Making a difference one laugh at a time

Teaching English abroad is a joyful exchange. The experience offers you fulfillment in proportion to the amount of passion you bring to the position. Interac, in particular, has served as a useful ally for me in navigating the intricacies of transporting my life to a completely new country. The biggest challenge in making the transition was the bureaucratic checklist before arriving and within the few weeks after landing in my assigned city of Toyama. I spoke minimal Japanese and Interac was kind enough to connect me with a local guide who introduced me to the best shopping spots and went with me to local city offices to complete all the necessary paperwork.

The schools I have been assigned to are very supportive and eager to assist in whatever way is necessary. The work itself is not difficult but it does require a lot of co-planning and coordinating with other instructors which can be difficult at first, especially if you are still learning Japanese. However, I have surprised myself at how easily I have figured out how to plan effectively with my co-teachers and homeroom teachers using Google Translate, broken Japanese, and a healthy dose of enthusiasm.

The most enduring benefit of this program is the joy of working with children. I teach elementary school, and the little gifts children make for you and the smiles they greet you with every day are enough to make you continue looking forward to walking through those doors. I was lucky to have a good deal of teaching experience before arriving in Japan, but even if you are not experienced, Interac provides a wide array of useful and engaging teaching materials that offer a more than sufficient framework to get you started.

All in all, if you are looking to set your life in a new and life-changing direction, I highly recommend teaching in Japan through Interac. The company walks you through the logistical aspects of life in Japan without micro-managing. The pay is relatively low, but the cost of living in Japan is reasonable enough that you can make it work if you are smart about it. And the memories you will make here are sure to stay with you forever.