Site Search:
 
Get TEFL Certified & Start Your Adventure Today!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Living in inaka and need alternatives! Any adivice welcome

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Japan
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
seph



Joined: 31 Mar 2006
Posts: 3

PostPosted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 8:37 am    Post subject: Living in inaka and need alternatives! Any adivice welcome Reply with quote

Hello all.

This is my first post and i'm really just looking for anyone with advice for job-hunting whilst living in Japan. Does living in Japan put you in an advantageous position or does it make no odds??

I've had a look at some of the previous posts regarding the ekaiwas and to be honest they give me the creeps a little. I've started out on the JET programme which has a few faults but also many perks- perhaps you are more imersed in 'Japanese culture', have a bigger salary, blah, blah, blah. However i'm living in the middle of nowhere (without a driver's liscense) and i can see myself slowly going crazy. So i'm looking to move to a city so am really just wandering what my options are??

As far as i can work out there are a couple,

1) Find a job with an ekaiwa- would be an alright option but after hearing some of the horror stories on here maybe its not such a good idea. Also, do they hire people already in Japan?

2) Apply to some of the adverts on websites like ohayosensei and daves esl etc- Are these jobs fairly easy to get or do applicants far outweigh demand? I have both limited teaching experience and Japanese ability (and my spelling is awful!!) but am pretty keen and also like to think fairly capable.

I'm really not fussed where i'm placed as long as it is a city and the population of 20-30 year olds is higher than 2%.

I am enjoying life in Japan but am just not convinced that the rural life is for me. Any advice or suggestions on what to do next, or useful web links would be really appreciated. Or if anyone has had similar experiences please let me know what you decided to do and how it turned out.

Many thanks
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
seph



Joined: 31 Mar 2006
Posts: 3

PostPosted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 8:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Both advice and adivice would be good, heh heh
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Brooks



Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 1369
Location: Sagamihara

PostPosted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 11:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

do you want to quit or are you going to finish your contract?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
TK4Lakers



Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Posts: 159

PostPosted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 1:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

How long have you been in the inaka for? If its been for a short while....I say give it more of a chance. Another important thing to consider is: why did you come to Japan? Are you allowing yourself to absorb your surroundings and being open to them, or want to satisfy your personal needs and move on?

To answer part of your question, yes eikaiwa's hire people already in Japan. My friend called Nova the other day, secured an interview, went in and was hired on the spot. Real simple.

I live out in the inaka too, and I've been here for about 6 months now. Before I came, I really wanted to go to Tokyo..all my friends and relatives were there. But I decided to give this inaka a minimum one year commitment, and I'm already seeing the good points.

-Its important to keep yourself busy and find a hobby. I am close the ocean, so I bought a surfboard and go every weekend.
-Try to get established. I started tutoring in the evenings and weekends, and have made several connections with people in and around the community. I'm going to start teaching an adult English class every Saturdays now too. More people=more opportunities
-Get along with the teachers....some might be dark and softspoken, but others are friendly and want to get to know you.
-Try to go out with friends/teachers on weekends and get to know your local area. There might be popular hangouts where people your age go to.

This is all I can think of...hope this helps and good luck.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
bornslippy1981



Joined: 02 Aug 2004
Posts: 271

PostPosted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 1:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What kind of visa are you on? I've read before that JETs have a different visa type, and can't work in an eikaiwa with it.

As somebody else asked, how long have you been here?

I lived in a small town with few foreigners before moving to the Tokyo area. It took me about 6 months until I stopped wishing I hadn't transferred so soon.

Give yourself some more time. You're just in a slump right now. Try to remember what you enjoyed at home, and find similar things where you are.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Speed



Joined: 04 Jul 2003
Posts: 152
Location: Shikoku Land

PostPosted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 9:36 pm    Post subject: Re: Living in inaka and need alternatives! Any adivice welco Reply with quote

seph wrote:
However i'm living in the middle of nowhere (without a driver's liscense) and i can see myself slowly going crazy.


This may be your biggest problem. If you can get around by car, it makes all the difference in the world.

Being able to occassionally drive into a nearby city to blow off steam and have fun really recharges your batteries. Also you can experience all the `goodness` of the countryside at the same time.

The car will also allow you to make those secret rendevous with the cuties in the sticks.

Can`t imagaine what I would`ve done without a car. Get a license and a car, if you can.

Good luck.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
J.



Joined: 03 May 2003
Posts: 327

PostPosted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 5:13 am    Post subject: Jump on the train. Reply with quote

Maybe a car would be nice, but if it's not feasible, the train works just as well to get you to a city of size. Just jump on and go and you're there pdq. You might want to identify and head over to the nearest International Centre,; usually there will be somebody English speaking around on the weekend; they can fill you in. Usually there's also a computer, lounge with English magazines and newspapers, and public notices posted up. Take a look; there might be something/someone of interest there that you could phone. Don't be shy, reach out and tell someone your situation; I'm sure somebody will want to help, maybe want some company too.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
seph



Joined: 31 Mar 2006
Posts: 3

PostPosted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 7:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Firstly, thanks for all your replies!! Really is much appreciated.

I am actually having a good time and I will stick out the year, i'm just thinking that perhaps a split between inaka and city would give me a better sense of life in Japan. (maybe 1 year in each?)

As some of you have rightly pointed out, or suggested, I have not been here long at all. It is unfair to put inaka life down and I fear I may have done this in my previous post. It's just my personal situation without a car (and no chance of getting a liscense), or a train station for that matter, it is a little tricky. But I was aware it would be before I came out here and as I said I will stick out my contract but i'm also enjoying dreaming about a land where public transport is plentiful!!!

I know this is a unique opportunity and I really am trying to get the most out of it. People here are incredibly friendly, it has really blown me away. I guess I am just curious to find out my options and how easy it would be to get a job in a city next year. And also what people advise might be the best route/deal for someone already residing in Japan.

Thanks again for your responses, inaka life definitely does have many plus points which I shall try not to forget!!

Cheers
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
furiousmilksheikali



Joined: 31 Jul 2006
Posts: 1660
Location: In a coffee shop, splitting a 30,000 yen tab with Sekiguchi.

PostPosted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 8:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

seph wrote:
Firstly, thanks for all your replies!! Really is much appreciated.

I am actually having a good time and I will stick out the year, i'm just thinking that perhaps a split between inaka and city would give me a better sense of life in Japan. (maybe 1 year in each?)

As some of you have rightly pointed out, or suggested, I have not been here long at all. It is unfair to put inaka life down and I fear I may have done this in my previous post. It's just my personal situation without a car (and no chance of getting a liscense), or a train station for that matter, it is a little tricky. But I was aware it would be before I came out here and as I said I will stick out my contract but i'm also enjoying dreaming about a land where public transport is plentiful!!!

I know this is a unique opportunity and I really am trying to get the most out of it. People here are incredibly friendly, it has really blown me away. I guess I am just curious to find out my options and how easy it would be to get a job in a city next year. And also what people advise might be the best route/deal for someone already residing in Japan.

Thanks again for your responses, inaka life definitely does have many plus points which I shall try not to forget!!

Cheers


Just how out-in-the-sticks is this place? Or more precisely, where are you? I think you should be aware that JET jobs are not things to be cast aside too easily as there is no going back if you do. They are well-paid and the BOEs usually take good care of the ALTs under them.

Some eikaiwas do hire within Japan but you must make sure there is a hiring window open at the time. After that you must be prepared to take a paycut and a huge cut in paid holidays. As it is you could spend your term time in the countryside and use your paid holidays to explore other parts of Japan. I take it that you've only been here less than a month, far too short a time to be talking about "sticking out the year".

One more thing, DO NOT be tempted by agency work in the cities. The only thing they can possibly offer is ALT experience which is something you are gaining right now. Being an ALT in the city schools is, according to most people's testimony, not very enjoyable. The pay for these places is awful, the paid holidays almost non-existent and most agencies are nowhere near as helpful as the BOEs that use JET.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
kdynamic



Joined: 05 Nov 2005
Posts: 562
Location: Japan

PostPosted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 10:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Why can't you get a car?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Glenski



Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

PostPosted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 3:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

kdynamic wrote:
Quote:
Why can't you get a car?


seph originally wrote/answered:
Quote:
i'm living in the middle of nowhere (without a driver's liscense)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Japan All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.

Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group

Teaching Jobs in China
Teaching Jobs in China