Job Discussion Forums

[ESLgirl]

I am considering applying to Kandai Gaidai's Assistant Professor position. If anyone has worked for them or interviewed with them, I would love to hear what you think about them and the work experience. I also see that they provide free teacher housing. I would love to see photos of the teacher housing rooms too if anyone has them.

Feel free to PM me.

[DLIguy]

They have a curfew...unless you DON'T want to spend the night in the provided housing!

[Solar Strength]

[DLIguy]

When they lock the gate at the top of that long hill...it is, in effect, a curfew.

[rxk22]

I went to KG as a student. The hill isn't so bad. That is really some serious whining there. I can ride my bike up it, pretty easily.

It is a fun and dynamic area, the curfew is the only silly part though.

[Solar Strength]

[rxk22]

Yes, there is a curfew. You do get free housing though. So choose your poison I guess.

The hill is a bit of a climb, but if people are really complaining about it, they prolly need the exercise anyhow. It really isn't that bad. I rode my bike up it everyday, and really wasn't bothered by it.

[Solar Strength]

[mitsui]

You get five years.
The pay is just four million but you get free housing.
If you want to be in Osaka, go for it.

[louissenn]

I used to work at Gaidai a few years back, and for what it is, it's a decent place to work. It's not really suitable for university teachers who have lengthy experience in Japan (though there are several who would fit that description on faculty), and is more appropriate for either those new to Japan, or those just starting out their university teaching career. 10 koma a week, shared office, nice students (but not the most academically gifted). The teaching is very much done on an individual basis as there's no shared curriculum, which is both good and bad. Teachers are on the whole a good bunch, though there have been several scandals due to inappropriate behavior and drugs. Some of the male teachers are willfully ignorant about setting boundaries, that's for sure.

The university has two campuses, so you may be placed at either Nakamiya (which is closer to Hirakata) or Hotani (which is in deep countryside). Both are pleasant, well equipped and modern. I can't speak for the latter, but the former is located about 15 minutes walk from the station. This hill at Nakamiya that seems to cause so much consternation is not really a big deal, but if it bothers you there's buses every 5 minutes to the station which take about 5 minutes. Sheesh!

Hirakata is not much of place, but has the usual restaurants and a few bars. Nothing of interest otherwise. Yodayobashi (central Osaka) takes about 20 minutes by express train; Sanjo (central Kyoto) takes about 30 minutes. However, don't be fooled - it is in no way comparable to living in either of these two cities; Hirakata is a boring suburb and has that feel to it. You should (realistically) look at 45 mins/1 hour door to door for going to Osaka/Kyoto, and unless you have deep pockets for a taxi fare home, or stay over, late nights in either city are not on the agenda.

There is no curfew for the faculty campus housing and nobody knows where this rumor arose, other than folks are confusing it with the student housing. The campus housing (for Nakamiya) is large for single teachers (2 DLK) and adequately furnished. There are lots of teachers with young families who really enjoy living there, though this is generally not the case for single teachers. The housing is the deal breaker for some, so make sure you're aware of the pitfalls of living on campus with your co-workers. It's not for everyone.

Starting salary is about 4 million en, which is not great, but includes the housing (which in the area would be about 70,000-80,000/month), and with good evaluations can be incremented by 50,000 a month year on year. 5 years, sometimes extended for those they like. As I said previously, it's not for everyone, but it's not a bad place, not a bad job, and you're mostly left alone by admin. Good for overseas hires, teachers looking to break into uni teaching, and those with young families.

[mitsui]

What I heard was that teachers had to live on campus.
Is that true?

[louissenn]

[Solar Strength]

[mitsui]

But the reality is that there are more jobs in Tokyo, with higher pay.
There are far fewer jobs in Osaka, and this place tends to need teachers.

Sure there are better places to work, if you could get a better position.

Another disadvantage I think is that the classes are scheduled from Monday through Friday.
At many universities, teachers just teach four days a week.

[Solar Strength]