Job Discussion Forums

juicyjasmine · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 7

Hi!
Has anyone any advice or stories in regards to employment with Nova? I just got an offer of employment with them and am trying to decide whether or not to accept. I heard that there were some issues with medical insurance and paying apartment rent with them. Also, although this is a pretty general question, what is the living experience like in Japan? You guys pretty happy over there or are you spending your days planning a trip elsewhere? Anything would help as I am pretty new to this!

Canadian girl

chirp · Joined: 03 Dec 2005 Posts: 148

Jasmine,

Welcome! The first thing that will be suggested to you is to use the search feature and "nova" - you'll be overwhelmed with the number of threads that come back (including topics like accommodation and other issues).

IMHO, most of the people who would participate in a Japan discussion board are probably reasonably happy with the challenges that living in a different country presents. Only you can answer that question for yourself though. I would also suggest checking out your local library and doing a search on the Internet. There are lots of books and sites about Japanese culture and the challenges and rewards of living there. It will be impossible to be sure though until you get there and try it out for yourself.

Why did you apply to Nova in the first place? What attracted you to spending a year teaching English in Japan? Think about it.

Best of luck whatever you decide and check out the search feature! You have days of research ahead of you! Wink

Chirp

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

Read these for some fair appraisals of NOVA.
http://www.jref.com/practical/teaching_at_nova.shtml
http://vocaro.com/trevor/japan/nova/level_up.html
www.grassrootdesign.com/stuff.asp
http://markcity.blogspot.com/teaching.htm

As for what the living experience is like in Japan, you reckon right. It is a very general question. Perhaps if we knew more about you and your goals, it might help to formulate a better answer. There are plenty of miserable people here, and plenty of well-adjusted ones, too.

Doglover · Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 305 Location: Kansai

here is another link on NOVA from the stickies.

Yes, you will hear a lot about the insurance (Shakai Hoken and JMA) the anti-fraternisation, and the apartments but like anything there are two sides to every story and newbies will often only hear what they want to hear and tune out the rest if its not convenient for them. NOVA charges a lot for rent but you dont pay key money (which can be up to 3-4 months rent in advance, unfurnished apartment) and your NOVA apartment is fully furnished with an Internet connection when you move in. Everything is laid on as soon as you step off the plane.

Most of us are pretty happy here, and like any job you have your good days and bad days at work, co-workers from hell, students from hell, and a big company like NOVA is not going to change their spots for you or are they simply there for your personal entertainment and make sure you have an enjoyable Japan experience. You are being paid to do a job. Its an entry-level JOB paying a survival, entry-level wage, and the work you do teaching students is what you make it. Some like it, some dont, but the big variable is your attitude, and what you bring to the table. Many people read rumors and gossip about NOVA, arrive at the company with a glass-half empty attitude and the first bad day they have at work tend to reconfirm their attitudes.

Treat working at NOVA as a new learning experience, learn as much as you can about teaching as a job, teaching English and EFL in particular and learning how to do your assigned job as well as you can. NOVA is pretty much an entry level job, not exactly mentally taxing, most NOVA teachers are new, inexperienced in teaching EFL and living in a foreign non-English speaking country, so I suggest you use the first year to learn the ropes, get your sealegs, rather than worry about whether and how much your employer is 'using' you or exploiting you as the bad guy as so many new people at NOVA like to think about their employers.

Keep an open mind about the company, take the the good with the bad, and the only way you will really know for sure is to find out for yourself. The reason people travel overseas and come here first is so they can soak up the foreign atmosphere and experience Japan with their five senses. Take what you might read about NOVA that is negative with HUGE grain of salt. Its not perfect as jobs go but it certainly wont kill you and thousands pour through its doors (and out again) every year. I worked at NOVA many years ago (in the 80's) and survived and am still here. It certainly won't kill you.

Big John Stud · Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 513

When I reported a formal employer to the labour board, the lady asked me if I worked for Nova instead of asking me what company I had worked for. I heard the living arrangments are not so good too. Pretty expensive considering you have to share an apartment with someone you never meant!
As far as living expense in Japan. Tokyo is the most expensive city in the world followed by Osaka.
Liking it here. I love Japan. The last 3 years, all my vacations has been to other parts of Japan. I have only lived here for more than 10 years.

BradS · Joined: 05 Sep 2004 Posts: 173 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I quit Nova last month and have just started my new job this week. It's amazing how different this new company is! A lot of the problems I had with Nova I simply rubbed off as being "typical for a Japanese company"i.e. no paid sick days (Nova actually PENALISES you for calling in sick!), no public holidays etc, etc, etc... but after working for a different company it's just amazing!

NOVA is good for the Visa and getting yourself set up in Japan, but it's not a respectable place to work.

wangtesol · Joined: 24 May 2005 Posts: 280

You can also check out the workers union at Nova. It is a branch of the National Union of General Workers Tokyo South. (www.nambufwc.org)

Nova is the largest employer of migrant workers in Japan (around 5000). They are the ones who set the tone for lousy working conditions such as one-year contracts, not enrolling employees into the government's mandatory health care scheme, and power harassment (pawa hawa in Japanese).

http://www.novaunion.com

On the other hand, if you want to work towards improve working conditions and join one of the most progressive unions in Japan for human rights then working for Noav may be a good experience for you.

klement · Joined: 15 Jan 2006 Posts: 10

It depends what you want to get out of it Smile

I know people who went, hated NOVA but loved their year there anyways, and others who had a good school and were treated well.

Overall, when I interviewed with NOVA, I was not impressed with the way they came across. They made a few silent threats and I got the impression that they weren't all too helpful. Additionally, their contract offer is sub-standard when you compare it to JET, the other eikawas and other private companies. For me, those two points coupled with general forum feedback made me reject their offer.

Sadken · Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 341

I'm leaving in April, having done a year's contract and had an excellent time of it. I'd probably come back to work for NOVA, however, I'd be using them for the Visa and the apartment, since it isn't a job that I could do long term. I know plenty of people who have been here 3 years or more with them, however, and some who have been here for 10 or so.....horses for courses.

Rorschach · Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Posts: 130 Location: Osaka

Doglover has the right of it. There are some distasteful things you have to put with at Nova but they pay steady, the money is decent and they take care of the hard things like apartments, Visas and tax. If you are going to stay in Japan for a long time treat Nova as a springboard. Save your money and take any training they offer and try be professional at all times. I would say 3 years max is enough at Nova, after that you'd do well to find something better.

BurnChurch · Joined: 10 Feb 2006 Posts: 34

"DOGLOVER"
You cannot be more RIGHT!
100% right
Children from Hell! I like that one! hahahhahah

juicyjasmine · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 7

thanks for the help guys! ur right, i have heard a lot of bad stuff with them, but i guess with any business in the end its just a job. i'm just weighing out my options, anyone know how to get the cheapest plane ticket out of toronto to tokyo?

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

deleted repeated thread (sorry, computer glitch)

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

bornslippy1981 · Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Posts: 271

The company apartments aren't too bad. When I arrived I was in a 3 bedroom apartment, and stayed in the tatami room. There were no windows, which really caused some sleeping problems the first few weeks. With no natural light, I never knew what time it was. I knew other people who had similar problems in the building.

As somebody mentioned, moving in with strangers can be difficult. The first apartment I lived in was shared with the A.T. at my branch, and another guy who had just arrived.. The other guy was friendly, the A.T. was not. There was no inspection of the apartment prior to our arrivals. Garbage for about 3 months was piled up, no lightbulb or toilet paper in the bathroom, and the A.T. didn't do dishes or clean up after himself. Basically a sty. My blood boils just thinking about how much the guy would tick me off.

I moved after about 6 weeks. I found a room for free with a Japanese person, but only stayed there about 6 weeks. I would've stayed longer because not paying for rent, utilities, computer, or rice was great. However the guy was crazy. No joke. He spent most of his time talking to himself. He claimed to be communicating with a woman in Oz who the Devil had taken over her body.

Once the A.T. moved out, I moved back into the same apartment. With two people it was very comfortable. Rent wasn't too bad considering it was furnished, and no deposits. The other guy moved a few weeks after that, and I had the place to myself for about 2 months.

When I moved to Tokyo I stayed in company accomodation again. I only stayed about 2 months before finding another place. Both roommates were good the second time, but I was paying a lot for 4.5 mats. Where I live now the rent is a little more, but my room is twice the size.

As Glenski mentioned, moving into your own place can be costly. Key money, deposits, agency fees, furnishings, etc. You really need to consider how long you'll be living in Japan. If you plan on staying a year, then take the first month to find a new place. If you can't, it might not be worth it because of paying out the key money and agency fees.

If you plan on staying long term, you'll be better to move out.

Also, you're charged for the previous month's rent in your paycheck. Your January paycheck covers the December rent. If you plan on moving after payday consider 40-50% of your paycheck will be going towards rent. If you budget well, and can sacrifice a month or two of going out as frequently, it's no problem.

Good luck.