The Buildup...

Working abroad, specifically teaching abroad (in Japan), is an once-in-a-lifetime experience.  So, a blog is required.

Since I was too lazy to start one when I first arrived in Japan, I need to do a prologue.  I'll try not to be too wordy.

Why I took the leap of faith abroad?

• Got tired of my $69,000/yr engineering job (Loved the people there, but not the daily shenanigans)
• Couldn't settle down after years of on-and-off traveling (been to 18 countries in my adult years)
• Inspired by my mentor/friend from work, with his ballin' stories from his time in Asia (Thanks, Dan)
• Survived a pretty spectacular motorcycle accident (miraculously w/o anything broken)
• Thought about my 1st overseas deployment (Army)
• Had friends who took the leap of faith, still there
• Needed another life challenge

Why Japan?

• Liked the country, went back every year since 2007 (USA still #1 though)
• Studied Japanese in university (Illinois), did a summer program abroad (Hiroshima, baby!)
• Made good friends there, lots of nice people
• Pays better than other Asian countries (but not rollin' deep like $69,000/yr, not even close)
• High standard of living (not a shithole)
• Like my friend James said: exotic yet accessible

Why teaching?

• Wanted to try something new and completely different (from engineering)
• Enjoyed it from my pseudo-teaching experiences from university
• Liked working with kids
• Life challenge, one of those "bucket list" items
• People say it's a rewarding experience

How I got started:

• Started looking jobs abroad, particularly non-engineering jobs
• Researched on eikaiwa positions, remembered JET program from my last year at university
• Found out about ALT positions, and then a good company
• Applied, interviewed, got hired, and off to Japan (with paperwork and months of anxious waiting in-between)

What I do now:

• Teach English at elementary and junior high schools on the east coast of Iwate Prefecture, near the epicenter of the 2011 tsunami
• Make sure the kids have fun, and get paid to do it
• Travel, hobbies, make new friends, have new experiences, etc.
• Enjoy life! (responsibly, of course)

Do I like it?

       Hell yea!  One of my best life decisions yet.