants to live
2
if you don't even have a college degree, as a foreigner, it is really difficult to find someone in Thailand who will provide a work permit for you
1
i saw the other night when you were talking to that guy about working in thailand...i didn't know that the restrictions were that tight
2
actually he can not work as a lawyer in Thailand, he doesn't have a license for that, can't represent someone in court, but still there is a demand for his expertise and knowledge, someone will hire him as a "consultant"
2
it will be easier in Japan, as far as immigration goes.... but you probably won't find an employer to hire you if you don't even have a college degree, actually having just a Bachelor's degree isn't gonna guarantee a job there
1
it seems that nowadays, a person can only live without problems in their own country...anywhere else, and you are slammed with laws, regulations, restrictions, fees etc etc...
2
I know school is a pain in the ass
2
yes yes
2
but you really don't want to live illegally anywhere, really shitty life living like a fugitive
1
yeah, right. running from the law is not the life for me
1
but, my purpose for studying japanese isn't to get a job. yeah it would be nice if i could get a job because i speak japanese, but my goal is to be able to speak with japanese people
2
just....
2
if you don't know what to do, go to college
2
well you know what you wanna do
2
but I guess not so sure what is right for you to do.....
2
I've been through this when I was your age
1
i've been thinking lately about studying how to teach english...maybe ESL or something
2
actually
1
when i hang out with my japanese friends and spend time with them and help them with their english, i really enjoy it, and it seems like teaching or tutoring english wouldn't be so bad. even fun maybe
2
you don't have to decide now what you wanna do for your future
2
there are many things you haven't done with your life yet, I guess, you don't have to be so quick to decide what you wanna do now just by choosing what you enjoyed doing in the past 17 yrs of your life
2
not that I'm saying teaching English is bad
2
you can choose your major after 2nd or 3rd year in college
2
and if you don't like what you finished degree with, you can always go back to school for master (or undergraduate again)
1
right, of course. but just for now, i'm thinking about things that i have really taken an interest in, and if i still like them later on, then maybe i will make a career out of them
2
ahh yes
2
yes of course
2
but
2
frankly speaking
2
they don't see "english teaching" as a career anywhere these days......
1
what do you mean?
2
well English teaching demand is still high in Japan, but so is the supply
2
meaning it's not so easy these days for any native English speaker to go to another country and find a job and get a work permit as an English teacher
2
because there are so many of them already
1
ahh yeah. i guess a lot of people are trying to do that and there's just more than they need
2
not very respected job
2
if you are linguist, and teach in college, that would be another story though
1
the english teaching programs in japan aren't that great anyways...NOVA, i won't even talk about them. JET is ok, but for the most part, you are a teacher's aid
2
as a matter of fact, language is just a tool, not the objective, I am trilingual, but they don't really see the langauge skill as an expertise
2
yes
2
and if you need a college degree for teaching English in Japan anyway, if you have to spend four more years studying and paying tuition, I would say why not aim for something higher?
1
yes. that is why i have never considered those programs
1
sure they sound nice, but that's nothing great to do with your life
2
so you really don't have to be so quick to decide your career of your life time
2
I know you like Japanese, Japanese people, the culture
2
but there are many countries in the world that you don't know
1
yeah
1
i am really interested in asian countries, history, language and culture
1
but mostly japanese
2
you can open yourself up to the world a little bit more, I think college will help you with that, then you can decide later whatever you want to do
2
so do I
2
I like Japan too
2
but quite happy living in Thailand than in Japan
1
i was thinking about asian studies...but there's nothing that will come out of it except learning about the countries
2
you can't call that "nothing"
1
of course not
2
college is not a vocational school, let there be no mistake about it
2
college isn't necessarily where you go acquire real life marketable skill
1
that course would be for personal growth and knowledge. but there isn't anything i can do with it, like get a job
2
if that's what you want, then you can go to "language school"
2
personally speaking, I value that "personal growth and knowledge" more than marketable skill
1
me too
1
but
2
you'll learn to appreciate it when you get to my age
1
i'd like to be able to have a career you know
2
if you really want a marketable skill, go to business school, get an MBA, then you can build a career, at language school or whatever
1
life would be so much more enjoyable if we could learn what we wanted and not have to worry about a job, or a house, or any of that stuff
2
yes right
1
but unfortunately, we do, and so i think it's a good idea to develop something that can take care of those problems while still retaining an interest to yourself
1
so i'm going to try and study some things that i really enjoy in life, and see if i can make something out of them. if i can't, i can always try again with something else
And this is where his internet connection dies and the conversation ends. But that pretty much covered it.
Anyways, this is my view of what I think an ideal future for a person should be. The important issue here, though, is what YOU will do with YOUR future. I encourage you to find something in life you really enjoy and to learn about it, become good at it, whatever. Please don't be satisfied with the mediocrity of an office job or working at your local fast food joint. I know a good amount of you have seen the movie 'Office Space'.
Please think long and hard about what you will do later in life and how you will get there. Don't arrive at that point in your life thinking, "So...what do I do now?".
Lately, i've been having to think of what i'm going to do with myself. For the past 17 years, i've been kind of oblivious to it. Now i've got to make some decisions, or the decisions will be made for me. I believe that the rest of my life lies in what I do in the next few years. I believe that the few years after high school, adjusting into adult-hood, is when we develop the most as people. Here's an example. I hang out with some 20+ year old girls on a regular basis. Some people tell me, "Hey, you should try to get with one of those girls. They are really cool aren't they? And good looking at that". Of course I agree with them. Yeah, they are really good people, and they are pretty cute. But, take a look at the situation. I am not even 18 yet, and by my beliefs, these girls, rather, women, are on a much higher level of life than me. I'm still in the years of childhood, living with my parents, depeneding on others. They, on the other hand, are productive members of society, creating a future for themselves. That is why I say, "No, sorry. Yes, these girls are really cool, and that's why I want to be their friends". As of now, I am finishing up high school, and will graduate early at the end of the Fall semester. After that, I plan on going to Japan for a year or two to study the language and create memories and have experiences that will be there until I die. My main goal is to be able to communicate with Japanese, because the majority of them that I have met are really cool, and I enjoy their culture, history, etc. But if being able to speak Japanese lands me a job, hey, that is awesome. When I come back, I either plan on going to community college and then transferring to a university, or pretty much just going into the work force and putting off college until later. As far as what i'm going to study, i'm still undecided. There are a lot of things I love learning about, such as war history, computers, Asia (mostly Korea, Japan and China), film, photography and English (maybe i'd like to teach English someday. But not to English speakers). Now, that may sound like a lot of cool stuff to study about, but where is it going to get me? Will knowing who the emperor of China was way back when going to put food on the table? The answer, unfortunately, is no. These, are the things I love to learn, but they have no practical use in the real world, and will only provide personal growth. I value this much more than material posessions, but if I don't have money or food or a place to live, what good will that do me? So now i've got to look at my options and rethink them. Finding a good answer from all of this will be extremely hard, and I probably won't find one for another 10+ years, and by then, it's kind of too late. My goal is to be able to have a nice job doing something I love. That right there is something only a few people are able to accomplish.
Here's a conversation I had with my friend tonight. He's Japanese, but living in Thailand. I think he's got a good thing going for himself, and i'd like to be as lucky as him someday. He is a well-educated man who has travelled around the world and is living his life happily.
He is 2
I am 1
Crappy job=probably working at McDonald's or something like that to get some money before I go off to study. Supposing I do.
2
so you won't go to college?
1
after i come back maybe
2
when are you coming back?
1
well, i am still not sure if i will go this april or not. my mom still hasn't made up her mind. but i'd like to do a 2 year program
2
langauge school is in Japan, and temporary crappy work is in US right?
1
haha yes
2
two years program in Japanese course?
2
I'm not your father.....
2
so I try not to father you but I think you should go straight to college
2
even if japaense is what you want to study
1
yeah, that's what i'd like to do...i think it would be a good life experience, and i could have something to start my adult life with
2
a lot easier for you to find a job in Japan (life in Japan) if you have a college degree
1
yeah, college is a good idea. but after 12 years of studying things i don't like, i figure it would be nice to finally study something i do like
2
you can study what you'd like to study in college
2
and I tell you, studying hasn't really started yet
1
yeah, there is a huge difference between high school and college
2
I would say there is a huge difference between undergraduate in college and graduate program
2
LJ is telling me he feels a bit jolt in his office in Tokyo, earthquake
1
and of course there's always the money problem...studying for 4 years at a college is going to have me paying it off for the rest of my life (most likely)
1
earthquake in tokyo? or aftershock?
2
quite the opposite I think
2
I think
2
if you won't go to college, you're going to have to pay for not going for the rest of your life
1
i plan on going to college, but not right after high school
2
it's good you take a year off from school and work for a year or two
2
but language schools in Japan, are not designed to teach you language
1
oh, really? then what?
2
not anymore than colleges in US that offers Japanese course
2
they were established to rip people like you off who are dreaming to go to Japan
2
most "language schools" are for profit, not for teaching, whether it teaches English or Japanese, they don't even care if you don't show up
1
i've thought about that...but there's no way i can tell. not from here anyways. you are right, though. i know a lot of those schools are for profit, and that is why i have been looking and looking...i've looked through so many schools trying to find good ones
2
lot of Asian students apply to those schools so they are a convenient tool to issue them a documents necessary for visa
2
I'd rather say if you really want to go, go there as a tourist, search for schools on your own
2
find a friend to stay there with
2
like Jess
1
the only schools i know that are good are the american ones. the majority of students there are american, and if they get ripped off, they will beat somebody up haha
2
I might be telling you things you don't wanna hear
1
no, this is quite alright
1
it's good to know
2
but you're a good boy, I think you deserve something good for your future
2
just one advice
1
it's stupid not to listen to other people's opinions
2
if you are not gonna land on any decent job (or life for that matter), you're not gonan land at any decent job in Japan
2
did I tell you I had an American neighbor just nextdoor till about two months ago
1
ahh you didn't tell me. how come he was there?
2
he graduated Georgetown law schoool, he's a lawyer
2
he lived and worked in Japan as a lawyer, he worked in Thailand as a lawyer too, now he left and don't know where he went, but he said he's lucky he can choose where he wants to live
2
if you don't even have a college degree, as a foreigner, it is really difficult to find someone in Thailand who will provide a work permit for you
1
i saw the other night when you were talking to that guy about working in thailand...i didn't know that the restrictions were that tight
2
actually he can not work as a lawyer in Thailand, he doesn't have a license for that, can't represent someone in court, but still there is a demand for his expertise and knowledge, someone will hire him as a "consultant"
2
it will be easier in Japan, as far as immigration goes.... but you probably won't find an employer to hire you if you don't even have a college degree, actually having just a Bachelor's degree isn't gonna guarantee a job there
1
it seems that nowadays, a person can only live without problems in their own country...anywhere else, and you are slammed with laws, regulations, restrictions, fees etc etc...
2
I know school is a pain in the ass
2
yes yes
2
but you really don't want to live illegally anywhere, really shitty life living like a fugitive
1
yeah, right. running from the law is not the life for me
1
but, my purpose for studying japanese isn't to get a job. yeah it would be nice if i could get a job because i speak japanese, but my goal is to be able to speak with japanese people
2
just....
2
if you don't know what to do, go to college
2
well you know what you wanna do
2
but I guess not so sure what is right for you to do.....
2
I've been through this when I was your age
1
i've been thinking lately about studying how to teach english...maybe ESL or something
2
actually
1
when i hang out with my japanese friends and spend time with them and help them with their english, i really enjoy it, and it seems like teaching or tutoring english wouldn't be so bad. even fun maybe
2
you don't have to decide now what you wanna do for your future
2
there are many things you haven't done with your life yet, I guess, you don't have to be so quick to decide what you wanna do now just by choosing what you enjoyed doing in the past 17 yrs of your life
2
not that I'm saying teaching English is bad
2
you can choose your major after 2nd or 3rd year in college
2
and if you don't like what you finished degree with, you can always go back to school for master (or undergraduate again)
1
right, of course. but just for now, i'm thinking about things that i have really taken an interest in, and if i still like them later on, then maybe i will make a career out of them
2
ahh yes
2
yes of course
2
but
2
frankly speaking
2
they don't see "english teaching" as a career anywhere these days......
1
what do you mean?
2
well English teaching demand is still high in Japan, but so is the supply
2
meaning it's not so easy these days for any native English speaker to go to another country and find a job and get a work permit as an English teacher
2
because there are so many of them already
1
ahh yeah. i guess a lot of people are trying to do that and there's just more than they need
2
not very respected job
2
if you are linguist, and teach in college, that would be another story though
1
the english teaching programs in japan aren't that great anyways...NOVA, i won't even talk about them. JET is ok, but for the most part, you are a teacher's aid
2
as a matter of fact, language is just a tool, not the objective, I am trilingual, but they don't really see the langauge skill as an expertise
2
yes
2
and if you need a college degree for teaching English in Japan anyway, if you have to spend four more years studying and paying tuition, I would say why not aim for something higher?
1
yes. that is why i have never considered those programs
1
sure they sound nice, but that's nothing great to do with your life
2
so you really don't have to be so quick to decide your career of your life time
2
I know you like Japanese, Japanese people, the culture
2
but there are many countries in the world that you don't know
1
yeah
1
i am really interested in asian countries, history, language and culture
1
but mostly japanese
2
you can open yourself up to the world a little bit more, I think college will help you with that, then you can decide later whatever you want to do
2
so do I
2
I like Japan too
2
but quite happy living in Thailand than in Japan
1
i was thinking about asian studies...but there's nothing that will come out of it except learning about the countries
2
you can't call that "nothing"
1
of course not
2
college is not a vocational school, let there be no mistake about it
2
college isn't necessarily where you go acquire real life marketable skill
1
that course would be for personal growth and knowledge. but there isn't anything i can do with it, like get a job
2
if that's what you want, then you can go to "language school"
2
personally speaking, I value that "personal growth and knowledge" more than marketable skill
1
me too
1
but
2
you'll learn to appreciate it when you get to my age
1
i'd like to be able to have a career you know
2
if you really want a marketable skill, go to business school, get an MBA, then you can build a career, at language school or whatever
1
life would be so much more enjoyable if we could learn what we wanted and not have to worry about a job, or a house, or any of that stuff
2
yes right
1
but unfortunately, we do, and so i think it's a good idea to develop something that can take care of those problems while still retaining an interest to yourself
1
so i'm going to try and study some things that i really enjoy in life, and see if i can make something out of them. if i can't, i can always try again with something else
And this is where his internet connection dies and the conversation ends. But that pretty much covered it.
Anyways, this is my view of what I think an ideal future for a person should be. The important issue here, though, is what YOU will do with YOUR future. I encourage you to find something in life you really enjoy and to learn about it, become good at it, whatever. Please don't be satisfied with the mediocrity of an office job or working at your local fast food joint. I know a good amount of you have seen the movie 'Office Space'.
Please think long and hard about what you will do later in life and how you will get there. Don't arrive at that point in your life thinking, "So...what do I do now?".
that really cuts down on the "college experience"...
Comment