Job Discussion Forums

gogolucky26 · Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Posts: 16

I am leaving for Japan around Feb 2006 for ECC. Any one else leaving in febuary? I chose the Chubu district did any one else choose Chubu? I am so excited the wait is driving me crazy, fortuntely working and moving out of my current apartment is keeping me preoccupied Wink

medi · Joined: 21 Oct 2005 Posts: 10

I was told I will get exact placement details around the start of January, and head over about late Feb / early March. I put down a preference for Kanto, but I guess I just have to wait and see!

callmesim · Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 279 Location: London, UK

How exciting! I'm finding the waiting to get a start date rather painful. But hopefully early in the new year they'll email bringing good news.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

moot point · Joined: 22 Feb 2005 Posts: 441

Ah, PaulH, why do you always insist on breaking bubbles? Let the young kids get hyped and ingorantly come to Japan and live out their dreams much like you probably did when you first came. They'll find out the perils soon enough like we all did.

I appreciate you trying to give a "heads up" to all the fellow teachers coming to Japan but the tone of many of your posts are negative and seem like deterrents to come and work in Japan.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

I wish I had something like this information when I first came here. It may be negative but its also REAL LIFE and this is about a company they will be working at. Would you rather I told people about these things AFTER they arrive here and experience difficulties?

Yes they are looking forward to Japan. No problem with that. I'm also saying you should take off the rose-tinted spectacles, too.

medi · Joined: 21 Oct 2005 Posts: 10

Most new instructors should know there is no SH at ECC, due to the 29.5 working hours. From what I've heard, at lot get travel insurance for the 1st year, and then a global teaching insurance policy for subsequent years.
I don't know about others, but I had a look at the Union site (and others) before the interview process so I knew exactly what I was applying for.

6810 · Joined: 16 Nov 2003 Posts: 309

callmesim · Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 279 Location: London, UK

gogolucky26 · Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Posts: 16

I assure you no rose colored glasses here. but i have always wanted to work in japan, because of the culture and continuing to learn japanese. Well since i worked as a lab tech (company shall remain nameless) who treated employees like a number, worked 12 hour days some days not even having a lunch break, working 21 days in a row, almost every weekend working, and mandatory "volunteer" overtime which i had to go to work sometimes 2 in the morning just to come back to work at 8am, not to mention being underpaid and the ethical situations that gave me nightmares sometimes, trust me when I say I have no wool over my eyes.

But I like to think of making the best out of every situation and working in Japan is a big oppurtunity and life is what you make it. If I was afraid of every negative and scary situation, I would be hiding under a rock right now. but I am a person who likes working hard, and stepping out of my comfort zone, and challanging my self, it helped break me out of my shyness and I learn from it, plus I did my research and know what I am getting into, but thanks for the warnings:)

Doglover · Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 305 Location: Kansai

More protests at ECC

http://www.generalunion.org/ecc/hallofshame.htm