Some advice for a student.

Jhax

Hi everyone

I'm really looking for some advice about which route I should take about living in Japan. Just to give some insight into my situation at the minute. I'm in my third year of college studying engineering and hoping to head off to Japan when I finish this time next year.

The reason I want to go is because I'm fascinated with the culture and lifestyle, specifically in an area like Tokyo. I've done a lot of research and I understand that Japanese have an 'unwelcoming' attitude towards foreigners like myself but I'd love if somebody could clarify that. I've no Japanese speaking experience but I will pick it up towards the beginning of next year so I have a conversational level when I go over there.

I have 1-1 teaching experience with adults so teaching would suit me just fine in terms of a job. I've read a few threads and an English teaching job seems easy enough to come by so that will probably be my starting point. I will also go for a TEFL as well in hopes of getting a higher paid job.

There are a few things that are scaring me about this though. I can be a little shy and the language barrier is obviously going to be a huge issue at the beginning so is making friends difficult in peoples' experience? Is finding a place to live hard and can you support it on a good salary. Also, do people recommend going with somebody or alone? I know that's more of a personal opinion kind of question but nobody else shares my enthusiasm to travel there so if it's an ok place to live on your own I'll give it a shot.

I'd really like to hear people's experience with it overall (if there is a thread for something like this on boards please link it because I couldn't find it).

Konata

Hi!

I'm not living in Japan (yet! heading off in Sept for a year) so I can't advise you on too much other than what I have discovered through my own research/been told by my lecturers in college.

First of all, have you heard of the Vulcanus programme? I don't know much about it but since you'll have an engineering degree, you're eligible to apply to the programme so might be worth checking out.

Another option of course is the JET programme if you're set on teaching.

Regarding accomodation - renting is really difficult to do in Japan, especially as a foreigner. Again, I don't know the exact ins and outs of it but you need all sorts of things from guarantors to key deposits to several months rent up front. An easier option might be to rent from an agency that specialises in renting to foreigners, for example, Sakura House. They have an English speaking team, have properties all over Tokyo and don't require any of the aspects that making renting a pain in Japan.

shindig-jp

Jhax wrote: »

I understand that Japanese have an 'unwelcoming' attitude towards foreigners .

No, not true, in fact the Japanese find having a foreign friend gives them a status . So expect to be somebodys status symbol

I have 1-1 teaching experience with adults so teaching would suit me just fine in terms of a job. I've read a few threads and an English teaching job seems easy enough to come by so that will probably be my starting point. I will also go for a TEFL as well in hopes of getting a higher paid job.

Having a TEFL over your degree will not get you a higher salary, those days are long gone. Expect in the region of 250,000yen per month and that's at the higher end of a starting out monthly wage.

so is making friends difficult in peoples' experience?

As a man with Just blue eyes and an ugly puss standing 180cm I have some hilarious stories of lady's tripping over themselves to get to know me.

Is finding a place to live hard and can you support it on a good salary.

Downtown Tokyo , You can find a "place" these days for about 50,000 per month plus utilities. A "place"= a room with a WC.

check Gaijin Pot for all your questions answered and learn to be brave if you post anything on that forum. Good luck with getting your degree.

Jhax

Thanks for all the help guys! I can't wait to get started learning some basic Japanese this summer

shindig-jp

OP ...This link may help overcome some problems in a search for a place to live.

http://www.transborders.co.jp/realestate/english/glossary/

Caybar

I reccomend that you contact your college's career guidance dept. and ask them if they know of any japanese companies hiring.

I know of one Japanese company who have taken on 10+ irish enginneering graduates in the past 4-5 years. I believe they source their candidates thru the colleges.

KonFusion

Caybar wrote: »

I know of one Japanese company

http://www.takeda.ie/

I believe they source their candidates thru the colleges.

DCU (& others probably. But DCU I know they definitely do).