**Lexi Smith’s Journey: From Atlanta Teacher to English Instructor in Rural Japan**
In 2024, Lexi Smith, a 24-year-old teacher from Atlanta, Georgia, found herself at a crossroads. Dissatisfied with her life in the U.S. education system, Smith yearned for a change that would offer both professional fulfillment and personal growth. Her search for new opportunities led her to consider teaching English abroad, a choice that would eventually take her over 7,000 miles from home to the rural countryside of Chiba Prefecture in Japan.
### Seeking Change and New Opportunities
Smith’s decision to leave Atlanta was driven by a combination of professional and personal factors. She found the school system increasingly challenging, with administrative pressures and a salary that made it difficult to maintain her desired quality of life. “I wasn’t quite loving the school system from having an overbearing administration that didn’t appreciate me to having a hard time living on my salary,” Smith told CNBC Make It. The prospect of teaching abroad, with the promise of a simpler lifestyle and the chance to immerse herself in new cultures, proved irresistible.
To prepare for her move, Smith partnered with Xplore Asia, an organization that helps individuals obtain their TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification—an essential credential for teaching English internationally. After earning her TEFL certification, Smith spent some time teaching English as a foreign language in the United States while Xplore Asia helped her secure a teaching position overseas.
### Landing in Japan: A New Beginning
Smith’s efforts eventually paid off when she landed a job at an “eikaiwa”—a private language school focused on conversational English—in Chiba Prefecture, located on Japan’s eastern Pacific coast, about four hours from Tokyo. Moving to the Japanese countryside marked a dramatic shift from her urban upbringing in Atlanta. “Living in the countryside of the Chiba Prefecture is quite different than Tokyo. Things are a lot cheaper out here. The culture is more respectful, and what you see when you look around is rice fields,” Smith described.
Though initially apprehensive about the move—especially given the language barrier and lack of acquaintances in Japan—Smith found the transition to be smoother than anticipated. Her family, while nervous about her moving so far away, supported her adventurous spirit once they saw how well-prepared she was and after virtually meeting her new employer.
### Comforts and Challenges: Daily Life in Rural Japan
One of the significant advantages of Smith’s teaching job was the support provided by her employer during her relocation. Before her arrival, her employer secured her an apartment—a rare convenience for many moving abroad. The apartment is a modest yet comfortable one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit with a balcony and a walk-in closet. At a cost of 35,000 yen (about $238) per month, it is considerably more affordable than similar accommodations in Atlanta or Tokyo. The apartment’s proximity to her school allows Smith to walk to work, enhancing her quality of life.
Smith’s employer also covered several expenses that are typically the tenant’s responsibility in the United States, such as the customary “key money,” a one-time, non-refundable payment to the landlord, as well as fire insurance. She was also spared the need to pay a security deposit, further reducing her upfront costs.
Inside her apartment, Smith enjoys some practical amenities, including a portable washing machine in the bathroom. She uses the balcony to hang and dry her clothes—an everyday practice in Japan. Notably, her apartment came equipped with an emergency bag containing a safety helmet and other items necessary in case of a tsunami, fire, or earthquake, reflecting Japan’s preparedness culture for natural disasters.
### Living Expenses and Financial Realities
Smith’s monthly expenses are modest by American standards. Aside from her rent, her primary costs include utilities (water, gas, electricity), health insurance, and groceries. Collectively, these amount to approximately $376 per month. This affordability has eased Smith’s financial concerns and allowed her to focus more on her teaching duties and cultural exploration.
Despite the lower cost of living, Smith acknowledges some sacrifices. Living in rural Japan means being far from her family and the familiar comforts of home, especially the Southern cuisine she grew up with. “I miss my family. We’re really close-knit, so it’s hard being 7,000 miles away from them, but also being a Southern girl, I miss my soul food so much. Japan’s food is great, but