Going to Japan thread #928731...

[Ewok85]

Well this year is quickly coming to an end and plans are in motion to see me head north once again. I've made this thread to get some useful insight from those in the know to just confirm some things I've been thinking about. Basically I hope to be able to work in Japan, at least 1 year, ideally 5 years, and then see whether I want to stay in Japan long term or if I would rather live in Australia.

Quick background - I've studied Japanese for 8 years now through high school in Australia, a year in a Japanese High School, a year of advanced Japanese at University and secured JLPT 2nd grade. I've got 2yrs of work experience working in 2nd Lvl Helpdesk with the national telco Telstra and a leading ISP called Internode, and previous to this I have tutored university students, worked part time in a computer retailer and assisted in a Japanese Kindergarten and High School.

So naturally my options at the moment are teaching English, or possibly teaching English... wonderful... I'm looking at going thru Nova on a working holiday visa and looking for something either a bilingual helpdesk position or some sort of different teaching positions (teaching children is becoming a new market or just in a normal school).

I have a few contacts who are on board to help me - my girlfriend and her parents are happy to house me initially and also act as guaranters to help in securing accomadation. My Uni teacher is willing to be a reference as well as the principal of the high school I attended in Japan. When I touch down in Japan I intend to visit a few other places (mainly a kindergarten I helped out at and a local sports club where I helped supervise and teach primary school children).

Anything I've forgotten here? I know my lack of a degree is going to crimp my options initially but if I have the skills and can maybe get some certification to back me up (TEFL, MOUS, etc) I should be alright.

So? Comments?

 

[Davey]

Looks pretty good to me!!!! i am going to get a TEFL myself , and i did a toeic test, got summerschool expierence in japan and will go there next year...

I wish you luck!!!! damm i miss australia haha

 

[pipokun]

I don't know if Hoso Uni will sponser your student visa, but it is the cheapest certified degree here. I guess it is good for your Nihongo study as well. You can be a student there for up to 10yrs; however you cannot get your full time position with your student visa.
Or start your own business?
http://www.u-air.ac.jp/eng/index.html

Depends upon cases, but a part-time bilingual helpdesk position starts from around 1600JPY/H, I suppose.

 

[Ewok85]

I don't know if Hoso Uni will sponser your student visa, but it is the cheapest certified degree here. I guess it is good for your Nihongo study as well. You can be a student there for up to 10yrs; however you cannot get your full time position with your student visa.
Or start your own business?
http://www.u-air.ac.jp/eng/index.html

Depends upon cases, but a part-time bilingual helpdesk position starts from around 1600JPY/H, I suppose.

Wow, thats a really interesting idea, thanks!! I've been looking at Universities in Australia and how to perhaps finish my degree externally (working over the internet) but thats even better!

So far it appears for the first year in Japan I can probably get by, and if I'm unable to get a working visa after that I'm more than happy to continue my degree, I can probably get some credit for the time I did in Australia as well.. hmm.

 

[Silverpoint]

Ahhh, the University of the Air (it's not always 'over the air' by the way - sometimes you need to attend a site so it helps to live close). I've been a guest lecturer there on rare occasions - well 3 times to be exact- but they seem like a pretty well run organisation. Generally they have their own faculty building within an existing traditional university campus.

 

[GaijinPunch]

I'm looking at going thru Nova on a working holiday visa and looking for something either a bilingual helpdesk position or some sort of different teaching positions (teaching children is becoming a new market or just in a normal school).

Don't sell yourself short. You might be able to get into a help desk position immediately. You need to find a good head hunter, or head shop. True, it's easier once you get the visa, but not impossible. I worked at a large bank, and we hired a European guy and was his first sponsor, even though it took 2 months in processing.

Panache outsourced me to my first help desk job. The pay at the time was competitive (be warned -- it's hourly) but I was very happy with the environment. You can get some pretty invaluable experience there. It did take them about 2 months to place me, but I had zero IT experience... if you've got all that experience plus the Japanese communication skills that come with JLPT level 2, I think you'll be golden, if you're patient enough.

I might be able to dig up some head hunters names if you need.

 

[Ewok85]

I've worked for an agency in the past, and understand the issues and conditions of working that way. The website is amazing and I found a few jobs in there I could apply for Thankyou!

Thats more like what I was thinking of, if you could chuck a few other names my way I'll start my search now, I know getting a visa can be nasty but possible.