Ever since I was young, I’ve been watching Japanese manga and dramas. The culture and environment of Japan are quite different from my own country, which sparked my interest in visiting. My first trip to Japan was for tourism. I was thrilled to visit places famous from the manga and dramas I was familiar with. During a short-term study program, I immersed myself in Japanese life, commuting by train, discovering charming shops in towns, and participating in festivals and events. This made me want to continue living in Japan, to see various landscapes and visit famous sites. It became a dream of mine.

However, with a job and family, it wasn’t easy to just decide to pursue this dream. That’s when I learned about the Working Holiday Visa. With this, I could spend a year working and living in Japan. After much contemplation, I decided to follow my heart. Preparations were extensive. I attended a language school to learn Japanese so I wouldn’t struggle in Japan. I also arranged for accommodation and a job from Taiwan. I realized that this year would significantly change the course of my life.

Last year, my life and work in Japan began with the Working Holiday Visa. I made friends at work and experienced Japanese workplace culture. In my free time, I traveled with friends, dined out, joined festivals and events, and drew fortunes at New Year’s. I made many memories. As I adapted to life in Japan, my Japanese improved, and I became keen to use it in my professional life. Wanting to enhance my language skills further, I decided to use the money saved from my working holiday to fund my studies.

Being older than other students, I wavered in my decision, especially seeing peers of my age advancing in their careers or starting families. But I knew I wouldn’t know the outcome unless I tried, so I came back to Japan. Now, I’m attending school while working a part-time job that requires Japanese. I need to learn a lot. Though I have less time for leisure and earn less from part-time work, and I can’t see my friends often, I have gained much from these experiences. I’ve met new people and found good job opportunities, each step bringing me closer to my dreams. Gradually, my true aspirations are becoming clearer. This reminds me of a phrase, “In life, no time is wasted. Act rather than make excuses. Believe in your path rather than worry. Start changing what you can.” I now understand why I came to Japan. However, what the future holds can only be answered by my future self.