Update

It's been such a long time since I have blogged here. I have a few major updates on my life. For one, Taiwan was unsuccessful. As a result of my citizenship status, I was not allowed to obtain a work visa to teach in Taiwan. But now, I am going to teach in Japan instead. I have never been to Japan before other than to connect flights so it will be a completely new experience for me.

I will be working for AEON, one of the big eikaiwa companies in Japan. The process involved:
-Application
-Scheduling an interview date in which you must prepare: an essay, a sample lesson plan, completed application, letter of recommendations etc.
-Group info session followed by group interview
-Personal interview
-If successful, they call you back within 2 weeks to let you know.

I am going to be on the smaller island of Shikoku. I will be living in Matsuyama in the Ehime Prefecture.

PROS:
-Money goes much further here
-Good air quality/environment
-Still has the conveniences of the bigger cities (or so I am told)
-Famous "Dogo Onsen"

CONS:
-Have to spend some time/money traveling to the bigger cities
-May not have as much to do as the bigger cities
-Less signs in English, less people speaking English

We'll see about all this. I am very open-minded to the entire process. Another positive thing about this trip is that my boyfriend (that's a new development as well) will also be in Shikoku teaching English. He will be in the Kochi Prefecture which seems close enough to Ehime but we are still trying to figure out the best mode of transportation. If anyone has any suggestions, feel free to comment.

I'm leaving on October 9th! I will be posting pictures and updating my blogs as soon as I get there. Until any further developments, "ja mata"!

---

---