Job Discussion Forums

falleneagle · Joined: 12 Jan 2004 Posts: 5 Location: Vancouver, BC

Those visa troubles sound nasty. I read the post and didn't really have any of the problems you had (I did it in Vancouver - if you're doing it in California it might be different, it might not, I don't know).

Did they send you the Certificate of Eligibility? Because I just went with that to the Consulate and they helped me fill out the paperwork. On things I was unclear on they didn't seem to mind (ie: I just said "China Air" without a flight number, and said "ECC Arranged Housing" and it was fine). And the woman I email with questions usually gets back to me in a day or two...definately just phone them and get some straight answers because once you have the visa it's all less stressful from there.

Sorry, that probably wasn't much help. If you have any other questions just PM me.

neechan · Joined: 02 Mar 2005 Posts: 7

Back again! ^^
Thanks again bearcat for all the info. I really appreciate it, because not many people whom I already know (who are Japanese) know much about Nagoya.
Actually, my apartment is (according to the girl who lives there currently) about 10 mins by foot from the branch school. So, that shouldn't be a problem at all. I'm really used to walking everywhere. I actually would prefer that.
But that commute you were talking about sounds like hell! Laughing

In any case, according to the current teachers at my branch, the place where they live is rather suburban but is only a 30 min subway ride to the center of Nagoya. Sounds perfect for me. I come from that kind of area. ^^
Thank you once again. Any other info you have is definitely appreciated as well, but you've been very thorough! Very Happy

Albright · Joined: 01 Nov 2004 Posts: 39

falleneagle: How strange. I guess Vancouver's consulate is more flexible with such things... Anyway, I just received an email from the housing coordinator with the future address of my apartment, so it looks like everything is gonna work out... tomorrow, I'll make another trip down to San Francisco and give things another go.

I found it interesting that the employees there helped you like that... At the consulate in San Francisco, all of the employees are behind windows of thick bulletproof glass with very tight slots under them for sliding documents through. Aside from the entrance, there's no doors. I've never been to a place more tightly locked-down than that... I can't see how the employees would easily get into or out of there to help me out. Is Vancouver's office more accommodating?

Phew... the panic is over. (I hope.) See ya in Nagano, maybe!

6810 · Joined: 16 Nov 2003 Posts: 309

don't sweat about visa stuff (ok, maybe sweat a little).

Generally the big schools will sort you out on arrival if everything isn't sorted out in the meantime. If they've said they are hiring you, then you can trust, in most circumstances that they will get it done.

bearcat · Joined: 08 May 2004 Posts: 367

mandrake · Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Posts: 14

Bearcat,

Didn't realise you were a Nagoyan too!

Neechan,

Buses run from Tenpaku into Kanayama, Nonami, and either Hara or Yagoto. I can't remember the exact buses I used to use.

The thing I like about Nagoya is that it is convenient to get to a lot of nice places around Nagoya. There is quite a good night life scene in Nagoya but those outside of Nagoya don't seem to know this because it isn't as "in your face" as other cities such as Osaka, Tokyo, or even Sapporo.

I live near my school, and I actually love seeing the kids and their parents outside of school hours. I work in a public junior high school though.