Work, life, and lessons overseas

Ida Yasmine Ahmad, a Sarawakian who is currently working in Japan, shares the realities of her career abroad, reflecting on the expectations versus the actual experiences. From fitting into a new culture to the cons and benefits of living in a foreign country, Ida’s journey offers valuable insights for those contemplating a similar path.

Career Beyond Borders

Advancing your career in another country can be a transformative experience, offering a variety of perspectives and opportunities for professional growth. It pushes you to adapt, grow, and reach new heights.
 
If you are an avid traveller, then moving abroad is probably a no-brainer for you. Living overseas can still feel like the greatest adventure, even if you have a 9-to-5 job. After all, you don’t have to go too far to explore when everything is brand new to you.
 
However, there are drawbacks to working in foreign countries, including possible language barriers, homesickness, and cultural adjustment. There may be differences in professional recognition, and it might be difficult to navigate new work environments. Family separation and time zone differences can also impact work-life balance.
 
Expectations vs realities
 
Ida Yasmine Ahmad, a Sarawakian who is currently employed in Japan, acknowledged that simply because it’s Japan, people will always focus on its cutting-edge technology, opulent amenities, and effortless lifestyle — and she was one of them!
 
“Reality starts kicking in the first two weeks of arrival. It’s even harder, especially if you come with zero knowledge of the Japanese language and are not in the main city.
 
“Let me tell you, visiting Japan as a tourist and moving here to live are two very different experiences. 
 
“I had the privilege to have a few Japanese friends before moving to Japan, so I could ask them questions about life there. To be honest, when I told them I was heading to work, they were shocked, and I was puzzled by their reactions.
 
“Now that I’m here, I completely get why. Getting around and navigating daily life poses a huge challenge every time!
 
“Another biggest expectation that everyone has whenever they think about Japan is that all Japanese are polite. That is true. The Japanese are polite. Everyone thinks that the Japanese are very well-mannered and traditional too.

Ida learns to play the shamisen, a three-stringed traditional Japanese musical instrument.

“Let me tell you a story. One day, while strolling around with my friends, a bunch of local men approached us out of the blue. ‘How much do you charge for groups?’ was the question that escaped their lips. Mind you, it was about 11am, in broad daylight, on a street. Horrified. Shocked. Appalled. Disgusted.
 
“Apparently, according to my friend who lives in that area, she faced this kind of scenario almost every day. Why? It was because we are women and foreigners. That was not my only experience with those kinds of questions.
 
“So, are they approachable? Friendly? Welcoming? Those are different definitions. But it also depends on who you make friends with, where you are, and how your mentality works,” she pointed out.

Fitting in at a new place

Elaborating, the Kuchingite, who has worked and lived in Japan for four years, said adapting to everything new is never easy.
 
She expressed gratitude for her first employment at an international school, where she found both residents and visitors to be hospitable and kind.
 
Ida went on to say that she was also lucky that her employer was not Japanese and that she had not initially experienced the infamous “real Japanese” working culture.

Ida visits Kakashi no Sato, also called the Doll Village, on Shikoku Island.

She claimed that her work environment was the same as the one she had at home; therefore, she didn’t have to worry about anything because she was free to choose how and what to do for work.
 
“The people I met there were open-minded, and there was no language barrier when it comes to communication. It was also fortunate that I was living in Kobe, where there are many foreigners.
 
“I did work for a Japanese company for a brief period due to a career change. That was an experience that I will not want to repeat in my entire existence. 
 
“I believe it’s well known that Japanese work environments are demanding and stressful. I was subjected to severe regulations, long work hours, “toxic” co-workers, and marginalisation as a result of my “foreigner” status. I quit as soon as I got another job because it was the most emotionally and mentally demanding moment for me.
 
“Trying to fit in socially is still a huge challenge for me. I tried my best to respect their culture and way of life and navigate my way of living around them.
 
“I always have this mindset of ‘if I don’t bother them, they won’t bother me’ and keep on repeating it every day.
 
“At the moment, I am starting to get used to life here, and hopefully things will go smoothly in the future,” said the 40-year-old.

Inspiration to work overseas

 Looking back, she said that she had no intention of moving overseas because she was comfortable at her previous job and had her retirement plan all set up.
 
Ida claimed that the job offer for Japan came as a complete surprise to her, and at first she was hesitant because she was also going through some personal setbacks.
 
“I decided to accept the offer after thinking about it for two months. I was also somewhat persuaded to make my choice by the possibility of experiencing something completely different.
 
“I was offered the position as a therapist and shadow aide for a child with special needs.
 
“My job was mainly to assist the child that I was working for to adjust to the school environment, classroom routine, modifications of lesson plans, the individualised education plan (IEP), and school routines.
 
“I also had to help with therapy sessions to support the child’s physical, cognitive, and speech development, as well as training for daily living skills.
 

Ida tries the Ichiroku tart in Ehime prefecture.

“To ensure everything ran smoothly, I also had to pick up a second language as I was working in an international school.
 
“My contract ended recently, and I was supposed to go to another country, but due to some difficulties getting a visa, I decided to stay here and change jobs,” she explained.
 
Ida said that she was a licensed therapist and an Early Childhood Education (ECE) teacher, and that she was presently working as a homeroom teacher for Kindergarten 1 (age group of 4 years old) students in another international school.

Cons of living in foreign country

Ida said that what distinguishes the Land of the Rising Sun from our home, Malaysia, is how frequently natural disasters strike.
 
She said that the Kanto area, where she currently resides, is prone to frequent minor earthquakes and tremors.
 
Every month, they had to perform safety drills for a plethora of things, and she said that she was and still is quite terrified whenever it occurs.
 
Being ill is another shortcoming. She said that the frightening sounds she could hear increased her anxiety level when she was sick.

Gotokuji temple in Tokyo.

Besides that, she also doesn’t like doing official paperwork and going through government offices.
 
“It’s so stressful that I want to pull my hair or hit something or someone. There is no such thing as flexibility here in Japan. None. Zero.
 
“Homesickness is, in my opinion, the biggest downside that anyone who has lived abroad must have encountered.
 
“Home is where your heart and mind are, regardless of how long you have lived overseas. No one can truly comprehend what it’s like to be alone in an unfamiliar location. All you have is yourself.
 
“The feeling of joy when you received news of the birth of your nieces or nephews, but at the same time the sadness because you didn’t have the opportunity to watch them grow, hug them, or kiss them.
 
“The happiness comes whenever you see your family members during festivals and celebrations where everyone gathered together and you could only join them via video calls. You shared the laughter and smiles, but you cried immediately the moment you pressed the red end call button.
 
“The feeling of loneliness and helplessness when you fell sick and the only person who took care of you was yourself,” she sighed.

Benefits of working abroad

As cliche as it sounds, Ida noted that living somewhere outside of our comfort zone teaches us that the world is huge and has a lot to discover and experience.
 
“What do I find appealing about Japan? It has to do with how strongly the Japanese adhere to their traditional way of life while still demonstrating how advanced their economy and technological capabilities are.
 
“They preserved their culture and heritage, but they are also proud of their achievements as a first-world country,” she noted.

Future goals

At the moment, Ida said she has yet to decide on anything.
 
“If any opportunity arises and it is aligned with my life goals, why not? The possibilities are endless,” she said.
 
Meanwhile, Ida said that the most crucial qualities for people who wish to move overseas for professional advancement are humility and open-mindedness.
 
She said that individuals shouldn’t even consider living in other people’s countries if they have the idea that everyone should speak the same language, accept their way of life and who they are, or that everyone should have common sense. Just stay where they are. Period!
 
Those who want to progress their careers abroad should ensure they are adequately informed and well-prepared.
 
If you have the guts to live abroad on your own, far from your family, then keep spreading your wings. Good luck!