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degolasse
Joined: 26 Jan 2007
Posts: 21
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 Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 3:40 pm Post subject: |
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| eslteacherlooking wrote: |
Deolasse thanks for the reply!
What happens when you expect to be in a certain area, in my case outside of tokyo or nearby tokyo, and they cannot place you there?
I mean if youre in japan like your friend and in training and all of a sudden you find out you're going to a remote island I would hope they understand if you back out. And it wouldn't burn any bridges. |
Well I guess that's up to you. They can't force you to work if you choose to back out. I've heard different things about the status of your visa in such a case - one side saying that Interac can cancel it so you'd have to start from scratch getting sponsored for work and whatnot, and others saying that they would never bother to do that so you are free to go find another job. I don't know.
But the reality is, Interac doesn't really know where nor how many positions are available until right before the semester starts. Teachers, especially those breaking contracts, aren't going to give more than a months notice that they're leaving, so at very best Interac finds out a month before you are going to start what positions they need to fill. Also, every year the school board has to decide what company they are going to go through to get an ALT and in my brief experience in Japan, it seems they like to flip flop on that until the last minute. So in the weeks before school starts, Interac could get a whole bunch of new contracts (they are quickly taking over old JET contracts) or lose ones they had last semester.
But that's the nature of a contract outsourcing job. You get hired for Interac to go where they need you. There will be nothing in your contract about your location because in theory, they can send you anywhere they want with a days notice. Of course once you get settled in an apartment and are in your school its very very unlikely that they will move you, but until you're there, consider things always up in the air.
Have you already been told you are heading to the Tokyo area or is that just what you've asked for? Have you been dealing with one specific branch? From my understanding, once you are with a branch, you will deal with them and they will find you a location. I don't think you'll ever be switched between branches, so if you are with the Chiba or Yokohama branches it's probably a safe bet that you will be placed in those areas. But keep in mind that some of these branches do control a large area - Tokyo for example has jobs in the Alps and way up in Hokkaido. I worked for the Hiroshima branch which controlled pretty much the entirety of Western Honshu and even into Kyushuu.
Just a follow up on my friends story who ended up on the Island. When she was told to go there, she was promised first pick on any position for the next semester. She came to Japan to live in Tokyo, so they told her they would make all efforts to transfer her to Tokyo after her 6 month contract. Didn't happen. There were no jobs for her around Tokyo, and she never got transfered to the branch, so she just quit and found her own job in Tokyo.
And a final note. Is there any specific reason you need to be in the Tokyo area? Tokyo's a great city and all, and I guess some would argue the cultural center of the country, but there are other fantastic areas to live in the country as well that you might consider. Fukuoka and Hiroshima are two great cities. If you need a huge city, then Osaka might have what you're looking for. Personally I was much happier in lesser known parts of the country. I wouldn't want to live in a huge city and be one of thousands of foreigners, nor would I want to live in a really touristy area like Kyoto, Nara or popular areas of Tokyo, where I'm always considered a tourist. I sometimes disliked visiting these places because all of a sudden it was assumed I couldn't speak Japanese and I had no idea what I was doing. I was happier back in my small town were I was treated like a local. I'm not saying this is for everyone, and maybe it's not for you. I'm just saying consider different areas. Japan is not just Tokyo, so don't automatically turn down a position just because it's not in Tokyo. |
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elkarlo
Joined: 08 Dec 2008
Posts: 240
Location: Maryland
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| Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 6:26 pm Post subject: |
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degolasse:
Really they send your friend to a small island? I was hoping that it was the Jets who were banished to the farflung outposts.
I am going to Japan with Interac this March. Lived in Japan last year. I don't want to go to a super rural area.I like the country, but I don't want to be around a bunch of older people who remember a different Japan, and a bunch of kids who want out. Not to mention I won't have any peers people 18-35.
So basically I can think I'm going somewhere but get swtiched up on? |
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degolasse
Joined: 26 Jan 2007
Posts: 21
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| Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 7:19 pm Post subject: |
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| elkarlo wrote: |
degolasse:
Really they send your friend to a small island? I was hoping that it was the Jets who were banished to the farflung outposts.
So basically I can think I'm going somewhere but get swtiched up on? |
JETs and Interacs have the exact same job. The vast majority of Interac positions were once JET, at least in the area I was in. JET is more expensive and more responsibility for the school board so they are now opting to hire a private company instead, ie - Interac. The guy who I replaced was a JET, and I would say out of the 20 or so people that I did training with, 15 of them at least were replacing JETs. Has to do with the time of year too. JET contracts run from Sept-Aug whereas Interac is normally April-March. So if you start with Interac in Sept (as I did), chances are you are replacing a JET. If you start in April, chances are you are replacing an Interac.
And yes, your position can be switched at the last minute. I'm not saying that it's going to happen, most people know where they are going for months, and end up there. But there were at least 3 people that I did training with that had their hearts set on the place they were promised, and then had it switched. As I sad before, mine was changed twice in the week before I arrived - my final destination actually being the place I originally requested but didn't get because it was already taken. When that guy bailed out at the last minute they pretty much chose me at random to switch, and my boss called me 5 hours before I was to fly to Japan. Worked out fine for me, I loved the place. |
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elkarlo
Joined: 08 Dec 2008
Posts: 240
Location: Maryland
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| Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 8:23 pm Post subject: |
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| degolasse wrote: |
| elkarlo wrote: |
degolasse:
Really they send your friend to a small island? I was hoping that it was the Jets who were banished to the farflung outposts.
So basically I can think I'm going somewhere but get swtiched up on? |
JETs and Interacs have the exact same job. The vast majority of Interac positions were once JET, at least in the area I was in. JET is more expensive and more responsibility for the school board so they are now opting to hire a private company instead, ie - Interac. The guy who I replaced was a JET, and I would say out of the 20 or so people that I did training with, 15 of them at least were replacing JETs. Has to do with the time of year too. JET contracts run from Sept-Aug whereas Interac is normally April-March. So if you start with Interac in Sept (as I did), chances are you are replacing a JET. If you start in April, chances are you are replacing an Interac.
And yes, your position can be switched at the last minute. I'm not saying that it's going to happen, most people know where they are going for months, and end up there. But there were at least 3 people that I did training with that had their hearts set on the place they were promised, and then had it switched. As I sad before, mine was changed twice in the week before I arrived - my final destination actually being the place I originally requested but didn't get because it was already taken. When that guy bailed out at the last minute they pretty much chose me at random to switch, and my boss called me 5 hours before I was to fly to Japan. Worked out fine for me, I loved the place. |
I understand that Interac replaces Jet in a lot of cases. I was hoping is that they seem to have JET in the middl e of no where posts more often. While the suburb areas seem more dispatch. i thought the trend was that JET was being pushed farther into the Inaka. As it is really un common to see Jets in any real city. I was hoping to get a suburb or small citybased on that
I guess I'm wrong.
Since you seem helpful and responsive.; can I ask how was you town? Was there any young people? Was there anything to do? Movies, bowling, Rec Center?
I don't have my heart set on anything. I do however have a few requests. I'd like to go to smallish city, ie Okayama, or Matsuyama. I want to be near a kakutougi gym, and I doubt the Inaka has it. I have no reason nor do I want to go to Tokyo as a posting. |
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eslteacherlooking
Joined: 18 Nov 2008
Posts: 32
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| Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 12:21 am Post subject: |
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| I am sure that the rest of Japan is lovely but I really want to be in Tokyo. Well, I want to be close enough to have access to the major districts of Tokyo. Living and working in chiba, kanagawa or saitaima would be fine. |
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degolasse
Joined: 26 Jan 2007
Posts: 21
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| Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 2:28 pm Post subject: |
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| elkarlo wrote: |
I understand that Interac replaces Jet in a lot of cases. I was hoping is that they seem to have JET in the middl e of no where posts more often. While the suburb areas seem more dispatch. i thought the trend was that JET was being pushed farther into the Inaka. As it is really un common to see Jets in any real city. I was hoping to get a suburb or small citybased on that
I guess I'm wrong.
Since you seem helpful and responsive.; can I ask how was you town? Was there any young people? Was there anything to do? Movies, bowling, Rec Center?
I don't have my heart set on anything. I do however have a few requests. I'd like to go to smallish city, ie Okayama, or Matsuyama. I want to be near a kakutougi gym, and I doubt the Inaka has it. I have no reason nor do I want to go to Tokyo as a posting. |
Sorry, I didn't mean to give you the impression that Interac is only in the booneys. Indeed they have postions just as remote as JET, but they also have loads of urban and suburban postings. It all depends on the region and who the school boards decide to hire. The only place I can really give as a solid example is Okayama Prefecture. For Elementary and Junior High, almost the entirety of the prefecture North of the city (ie: Inaka) is Interac. The few JETs left in the South will soon be replaced my Interac. However, I never met a single high school teacher who wasn't a JET. So even though I was Interac teaching JH, there was JET teaching my students when they moved to HS 15 minutes down the road. So whether you are JET or Interac, you could be placed in the exact same place, rural or urban. You could get either, and if you specify that you don't want to go to the country, they will do their best to get you an urban posting if they can.
As for my town, it was pretty small and rural. My schools were in tiny mountain villages with few students (one JH had 17). It was very very rare to see anyone in town in their 20's, and there was very little for entertainment other than the ski hill in the winter, and a river canyon to swim in in the summer. But my apartment was only 15 minutes to a small city (100,000 or so) where I could get everything I needed, there was a great population of uni students, there was Japanese classes, theatres, bowling, etc... The bar scene was pretty lame, but it was only 90 mins to Okayama were we would go if we wanted a good night out. For me it was perfect. I love living in the mountains and enjoyed being part of a small community and school, and I don't feel inconvenienced by a 15 minutes drive to the city to shop or socialize. |
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elkarlo
Joined: 08 Dec 2008
Posts: 240
Location: Maryland
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| Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 6:43 pm Post subject: |
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| degolasse wrote: |
| elkarlo wrote: |
I understand that Interac replaces Jet in a lot of cases. I was hoping is that they seem to have JET in the middl e of no where posts more often. While the suburb areas seem more dispatch. i thought the trend was that JET was being pushed farther into the Inaka. As it is really un common to see Jets in any real city. I was hoping to get a suburb or small citybased on that
I guess I'm wrong.
Since you seem helpful and responsive.; can I ask how was you town? Was there any young people? Was there anything to do? Movies, bowling, Rec Center?
I don't have my heart set on anything. I do however have a few requests. I'd like to go to smallish city, ie Okayama, or Matsuyama. I want to be near a kakutougi gym, and I doubt the Inaka has it. I have no reason nor do I want to go to Tokyo as a posting. |
Sorry, I didn't mean to give you the impression that Interac is only in the booneys. Indeed they have postions just as remote as JET, but they also have loads of urban and suburban postings. It all depends on the region and who the school boards decide to hire. The only place I can really give as a solid example is Okayama Prefecture. For Elementary and Junior High, almost the entirety of the prefecture North of the city (ie: Inaka) is Interac. The few JETs left in the South will soon be replaced my Interac. However, I never met a single high school teacher who wasn't a JET. So even though I was Interac teaching JH, there was JET teaching my students when they moved to HS 15 minutes down the road. So whether you are JET or Interac, you could be placed in the exact same place, rural or urban. You could get either, and if you specify that you don't want to go to the country, they will do their best to get you an urban posting if they can.
As for my town, it was pretty small and rural. My schools were in tiny mountain villages with few students (one JH had 17). It was very very rare to see anyone in town in their 20's, and there was very little for entertainment other than the ski hill in the winter, and a river canyon to swim in in the summer. But my apartment was only 15 minutes to a small city (100,000 or so) where I could get everything I needed, there was a great population of uni students, there was Japanese classes, theatres, bowling, etc... The bar scene was pretty lame, but it was only 90 mins to Okayama were we would go if we wanted a good night out. For me it was perfect. I love living in the mountains and enjoyed being part of a small community and school, and I don't feel inconvenienced by a 15 minutes drive to the city to shop or socialize. |
Thanks for your reply. No don;t worry about crushingm my hopes. Funny my first choice is Okayam! No really. I have 2 freinds living there (Japanese), and they will help me set up when/if I get there.
From what you say that isn't a bad area. I don't wish to be in some ghost town. But as you describe a decent town is nearby. I am actually pretty deep into Shoot/Kakutougi/ Martial Arts(Cage fighting if you will), and I am hoping to be near a gym. What better way to bond with a different culture, then by hitting each other=)
I also do want a pool of people to be potential dates. I am no Monk and don't want to have no option. So what you say is a little hopeful.
Aslo my friend said Okayama area Apts are like 3Mon a month. Is that true?
Dude, you have been really helpful, thanks! |
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Apsara
Joined: 20 Sep 2005
Posts: 2142
Location: Tokyo, Japan
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| Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 11:17 pm Post subject: |
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Have you checked that the kind of gym you are looking for is that widespread in Japan? I think you might find there aren't that many gyms which have your martial arts style- it's not one I'm familiar with, and I certainly haven't seen gyms advertising it anywhere in Tokyo, although I'm sure they exist.
In the more rural regions, including Okayama, I wouldn't place bets on being able to find much other than the usual Kyokushin karate, kendo, aikido etc.
If you have already found a gym in Okayama, great, I hear it's a nice area. |
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Atlas*
Joined: 23 Jul 2006
Posts: 42
Location: Komagome, Kita-ku TOKYO
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| Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 6:56 am Post subject: |
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I'll try answer these questions for you as I really think the more opinions you get about it the better you can make up your own mind. That is probably your purpose of asking these questions in the first place.
About me:
I live and work in Tokyo. I've been here for a few years now but not too many, and have work outside of my ALT work too. I'm involved in music promotion and live events  Working as an ALT gets my bills paid and is relatively stress free with great hours so that I can have my other job which I do for my own satisfaction rather than the monetary gain which is usually low. If you wish to ask me some follow up questions PM me. I hope this information clears some things up for you. There is a lot of mixed opinions on Interac so I'm adding mine.
HOUSING
1. Interac does help you secure housing, however is this housing in your name? I mean when you leave interac can you stay in your housing? Will they help you secure housing that will be yours even when your contract is over?
I have no idea about this as I never lived in Interac's housing. My friend still is and I believe it is a Leo Palace type of place.
2. If you did secure your own housing was it easy to find a place that did not require a gurantor, deposit, or key money or "system fee"? If you did have to pay those fees did you get them back when you moved out?
The hardest part for me with housing was choosing a place that I liked. I made a list of all the things I wanted in my house first before going to the agent. My agent was really helpful towards me which seems to be the exception.
3. How far is your commute to your workplace?
I work at 3 schools. One school is 2 stations away and the others are 4 stations away. Sometimes I get sent to substitute at other schools but I think the longest I have travelled has been about an hour. This was a one day job not my regular scheduled schools.
SALARY & BENEFITS
1. The monthly "bonus"allowance is 20,000 yen. Has this ever been with held from you? Or can you expect to always receive it if you get your paperwork in on time?
The bonus is for things like showing up on time and getting your paperwork done. There is very little paperwork to do so it shouldn't ever be a problem. The main way you will lose your bonus is if you take sick days without using your paid vacation/sick days. I think it is 5000 yen a day up to 20,000.
2. If you stay for another contract can you expect a raise?
If you are doing a reasonably good job you will get a raise. It isn't very much though but at least it is movement in the right direction. There has been a lot of changes going on this year within the way they seem to run things so maybe raises and bonuses will be more on the cards in the future.
3. Is there a completion bonus for the contract?
Yes there is. It is told to you at the start of your contract.
4. Do you pay into the pension?
This was something I needed to organise with them to do and it seemed like I was swimming against the stream.
5. What is the name of the health care system? Is it one of the two japanese national programs like shakai hoken?
I believe they have a private one that most ALT's use. You can get on the official program but they might try to convince you otherwise.
WORK
1. How many schools do you work at?
I work at 3 schools. Sometimes I go out to other schools just for the day when I am not scheduled at my own schools. Some of my friends have a lot more schools than me.
2. Are any of you placed in the suburbs of Tokyo: Chiba, Saitama, Kanagawa? How far away from the center of tokyo are you? Train time wise?
I live and work in Tokyo. Interac has a lot of teachers that work inside Tokyo. When I arrived I had very basic Japanese, probably below basic. You can keep pushing them to get into Tokyo or wherever it is that you want but they also need to have the availability there. |
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JL
Joined: 26 Oct 2008
Posts: 241
Location: Las Vegas, NV USA
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| Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 7:46 am Post subject: |
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Hey Elkarlo,
It's JL again. I can chip in with a little bit about Shooto. (Aspara, I hate to do this to you, but...  ) Shooto has a vast network of gyms across Japan. And beyond Shooto, there are all kinds of MMA varieties in Japan. I won't try and say what's "in" right now, because its always changing. But whether you want to do cage fighting, grapple with a gi, or both, you'll find it as long as you in some sort of urban setting.
Of course, you are 100% correct that Tokyo is where the action is -especially if you want to fight. I don't have the stats, but I'd say 80% to 90% of the big fight venues are held in and around Tokyo. And lots of smaller ones, if you're just starting out.
I was already an old man at the time, but I actually trained for a year at K'z Factory, when Rumina Sato was still (occasionally) training there. Actually got to roll with him once. (He kicked my fat, old a$$). I did get the better of him(just barely) in stand-up, on another day, though...
But I was already in my mid-30's. Now I'm into my 40's (sigh)...
Here's the Shooto webpage. It's in Japanese, but you can see the map and see the various locations where gyms are. Where do you train, BTW. Had any fights yet, amateur or pro?
http://www.x-shooto.jp/gym/index.html
(See Rumina's mug and blog, right there on top at right!) |
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Apsara
Joined: 20 Sep 2005
Posts: 2142
Location: Tokyo, Japan
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| Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 7:53 am Post subject: |
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| JL wrote: |
Hey Elkarlo,
It's JL again. I can chip in with a little bit about Shooto. (Aspara, I hate to do this to you, but... ) Shooto has a vast network of gyms across Japan. And beyond Shooto, there are all kinds of MMA varieties in Japan.
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No worries, I was just thinking it would be better for elkarlo to confirm that there actually are the kinds of gyms he is looking for where he is going, rather than just to assume that there would be- could result in disappointment  |
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JL
Joined: 26 Oct 2008
Posts: 241
Location: Las Vegas, NV USA
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| Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 8:05 am Post subject: |
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| Apsara wrote: |
| ...it would be better for elkarlo to confirm that there actually are the kinds of gyms he is looking for where he is going, rather than just to assume that there would be- could result in disappointment |
True enough! And if he is stuck out in East Bum#%*&, somewhere, he WILL be disappointed, now that we know what's been on his mind. |
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
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| Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 8:31 am Post subject: |
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| JL wrote: |
| Apsara wrote: |
| ...it would be better for elkarlo to confirm that there actually are the kinds of gyms he is looking for where he is going, rather than just to assume that there would be- could result in disappointment |
True enough! And if he is stuck out in East Bum#%*&, somewhere, he WILL be disappointed, now that we know what's been on his mind. |
I thought that this was the JAPAN board. Everybody and his uncle knows that East Bum#%*& is in Egypt! 
NCTBA |
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JL
Joined: 26 Oct 2008
Posts: 241
Location: Las Vegas, NV USA
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| Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 9:07 am Post subject: |
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A top o' the day to you my friend, NCTBA!
"I thought that this was the JAPAN board. Everybody and his uncle knows that East Bum#%*& is in Egypt! "
The one in Egypt must be the original one. I was thinking of the one in New Jersey.
(Okay. I won't goof around off-topic anymore 
But only because I'm now going to sleep.) |
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eslteacherlooking
Joined: 18 Nov 2008
Posts: 32
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| Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 9:08 am Post subject: |
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atlas
The hardest part for me with housing was choosing a place that I liked. I made a list of all the things I wanted in my house first before going to the agent. My agent was really helpful towards me which seems to be the exception.
What agent did you use? What was your list? Thanks for the reply! Everyone!
I definitely want to be in the tokyo area/suburbs and cannot consider going elsewhere. all the input has been very helpful! |
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