Job Discussion Forums

chaz47 · Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 157

Hi, I've posted on here a bit since I did a study abroad in Hirosaki a few years ago. I've been working in Korea since. Now, I've worked my way through the Korean system up to a university and I find it quite OK.

I am considering making the jump to Japan next year though. I was specifically looking at Hirosaki city or Aomori city. I only have a BA so my understanding is that a university job in Japan is impossible (even though I have uni experience from Korea it's apples to oranges, right?).

Anyway, any advice on how to contact these schools and what sort of benefits would I be looking at? Right now the biggest bite is going to be losing my university vacations. I'm only a lecturer but if I do my grading throughout the semester and don't wait until the very end I can usually muster 6 weeks of vacation in the summer and winter breaks... damn nice after the 10 days of non-consecutive vacation offered during my hagwon indentured servitude.

Thanks.

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

chaz47 · Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 157

What sort of benefits do you get? I'm especially interested in vacation time. How about pay?

What dispatch companies are good places to start?

Hirosaki city is pretty rural by Japanese standards so I'm not sure if this makes a difference in getting into a school there.

My Japanese is basic but I feel I could probably improve it quickly in the next year if necessary. I've got a handle on a fair bit of Korean and Chinese characters so really I've just got to relearn hiragana and katakana. And, then begin acquiring some grammar skills.

Thanks.

Nabby Adams · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 215

There is university work with Westgate. They offer a lot of vacation and often advertise on Daves.

Gaijinpot website advertise a lot of dispatch work at the high schools.

With the above a BA would be enough.

shuize · Joined: 04 Sep 2004 Posts: 1270

Aomori is a nice area and all, but if I were you, I wouldn't marry myself to one specific area of Japan. Especially if you're trying to transfer over from Korea. It's not like people are going to be knocking down your door trying to give you a job.

chaz47 · Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 157

chaz47 · Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 157

Ummm... another thought.

Suppose I do go over to Hirosaki and actually start work at a cram school, what are they called anyway, eikaiwa?

What are my chances of moving up in the food chain as I do my time? If I finished an online degree while living in Japan would this help me to get into a better position and maybe even return to academia?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Idea

azarashi sushi · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 562 Location: Shinjuku

I've never been to Hirosaki, but just given the fact that it's a smallish city and not a business or manufacturing centre, I'd say your chances of moving up the food chain, without any contacts, are a bit slim.

Never say never of course, but I think if you really want to come to Japan, you'd be better off focusing on Tokyo and the Kanto area. That's where the work is?

Have you been to Japan before?

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Chaz47 did a study abroad in Aomori a few years ago, according to his first post.

chaz47 · Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 157

azarashi sushi · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 562 Location: Shinjuku

I think you'd be better off speaking to your former host mother/probably wife to be rather than posting here because it all hinges around her.

Remember, Japanese will always be polite to your face and endeavour to maintain the harmony of a situation, but it's not necessarily what they really mean.

I think you'd be better off taking one step at a time... Get yourself to Japan, anywhere, get a job and visa first and then cross the marriage bridge when you're a bit settled here.

chaz47 · Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 157

I didn't want to say this because it makes me feel weird, not sure why, nervous maybe. But, she is the one who is pushing for marriage. Maybe I already implied or stated that.

If you're married to a Japanese person what sort of employment possibilities do you get? In Korea a spousal visa is fantastic you actually get treated humanely, but Japan's treatment of foreigners already seems much more civilized.

I know the standard pay for a cram school isn't enough to support a family but she does own her home so that's a start.

The toughest part is saying goodbye to my long holidays which means I won't be able to see my family back home for long stretches of time (again).

azarashi sushi · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 562 Location: Shinjuku

Others will chime in but I think with a spousal visa you can work in any area, not just English teaching... You can work in any area but of course you need the skills. What other skills do you have?

I still think it would be best just to get a job in Japan anywhere you can... Get sponsorship and an income and then cross the next bridge when you come to it. That way, you're on a bit more of an even playing field.

chaz47 · Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 157

Grasshopper · Joined: 01 Nov 2005 Posts: 62 Location: Japan

Hello,

I have been to Aomori once. Nice place.

I think you had a good idea about going on vacation there for a few weeks first to see how things feel. During this time you could discuss future possibilities with your future wife, and at the end of the period you could decide if you really wanted to marry her and go back there again or not. Otherwise, it might be hard to make a decision from across the ocean, and you don't want to lead her on if you're really not going to be interested.

But then again, you might be, and it might work out great. But I think the vacation there is a good idea, and you could also use the time to ask around and scout out possibilities.

Good Luck.

G