Dear Rolf,

I’ve just been accepted to the JET Program to teach English in Japan for a year. I dream of seeing the world, but worry this is a step bigger than I’m ready for (I’ve only ever traveled in Western European countries). Do you have suggestions about crossing the language/cultural barrier for the first time—especially related to being isolated for an entire year?

— Doug, Flemington, NJ

Dear Doug,

I think teaching in the JET program is a fantastic way to experience Japan, and a great introduction to life overseas. Having had a similar experience in Korea, I’d say the best way to deal with the language/cultural barrier is just to do some reading before you get there (guidebooks, phrasebooks, travel narratives, history/culture books, Internet sites), then just “take the plunge” when you get to Japan. At times things will seem weird, but that’s part of the cross-cultural experience!

Just to be sure, however, I passed your email along to veteran vagabonder (and World Hum contributor) Newley Purnell, who has just finished a couple years of overseas teaching. He says this:

“I’ve heard nothing but good things about the JET program—it’s well-run, challenging, and prestigious. I’d tell Doug to go for it: It’d be a great way to begin seeing the world. He’d likely have time off to travel when he’s not teaching, will be in Japan long enough to find his footing and discover what it’s like to live there, and learn a lot about himself by immersing himself in a foreign country. Yes, it’ll be shocking to encounter the vast cultural differences between east and west (as I did during my year in Taiwan), but from what I understand, JET offers a supportive network consisting of other participants and JET program administrators. He’d have a safety net, in other words.

“My advice to Doug would be not to worry that a year’s too long—when I moved abroad for the first time to teach English in Ecuador, I was convinced I’d be gone six months and then return home. Two-and-a-half years later, after living in Ecuador and Taiwan, I feel as if I’m only beginning what promises to be a life of meaningful travel and discovery. All vagabonding journeys must start with a single step, and I can’t imagine a better one than taking the plunge with JET. Doug shouldn’t underestimate his abilities to adapt and learn and communicate across the language barrier.”

So good luck in Japan, Doug! It should be a life-changing experience.

Columnist Rolf Potts is the author of Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel.

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For more Rolf Potts, read a 2003 World Hum interview with him.