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ironclad80
Joined: 10 Sep 2009
Posts: 53
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 Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 10:28 pm Post subject: Why Japan and not Korea? |
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Your rent is paid for in Korea, all jobs offer roundtrip airfare, no Saturday positions (maybe only in rare cases). Jobs are abundant. Salary is usually lower but the paid rent and airfare comprises for that as does the lower cost of living, so why not Korea?
So why is everyone's heart set on Japan? I won't lie, mine is too.
There's something special about Japan. Korea is lacking in many ways.
Some teachers in Korea tell me the countries are quite similar and Korea offers better benefits so they chose Korea. I don't see it that way.
I currently have a spacious apartment, I'm able to save a decent amount of money (which I will use to get settled in Japan), my working conditions aren't bad, but still I long to be in Japan. Every time I take a vacation there I feel that is where I need to be. I'm willing to live on a stricter budget in a smaller apartment and make other sacrifices to fulfill my dreams.
Are your reasons similar? Or are there other reasons people prefer Japan? I'm very curious... |
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It's Scary!
Joined: 17 Apr 2011
Posts: 823
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| Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 11:11 pm Post subject: |
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My wife's Japanese?
It's Scary! |
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Apsara
Joined: 20 Sep 2005
Posts: 2142
Location: Tokyo, Japan
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| Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 11:23 pm Post subject: |
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| In my case it was because I learned Japanese at school in NZ, and I could go to Japan on a working holiday visa. |
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ironclad80
Joined: 10 Sep 2009
Posts: 53
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| Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 11:56 pm Post subject: |
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| ok those are good reasons. how about for aspiring teachers? |
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Mr. Kalgukshi
Mod Team
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Posts: 6613
Location: Need to know basis only.
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| Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 12:21 am Post subject: |
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This thread must focus on living and teaching in Japan. If not, it will be locked or removed. Discussions regarding living and teaching in Korea must take place on the Korean board.
Questions or comments regarding this or any board policy should be directed to the Mod Team by PM and must not appear on the public board per:
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=77549
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Calico
Joined: 20 Jun 2010
Posts: 54
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| Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 4:24 am Post subject: |
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| For me it was a no-brainer as well. I majored in Japaneseand dont know any korean besides I Love You. I also was not enchanted withliving or teaching abroad, so when my job choices came down to that I wanted to live in a country I was already very familiar with and knew I could get around in without too much drama. Japan was pretty much the only one. |
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ironclad80
Joined: 10 Sep 2009
Posts: 53
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| Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 4:34 am Post subject: |
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So people's desire to work and live in Japan is more passion driven than money driven? That is the conclusion I get. That's how I feel too.
MOD EDIT |
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Inflames
Joined: 02 Apr 2006
Posts: 486
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| Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 6:03 am Post subject: |
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| ironclad80 wrote: |
| So people's desire to work and live in Japan is more passion driven than money driven? |
No. I make a lot more in Japan than I could in other countries (not just Korea) teaching English.
In Japan the visa is yours. Once it's stamped into your passport you can turn around and quit your job and there's nothing your school can do (or immigration will do) to take it away. You can legally stay in the country until the last day stamped on your visa. It's also entirely legal to teach privates or do part-time work in Japan. Some people, such as myself, only work part-time jobs and we sponsor our own visas (something you can only do after a company sponsors your first visa).
Once you have a job, getting the visa is pretty painless - all you submit is the application, your passport, and uni diploma/transcripts |
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ironclad80
Joined: 10 Sep 2009
Posts: 53
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| Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 6:21 am Post subject: |
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| Inflames wrote: |
| ironclad80 wrote: |
| So people's desire to work and live in Japan is more passion driven than money driven? |
In Japan the visa is yours. Once it's stamped into your passport you can turn around and quit your job and there's nothing your school can do (or immigration will do) to take it away. You can legally stay in the country until the last day stamped on your visa. It's also entirely legal to teach privates or do part-time work in Japan. Some people, such as myself, only work part-time jobs and we sponsor our own visas (something you can only do after a company sponsors your first visa).
Once you have a job, getting the visa is pretty painless - all you submit is the application, your passport, and uni diploma/transcripts |
I'm aware that once you get a Japanese visa its yours. Do some people sign on to some crap job just to get a visa and quit? I had that chance but felt a little slimy about doing something like that.
Where do you find privates? Is there a big demand for private lessons?
I see GABA offers that but the starting salary is 1,500/lesson, I think that's a little insulting considering they probably take a huge cut out of what is actually charged. |
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ironclad80
Joined: 10 Sep 2009
Posts: 53
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| Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 6:38 am Post subject: |
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| Inflames wrote: |
| ironclad80 wrote: |
| So people's desire to work and live in Japan is more passion driven than money driven? |
In Japan the visa is yours. Once it's stamped into your passport you can turn around and quit your job and there's nothing your school can do (or immigration will do) to take it away. You can legally stay in the country until the last day stamped on your visa. It's also entirely legal to teach privates or do part-time work in Japan. Some people, such as myself, only work part-time jobs and we sponsor our own visas (something you can only do after a company sponsors your first visa).
Once you have a job, getting the visa is pretty painless - all you submit is the application, your passport, and uni diploma/transcripts |
I'm aware that once you get a Japanese visa its yours. Do some people sign on to some crap job just to get a visa and quit? I had that chance but felt a little slimy about doing something like that.
Where do you find privates? Is there a big demand for private lessons?
I see GABA offers that but the starting salary is 1,500/lesson, I think that's a little insulting considering they probably take a huge cut out of what is actually charged. |
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Inflames
Joined: 02 Apr 2006
Posts: 486
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| Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 9:26 am Post subject: |
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| ironclad80 wrote: |
I'm aware that once you get a Japanese visa its yours. Do some people sign on to some crap job just to get a visa and quit? I had that chance but felt a little slimy about doing something like that.
Where do you find privates? Is there a big demand for private lessons?
I see GABA offers that but the starting salary is 1,500/lesson, I think that's a little insulting considering they probably take a huge cut out of what is actually charged. |
Some people probably do just sign a job just for the visa. If you do that and wind up with a new job right before your next visa renewal, expect immigration to be a bit suspicious.
Privates you can find from anywhere, although usually from friends. Gaba is hardly representative of employers here. Most good employers don't have to advertise a lot - word of mouth from existing employees is their advertising. After you've got two years of experience (or if you have a CELTA/DELTA/education degree) it's easy to get into business English at 4,000 yen per hour. |
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ironclad80
Joined: 10 Sep 2009
Posts: 53
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| Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 9:37 am Post subject: |
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| Inflames wrote: |
| ironclad80 wrote: |
I'm aware that once you get a Japanese visa its yours. Do some people sign on to some crap job just to get a visa and quit? I had that chance but felt a little slimy about doing something like that.
Where do you find privates? Is there a big demand for private lessons?
I see GABA offers that but the starting salary is 1,500/lesson, I think that's a little insulting considering they probably take a huge cut out of what is actually charged. |
Some people probably do just sign a job just for the visa. If you do that and wind up with a new job right before your next visa renewal, expect immigration to be a bit suspicious.
Privates you can find from anywhere, although usually from friends. Gaba is hardly representative of employers here. Most good employers don't have to advertise a lot - word of mouth from existing employees is their advertising. After you've got two years of experience (or if you have a CELTA/DELTA/education degree) it's easy to get into business English at 4,000 yen per hour. |
Not only would immigration be suspicious but what about your next employer? I have a CELTA (hasn't been helpful for me in the job hunt), 1 year experience in Korea (insane employer, unfortunately can't use as a reference) and I'm currently 4 months into another contract at a school in Korea. Given the background I mentioned, what's the most practical next step I take to get my foot into Japan?
If I can't get a job I'm thinking of working part-time with a student visa and studying. I've been studying privately for 2-3 years but wouldn't mind taking my skills to a much higher level. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 12:30 pm Post subject: |
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Japan may be more attractive to some people for the following reasons:
1. The visa is yours, as has been discussed.
2. Less xenophobia.
3. Fewer unscrupulous school managers.
Beyond those things, which have been discussed ad nauseum on this and other forums, there is simply the subjective nature of a more attractive/interesting/exotic/alluring culture. Who can say? All I can tell you is what people have been reporting for years (the above), and to register for the Korea forum to see what people say there. |
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Inflames
Joined: 02 Apr 2006
Posts: 486
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| Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 1:52 pm Post subject: |
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| ironclad80 wrote: |
Not only would immigration be suspicious but what about your next employer? |
If you did that why would you tell your next employer, unless asked? This is my own experience. A few years ago (2008 I believe) I worked for a very big ALT company for a few weeks and we were supposed to have some meeting with the Board of Education for training or something. I got told the wrong (later) time and this resulted in the company's staff calling me (on the phone) yelling at me, telling me how I was unprofessional I was and demanding I come to a meeting with the manager the next day. I politely informed them their employment was no longer needed. Needless to say, I've never mentioned this on my resume. Is it dishonest? No, it isn't. I don't know anyone who lists every job they've had on their resume. If I were asked about this company by someone I would answer truthfully.
| ironclad80 wrote: |
I have a CELTA (hasn't been helpful for me in the job hunt), 1 year experience in Korea (insane employer, unfortunately can't use as a reference) and I'm currently 4 months into another contract at a school in Korea. Given the background I mentioned, what's the most practical next step I take to get my foot into Japan?
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Don't discount having a CELTA or experience in Korea. I know people say it doesn't do much but it counts. People who actually care about experience and qualifications would notice it (especially a CELTA). My advice would be to try for the ALT companies if you work in a public school. Also, don't be picky about where you get placed - after you finish your first job you can move rather easily. I had a friend who worked for Interac and got placed in Shimane (rural Japan) for his first year. He wanted to move to Kanto so quit Interac and re-interviewed with them in Yokohama and got hired there. |
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Ryu Hayabusa
Joined: 08 Jan 2008
Posts: 182
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| Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 2:47 pm Post subject: |
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Why Japan and not Korea?
Because everything Korea has, Japan has--only it's nicer and more expensive! |
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