Around 2 years ago, I went to Japan for a job. How that came to be, well, sit back and let me tell you. You gonna need some popcorn 🍿 because this one's is going to be a doozy ride.

My first job working as a full stack developer recently ended, so I was searching for the next opportunity around that time. Although I had already gained some experience working with various web stack technologies, I was nevertheless still nervous about the process (preparation, studying, interviewing etc).

I was doomscrolling the endless job listings on Linkedin (somewhere around mid ~2021) trying to see if I could fit somewhere (somebody just take me 🙏). At that time, I had in my mind that I was looking for a company which was using Java or any cloud-based technology. My previous job did not allow any developer to interact with infrastructure. And I wanted to learn more.

One day, I saw a posting online which described a job with a Java, Google Cloud and Kubernetes technology stack. I did not bother reading what the company's description 😂 and immediately "clicked apply". Even though I had only done Python and Javascript (for various frontend/backend work) in my previous job, some gung-ho part of me decided to apply anyway.

A few days, the HR replied back with a swift kick, indicating I resoundingly did not fit the job description. Well, no shit. I was not particularly disappointed, and moved on to applying to other positions.

However, in the next few days, the very same HR came back knocking with an online test. The hand of God 🪽said my time had come. Anyways, I demolished that test in ~8 minutes. Later when I became the interviewer for that company and had access to the online interview platform, I realized everyone else who took the same test had an average time of ~50 minutes 😅.

The first round was a sit-in with a female HR, who is by the way, black. She spoke with a british accent and asked me if I understood what the company actually did. I naively told her I had absolutely no clue. She found my honest response amusing but after a brief conversation about other topics, I somehow manage to open the door to the next round of interview.

In the next interview, I remembered being grilled a white guy and an asian guy. I can't exactly recall whether I did some online coding, but at least there was the usual drilling of technical questions.

The only thing I remembered from that interview was the white guy asked me something about Linux device drivers. I remotely remembered saying something marginally intelligent which to my surprise impressed him.

After that there was also a quick sit-in with the CEO, who is a Japanese lady, who said they would prepare an offer for me. Due to the lengthy visa approval process, I had to wait months before I could formally fly to Japan for the first time.

I know, I know, this sounds a little bit suspicious. A guy who clearly did not speak Japanese, and on top of that, had no infrastructure experience. That made me ultra suspicious of these people. What if they are not who they say they are?

There were a few elderly people (how I know them is another story 😅) who advised me from considering that option. They recommended caution. Even reading stories online further drove me to worry.

Who do I believe? The online people or a bunch of old geezers? Will my life be constantly be dictated by fear or from others who are afraid to try?

After days of soul searching, I decided to accept the offer. I knew I wasn't learning anything new by remaining where I am. And I needed a bigger challenge.

The reality is the only way you will ever truly know the truth is to experience it for yourself.

And so it began, months after I initially applied, the start of what could be the most challenging and enlightening experience of my life. As with many new endeavors, there came many unexpected challenges.

To be continued in part 2...