Nope! I have a ridiculous number of friends who did programs like this, Razz. Every single one of them loved it. One has stayed for four years now, and has no intentions of ever leaving. They usually have you teach the junior-high-ish aged kids, whose English is already good enough that they don't need you to speak any Japanese at all. Plus, from what I hear most of the other teachers speak at least some amount of English. Picking up the basics is useful from a culture-shock standpoint, but in no way necessary for your job.

I'd move to Lesbia. They have a LOT of hot chicks there.

oh, i think razz is just afraid of turning japanese.

I really think so

(ba da da da da da da)

:lol:

LJ, maybe you are thinking of Lesbos, the home island of Sappho. Go ahead, if you like women with mustaches.
(Apologies for the stereotype.)

Razz, a lot of people come over here "cold" - no Japanese at all. It does make life a bit challenging (which is half the benefit) but many Japanese people can get by in English, or know someone who can.
Your school will help you set up your life - typically arranging an apartment, and guiding you through the banking/phone/foreigner registration etc etc you need to do.
Most schools expect English-only in the classroom. You communicate with gestures and English.
It isn't a paid holiday. It is a job, but a fairly interesting one, in a place with novelty value.

nono. it's Lesbia. I'm sure of it. I met a girl from there one time. She wouldn't date me though.....she was a verrrry Patriotic young lady.....said she could only date other Lesbians. Oh well.....i got jinx, so all's well.....etc...

Lesbos is a Greek Island whereas Lesbia is a whole cuntry.

Monster, you are being very naughty today.

I had to read it twice before I noticed it though.

I don't know, I thought Muenster was being a little cheesy. :rolleyes:

I love where I live and wouldn't choose to live anywhere else. If I were to try living somewhere else though, it'd be somewhere in the States. I'd love to visit America, and I could see me living there for a year or so, if it didn't mean leaving family and friends, but overall I like where I am:)

I like it here, but if I were going to move, I'd like to move to DanaC's valley.

Me too! With Pilau, no less! :)

Because of my year on the other side of the Peak District, I would naturally move to DanaC country.

Any edge of the District will do. I would like a month or so to check out each small town. With placenames like "Denby Dale" and "Hathersage" and "Bakewell" and especially the obvious "Penistone". (These names are utterly British to Americans. As American as "Kansas City" or "Dodge" or "Dallas" are to a Brit, I suppose.)

Seems like poor Dana could have a house full....Count me in!
:) (Poor Pilau would be spoiled terribly)

You could always visit me Dana! I have lots of room and would consider wearing a muzzle....

btw Dana....seems like you've been too busy for us cellar losers lately..Hope you've been doing alright!!
:)

Oh and I'd also like to go to New Zealand...my dad has been there several times and loved it!!

I have a similar story to you, BeeVee. I was born in Australia and emigrated to Sweden after having met my husband on the internet. I've been here seven years now and like you, I've taken out citizenship in my new homeland and intend to stay here for the long haul.

While I am a hot weather person and somehow it seems cruel that fate sent me a man from a country where reindeer roam free and Santa spends the off season, I'm quite settled and happy here.