Job Discussion Forums

[ranmawoman]

Seeing that I've missed the deadline for the JET program, I am looking into the NOVA program. What exactly are they looking for? I've read a few posts that state that they mostly look to see how you would handle living in Japan, ie would you get lonely etc? How does one convince someone that you won't be lonely in Japan? Do you tell them that you go travelling a lot and would like to learn Japanese because a lot of international business is now being done in Japan? (looking into getting a JD/MBA law/business degree) when I get back.

Thanks!

[PAULH]

[PAULH]

I would also look at the following site

http://www.vocaro.com/trevor/japan/nova/level_up.html

It should answer most of your questions.

[Brooker]

I'm a former Nova teacher. Getting hired is pretty easy. Check out this article I wrote about Nova....

http://www.jref.com/practical/teaching_at_nova.shtml

[ranmawoman]

Thanks guys for the FYI. I'll read the articles that you've posted and get back to ya via post with additional questions and concerns! Thanks a bunch!

[T-Bone]

The main thing they look for is someone who is outgoing ("genki") and who will be able to handle the culture shock, as mentioned above.

I remember being asked a few basic teaching points in the interview like "how would you explain to a student what a lawnmower is?." They want you to be able to use simple language. (Answer: a thing that cuts grass.)

Express your enthusiasm for Japan and new things and be outgoing and you should be OK. Relax and smile a lot (but be professional).

Working for Nova is OK. There's good and bad, just like everything. The main sticking point is 8 lessons a day, which can get to be a grind. After 6 months, however, you'll have all the (way outdated) lessons in the book memorized and will be able to do them in your sleep. Which will also make your work experience very boring. I had a lot of fun there-- a lot of my students were fun, even if the material was boring.

I think a lot of complaints people have about Nova are because they had bad bosses and area managers. My boss was totally cool, so I enjoyed my branch. The 8 lessons a day thing is the suckiest part. I urge you to investigate other eikaiwas that have fewer lessons. Oh, and contrary to that 2nd article, the "No Vacation" thing is NOT a myth. Other schools are way more generous with their holidays.

You mentioned your interest in learning Japanese. Take some advice from someone who spent a year with Nova, had the same goal, and failed at that goal. I made the mistake of hanging out with other expats, drinking beer and complaining about Nova in my free time. Don't be like me.

When you first arrive, you will only know other teachers and students from the school. Start broadening your social circle immediately. Join clubs and find hobbies. You want to ditch the expat contacts and ditch the Japanese students of English contacts as soon as possible. Make friends who have no interest in learning English. Otherwise, you will spend your existence in an English bubble and not learn any Japanese. And commit yourself to study. You can pick up SOME language through osmosis, but you go a lot farther a lot faster with study.

Sorry I'm so long winded. Best of luck to you! I hope you do well. Japan is a really intersting experience, ad it sounds like you could get a lot out of it.

[ranmawoman]

Hey T-Bone,

That actually wasn't long winded, but quite informational. I'll totally take your advice in regards to meeting people outside of the circle. That's kinda hard though because it will be more comfortable hanging out with the "usuals."

[T-Bone]

Yeah, it is hard. You just have to keep your goals in mind. Like I said, I had those ambitions as well, but fell into a comfortable groove and forgot what I was there for. That's one of the reasons I'm thinking about going back. To redeem myself, I guess.

I think that's anything in life-- stay focused on your goals and you will achieve them. Easier said than done, though. I allowed myself to get distracted from learning Japanese. I guess it's easier to do what others are doing.

I think a lot of people on this post like Glenski, PaulH, Schmooz and Guest of Japan are the exception to what you'll find in the other gaijin in Japan. They seem like they've all made it there. A lot of foreigners in Japan are unhappy. They were unhappy at home, and thought they could change that with a change of scenery. most leave after a short time. This is a glaring generalization, but it's true to a certain degree.

The point is, don't ever forget who you are and why you are there when you get to Japan. A lot of times you really do have no one to depend on but yourelf when you are there.

[PAULH]

[Gordon]

Life is what you make of it here. I thought I'd come for 2 years and I just got my contract today for my third year. Phew! My family and I are enjoying it in Japan and we have adapted well to a simpler lifestyle. Like Paul said, you need to make sacrifices, but they are worthwhile.

I also agree with the earlier comment about making friends with Japanese people. You will learn to understand the culture so much more and have a better experience.

[ranmawoman]

Thank you for providing the more deeper points in working abroad.

Yes I am actually running away from things. Running away from a really really bad breakup that ended an 8 year relationship with a failed engagement. All because someone moved to Australia and couldn't keep his thing in his pants.

But then again, I need this move. I've been in this area for the past 20+ years and I want and need a move. To do something new, to do something that benefits others as well. Sick of working for large MNCs where you're just a peon and all the money etc benefits who knows...

Yeah, I'm also prepared for the culture shock (at least I think I am) and know that I'm going to be lonely out there and gotta depend on myself and no one else. But hey, you guys are out there right? =)

I'm also hoping, wishing, praying that the other teachers out there have the same agenda and that we could help each other out. The agenda being, being afraid because of the culture shock, wanting to learn about Japan, missing home, wanting to teach kids, etc.

I guess I just gotta grow up, take a deep breath and step out the door. hey, worse comes to worse, I could always go back home.

[joncharles]

Hey Eric... do you remember "THE MISSION" in Chigasaki? I used to hang out there, at HONEY. and occasionally at "SOUL TRAIN." btw, excellent article on your web page.

[guest of Japan]

I don't think I'm so well adapted really. I do think that I am an incredibly patient person. I'm married to a Japanese woman as well. I have no children, but I don't think I would still be here if it wasn't for her. Still I am planning to go back to the states to get my MA in about two years. My time until then is being used to save money to make that a reality.

You're never prepared for culture shock. I've read that it is especially true in Japan because nothing is shocking. Things are very subtle and the frustration and the loneliness build inside you. The culture shock will come and go. The trick is to realize when it is happening. In my case, I experienced a bad case of culture shock during my second month, then again at six months (during the rainy season). I still go through it on about 5 to 6 month intervals.

When you work in an Eikaiwa you are really only getting about a half dosage of what Japanese life is like, less if there are no Japanese teachers. If you branch out into private and public schools you could get heaven or hell. Last year I worked in an extremely conservative low level private high school in a rural area. The frustration and culture shock were so intense that I would have done a runner gleefully if not for my wife. My current school, though not perfect, is a wonderful experience in comparison to all previous experiences. It took me a lot of work to make this situation possible.

Even with a good work environment you can find yourself in a rut. This happened to me just last week. You find yourself sinking and there are no explainable reasons. This is culture shock in Japan.

As PaulH said, the streets are not paved with gold here. I certainly don't make tons of money. The people who do are very lucky, qualified, and/or experienced. Or, they work a lot of hours.

I'm a little bit the opposite of PaulH. I didn't work real hard in the beginning on my Japanese (although I did try). I concentrated on enjoying my life in Japan. I didn't save much money, but I did meet a lot of wonderful people, both foreign and Japanese. This gave me a history and support in Japan. If I had locked myself in my apartment eating istant ramen and counted my yen, I would have never made it past one year. I chose the right path for me, although it may not have been the best path. I often regret my limited Japanese, and I think about what my life would be like right now if I hadn't come here or if I'd gone home already.

As it stands a make a living doing a job I'm suited for. I'm neither overly worked or underpaid. I've found a good partner for myself. And I try to keep myself focused on achieving in the present as well as planning for the future.

[azarashi sushi]

[PAULH]