Job Discussion Forums

Dominique · Joined: 26 Aug 2004 Posts: 141 Location: Juso, Osaka

I was wondering if there was anyone who graduated from the University of Toronto and how they were able to either get a copy of their degree or if they took the original with them overseas.

This degree isn't exactly a size that can easily fit in a binder. I'd like to know how much they would charge me for a copy or if they do sign photocopies as proof.

mmmfood · Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2004 4:56 pm Post subject:

Sorry, I didn't go to U of T but I did go to U of Guelph. I heard that if you take the original copy and a photocopy to a lawyer, they can have it notorized for you to make the photocopy a legal document. Or maybe the lawyer has to photocopy it for you. The school would not give us a copy of the degree. You have to either surrender the old one for a new one. i.e. name change, or show that you have lost your degree. That's what the school told us to do so hope that helps.

Question: Why would you take your degree with you overseas? I'm assuming that you're looking for a job while you're in Japan?

Hondo 2.0 · Joined: 05 Aug 2004 Posts: 69 Location: Canada

I left my degree with my family when I went to Japan. When I needed the degree to apply for a job, my folks mailed it to me in a tube. I found that to be a convenient method of transportation, if that helps you at all.

Dominique · Joined: 26 Aug 2004 Posts: 141 Location: Juso, Osaka

I'd take it with me if I get to that route.

I'm afraid I won't get hired due to my lack of experience teaching, or even just with kids.
I was thinking, worse comes to worse, I'll go with the Student Work Abroad Program.

mmmfood · Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2004 2:22 am Post subject: Don't worry

Hey Dominique, don't worry about not having any experience with teaching. I don't and I got a job through Aeon here in Toronto. The only type of experience I've had is the hospitality business. Yes, I'm fed up dealing with people being SUPER rude and still expect us to bow down to them like they are gods. The only thing that may have helped me get the job is that I've lived abroad while I was in university. I'm not sure about this, but if you are thinking of getting a working holiday visa get it yourself through the embassy/consulate instead of through SWAP. I think they charge you more for their services, which in my opinion isn't much. (I got a US summer working visa through SWAP.)

easyasabc · Joined: 13 Jul 2003 Posts: 179 Location: Japan

It's a long time since I came here but as far as I remember I didn't show my real degree when I applied for my job. My university gave me a letter to verify that I had completed a degree there and that letter was used for my visa application here. Maybe your university could do that for you.

Dominique · Joined: 26 Aug 2004 Posts: 141 Location: Juso, Osaka

Did you find it difficult to find a job through Swap?

You do have to pay a fee, but they give you access to a forum to find other SWAPPERS going to the same country around the same time.
They also pay for two nights stay at a hostel in Osaka or Tokyo.
I figured I'd go with them since it at least gives me the stability of not having to find a place of my own when I arrive.
They also give you access to their contacts there to help you find a job. When I talked to the travel agent, she told me you are generally replacing someone else's job.
My concern is that they don't give you a work visa, but a working holiday visa although I called them and they assured me it was a work visa. I still don't believe them.
Did anyone else go through this program?

mmmfood · Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2004 1:25 am Post subject:

Umm... maybe because I did SWAP USA, they didnt help us with our job search. They also didn't have a working holiday centre for us either. I got my job in the States through hcareers.com. I'm not sure if it's the same in Japan but I would assume SWAP would provide more assistance because of the language barriers.

I can't be sure of what type of visa you get but since all the other visas are working holiday visas, I would assume it's the same for Japan. Maybe the girl just want to assure you that you can work on this visa.