A Decade-Long Goal of Going to Japan
I dreamed of going to Japan for 10 years. Delving into the culture got me to absorb the language until I could speak conversational Japanese. When I chose my degree, in Electronics and Telecommunication at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, it was because I learned that it would help me get a job in Japan one day.
Initially, I also looked into studying in Japan, but the available scholarships were nationwide competitions with only 1-2 grantees. It was unrealistic to pursue. In my third year, I heard about FAST OFFER International from a friend. I signed up quickly—after all, it was free! I was then shortlisted for an interview, and then I had a mentor help me out preparing for the interview. Amazingly, I passed right away. I was ecstatic and quickly shared this with my friends.
Working with the company, the visa process was straightforward. The only extra effort I had to put in was going to the embassy in the capital—which was far from where I lived. Because I had a government scholarship loan, I also had to pay that back. For this scholarship, you wouldn’t have to pay for the loan if you went to work for the government for a few years. I saw that it was worth paying back because of Japan’s competitive salary.
Because I got into the company during the pandemic though, I waited for two years before I finally joined the company. At this moment in time, I’ve worked for the company for a year now.
Life in Japan: Challenges and Perks for a Malaysian Engineer
When I first went to Japan, it was difficult. The pandemic closed many halal restaurants, and my dormitory didn’t have a proper kitchen. Because I’m not fond of seafood—which would have been halal-approved—I wound up having an incredibly limited diet of rice and eggs. Thankfully, now that the pandemic is over, and I moved to Tokyo, my diet has improved.
Working in Japan certainly has its perks. If you’re working for a company with a traveling stipend, you also get to save a lot of money using the trains. In Malaysia, because public transportation is wholly different, working would require you to buy a car and a bulk of your salary goes into paying for that. In Japan, I get to enjoy my salary a lot more.
Japan is a good choice for a foreign country to explore more about yourself. Because Japan is very different from Malaysia, it’s helped expand my perspective. I think, wherever you go, it will serve you well to have a mindset open to learning and exploring.
Setting New Goals: The Ongoing Journey of a Malaysian Engineer in Japan
Getting to Japan was my goal for a decade. I had a lot of short-term material goals when I came to Japan, and now I’ve hit most of them. It’s made me realize though, that there’s still a lot more to life than the things I’ve carried out thus far. One day, I want to be freer, and get to spend more time with the people important to me. I’m learning more and more with time, that success is more about finding the right people to spend your life with. I’m happy I’ve reached my first milestone in Japan, but I think this is just the first step. There’s still so much more after this.
Advice for Aspiring Expats: Thriving as a Malaysian in Japan
I think it’s incredibly important to listen to your own heart and know yourself. Everyone is so different. Even in Malaysia—we’re all so different with our backgrounds being Chinese, Malay, or Indian—that it’s hard to say something that works for every Malaysian. That’s why it’s even more important to see yourself as an individual, away from other people’s influences, and to know your own values to base your big decisions on.
You might be swayed by other people’s opinions and beliefs, but you need to listen to your own desire: is this something you want for yourself? If so, go for it! Signing up with FAST OFFER International is completely free so there’s nothing to lose and only a lot to gain. Perhaps if you’re not ready to answer the big questions, then perhaps you’ll find it as you explore your future self in Japan or wherever your heart takes you.
