This has got to be one of the most frustrating threads to try to repond to.... You seem to shoot down any recommendation. It's too hard, it's too expensive, it's not worth it, yadda, yadda, yadda.... You don't want to try at all, it seems.... Why don't you place an ad offering yourself in matrimony for someone who wants a green card, provided you get residency there in the meantime? That seems about the only option you haven't explored.... Then you can try to compete against the more-qualified-than-you candidates for that 7-eleven job you want.....

This is a very good point Kayci. A lot of people like to blame the situation they are in on everything (and everyone) but themselves. Self-honesty allows you to gauge where you are at, where you want to be, and then you can close the gap.

People who are "successful" (however you define it) take on responsibility and accountability for their actions and don't try to take the shortcut or whine and complain about their status.

Maybe you ARE the odd gaijin :rolleyes:

The program I went through to get my diploma (not GED) can help me get some money for the first part of college, and they know where I can get loans and stuff. Dunno what I'm going to take though.

You know, that marriage thing might not be too bad. You know, that's how my grandmother came to america, and my stepmother. And there's a whole ring that does it for money. ;3

Success is subjective.

This is not true at all! I think it depends A LOT on your personality and will to make it there without.

A friend of mine went to Japan with the Working Holiday Visum.. did some Woofing and then found a Job as a Teacher in Kyoto..

Now, he's there for 3 years already and has Zero intentions of coming back anytime soon.. because well, Girlfriend is Japanese^^ ;)

7 more years and he can apply for a citizienship :)


If you want something in Life reach out and grab it!! Don't rely on what other people on the "Internet" might want to tell you :rolleyes:



I'm going to do the exact same thing next year and I hope I will never return!!! But I also plan on searching for a University in Japan or Korea.




edit: you might not be able to apply for the WHV.. which makes it a little harder, but you can still go there and search for a Job. If you don't make it in 3 months take the ferry to Korea, try it there and go straight back to Japan.. Continue.

What you need is money and dedication!

Perhaps ask your friend if they'd help me out? :3

I told you what he did. You are from Houston so you don't have the privilege to apply for a Working Holiday Visa. Ship over and search for a Teaching Job is all the advice I can give you.

Right now in this time of Japan.. after all the Disaster this year. Nobody wants anything to do with Japan. Everybody is scared to death and entire America and Europe think that Japan is completely contaminated.



If you really want it, go to Sendai this month and you will live your Dream!!

Maybe if your personality is right and the Japanese love you, then you will have the honor to live there FOREVER!!

You're American. You can't get a WHV. You can stay up to 90 days, however any longer than that and you'll be deported, sometimes permanently.

I just have to find enough money to go there. Also; Why doesn't Houston allow working holiday visas?

Why though? Also; I heard about this somewhere if I'm not mistaken, I think they said you leave the country and come back. It was probably another asian country they went to.