Job Discussion Forums

Shiggy · Joined: 27 Jan 2004 Posts: 86

ESID: European Society for Immunodeficiencies?

Anyone have more input regarding Interac?

Honestly, even the walking-through-fields-at-night part sounds like living in Japan would be fun! Hehe

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

I was in the Yokohama area during the 2008 school year. They were morons because they kept giving me the English (romaji) for everything. If they had provided the proper kanji for schools, immigration, etc. then I would have had an easier time finding things. There's no English here people!!

My landlord kept harrassing me during Jan and Feb about my visa so that added to my headaches. I finally told her to call Interac about it. That pissed them off because they had to deal with me again and speed up whatever to get rid of her.

Interac acted upset because they had to renew my visa just for one day to finish the contract. In their perfect world, I would finish school then be on the first plane out of the country as soon as school was over.

BTW, they never bothered telling me why I was so bad. They even lied saying they were still negotiating with the BOE and I should find another job in the meantime while I was waiting on them. They didn't have the balls to come out and say that I wasn't going to be hired. That was my first year of teaching so of of course I'm going to be new and not know everything.

lenoreelux · Joined: 30 Nov 2009 Posts: 44

I just started with Interac and so far I have hadno real yproblems that I could not handle myself. I do have a great IC who got everything settled for me (bank, Arc, Apt, car, ect) She told me if i needed anything to either call her first or call Interac to call her. I would much rather just call her..lol. I am meeting with another IC who is taking me to the BOE and schools. I do not think any of my schools are an hour away.... My apt is in the middle of the achools that I will be visiting. I was lucky to get a Leopalace apt and I really like it. I have studied enough Japanese culture, mannerisms, and even though my Japanese is not that good, I can still understand some what what they are saying. Also I know that if a teacher has a problem with you, they will never tell you to your face, they tell Interac... They do not like direct conflict. I know to just smile and always act genki at the job no matter what. Smile

If I have any problems, I will sure to share...but so far, I am getting used to my city and just taking everyday one day at a time.

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

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

I'd also say it was luck of the draw too, but to be honest, I'm glad all this bulls*** happened because now I have learned from this past experience, and my second year was actually better. It forced me to rely on myself, learn more Japanese, and learn about a different culture.

It's also good to see that teaching English here is not that great a job for the long term. Those of you who want to come over and teach then do it for the short term, if nothing more for the experience of living in a foreign country. If you really want to teach English, stay in your own country and teach the foreigners that go there. They'll be more motivated to learn because their lives depend on it.

Shiggy · Joined: 27 Jan 2004 Posts: 86

Eh, no, thanks. My mom was an ESL teacher over here.

Personally, I'm very easy-going. For example, today we had an earthquake, but it didn't bother me nearly as much as it seemed to bother the rest of my family. I kept eating my meal, while everyone else was worried about the aftershocks.

Also, the house I'm currently residing often leaks when it rains and ants have made a nest somewhere, so once in a while I'll have an ant crawling on me. Good times.

I look forward to all of the challenges that Japan has in store for me.

Thank you for sharing your stories.

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Shiggy,

Shiggy · Joined: 27 Jan 2004 Posts: 86

Haha, thanks.

gwynnie86 · Joined: 27 Apr 2009 Posts: 159

[quote="ILoveCov"]I may be one of the ones Gwynnie's talking about...

[quote]

Yep, that sounds like you! Heheh! Hi!

Your experience was very unfortunate. Worse, I heard of someone else who walked out of a placement and Interac gave them another one! Seems hardly fair, right?

As for me... I'm 10 minutes walk from Hamamatsu train station (and a lot of shops, nightlife etc) and my schools are 15 and 30 minutes on the bus from there. My apartment is tiny but clean, my schools small and friendly. Plus the Hamamatsu branch of Interac have slightly rebelled from the general way training is done, and are apparently the best branch to work for, whereas I've never heard anything positive about, say, Osaka branch! So, definitely luck, and/or fate if you believe in that kinda thing!

fujisan · Joined: 24 Jun 2010 Posts: 42

I heard that big changes are supposed to be happening at Interac this October. If you're not already here you might want to wait to see how it blows over.

wayne432 · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 255

Which Interac branch are you referring to?
What kind of changes are you talking about?

In another post you mentioned that it was just a rumor... do you have a legitimate source?
You also mentioned that you heard teachers wouldn't be paid in October. That's not exactly "big changes"...

I have not heard anything like what you're coming up with, so could you give more details?

seklarwia · Posted: Sun Sep 19, 2010 3:36 am Post subject:

I think Fujisan is just stirring with a huge wooden spoon possibly in a poor attempt at trolling.

Our branch at least is not having issues. Always paid on time, what they promised, don't deduct pay if we are allowed to leave early or given days off pay (I've heard that it has happened in other branches) and we get paid extra for attending Interac meetings. They got yet more contracts this summer and have even hired more permanent brach staff to handle the growing work load.

Interac also openned a new branch this year... hardly signs that the company is in so much trouble that they might have problems paying people next month.

Besides, unless Fujisan is branch/head office staff, how would they know about plans not to pay us in October when the September payday hasn't even been and gone yet.

As for the changes; yes there are some changes happening in October. But the fact that Interac even printed it in this months newsletter and then sent out an electronic copy, it's hardly a secret, so I'm not sure why Fujisan is being so cloak and dagger about it.

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629