Job Discussion Forums

[TEAM_PAPUA]

Any information regarding WESTGATE university program?

(not necessary to mention the application process I read about the other guy who couldn't manage the app then flamed everyone for helping him - tosser)

thanks again

[RobCooper]

sorry to be picky but what sort of information are you after? Theres a fair bit I could tell you right now about the students, the process, the living conditions etc etc.... or just an overview on how it works? If you can be more specific Ill give you any info I have.

[TEAM_PAPUA]

Many Thanks Rob,

I basically need all the information you can give as I have been offered a job on their university 3 month program. I was wondering what it's like to be on site for 9 hours a day + the 30-90 minutes each way travel? Also housing, students, staff, classes etc. etc.

Again, many thanks.

[BenJ]

i think i've given my thoughts on this a few times if you do some quick searching.

[TEAM_PAPUA]

I'll take a look

[TEAM_PAPUA]

i think you'll find that it was a simple case of a misunderstanding. i could manage the application on my own but wondered why they wanted me to answer such a simple question when the others required a modicum of thought.

and i'd appreciate it if you refrained from calling me a tosser in future.

thanks geek

Thanks Zorro, hey if you happen to be working at Westgate when I'm there (assuming that you managed to at least spell your name correctly on the application form) need any more help? Maybe you need walking to the train station? need your classes taught for you? anything else..? I'll have to put in for babysitter's allowance

[RobCooper]

ok let give it a go.... needless to say initial caveats this is my opinion not fact and others may well feel differently etc etc....

On a lot of matters Westgate doesnt seem to vary much from reports Ive heard elsewhere. Yes there are long hours on site which makes for a pretty tiring day but thats Japan really isn't it? You teach for roughly five of that nine hours and the rest is planning/breaks etc so generally you can get your act together and ensure that what little free-time you do have is entirely your own. 40 minute lessons are pretty easy to plan and chances are youll be teaching the same class six times a day and one conversation class - easy on planning but once you get round to the third or fourth time you start getting that groundhog day feeling.

Otherwise things very much vary from campus to campus - if you find yourself at a good university where the students are enthusiastic, there's other teachers about and the university staff are friendly/relaxed then life can be good. But that isnt always the case and its pot luck where you end up. This also has an impact on how your days go - if youre central in a town or city then you can find places to go and eat during breaks, but in some campuses your breaks may seem very very long and empty.

Of course this random nature of the university you end up on also affects your journey times - if youre in central yokohama or tokyo your commute is obviously going to be longer, and I would imagine that commuting is a symptom of being in a major city in Japan and not solely of Westgate. Some people get ten minute commutes, some get 90 minutes.....

By and large Ive met few people with any major complaints - but I know from other postings that they exist - again i think part of this comes down to where you are, how flexible youre willing to be (thats Japanese one-way flexibility of course) and who youre working with. I dont want to sound rose-tinted but from my experience its a good programme. The commute and the schedule are tough but I guess thats what I expected from Japan. The teaching is simple and straightforward, the money, while　not setting the world alight is reasonable and the housing that ive experienced is liveable though obviously not palatial and certainly soul-less.

I guess it depends on why you want to be in Japan. If you're after a job either to get into the country, or to get a taster of whats its like before maybe staying longer its fine, easy and few hassles.　　If youre just after a job and are happy to be relatively mercenary and just get on with things, then its fine. But dont expect a happy ever after cultural experience and all the thrills of a tokyo nightlife (you may be long way from Tokyo for a start).

I guess put simply, for most people its not a dream job, but its certainly not a nightmare. if youve got any other questions let me know...

good luck in your decision making

[ChotoHen]

Team Papua,

I just interviewed with them about 2 weeks ago. How long did it take to hear back?

Thanks.

[TEAM_PAPUA]

Thanks again Rob, your answer was what i was expecting. I guess it is all down to the assignment. I do have one question which is linked to another of my postings on this site regarding Gyms in Japan. It appears that these are very expensive - as you mentioned there are long breaks at the universities, my question is: do they have facilities that teachers can use? Also, to answer your question, yes i have chosen the 3 month option with Westgate so I can have a look around before commiting to a year's contract.

CHOTOHEN: congratulations for getting through the exhaustive application process! They got back to me within a week, and then sent the documents almost immediately. Competition is pretty high I am led to believe. Let me know how you get on.

[PAULH]

[RobCooper]

On the gym front I havent heard of anyone being able to use the university gym, if there even is one on campus. Then again Ive not heard of people trying.... but as PaulH says you aren't by any means considered university staff so Id be surprised.

As for the application process - it would usually depend on how close you are to the deadline but it will be dependent on Westgate receiving ALL your references and the documentation they ask for. Usually youll get a little confirmation to say everything has been received and you should hear pretty soon after that.

[TEAM_PAPUA]

many thanks, I completely understand. to answer your questions i'm planning on 3 months then back to China for a month's traveling around...then decide what to do. Think i'll need a holiday after 3 months with Westgate by the sounds of things!

[zorro]

team papau,

will you seriously help me out when i get to japan? that would be much appreciated. although i think you may be illegible for a babysitting allowance. (as zorro whistles in happiness despite the attempt at tomfoolery from the op'er)

thanks again.

love from zorro.

[stillnosheep]

[zorro]

go and find some sheep to chase..