Job Discussion Forums

[azarashi sushi]

Dear Kyushu-ites and Interac-ites,

I'm currently in Tokyo but have been offered a position through Interac working at elementary schools in Oseto-Machi in Nagasaki ken. Oseto-Machi is on the Nishi Sonogi peninsula about half way between Nagasaki and Sasebo. Does anyone have any first hand experience with this place? I've been able to find very little on the net about this place.

I realise there have been countless threads about the Interac... I just re-read them all tonight... As far as I can work out though, other than the pay issue, there don't seem to be too many other problems. Would that be a fair thing to say? Also regarding the pay issue... I agree it is annoying and that they should pay you on time, but as long as they pay you everything and you have a bit of a "buffer" of cash, it shouldn't be too big a problem... should it?

The people who started working for Interac in April, how are things going? Have you had any problems so far? Any late pay so far?

I've been wanting to leave Tokyo and move to Kyushu for quite a while... Of course when the opportunity arises, I start to freak out and worry terribly about it all... the main reason for wanting to move is to be near beaches and nature, more relaxed lifestyle, less work and greater savings ... and cheap rent... 12 000 per month !!! With paying such little rent, I could afford to go away every weekend... What are the good things to see and do in Kyushu in your opinions?

The thing that worries me though is the isolation factor... Is anyone currently in small town Kyushu, in particular Nagasaki ken? What's it like? Did you freak out?

Also, does anyone know about opportunities to do/study pottery in Nagasaki ken or nearby? Are there onsens in Nagasaki ken? I realise there are some in Unzen/Oita.

This is the only link I've found on the place... It looks pretty from the pictures. Is anyone's Japanese better than mine and can work out the population and if there are any gyms there?

http://www.town.oseto.nagasaki.jp/sightseeing/spot_index.html

I realise I have to decide myself whether I want to make the move from big city to big inaka but any thoughts or ideas are greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance
A.S.

[As Das Fads]

well A.S., I don't know about any of the Kyushu questions, but the website certainly makes it look like a beautiful place. As any good website should...

Anyhoo, Interac questions. Yes the pay issue is annoying but you will be so far away from the head office or really any Interac office so you should have no problems. I've been paid late once in 10 months, but I was also asked if I minded my completion bonus being paid late (of course I said yes I did mind!). The April recruits haven't had their first full pay yet, so no problems so far. Other than that, the job is great and easy, but you will be run of your feet in an Elementary school (darn genki kids). Then again, elementary schools kids are sooooo kawaii that it is in itself a reward.

worse case scenario, if it sux, then move somewhere else. Walking out on a dodgy company and a 12,000 yen per month apartment won't be that hard. I think the thing you would mostly need to be wary of isolation. You will be hard pressed to find other English speakers, plus you will get stared at all the time. Goes hand in hand with the nicer rural areas.

Good luck, let us know what you decide!

[azarashi sushi]

Hi As Das Fads...

Thank you very much for your reply and input... Everything about it seems great but , yes, it's the isolation factor that's got me really worried. Just wondering ... In small rural cities, is it possible to take up learning the local arts and crafts etc... are there gyms? For other people who have lived in small towns, what did you do in your spare time?

The Interac guy in Hiroshima said there was one other foreigner ( a JET ) in the town.

Another question about Interac... When are the holidays and exactly how many do you get?

I posted another message ... but just also wondering about high speed internet connections ... Is it possible in rural Kyushu?

Once again any and all input is greatly appreciated. I have to decide by Tuesday!

Thanks once again.

A.S.

[matko]

How eenaka is the city? What is the population?

[azarashi sushi]

Hi Matko... I don't know exactly how inaka it is... that's what I'm trying to work out.

[Rhialto]

Regarding Interac pay issues...

I was paid late a total of 3 times in my one year contract. In addition, despite returning all their teaching materials, they charged me for not returning them anyway, by taking it directly out of my pay. Its illegal to do it that way too never mind that I reurned the items in question, but any legal action would cost more than I would get back.