Job Discussion Forums

[h2k12]

Hi,

Is anybody working ion Kobe or have any experience of working there?

How was it? And do you have any recommendations?

Thanks.

[GordR]

Yes, I am here now and it is a great city.

As far as work goes, it depends on your education and experience.

[h2k12]

Hi,

I have a TEFL qualification and BA Degree, both from the UK.

Only tentatively starting to look for information and ideally have joined here to get some recommendations and warnings of place to go and not to go.

I have yet to apply for a job nor have I had one teaching English yet.

[G Cthulhu]

Allow me to offer a contrasting opinion. I hate Kobe. With a passion.

It's a concrete MOD EDIT, devoid of culture or elegance, and populated by the MOD EDIT of Japanese society. It is a magnet for all the worst in non-Japanese and the gaijin "slums" are depressing for the arrogance and ignorance MOD EDIT. I actually prefer being within ~10km of a US military bases with all that entails rather than ever spend another minute in Kobe.

*YMMV*

[GordR]

Why are you asking about Kobe? Without experience and only a BA, I would throw your net wider than just here. Tokyo and Osaka would offer far more choices. I really like Kobe, but I am half way between Kobe and Osaka. Not a lot of nature, mind you...

[mitsui]

Kobe is a good place. There is nature. In fact you can go hiking behind the shinkansen station.

Maybe you should try the eikaiwa called Nichibei. I think they are in Sannomiya.

[h2k12]

I am interested in Kansai, the ideal would be Kyoto but realistically without any experience I need to look elsewhere.

I would be looking for a first job.

[mitsui]

Try Osaka. There is more work there than in Kyoto.

[h2k12]

Thank you all for your input so far.

Now are there certain schools that I need to avoid like the plague?

[mitsui]

Actually Nichibei is in Kyoto too.
Also they are in Umeda, Tennoji and Namba.

I don`t know which schools are bad.

ALT jobs in Osaka prefecture are also a possibility.

[h2k12]

Thank you for all your help.

I'm assuming that by Nichibei, that you mean Nichibei English Service? Or is there another one?

[mitsui]

Yes, I think so.

In Tokyo there are at least two different Nichibei schools, but just one in Kansai.

[Tiger Beer]

Kobe is one of my favorite cities in all of Japan, by far.

Love the way the moutains slide right towards the ocean. Just a beautiful city, in my opinion.

[DtlaCuriousity]

I think it really depends where in Kobe you are and what exactly you are looking for in location. I am in Kobe right now...only two stations away from Sannomiya. Sannomiya seems to be the urban center of Kobe - the heart of the city. Very close to everything. Although I am very close in proximity - culturally and surroundings wise - it seems like I am in a developing country's urbanized tropical village. I absolutely see no foreigners around - just a bunch of little kids and very old people. This makes it harder to adjust and hard to see why so many people enjoy Kobe so much. I will say, the parts in and around Sannomiya do seem really nice.

[mitsui]

Well spend time in Kitano.
Have some ethnic food in Sannomiya.
Go hike a mountain nearby.

Spend time in Tokyo, learn Japanese then go to Hyogo. I prefer the people there. They aren`t so stuck up.

Kobe is good because you can get around on foot, and you do not need a car.