In 2016, I arrived in Japan as an English teacher with no knowledge of the language, believing it was my only ticket to experiencing this vibrant culture. My first job quickly became a nightmare, with exhausting hours and minimal pay. After eight draining months, I quit on the spot when a colleague manipulated our schedules, leaving me feeling undervalued. With only a week to vacate the school-provided apartment and no clear plan, I made the bold choice to move to Tokyo, driven by the promise of new opportunities.

Once in Tokyo, I faced the daunting task of finding work quickly, living on a meager budget that relied on rice and peanut butter sandwiches. After countless applications, I landed two part-time teaching jobs, which provided me a stable foundation. While the pay was still low, the supportive environments reignited my passion. With evenings free, I dove into programming, attending meetups and networking tirelessly, determined to pivot my career from teaching to tech.

Fortune finally smiled upon me when I secured my first role as a software engineer at a startup, where I learned invaluable skills over three transformative years. This experience eventually led me to a position at one of Japan's larger tech companies, completing my journey from struggling educator to thriving engineer. As I reflect on my time in Japan, I’m eager to share the lessons I've learned to help others navigate their own paths in this remarkable country.