Hello,
It has been a season of cold days here in Germany. The sun rarely makes an appearance, and I find myself missing it more with each passing day.
Lately, I’ve had a lot on my mind, so I thought I’d start writing things down as they come to me.
My First Time Abroad
The first time I went abroad was in September 2019. I had dropped out of university and embarked on a journey to Australia.
Now, five years after stepping out into the world, I realize how much my values, perspectives, and personality have changed.
When I first arrived in Australia, I was filled with excitement and anticipation. At the same time, I had my worries about living in a foreign country where I couldn’t communicate fluently. Yet, life was so full of new experiences that every day flew by.
However, recently, I’ve found fewer moments that spark that same sense of excitement or nervous energy.
The last time I truly felt it was when I arrived at Tanzania…
Now that I’ve become comfortable speaking the language and settled into life in Germany, I find myself wondering if this is enough. Am I lacking a new challenge? Or is it more important to focus on improving my current circumstances? These are questions I keep asking myself.
And all of this, I realized something important:
“What you choose to do truly matters.”
What to Do Abroad
Compared to ten years ago, it’s much easier now to go abroad from your country.
For example, if you’re from Japan, you can apply for a working holiday visa in many countries and experience life overseas quite easily.
Ultimately, though, what matters most is your intention—what you choose to do.
For first-time travelers, just being abroad can be exhilarating. Simply being in a new environment—speaking a different language, adapting to a different culture, and experiencing a unique lifestyle—can feel like growth. Every day is exciting.
But over time, that excitement fades.
That’s why I believe it’s crucial to think about what you want to do while you’re abroad.
Some people move overseas seeking a better life than they had in Japan. But honestly, there’s probably no better place than Japan in many ways. If you don’t have a clear purpose, staying in Japan and spending time with your family might lead to a happier life.
For me, my clear goal is to play soccer. But there are moments when I start thinking about what happens after soccer.
“What Will I Do After Soccer?”
I’ve been pondering this for the past six months, and I’ve come to a vague but persistent thought:
“I want to leave my thoughts and way of life behind in this world.”
Right now, soccer is my means of self-expression. But what about after I retire?
As someone whose highest level of education is effectively a high school diploma (having dropped out of university), I doubt I’d suddenly decide to become a company employee—or even have companies willing to hire me! (Haha.)
This line of thinking was sparked by my failure in soccer during my time in Tanzania. It gave me an opportunity to reflect deeply.
I don’t have concrete answers yet, but I’m taking my time to figure it out.
Summary
I’ve shared a lot about myself here, but the main point I wanted to convey is this:
Now that it’s easier than ever to go abroad, it’s even more important to have a clear intention of what you want to do.
Living abroad is something anyone can do. But if you’ve taken the less common path of going overseas, why not aim for a different kind of ending?
I’m planning to update this blog a bit more frequently from now on.
