Job Discussion Forums

[ScottH]

Hello hello.

I have been lurking around these forums for quite some time now, but now I actually have a reason to post.

My university sends a master's student to teach at Chuo Gakuin University every year and I am considering applying for the 2009 position, but I have not found much information on it. I have talked to a few people that have already been, but I am looking for something more current and other opinions. The school's main website is http://www.cgu.ac.jp/index.html (All Japanese despite the English tabs) and a short piece in English http://www.cgu.ac.jp/english/index.html.

Anyone know any details? Heard a story?

Thanks!

[mspxlation]

Most Japanese universities are pretty much the same, despite their reputations for having tougher or easier entrance exams. That is, the students think of them as a four-year vacation between the rigors of high school and the rigors of work and devote most of their energies to their extracurricular activities.

The location, Abiko, is in the bleak suburbs of Tokyo (which resemble nothing like a North American suburb), but you're within easy commuting distance of central Tokyo and the countryside, so if you can stand to live in a boring place during your work week, you should be fine.

[AndyH]

I don't know a whole lot about the university, other than the fact that it's located in Chiba Prefecture.
Chiba-ken tends to get a bad rap amongst a lot of people, because it lacks the attractions and character of Kanagawa-ken, Tokyo, and other places, but it really isn't too bad. Tokyo is relatively close, and Chiba Prefecture has places like Sawara and Narita, which offer some traditional Japanese cultural attractions. Plus, you will find that rent is cheaper.