Job Discussion Forums

cheryl · Joined: 01 Apr 2003 Posts: 119 Location: Japan

Hi everyone,

i was accepted to go to Japan with the JET program. I'll be leaving in july. My boyfriend has proposed and i don't know whether it'd be a good idea to marry and go to japan together. We'd like to go together but if i can't support both of us on my salary, and if he can't get a job, then we'll just have to "buck up" and wait. Can anyone shed light on what we should do? Can two people live comfortably on an ALT's salary? Can my b/f find work? How difficult would that be?

Here's some information about him. His first language is Spanish, and he has an accent. He's from Argentina, has a degree in biology and chemistry, has experience teaching in univerisities (but not languages), and is not a citizen or landed immigrant of any english speaking country. Could he find a job teaching spanish? or Tutoring? how prevalent are spanish tutors? He's fluent in English but i get the impression that people are prejudiced against 'native speakers'. Any information or opinions would be welcomed!

thanks,
cheryl

azarashi sushi · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 562 Location: Shinjuku

If you lived in the country and had cheapish rent, then your salary would probably be enough for the both of you to live on. You wouldn't really be able to travel though... and your boyfriend would probably go insane from boredom.

In Tokyo, on the odd occaision I see ads for Spanish teachers... but in general there is very little work teaching Spanish.

Good luck anyway.

A.S.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

If you get married, he could come to Japan on a dependent visa as long as you hold a full-time job. If you are not married, he would have to take his chances with getting a visa, and I suggest contacting his embassy to see what his options are.

Your salary is going to be 3.6 million yen/year, or 300,000 yen/month before taxes. If you figure 50,000 yen is an average rent (quite a variable figure because we don't know where you are going to be posted), 15,000 yen/month for utilities, 30,000 yen/month for groceries, 5000 yen/month for basic phone service (no calls, just service), then you have 200,000 yen/month for insurance, restaurants, sightseeing, replacement clothing, travel, souvenirs, paying off your credit cards and loans back home, long distance and local calls, Internet use, reading material, etc. and emergencies. This might sound like a lot of money to some, but it goes fast, and on a normal single person's budget and lifestyle, you should expect to have US$500 a month (perhaps double that with a JET salary) left over to pay your loans and credit cards as well as to save. I'd say it'd be rather tight for 2 people.

Flamenco is rather popular in Japan. Can he teach that?
I'd say forget teaching any science classes unless he's fluent in Japanese. He might land work as a private tutor for Spanish, but how long he can stay depends on what kind of visa he can get. This is the primary focus I suggest you look into. Visa.

cheryl · Joined: 01 Apr 2003 Posts: 119 Location: Japan

Thanks for both your responses,

it sounds like my b/f won't be able to find work, and i'd hate for him to die of boredom for the sake of our relationship.

Glenski: i was more worried about how our situation would be once we got to japan since he'd have a spouse visa. it never occured to us to go together without being married. Sounds like i'll just have to go on my own. Thanks for your monthly breakdown.

Cheryl

ESLMaster · Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 20

You may be able to get by, depends on where you are! and if you aim to save. If NOT, then yes, it IS enough for two...I know a few married JETs in that situation. Smile

If I were him, I'd try to get a job with NOVA, AEON or any of those other private English schools. Not for a career or for the love of the job, since it seems that NO ONE does, but just to keep from being bored and to make a few more pennies. Cool

Japan (outside of Tokyo and Osaka) is actually quite boring to some people. Travel is expensive, the environment is a dull, dark gray/green/brown for 70% of the year due to cold temperatures and then vibrant and humid for the other 30%... As with most places, you'll have to find a hobby or some type of activity, but alas, in JAPAN being able to afford hobbies is a luxury in itself. I was/AM dissapointed in this too... dance classes, language classes, martial arts, cooking classes, everything costs...and in Japan, when something costs, it REALLY COSTS!!! haha! Exclamation

Bottom line, having a few extra bucks, no matter how you get them, is ALWAYS the best way to go in Japan.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

Cheryl

You won't have a spouse visa- As you are both foreign nationals you will have a working visa and if he gets work on his own with a degree he can get a work visa.

He may also come on a dependents visa, as a spouse of a foreign national. A spouse visa is for those who are married to JAPANESE, not foreigners. There are restrictions on the number of hours a dependent may work so it may pay to take this into account.

Another aspect you will have to consider is that taxes are quite steep on secondary income, so if you are working full-time and he earns more that 1 million yen a year or about 80,000 yen, you will be hit for higher taxes. Many women who quit their jobs or become pregnant etc work part time and earn under the limit to avoid their spouse paying extra taxes. Work any more than this amount and it becomes self-defeating to work for extra money. Much better if he can try and get a job using his own sponsored work visa IMO.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

ESL Master,

It looks as if you have a serious bone to pick about Japan. Why is that?

As for your comment about "everything costs"...

Guest · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2003 9:52 pm Post subject:

Doesn't NOVA employ native Spanish speakers to teach Spanish? I could be wrong but I thought NOVA offered more languages than just English.

ESLMaster · Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 20

Oh Glenski...

Well DUH!!! OF COURSE, anyone can be bored anywhere! How BRILLIANT of Glenski to point that out for us all� THANK YOU!!! SUCH KNOWLEDGE! WOW! And furthermore, "ALL HOBBIES COST ANYWHERE in the WORLD"� Do you all have pens to record this �gospel��Haha! Rolling Eyes

No, I don't have a serious bone to pick with Japan, nor with you...
Let's say it together, "it is all relative" Smile

Perhaps what I should have pointed out clearly was that if you are an eclectic person, as I am, and need to have a VARIETY of activities to keep mentally stimulated, well, it may be a bit too expensive to keep your drive satiated in Japan.

As for the environment, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"...blahblahblah.... Rolling Eyes

Look, it is useless to argue our opinions.

I'm sure that Hokkaido has its own charm and beauty, so does the Sahara, Siberia and Sasebo! I don't know where Glenski is from, BUT if one is used to more colorful places (Miami Beach, FL and attended university in Hawaii) then one may desire a more "BEAUTIFUL" environment, but.... Needless to say this IS Japan, and the reality of it is that many contemporary authors and critics will agree it doesn't have too much to offer by way of aesthetics. (BUT repeat after me Glenski, "it's all relative" ... good Exclamation

)

Having offered my 10 cents, I will admit that Japan is a GROOVY place to spend time, MAKE A LOT of friends, learn a lot about yourself. But it will cost a bit, and trying to do all of this on one JET salary only makes it more difficult to explore life here in Japan.

To each their own, I�m just stating my opinion. Respect it and move on�. Laughing

BTW
(I have actually experienced Japan in Tokyo (Chiba), and Kumamoto for a grand total of 3 years. All due to college teaching programs and/or JET Program. And you???)

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

yes, people learn other languages at Nova.
French, German, and I think Chinese are taught there.
But not at all locations.

Brooks

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

Where I live in Kanagawa, I think it is quite ugly.
I won`t move, but I really wish I lived somewhere else.
Pachinko places really are an eyesore.
The longer I live there, the more I appreciate trees and mountains.

Alex Kerr in his book Dogs and Demons (among other things) writes about ugliness in modern Japan. The main station in Kyoto is a good example.

Brooks

G Cthulhu · Posted: Thu May 01, 2003 4:14 am Post subject:

ESLMaster · Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 20

G Cthulhu,

Haha! That's it ...."feel better now" ???
Well.. whatever you say "expert" ... Rolling Eyes

And like I said....Please MOVE ON!!!
I'm sure you have a life... hmmm Question

Haha!

ESLMaster · Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 20

I agree with Brooks,

Dogs and Demons... a MUST read...
unless your some kinda "expert" .... Rolling Eyes

cheryl · Joined: 01 Apr 2003 Posts: 119 Location: Japan

Paulh : oh yes, i meant a dependents visa. i was responding to Glenski who said that we should be focusing on visa's first, he mentioned the dependents visa...just a momentary glitch in my wording.

Katy: my b/f's already applied to NOVA but they said they already had all spanish teaching positions filled up for the year! (this i don't get because i thought they do continual hiring...oh well).

i'd like to save money since i have a poop load of debt on my back (thank-you OSAP!) and it seems as though i will have enough money to support us both but not enough to support us and pay off debts. Sad

i started this thread in hopes that someone out there would have some ideas that i hadn't already thought of or explored. Thanks everyone for your comments and opinions!! i guess this gal won't be having her cake and eating it too!

Cheryl