Job Discussion Forums

[semitribe]

Hi, I've been considering doing eikaiwa after graduation from university to pay off student loans (and because I'd like to live in Japan), and have come up with questions that I can't find just quite the information I'm looking for.

As a background, I'm a 5th year student who graduates in April 2005 and is looking to get on a plane to Japan in May of 2005. I'm 5th year partially because I was a lazy student at the beginning of my university career, and partially because I just spent a year as a foreign exchange student in Saitama-ken (Please save your jokes!).

Also, for these questions I'm focusing mainly on ECC and Aeon, my number 1 and 2 choices, though basically any advice is appreciated!

Now on to the questions:

1. I'm curious as to the general amount of time it might take from the point when you send in an application to when you board the plane to Japan. I've seen some estimates of how long one has to wait for a reply from the interview, etc., but I'm pretty much looking for the personal accounts of people who are on this board or those they know!

2. When do you need to show proof of your BA? I obviously don't have one yet, and know with JET you just have to have it in your hand sometime soon before you head over to Japan (making it possible for university students to apply), but, for example, ECC specifically asks about it on their web application form. Can I just put in my expected date of graduation? Do you need a BA before you begin the application process? Do you need it when you apply for the Visa?

3. Does ECC still conduct interviews/recruitment sessions outside of Los Angeles and Toronto? I read somewhere else about seasonal sessions in places like Chicago and Washington DC, but can't find any mention of that on their website!

4. Are there any branches of ECC and/or Aeon in Niigata City?

5. As I said, I just spent a year in Japan, so I have a significant grasp of daily life, the language, culture, etc. If I mention these things on an application or to an interviewer, are they going to be points against me? I've heard conflicting stories of companies who want naive, dependant teachers, and companies who either don't care any way or may welcome the fact that you know how to handle culture shock and navigate daily life in another country already.

Ok, that's it for now, any information would be appreciated!

[PAULH]

[Li-ka]

Helloooo from Osaka!

I arrived in Japan a few days ago and just started my training with ECC. I thought I could help you a little bit with your questions. I never applied to Aeon, so the advice on that is from being on forums for a few months and going to their website often (I had considered applying, I just didn't after I got the ECC position).

[semitribe]

Wow, Li-ka, thanks for the extremely informative reply! And in Osaka, I'm jealous! Unfortunately ECC seems to not fit my needs in terms of location, which brings me to another question...

When they ask you why you'd like to live in Japan and where, anyone know how they take to issues of significant others? To me, "I want to live by my boyfriend!!" doesn't sound like an incredibly valid reason for coming to Japan and/or choosing a specific location, so I'm interested to know how an interviewer would feel about that. It's not exactly something I would put in the essay, but when it does come down to the question of why I have a specific location to aim for, that's pretty much The Factor.

Also, on AEON's website they seem to place a lot of stress on the relationship between you, your students, and co-workers outside of work, and particularly after they let you out at 9pm. I'm familiar with the Japanese custom of everyone going out together after work, but wasn't sure if this was quite the reality in eikaiwa schools. Is your free time actually yours, or are you obligated to deliberate time towards socializing after work and on days off?

[Li-ka]

My bf and I both applied to go to Japan. We didn't necessarily want to get placed together, but we wanted to be really close. At none of our interviews did we give the reason for our location request as being next to each other. I really don't think that's the way to go. Find out something about Niigata that really interests you, for example... I think they get a ton of snow, so tell them you really like skiing, but you also want something in a fairly warm climate (I believe it would be warmer there than say, Hokkaido), or something like that. Maybe there's something else about Niigata that will attract your attention.

Try going to www.japan-guide.com for touristy sites.

I don't know about Aeon, but at ECC home time is your time. There isn't any stress on developing social relationships.

(c:

[stillnosheep]

[semitribe]

Thank you both for all the info!

I thought that the best route would be to avoid mentioning Significant Others. Out of curiosity, Li-ka, did you and your bf go to the interviews together? Did you end up getting the places you requested?

[Mike L.]

[semitribe]

[Mike L.]

With JET you usually get somewhere in and or around your first choice.

I chose Tokyo and was 50 a min train ride away in a suburban type area.

If you check it out you'll quickly realize JET beats any big 4 eikaiwa to start out in Japan hands down.

Anyways choice is yours!

[semitribe]

I've "checked it out" pretty thoroughly and found that I'd probably much prefer an eikaiwa company to JET (unless they wanted to make me a CIR-- haha, yeah right!), regardless of the money they're going to shell out.

Like I said, thanks for the advice!