Job Discussion Forums

Deep Thirteen · Joined: 23 May 2009 Posts: 39 Location: East Sea Japan

I guess it would depend on when you got an offer.

I was going to apply to EPIK also but got offered an interview and position in Japan before my scheduled application to EPIK.

You could get past the interview and then decide.

I think you may have a good chance with EPIK in the summer if you have all your documents in order. Even right now, there are still positions being advertised.

stefanreynolds · Joined: 12 Mar 2010 Posts: 34

Shiggy · Joined: 27 Jan 2004 Posts: 86

gwynnie86 · Joined: 27 Apr 2009 Posts: 159

A few people have already dropped out. They might ship you out ASAP if you ask them if any places have come up....

Also, I don't know if you'll get to teaching words like "contingency" seeing as you're teaching a foreign language to 6-15 year olds?

OneJoelFifty · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 463

Dropped out already?! You mean they just turned up in Japan, visa in hand, and decided Interac wasn't for them before they'd even done any teaching?

gwynnie86 · Joined: 27 Apr 2009 Posts: 159

Yep!!!!
They got placed in their apartments, and decided that they were too isolated (and lots of things wrong with the apartment, leaking appliances etc), Interac couldn't offer them anywhere else, so they quit!!!! Crazy eh??

Bread · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 318

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

I came across people who did that kind of thing back when I was at Nova. I met one girl who didn't even start the training- she said on her second day here that her housemates were mean to her (this was hard to imagine as they were lovely girls), she hated Japan, and she had already booked a flight out. Another only did two days of the training before she decided she didn't like teaching or Japan and left.

We also heard from trainers about people who refused to even leave Narita and got straight on planes back home. I really can't imagine having farewell parties and saying goodbye to everyone only to turn up at home a week later because I couldn't handle Japan, but it seems to happen Laughing

For some people Japan is just too much culture shock- an American friend of mine had one of his country cousins visit and then refuse to leave the hotel room the whole time because Japan was just too scary for her.

ShioriEigoKyoushi · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 364 Location: Japan

Shiggy · Joined: 27 Jan 2004 Posts: 86

I know it's going to be a challenge and a little scary sometimes, but I desperately want to live in Japan despite these factors.

I even prefer a little isolation. Back home, I live at least 15-20 miles from the nearest city.

But, how can you visit a foreign country and NOT go out and experience it!?

Personally, I'd wake up and run around saying "Ohayou!" to everyone I saw.

gwynnie86 · Joined: 27 Apr 2009 Posts: 159

I moved here and committed to a year without ever having visited before.
Some people just have more adaptable personalities than others, perhaps. Personally, I kind of just go with the flow.... saying that, put me somewhere like the Emirates or South Africa and I would probably freak out! But Japan? The people are so nice... it's safe, beautiful.... I guess I've had a good experience so far, compared to what some people experience!

Shiggy · Joined: 27 Jan 2004 Posts: 86

I would love to hear about your personal experiences living in Japan, Gwynn.

By the way, Interac rescheduled my seminar for May.

lenoreelux · Joined: 30 Nov 2009 Posts: 44

Wow.. I can't believe people have already left! Where were they placed? i was not placed where I wanted but I am sticking it out until my next contract. And my apartment is great. i got a Leo palace. But I think my difference is that my frist experience in Japan was studying at a University in Tokyo for a Summer term and at first it was imtimidation but, I got used to it pretty quick. Right now I am all settled and walking around my area to find out where places are. I will be fine. Smile

ILoveCov · Joined: 24 Jan 2010 Posts: 6

I may be one of the ones Gwynnie's talking about...

I was placed in Niigata prefecture, in quite a rural placement. I have lived in Japan before and have a good grasp of the language, and had done a lot of research about my placement before I arrived.

I was, however, very unlucky. I don't believe it was Interac's fault, and they were very kind and offered me everything under the sun to convince me to stay. There was a lot wrong with my accommodation, I was lent a leaking heater by my IC, which woke me up with asthma attacks, my walls were leaking water, and I had no hot water amongst many other things. I had no phone or internet and no transport to contact anyone about the above problems. It was too isolated to walk anywhere, there was nothing close to where I lived, and I didn't know the area.

I eventually walked over an hour in the dark through fields (no exaggeration) towards a light in the distance - which was a konbini, and called Interac. The next morning I asked if I could change at least accommodation or placement, I was told I would have no car for three weeks and no internet for a month. For me this wasn't acceptable for my area or for lesson planning, so I informed them that I would like to leave ASAP - for what I believed to be a benefit to the children and the schools (not having a new ALT after a couple of weeks).

I was kicked out of my apartment with about 20 minutes to pack, driven to the main station and then left to my own devices to find train tickets, hotels and flights home. I don't blame Interac for this, as I definitely left them in the lurch quitting. But to me, my accommodation wasn't acceptable. I was the sole person living in an apartment block, so there were no neighbours to even ask for help.

Interac were a great company, and I wouldn't try to put people off applying. There just seems to be a great deal of luck involved with placements and accommodation. I was unlucky...

untmdsprt · Joined: 08 Sep 2007 Posts: 16 Location: Hino, Japan

Interac is not to be trusted. They are full of morons, and certainly won't help you once you do get here. They expect you to speak fluent Japanese as they can't be bothered to do anything for you. If you could speak fluent Japanese, why the hell would you want to teach English? You can find much better jobs with that qualification!

Once you do find an apartment, expect your schools to be located at least an hour away from where you live. I ended up having 4 high schools.

Once you do start working with the Japanese teachers, never give your opinion unless asked. You'll also meet some jackasses that assume you're a walking grammar book, and that you are supposed to know every single English word there is. Nevermind you came from the USA, you're expect to know all British and/or Australian words.

Once you do get hired and have that visa in hand, come over way before March 18th. This will force Interac to renew your visa for the few days so you can finish your contract. This happened to me, and seriously pissed them off. Cool

Schools usually end around the 3rd week of March so I'm guessing anytime before the 17th would be good. You might want to check a year calendar to be on the safe side.