Job Discussion Forums

Noxness · Joined: 29 May 2007 Posts: 15 Location: Toronto, ON

Hello, I am new to the forums (perhaps I should frequent the noob section), however I have a situation and question(s) pertaining to Japan.

Recently my boyfriend and I applied to Nova Group, with the intent to go to Japan together. This was an excellent fool proof plan in our naive minds until I was extended an offer of employment and he wasn't.

Let me expand on this situation: As of June/07 I will have a complete Bachelors, while he, in his second year of College dropped out because of various circumstances. He got into the groove of working (saving money to go back) and fully intends to return to school, but he does have a full 12 years of education which is ALL Nova requires to work with them "part-time" or "flexi-schedule".

I should stress that we are not some young infatuated couple, we have been together for four years, and I am pretty sure we are considered common law because we have been living together for about 3 years.

I guess at this point I am panicking.. When they called me to extend the offer of employment they told me that his application was still forthcoming, because my bf was having difficulty acquiring his transcripts. He sends them off and we get this small envelope in the mail saying "nope! Sorry, you aren't good enough".

So what is my point? What the hell are we going to do??? I know that there are options for us, ie. him acquiring a work vacation visa and coming to Japan anyway.. but as I am sure you all know, Nova will almost completely divorce itself from my individual situation if I decide to acquire a place of residence outside of it's company..

Any suggestions?

southofreality · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Posts: 579 Location: Tokyo

Noxness · Joined: 29 May 2007 Posts: 15 Location: Toronto, ON

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

The NOVA web page says this about qualifications:

Noxness · Joined: 29 May 2007 Posts: 15 Location: Toronto, ON

Hmm. I suspected as much. Thanks for the information and advice.

ironopolis · Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 379

Of course, Nova, like most schools, won't help you find other accommodation if you decide not to take the place they offer you. However, southofreality's advice is good IMO - you could take the Nova place for yourself to give you a couple of months breathing space to sort out somewhere else for both of you. Nova's accommodation has its drawbacks, but it's very flexible - they have no problem with you moving out of it whenever you like as long as you give the 1 month's notice.

Nova as an organisation won't assist you finding your own accommodation, but as long as you can establish a bit of a rapport with the Japanese staff you work with at Nova, you'll find they'd be quite happy to help you by doing things like calling estate agents, explaining accommodation adverts and the like for you. You might also find other teachers you're working with who are able to help you find a place or point you in the right direction.

Noxness · Joined: 29 May 2007 Posts: 15 Location: Toronto, ON

Also very helpful. Thank you.

After sifting through some other very similar posts (should have done more research), I am realizing our options are slim. It all seems like so much trouble for one year. I think I might need to just bite the bullet and go alone, which to be perfectly honest is terrifying, but we all need to make a step out on our own I guess.

We are Canadian, and Glenski, the visa you suggested that would only be of use "once" is the visa that Nova advertises to its "flexi" employees. Meaning that when we sat down they pretty much told us that the visa for flexi is somewhat under the table: ie. you get the visa and then Nova offers you a job.
As you probably know, College is a 2 year non-degree program in Canada, but Nova fully encourages applicants from College to apply to their flexi program. They even suggest as well that if you are in the process of completing education that you can apply, which is why there was confusion on my part.

J. · Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 327

For almost every apartment, non-Japanese need a guarantor. If Nova won't do it, then I think there are companies who do in some places, for a fee. Maybe someone else has more information about them. But you also have to be prepared to pay about 5 months rent up front for all the deposits, gifts to the landlord, rental agent's fees, insurance etc. Maybe not worth it if you are staying for only one year.

The other option is a "gaijin" house, which rents out rooms and where people share the facilities.

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