Job Discussion Forums

[quizz]

Hi all, so I've been accepted by GEOS recently and have to get back to their offer. Basically, my question is that I know all companies don't guarantee locations but I don't even think GEOS makes an effort to while the others do somewhat. I wanted to know how likely it is to get a placement you prefer? I would prefer somewhere in or near big cities like tokyo, yokohama, osaka, kanagawa, chiba, saitama etc.
And for people that was placed in somewhere not their top choice, was the experience still good?

Also another thing I've noticed is that there's a lot of posts about ECC and AEON but not so much with GEOS. Being a bigger company, I find that odd, is it that bad a company? I'll probably end up going with GEOS but I just wanted to know so I know what I should prepare for mentally. Thanks!

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

Usually, NOT being on the boards is GOOD news, but GEOS...I dunno!

NCTBA

[Glenski]

Having never worked for GEOS, all I can do is offer my 10 years of experience on half a dozen boards like this.

[quizz]

Thanks for ppl that replied so far. So I guess just wanting to live there is not good enough a reason? That is too bad. Actually I wanted to live somewhere that I can also build a network of 'gaijin' friends since I predict that it won't be too easy breaking into the Japanese circles. So what would be a good reason for preferring a place?

[seanmcginty]

Trying to surround yourself with gaijin friends isn't a very good idea. You won't learn Japanese and you'll only get a superficial exposure to Japanese society. Don't worry about it being difficult to break into "Japanese circles", Japanese people are very hospitable and you'll probably make tons of Japanese friends.

Just to be clear, I'm not saying "Don't make gaijin friends", I'm just saying don't be afraid to go out and make Japanese friends and don't start planning, before you've even arrived, to plan your time there around hanging out only with other foreigners.

When I went over to japan for the first time I requested "Tokyo" because I didn't know anything about Japan and figured that was a safe choice. I ended up in a small city called Akashi instead and never regretted it for a second, I had a fantastic time there (probably way better than I would have in Tokyo). Small cities have a lot going for them over large ones, IMHO. I spent five years in Japan, all of them in smaller cities. They are less crowded, quieter and often more attractive than the bigger places. Plus gaijin are a dime a dozen in Tokyo, but in smaller cities people are more likely to make friends with you. The main down side is that there is less stuff to do, but most of them are within easy commute of bigger cities (especially if you are in the Kansai or Kanto region), so you've still got access to everything.

I spent 1 year working for GEOS. GEOS gets talked about about as much as AEON or ECC I think, perhaps recently other schools have been getting more conversation but that is just a coincidence. This site:

www.letsjapan.org

was started by two ex-GEOS teachers. Its not a bad company, but not the greatest place to work either, dig around and you'll find tons of people arguing both ways.

[Angelfish]

Coming from the UK, I asked for somewhere warm (wanted a proper summer for once).

I was put in Hokkaido.

But.... saying that, the summer was nice in Hokkaido, it was warm and sunny. There was also a proper winter. Five months long, snow, lots of snow, but good snowboarding and lots of green, open spaces.

There's usually a silver lining to wherever you're placed.

[ssjup81]

Since overseas applicants can apply now I decided to finally go on and do so. It was my first choice of places to apply, but for a good while, GEOS was only taking applications from those already residing in Japan.

Anyway, does anyone here currently work for GEOS? Pros, cons?