Job Discussion Forums

[junsama]

Im also on the same boat as you guys as I m also starting training in sept! My initial placement is in tokushima prefecture.. Apparently its famous for mountains and rivers located in shikoku..lol

[Hoop]

Cool, that's just a boat trip away from me by the looks of things.

Is anybody going in Sept on Facebook/G+? We could set up a group or something like that.

I'm at garyfbook(at)googlemail.com on FB.

[jillybean]

[junsama]

haha, that is good to know! I am actually yearning to be in a peaceful city for a while as I've been getting tired of the busy surroundings in downtown toronto


@hoop i just added u on facebook!

[torkonftw]

I'm also super excited to start training on the 12th. I hope we have a good group and can explore our training areas together! I haven't gotten a placement yet, but my recruiter mentioned something about Gifu being a possibility. Of course with excitement comes nerves, and so I had a few questions for anyone interested.

For dynastar/Calico or anyone else who's completed PKC training and or worked there before - did you ever get any sense that the parents were unhappy with you, especially at first? Like talking behind your back? I'm used to working with kids and dealing with parents who expect only the best for "their little angel", but I'm not sure if it will be the same in Japan. I really just don't want to appear like a stupid Gaijin and assure them that the kids will be safe. Do you have any tips for that?

This is kind of in the same vein too, but was it ever awkward having a "Mommy and Me" type class when you can't speak Japanese?

This may have already been asked, but does PKC charge you up-front (i.e. expecting you to pay cash) for the training accommodations, or does that also come out of your first paycheck? If they don't, then am I right in assuming the only thing you use cash for in the first couple of weeks is food and commuting?

Also I am curious - is anyone else a bit nervous about using the public transport system? I know it can't be that difficult, but I'm only used to driving my car everywhere, and I'm kind of intimidated not knowing any Japanese. Anyone know if PKC helps you with learning the system at all during training, or if there are websites that explain it?

Finally, do people recommend bringing traveler's checks in yen or dollars?

I sincerely thank anyone for their input on any of these questions!

[bluesnarf]

torkonftw, I'm currently in training in Nagoya so I can answer some of your questions.

First, PKC doesn't charge you up front for training accommodations. You'll learn about this on the first day, but there is something called a training loan so they'll deduct that from your first few paychecks in installments. (This is also mentioned in your pre-departure packet.) So yes, in summary, you are only paying for food and commuting.

Second, about the public transportation here in Nagoya (the first two days everybody's here), you will get maps and directions in both English AND Japanese when you have to travel anywhere (training centers, observation classrooms, etc.) for training. I arrived separately from everyone else, but I'm sure there will be a PKC staff member that will be more than happy to assist you if you ask when you're moving into your training accommodations.

I hope that answers at least two of your questions!

[Calico]

Let's put this way: if you DON'T ever get a complaint from a parent, you're probably really really lucky. Odds are you will get complaints. Whether or not they actually AFFECT you is another story, but in my experience at least my area lets us know that there are complaints even if nothing can really be done abuot it because of how things are set up. The key is just take it all in stride and not let it get to you personally - the odds of it actually being personal are very, very slim. (of course this is all easier said than done. The day I got my first complaint it was given to me an hour before four blocks of classes and I was a wreck the wholetime, but it gets better.)

If there's a "Mommy annd ME" class (ie: kangaroo) the JT is supposed to be there. So don't worry about it, really. Then again I speak advanced conversational level Japanese so maybe it's easier for me to not pay attention, ha.

I am being DEAD serious when I tell you that transport here is SUPER SUPER EASY!! SEriously! It's all gravy for the most part, so long as you give yourself time to get around. It can be SUPER intimidating, but honestly, it's sink or swim. You either learn that stuff fast or you fall behind. If you don't recognize a lot of kanji, you soon will. Believe me, you brain will come up with ways.

Also, if you don't know any spoken japanese, they teach you in training how to ask if yuo're on the right bus/train. IT might help to look that kind of stuff up beforehand too if you're really worried.

(Also, that's be awesome if you're coming to Gifu, cause that's my area, ha.)

[CarolinaBen]

[quote="Calico"I was spending annywhere up to 5000 yen a day to travel for training.

.[/quote]

That is a lot of money for train travel per day. Nagoya to Gifu is only 810 yen each way. Do they send you to multiple schools each day?

[BlackPapermoon]

okay...maybe I'am freaking out(like I was after my interview)
....but....I didn't get my COE yet...so far its been 3months and 6 days since all my stuff arrived with my recruiter on May 24. Okay well, I believe all my stuff did..I sent my CRC separately, but my recruiter said "I received your COE too" I'am assuming they shipped it out 3-5 days later, and it got to the main branch by May 31..so..yeah, almost time isn't?
*sighs*

[CarolinaBen]

I would contact your recruiter............It does say that it can take up to 3 months. I got mine in exactly 2 months from the time it arrived at the recruitment office. Once you get the COE, you can mail it to your local Japanese Consolate. They will process it and send it back the same day it arrives. I sent my COE and passport on Monday via UPS, and got it back on Friday the same week.

[leftx47]

[BlackPapermoon]

@CarolinaBen:
Yes, I did contact my recruiter like 2 weeks ago and they told me everything was fine and to wait 30more days (september 17 according to my calculation)
to get my COE. This just seems alil too weird...
At this point I want to contact immigration myself to see whats going on, but I don't know if thats being too pushy...plus, I have no idea which office my COE Is being processed at, but I assume its Nagoya. Ima try calling them on Monday -_-

[CarolinaBen]

I finally made it to Japan. Let me say that I couldn't be happier with the company. They are a great option for coming to Japan. Just make sure that you really like the kiddos, and that you are an extrovert.

[Tara2117]