Job Discussion Forums

[kloke]

Hey all-

My wife and I are looking to work in a summer camp in Japan beginning May-June. We each have over two years experience, myself with a BA and her with a college diploma. Could any of the old pro's shed some light on how it works in Japan? Any recommendations? In general, paid airfare?

Any and all help would be appreciated. Thanks-

[Glenski]

Don't expect paid airfare for most jobs in Japan, let alone for something as short as a summer camp.

Be advised that you're going to need a work visa even for such short-term work. Those are not generally issued for such a thing as a summer camp. The only time I have ever heard of it was when the applicant went through a foreign university that provided such sponsorship here. That is, as an example, a U.S. university in the U.S. had such a program. I would imagine that most summer camp work is taken up by people who are already established here and therefore have proper visas.

Realize, too, that setup costs will be pretty harsh unless the camp provides housing. Don't know how often they do that, but if not, you're barely going to break even in such short-term work.

[seklarwia]

Visa issues aside (but not forgotten), is that start time even possible for summer camps?

I don't know too much about the academic year in other parts of Japan, but we're still at school until late July so summer camps around here tend to start at the end of July.

[Glenski]

Good point. Summer break is pretty short here, and it usually starts in July.

[Tiger Beer]

[sabina]

I'm going to second the Korea recommendation. A school flew me in to teach for two weeks (!!!!) at a camp. Free housing and lunch, too. (But the food was awful.) And granted, it was a specialized musical theory and dance camp, but still. The opportunities are there. Jeju Island in particular has lots of camps and it is supposedly very nice.
And as others have pointed out, summer break here is short and not from May to June.