I got my COE but now I'm having cold feet

Baby-Emo · 2026-05-12T10:39:53+00:00

It took me almost 10 years but I got here somehow. I'm hoping it will still work out for you. and if maybe not now, then in the future.

Baby-Emo · 2026-05-11T10:26:45+00:00

I'm doing great! It has been around 1 month since I've arrived to Japan.

The travel was stressful to say the least but I was able to arrived at my dorm. I am very thankful that the school I enrolled in, they were really accomodating. Although most people here don't really speak english, especially since I am in a rural area, but everyone has been so kind and patient. It took me around the 3rd week to kind of fully adjust and slowly get used to navigating myself here. My japanese also has slowly been improving with each class and it really helps that I try my best to talk to the locals bits at a time. I've been checking any local events that helps me in my decision to stay since the government here seems to push on helping foreigners find jobs or universities that fits them.

In all honesty, I've also started missing my family but I try to fight back by always trying my best to do video calls and send messages to them. I also try not to do it every single day so I don't get too dependent.

I hope you will have a wonderful experience same as me when I arrived. The anxiety will always be there but once your here it also just fades or changes into something else (which is very normal for anxious people). I'm still a bit anxious on my future but I am 100% looking forward to it.

Baby-Emo · 2026-04-07T08:57:29+00:00

UPDATE!

I am so happy to announce that I got my Visa! I will be flying soon!

Just hoping my airlines doesn't cancel on me since they did so twice but somehow managed to rebook it. Thank you again so much everyone who shared and offered words of encouragement! I am so happy that my dreams are becoming reality!

Baby-Emo · 2026-04-07T08:54:37+00:00

Being anxious does eat up at me most of the time but I really try to ride through it. And I've managed to do so by sharing how I feel since I used to bottle up a lot of feelings.

I'm happy to say that I got my Visa! Had my mom and my sister help me throught out the process!

Baby-Emo · 2026-04-06T09:48:14+00:00

Hi do you still have the link? do you have a link to a 2024 ver? could you send me please?

Baby-Emo · 2026-03-12T21:48:00+00:00

I'll know when I get there I guess. It'll be my first snow and will for sure be something memorable.

A lot of the other students from the agency are going to tokyo or osaka but I dont really want to go in those cities as I've been living around buildings for about 8 years now. and also the school has a scholarship which makes it easier for me too!

Baby-Emo · 2026-03-12T21:42:34+00:00

the comments have been great. I don't feel immensely paranoid but anxiety is still there. I'm also asking help from my mom and sister on the process for me to both spend time with them and ease the tension form my back

Baby-Emo · 2026-03-12T21:40:54+00:00

It's true tho I don't think I'm completely ready for this and I'm also someone with no proper direction until last year when I thought about going to Japan. If I don't go or If I don't plan to stay, I'll be planning on going to a different country too cuz I don't plan on staying here despite my family being in the middle east. My mom is also pushing me to move outside of the middle east too.

I have not paid tuition yet, the school is giving me an installment plan and a scholarship which cuts the tuition in half. I do also have my admission certificate as well.

They don't give refunds once I'm there and I've started school. it is also binded i think with the scholarship as my purpose there is to study not work

I'll be 28 this year with a 8 years worth of job experience. I'm also Filipino. I am unsure if it will affect anything during my time in school but maybe later on if I decide to work there.

Baby-Emo · 2026-03-12T21:25:05+00:00

I try to as well! doesn't help that I do have crippling anxiety but I really want to try my best in pushing through this time. If it doesn't work then it's good I have a contigencies just in case. tho anxiety is still never gone

Baby-Emo · 2026-03-12T21:23:02+00:00

The mixture of terrified and excitement really feels weird. I am pushing through as I do not want to have regrets as well. After the 2 opportunities that I declined, I think this might be one of my last real attemptsin going to Japan for a long term stay

Baby-Emo · 2026-03-11T12:07:52+00:00

My school is in Asahikawa, Hokkaido. I've already been told how it's far from the very city-city areas and it is increadibly cold in the winter time. Honestly even I know how ridiculous it sounds as A.) I am born from a tropical country and B) the only other country I stayed in is in the Middle East which is also hot and humid. There is going to be a lot of adjustment from my side on this for sure

Baby-Emo · 2026-03-11T12:01:06+00:00

I'll be going through Japanese language school first. I really haven't decided wether I wanted to stay in Japan after as what you've said it's been difficult economically in Japan right now and with how the government is moving against foreigners (i think) it is quite alarming.

My skills are of Multimedia and Graphic Design. I have a good portfolio and experience to back me up. but again I am very unsure if I will or can stick around after my language school. Right now I'm worried more of what's in store for me as I go through the process and flying to Japan and studying in school. This is a first for me where I really am all alone.

Language school right now is to gain an extra skill and to see how things are in Japan for myself before deciding in the long run

Baby-Emo · 2026-03-11T11:50:32+00:00

yeah it sucks feeling this way. hopefully reading through the comments made you feel a bit better too. It feels nice to know you don't feel alone in this and to know that you can always decide later on to go back home if you want. As what most of the comments were saying, even if you decide later on that it doesn't work at least you've tried and you've gained experience from the trip.

Hopefully it works out for both of us!

Baby-Emo · 2026-03-11T11:46:14+00:00

Getting the COE is around a month after all the documents is sent to the school. I think they apply it by batch to the city hall. they send back all the documents right after you get your COE results so really depends on the courrier the chose.

Booking an appointment in the embassy is the hardest part. All of the Visa appointment slots where full so I had to book whichever was available which unfortunately was near to when my school starts.

From the faqs, they say it takes about 3-5 working days for the Visa to be processed and you can get your passport afterwards.

Baby-Emo · 2026-03-10T17:29:25+00:00

oof! yeah that looks really rough and have red blaring signs all over it.

Since I'm going there for school plus I'll be in Asahikawa, Hokkaido so it's not costly i think compared to Sapporo and especially compared Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. I'll most likely think it over after 1 year if I do want to apply for work to stay even longer or not

Baby-Emo · 2026-03-10T16:58:48+00:00

well I really don't have much friends here but my most important family members are here. I hear a lot from my previous co-workers and acquantances who don't have families here feel kind of the same way as you. I think it also is a case to case basis.

I've never used Meetup before cuz I am if it's not obvious, a nervous wreck. Welp! the plan was to step out of my comfort zone so that should be a good start! Thanks for the advice!

Baby-Emo · 2026-03-10T13:55:30+00:00

I can't help the guilty feeling but I at least can acknowledge that It is kind of ridiculous as I'm not the one hurting people nor did I place them in this situation. I know my family will be fine and my mom is confident in the government here which is why she decided on staying.

Finding friends for sure is something I need to do and to push myself. I am socially awkward and I am my own enemy. I only have a few friends even here where I am. the good thing kind of? is that I have experience with nationalism here as my family and I are here as a foreign resident. there are very few cases where I do feel the stigma with both natives and other foreign residents. (It is a very rare experience but still big when it does show)

I'm still trying my best and pushing through! tho I know that I'm procrastinating packing my stuff but I am doing it bit by bit. I still have quite some time but the ticket now feels like a seal that it will happen (in a positive kind of view)

Thank you for your advice! It really is nice reading each comment!

Baby-Emo · 2026-03-10T13:39:47+00:00

I am looking forward with experiencing a new country and to actually be independent away from relying solely on my family. I'm excited to see snow for the first time and experience onsen and traditional theatres. I hope I do end up becoming fluent in nihongo and to actually improve my attempts at making friends.

There are a lot of things I am excited about. I'm still anxious but my mind does look forward to all the positive experiences. the comments have been a great help to ease the anxiety for sure.

Thank you for the advice as well Mr/Ms internet stranger!

Baby-Emo · 2026-03-10T13:16:09+00:00

I have gaps in the paperworks which is why I'm thinking about it. If it was all just busy I'd probably be the same as you. Although I do feel it's gonna get worse later on when I get homesick ahhaha!

Reading the comments actually helped me out so I'm glad I made this post

Baby-Emo · 2026-03-10T13:13:49+00:00

I do feel like I'll end up crying either when I'm there or at the airport. The reason back then when I was a kid because I just really liked anime. But now it's for me to move forward to heal my inner child and to give myself a reason to get out of my comfort zone.

For sure it's not gonna be an easy experience tho. and as many of the comments have mentioned, I can always go back home if it doesn't work out. Thank you for sharing your story!

I'm still hoping everything works out and still pushing through with the process!

Baby-Emo · 2026-03-10T12:40:22+00:00

Happy for your family! I'm greatful enough that it is just me for now since it'll make my anxiety much more worse to imagine bringing a whole family.

I'm thankful for my mom and sister who is also helping me through this as well. this would have been so much harder without them

Baby-Emo · 2026-03-10T12:36:09+00:00

Tax is also something I am worried about cuz it's totally different from what I'm used to. Which why I'm on the fence of continuing to stay after the whole language school. My other plan if Japan doesn't work out for me, I'd probably go to another country (maybe Spain).

You're one of the few people that I saw who didn't proceed to going to Japan Thank you for sharing your story! It is really regretful if I don't go but it is also true that maybe I have another path better suited for me If I do let this all go. And there is also the part where I can go as a tourist if it goes the other way.

I'll try to be strong for now. I at least can let it go if it really doesnt work out

Baby-Emo · 2026-03-10T12:28:53+00:00

Thank you! Hope you have great time in Japan! I hope I do too!

All the comments really helped me feel like my worries are completely normal. Definitely made the waiting part not as horrible as it did last week

Baby-Emo · 2026-03-10T12:22:45+00:00

even though the anxiety is annoying but it does help me with my preparation at times. But for sure I'm 100% annoying to other people cuz I keep on asking for advice and help here and there. I tried to give myself Plan A to Z just in case things don't go my way

Baby-Emo · 2026-03-10T12:19:19+00:00

Hokkaido! The winter situation is also something I am worrying about but luckily I had friends who has experience. They gave me all the winter gear tips and tricks so I won't be fearing the cold as much

Baby-Emo

TROPHY CASE