[Self-Introduction] From dropping out of the National Defense Medical College to becoming a full-time housewife: A 29-year-old mother of two's journey to becoming a college student in Canada

Once again, hello.

I am a 29-year-old mother raising a 4-year-old and a 6-year-old.

Starting this September, I will be attending college in Canada.

In this note, I am documenting our preparations for studying abroad as a family, my children's growth, and my English studies.



Currently, after a period as a full-time housewife, I have gained a little bit of work experience.

I did not graduate from university.

I have no special skills or certifications.

I cannot work overtime because I have to pick up and drop off my children.

Therefore, when I returned to the workforce, I worked as a contract employee, prioritizing the condition of being near the kindergarten.



Even with a life like this, I haven't just been living aimlessly.

Where I am now is the result of consistently making the best choices I could at each moment.



Looking back to when I was in high school, I lost my mother to illness.

I was 16.

I no longer had anyone to consult with about my future path.

Everyone around me was taking university entrance exams, so I studied for them too.

That was the state I was in.

However, my family was not wealthy.

It was difficult to ask my father for university tuition.



That was when I chose theNational Defense Medical College, School of Nursing.

There was no tuition.

Food, clothing, and shelter were guaranteed.

I could also obtain a nursing license upon graduation.

To me at the time, it looked like the perfect option.



I passed the exam and enrolled.

However, once I actually entered, there were hardships I hadn't imagined.

I was prepared for the strictness.

But, living in a four-person dormitory room 24 hours a day.

An environment where I couldn't even go out on weekdays.

An environment where I couldn't escape from unreasonable situations.

Little by little, my heart was being driven into a corner.



And so, in the spring of my third year, I decided to drop out.

Graduating from the National Defense Medical College comes with a six-year service obligation.

There are also transfers all over the country.

While studying nursing, I also learned about the risks of pregnancy and childbirth.

Long-distance relationships even after marriage.

Living apart even after having children.

I saw seniors living that kind of life.

At the time, I couldn't choose that future for myself.



After quitting university, I worked two jobs, day and night.

It was very fun and free.

I could ask questions about things I didn't understand.

I could make my own choices.

If I achieved results through my own efforts, I would be evaluated with bonuses and awards.

I remember the feeling of being liberated in such an environment.



After that, I got married and was blessed with two children.

I had wanted children for a long time, so I wanted to give birth while I was young and the risks were as low as possible.

This, too, was something I thought about and chose for myself.



And then, reality began.

University dropout.

Full-time housewife.

Little work experience.

No skills or certifications.

In the job market, I am seen as a very difficult candidate.



I started working full-time once.

I tackled the work I was given with all my might.

I also experienced the position of managing a team of about 30 people.

I was able to gain trust.

The work itself was fun.

However, I wasn't evaluated in terms of position or salary.


And I couldn't imagine a future where I would work like this for decades.

I want to challenge myself more.

I want to grow more.

Even if I thought that, my lack of a background meant I wasn't even allowed to stand on the starting line within the company or in job hunting.



That's when I thought about studying abroad as a family.

English education for my children.

And re-learning for myself.

It is an option where both can be done at the same time.



Of course, I didn't decide this based on ideals alone.

Visa conditions.

Finding a house.

Finding after-school care.

English proficiency.

Money.

I kept researching whether it was realistically feasible while checking the conditions one by one. (I have written about this in other articles.)

The result I arrived at was attending college in Canada.



I love Japan.


However, as a result of searching for an environment where I can challenge myself as I am now,I decided to change my location once.You might think it's idealistic.



But I would rather take a step forward than maintain the status quo.

That is all.

I plan to record our future study abroad as a family and our life in Canada in this note.

I would be happy if you could watch over us.