By Isabel Gordon

Taking a gap year was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. After finishing school, I didn’t feel quite ready to head straight into university — something that’s pretty common for teenagers with ADHD. I just felt like I wasn’t ready for uni yet — I needed more time to grow up a bit, and get some real-life experience first.

That’s what led me to Nozawa Onsen, Japan — a small, traditional mountain town that I knew well, having visited the year before. From December 2024 to March 2025, I worked with Nozawa Hospitality for three months, and it became more than just a job — it was a huge learning experience, filled with growth, new friendships, and record breaking snow!

Getting Started

Mum and Dad helped me book my flights, and the Shinkansen, but having been to Nozawa previously, I already felt at home in the town. Nozawa is a charming little ski village, with 13 natural hot springs, and a friendly vibe that made it the perfect first place to live and work away from home.

I was lucky — accommodation and meals were included, along with a communal lift pass so we could enjoy the slopes during time off. I shared a room with two other girls, and that living situation quickly turned into firm friendships. That said, I have to admit — my side of the room was always a total pigsty. I somehow kept it just organized enough to function, but I think my roommates were saints for putting up with the explosion of clothes, gear, and snack wrappers I lived in!

Learning the Ropes

During training week, my supervisor surprised me by asking outright if I had ADHD. She’d picked up on my energy right away — but instead of seeing it as a negative, she saw it as a strength. I could get tasks done quickly and with enthusiasm, which made me feel understood and supported right from the start.

The job involved a lot of cleaning and physical work, which actually suited me really well. The routine kept me motivated, and the repetitive nature of tasks helped me stay focused. I’ve always been someone who needs to move — so even in my free time, I’d walk for hours around the village or head to the local gym.

A Health Scare I Didn’t Expect

One of the biggest challenges I faced during my time in Nozawa was my health. I developed a relentless cough that wouldn’t go away, and just before the end of the year I coughed so hard I heard a pop in my rib cage. On New Year’s Day my friends dragged me to the doctor, and I had broken a rib. It was a complete shock, and I immediately panicked that I might be sent home. I had to have a difficult but honest conversation with my manager, explaining the situation and how worried I was about losing the job. Thankfully, they were incredibly kind and supportive. Instead of sending me home, they just put me on light duties — I swapped out shovelling snow for washing dishes and making beds, and they made sure I wasn’t doing anything that would make the injury worse. That support meant the world to me.

Embracing Neurodivergence

Being neurodivergent (ND) definitely showed up in different ways during my time there. I struggled a bit with oversharing or being too loud sometimes, but I made a conscious effort to read the room better. Thankfully, my team was accepting, and being ND was never treated as a problem. In fact, it helped me connect with people — I made so many friends I’m still in touch with, including Ursulla, with whom I plan to travel through Europe with!

Challenges and Growth

One challenge I had was keeping track of my shifts. Although Nozawa Hospitality used a staff app (which was really helpful), the roster changed every week, and I sometimes had trouble remembering when I was supposed to work. Once, I completely forgot a shift and showed up two hours late. I got a stern reprimand, and from then on, I made it a priority to double-check the schedule.

Having accommodation and meals sorted out made a big difference — it allowed me to focus on the job and settle into the rhythm of seasonal work without added stress.

What’s Next?

One of the coolest things about working in Nozawa was meeting people from all over the world. A friend I met there shared her experience working at a summer camp in Canada, and I was immediately interested. Thanks to her tip, I applied through CCUSA and was accepted to work as an archery teacher at Camp Arowhon in Canada from June 15 to August 15!