FELICITY – Work in Japan – from Philippines

2024-04-23

Meet Felicity, an English teacher from the Philippines, captivated by Japan’s natural beauty, culture, and safety. Residing in the countryside, Felicity cherishes the serene surroundings and delights in exploring local delights. Dreaming of showcasing Japan’s allure, Felicity encourages cultural respect and language learning for those planning to visit.

STUDY JAPANESE IN JAPAN

Interview – Story in Japan

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

Philippines

WHAT DO YOU DO IN JAPAN?

I’m an English teacher.

WHY ARE YOU INTERESTED IN JAPAN?

I’m interested in Japan for a couple of reasons. First is nature. Since I was a child, I’ve been dreaming of seeing Sakura flowers. So, my first spring here was like a dream come true. Aside from sakura, there are lots of beautiful nature here -seasonal flowers, lakes, mountains, oceans, etc.

Second are the people. Generally, Japanese people are kind and well-disciplined. They are hard-working people and very independent.

Third, the transportation system. Japanese trains are wonderful . It’s easy to go anywhere as long as you have access to trains or buses.

Next, food and culture. Japan has a unique and rich culture. It’s really interesting to know about these things deeply. And, the food here is just amazing. They’re healthy and delicious at the same time.

Lastly, the environment. I love how clean and safe this country is. Even the big cities, which some Japanese people would feel dirty or dangerous , are still cleaner and safer compared to other countries.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO STAY IN THIS CITY?

I’m currently living in a countryside, and work is the main reason why I’m staying here. It’s a really good place to live especially for the people who have children. It’s safe and it has beautiful nature.

WHERE IS YOUR LOCAL RECOMMENDATION IN THIS CITY?

This city is perfect for those who love the countryside life. There are lots of rice fields and the river is lined with Sakura trees. There are also popular sweets shops here and a big outlet mall.

WHAT DID YOU ENJOY THE MOST WHILE STAYING ABROAD?

I enjoyed traveling in many places. I grew up in a city so visiting places with wonderful nature is one of my best experiences here. Trying local foods in these places is also very memorable for me.

DID YOU EXPERIENCE ANY CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE AND FUTURE PROSPECTS AFTER YOU START YOUR JOURNEY?

Definitely yes. When I started living here, i learned the value of hard work and being independent. In the Philippines, we often depend on our family about anything. But here, you have to do things on your own. Living here also inspired me to try new things.

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM?

My biggest dream is to continue living in Japan, and find something that I really want to do. I hope I can show the beauty of this country to others and encourage people to visit and learn the way of living here.

MESSAGE TO OUR FRIENDS WHO WILL GO TO JAPAN.

To those people who are planning to come here, my only advice is for you to respect the culture and people of this country. As I’ve said, Japan has a unique culture so there are things that are very different from what we’re used to. Learning basic Nihongo might be helpful since many Japanese don’t speak English. It’s not because they don’t want to learn, but it’s because they, generally , don’t need English in their own country.

HOW DO YOU LEARN JAPANESE?

I’m still on the process of learning Nihongo. I started with the Japanese characters such as Hiragana, Katakana, and a some Kanji. I also use some books to learn about vocabulary and grammar. But, going out and trying to talk with the locals is one of the best methods. I still often misunderstand some sentences or expressions but I learn that way. Watching Japanese dramas or listening to their music might be helpful, too.