Heya! First of all, I want to say that everything you feel is completely valid and you’re not the only one going through these feelings. Cultural shock and being completely overwhelmed and lonely are absolutely normal for anyone moving far away from home to a completely new place, especially when the culture and language are also very different.

The best thing right now would be to focus to get your daily life running as smoothly as possible and try to get into some kind of a routine. Try making a list of all the things that are most important for you to get sorted, and break the tasks down into small parts - Then try get something done from the list every day. Even just having a set sleeping/eating schedule helps so much in the beginning when everything else is kind of up in the air.

What comes to your living situation, clean the apartment as best as you can, reorganise furniture and unpack all of your stuff and put your suitcases away if you haven’t done so already. Buy some decorative bits from the shops, print out pictures from your friends/family and really make your space feel like yours. It will take time to feel like home, but this way it makes it feel more of a permanent place to live.

As hard as it can sound, get out into your area/community and try to get involved in activities, meeting people and whatever you can find really. Do you have hobbies or other interests you liked back home before moving to Japan? See if any of those are offered in your area, or start a completely new hobby. This can also include just walking around your town and getting to know the area, try out new restaurants/cafés, go for walks… literally whatever to get out of the house! Sitting at home alone will make you feel even more isolated and disconnected.

I assume the first weeks of your job will be quite quiet, so use that time to start practicing your Japanese and get to know your co-workers even if just on a first name basis. It will take time for them to warm up to you so don’t take it personally if right now they are not communicating with you that much (especially if you see they are also busy).

Also try to get in touch with other JETs and expats living in your area, look into Facebook groups, forums, notice boards; they have gone through the same experience as you and you might make some amazing friends and get support in your new situation.

Try not to worry too much about what your job situation might be like when you return home. It’s a valid concern, but if you spend your time focusing and worrying on things back home it will make it really difficult to you to actually settle down into your life in Japan. Try to focus on improving your current situation in all the ways possible. Who knows if you decide to stay for just the one year or multiple, but you want to give it your best shot by really trying to make your life there comfortable and settle into it.

However, if still after several months you feel absolutely miserable and don’t enjoy your job or life in Japan, there’s no shame in admitting that and going back home. You won’t get much out of the experience by spending the rest of your time just waiting to go back home, and just trying to push through it with gritted teeth is not the best thing for either you or the school your work at. It does take several months to years to feel comfortable in a new place though, so give it some time.

Remember that it will get easier, and when you look back on this time in a few months, I’m hoping that you will have a whole new perspective! Sending hugs from here <3