Job Discussion Forums

ruby_silence · Joined: 27 Oct 2008 Posts: 31

Interac just called....I'm going to Yokohama!!!

No question....I'm just really excited about it. Cool

whispechoes · Joined: 07 Feb 2010 Posts: 20

Congrats on your placement! Get ready for a lot of things to happen all at once, and best of luck in Yokohama.

jazznfox · Joined: 04 Jun 2010 Posts: 20

Congratulations. That's incredibly lucky to get a placement in an urban area so close to Tokyo.

I got offered a position in Iwakuni not far form Hiroshima. I am just glad I didn't get placed somewhere in Northern Honshu or Hokkaido. Smile

I don't think I could take that cold of a winter.

mattmusashi · Joined: 07 Oct 2010 Posts: 10

Nice job! Yokohama is awesome, I cant believe you got it. Iwakuni is a great city, I used to live there. What city did you guys interview in?

jazznfox · Joined: 04 Jun 2010 Posts: 20

I interviewed in Nashville Tennessee (on my birthday no less. Nothing beats getting a job for your birthday).

I've been to Hiroshima and Miyajima before and really liked the area. I was pleased to see it was so close to a major metro area that I like. I really like Japanese baseball so I will definitely be going to some Carps games.

Mattmusashi: I'd love to hear more about Iwakuni from a former resident. It seemed like a nice place when I looked it up last night. Size wise, it reminded me of when I lived in Annapolis.

mattmusashi · Joined: 07 Oct 2010 Posts: 10

Jazznfox: Iwakuni, is about a half hour from Hiroshima and there is a Marine base there (which is good if you dont speak Japanese, because the town is very English friendly), so you will see plenty of gaijin. There is a great restaurant called the chicken shack there that is very popular (not sure what the Japanese name is). The Kintai bridge is a great area to see the sights (samurai village, the castle, shops etc..) and most of the festivals are held in that area, and is also very popular country wide for sakura. Miyojima is right there. Hiroshima is the place to go for night (though there are bars and clubs in Iwakuni) life but the train stops running at midnight so either you party it up all night or catch a cab. It's really a great city and great location, easy to catch a train to Kyushu or up to Tokyo or Osaka. If I think of anything else I'll post it up and feel free to ask me anything. Good luck!

jazznfox · Joined: 04 Jun 2010 Posts: 20

mattmusashi: Thanks for the info. Its always nice to hear about places to see and eat at from a former resident. I will keep the chicken shack in mind. I did whip out my map earlier and saw the Shinkansen runs through Iwakuni.

I have heard that the flower viewing in Iwakuni is spectacular. I am really looking forward to it. Fall is my favorite time of year but I have only been to Japan in the summer so I am very excited about being in Japan during the fall leaf change. Japanese maples are spectacular when they start to change.

ruby_silence · Joined: 27 Oct 2008 Posts: 31

Thanks guys! I feel very lucky to have gotten Yokohama.

I interviewed in Phoenix.

jazznfox · Joined: 04 Jun 2010 Posts: 20

I spent a summer in Tokyo when I was still an undergraduate student and took day trips to the Yokohama area. The Yokohama Chinatown was the biggest draw for me. Downtown Yokohama is very nice and the view of Tokyo from the ferris wheel is amazing. If you like Chinese food, Yokohama's Chinatown has some GREAT eats.

Do you have an urban placement or are you in the suburbs of the greater Yokohama area? Were you specifically crossing your fingers for someplace in or near the greater Tokyo/Yokohama area?

ruby_silence · Joined: 27 Oct 2008 Posts: 31

The Interac rep. said I wouldn't be driving, so I'm assuming it's pretty urban. Interac told me to be prepared for a rural placement. This was a pretty big surprise. I've seen pictures of the ferris wheel! Looks like a really nice area.

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

It's not necessary to drive anywhere in the Yokohama area really because of all the train lines, but since it's quite a large city you could either be fairly near Yokohama station or 30 minutes away by train which is getting pretty suburban but still be in Yokohama city. I lived there for a couple of years a while back- let us know when you find out where in Yokohama or if you have any questions about the area.

wayne432 · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 255

Your placement in "Yokohama" has nothing to do with where you'll actually be teaching and maybe even living. It just means you'll be working for the Yokohama branch; that branch covers all of Kanagawa.

So, you could be very far from a major city. And if the rep told you that you'll be driving, chances are that you'll be far from schools and that there won't be a train to get near to that area. However, exact placements haven't gone out yet, so you won't know fully until you get here.

PO1 · Joined: 24 May 2010 Posts: 136

I love Yokohama. I live about 30 minutes from there now. Good luck!

jazznfox · Joined: 04 Jun 2010 Posts: 20

Do you know when you are going over for training? I'm biting my nails over that one because the window of time to recoup my tuition (all or part) for this semester is closing rapidly (I am a graduate student). I hate throwing money away for classes I can't finish. Fortunately my professors are very open to working with me and allowing me to work ahead. Hopefully I will get a rough departure date this week to help me form a schedule/plan.

tyrabunny · Joined: 28 May 2010 Posts: 3

When did you guys submit all your documents and fill out the online resume?

It makes me really nervous that people are getting placements already! I haven't heard anything since they acknowledged that they've received my docs about 2 weeks ago! I emailed them to ask about the next steps and they just told me they would check with the placement department. I know that I won't get placed until I've at least filled out the online resume...