【Taking on the Challenge of Becoming a Marine Technician at 49 with No Experience】 Finding the Path to an "Ideal Fresh Start" at a Boarding House on a Rainy Day

Wednesday, April 15th

49 years old, no experience.
The challenge of becoming a "Marine Technician" that I started to steer my life in a new direction.
On a chilly, rainy morning, while eating a warm breakfast at my boarding house, a 5-minute walk from school, I savored the meaning of choosing this path.
It is not just about the days spent earning a qualification; it is about the learning at a boarding house run by a former sailor and the encounters with shipping companies that keep coming.
This time, I will write about the "importance of choosing the right environment" and the "new connections" I have felt while in the midst of this challenge.

The value of choosing a "boarding house," realized precisely because of the bad weather

The rain that started last night continued this morning, and it felt a little chillier than usual.
Under the gloomy sky, I head to school, but my steps are not that heavy.
My current boarding house is a 5-minute walk from school.
This proximity is a real help on days with bad weather like today.
The cost is about 6,000 yen per night, including three meals.
It is certainly not a figure I can call "dirt cheap."
In fact, some of my peers choose self-catering apartments or business hotels to save as much as possible.
I also initially thought about prioritizing costs, but now I can say for sure:
"Choosing this boarding house was truly the right decision."

The "nourishment for mind and body" provided by a senior veteran sailor

The man who runs this boarding house is actually a senior veteran sailor.
He is a veteran with extensive experience in the shipping industry, having worked on everything from deep-sea tuna fishing boats to cargo ships.
The food he makes is far better than any mediocre cafeteria, so much so that I even go home from school during my lunch break just to eat it.
However, more reassuring than filling my stomach is the environment where I can easily discuss my worries about school and anxieties about the future.
There is weight in the words of someone who has weathered rough seas, and the peace of mind that comes from having someone "who knows the answers" right by your side when you are lost or in trouble is irreplaceable.

A living environment full of "added value" that allows me to focus on my studies

This boarding house is equipped with an "environment for passing" that is more than just a place to stay.

⚫︎ An environment where I can concentrate
Since my laundry is done every day, I am not robbed of time by housework.
⚫︎ Interaction with peers
I can work hard and exchange information with peers taking the same courses.
⚫︎ Refreshing mind and body
There is a mountain right behind us, and on sunny days, I can exercise by trail running every day.

Beyond the price, this place is packed with "added value to keep the challenge going."

I feel like I want to honestly praise myself for choosing this environment.

Hope in the form of "employment" flew into the classroom

During the afternoon class, the atmosphere in the classroom changed slightly.
The heads of several local shipping companies came to the school, and a company information session was held for students who had not yet received a job offer.
I had tried to take action on my own and had interviews, but the result was rejection.
For me, feeling the thickness of the wall of being 49 and inexperienced, this time had special meaning.

Overcoming rejection, a "connection" that has come around again

"Is there a place that needs me?"
In the days spent holding onto such anxiety, the companies themselves take the trouble to come here and create opportunities to talk easily.
I am truly grateful for this environment.
There is no time to stop because of one or two rejections.
I have once again felt a sense of gratitude for an environment where new connections come to me like this every day.

Determination for an ideal life restart

I want to seize this opportunity and grab a good connection.
Secure a job, obtain the 6th-grade Marine Technician qualification, and pass the written exam for the 4th-grade Marine Technician. When I achieve that, my life can truly make an "ideal fresh start."

To make that happen, I will fully utilize this best environment provided to me, and I want to graduate laughing with my peers in 4.5 months.
Just like waiting for the sky to clear after the rain, I will move forward step by step, steadily.

In closing

I sincerely thank you for reading this far.
This is not the story of "someone perfect," but a work-in-progress record of one person repeating trial and error.
By reading from the first episode in order, you might feel a "weight as a story" that goes beyond mere episodes.
Your "likes" and "follows" are like a light illuminating a dark road, giving me the courage to continue this series.
Each of those warm reactions becomes the greatest driving force for me to keep writing this series.