Korean Job Discussion Forums

[noelinkorea]

I have lived in Korea for five long years - some things good, some things not. Nonetheless, my desire has always been to head over the ditch and work and live in Japan - it's much more my scene.

My problem is I've built a real life here, though I've tired of it in the last years or so. I'm not really sure how to make the move - how to get a good job in Japan (while still in Korea), moving my stuff (how much/what to take?) and setting up a residence, etc (I hear it's messier than in the Korean ESL world...). I am open to moving to pretty much anywhere...but got to have some access to nature. The pay is less in Japan - which is fine with me - since the country appeals so much (been there about ten times for long and short stays).

I have the uni degree of course, as well as CELTA, and speak Korean also [and Russian] (not especially useful in Japan perhaps, but it's helped me there previously a lot!).

I would appreciate any advice - direct personal experience or even just a helpful website - that people might be able to throw my way.

[Satori]

What do like about japan? Ive been here almost two years, and five in Korea before that. Im considering coming back to Korea. I find Japanese to be completely weird, and relationships with them are consistantly uncomfortable, even after a long time, and lots of mind games...

[Neil]

I'm trying to plan a similar move......it's got nothing to do with what country is better, more simply a case of the world is a big place so I fancy moving around. I'm youngish, single, no commitments and generally don't want to end up 50 years old thinking "I wonder what Japan would have been like?"

Anyway, start up costs look to be the biggest handicap. They don't appear to babysit you like Korea does. The cost of living in Japan doesn't bother me, indeed from my visit to Toyko it appears to be a lot cheaper than my hometown.....however to get started there I estimated the cost of flying over, staying in hotels until I found an apartment, deposit for the apartment, a months rent upfront, general living expenses (booze, tabs ect) and waiting two months for the first pay check.........man I estimated needing about 5 grand to head over with....and I reckon that's conservative.

It's a shame as I got offered a job there. Interestingly all my job offers in Korea had a 5 minute interview of ensuring I was white and English speaking. To get the job in Japan (an elementary school position) I had two separate 1 hour interviews with native speakers asking loads of questions about my teaching methods. I was chuffed to be offered the job but alas finanical commitments changed meaning I had to turn it down.

Still Japan is the land of milk, honey, sugar, women and wine and I still plan to live there one day. The options are either save like I've never saved before or hope someone with experience of doing the Korea-Japan switch can tell me a way of doing it with the 30000 won I have in my wallet now.

Satori...you will be playing the PS3 before any of us, remember that before you come back!

[laogaiguk]

More specific questions would help. I lived there for 2 years. I suggest the Kansai region over the Kanto region. I haven't been to Shizuoka and I hear that is great, but I would rather be near Osaka (though maybe not live there). My absolute favourite city (other than Sapporo, but it isn't quite Japanese, and it's cold) was Kobe. What else do you want???

[SuperFly]

[dimnd]

Kobe is quite far out....son lived there for a year and did a study abroad at uni there through uni of Minnesota..pretty rural...

[laogaiguk]

[venus]

I'm sure you have already, but look on the JAPAN FORUM of DAVE's. You'll find everything you need to know about Japan on there. Perhaps PM some of the sensible posters on there, I did and found some helpful info.

Good luck!!!

[twg]