On Monbukagakusho, Not Allowed to Work!

[FiFo]

Hi there,

I had the Monbukagakusho Scholarship 2 years ago
Now I'm in my 2nd semester of the Computer Engineering Course
I'm already progressing well with my studies, my Japanese conversation, reading, and writing skills are pretty decent
In addition to that, I already have a couple of publications plus other upcoming ones
The thing is, I really wanna have a part-time job to extend my carrier since I've been already working as a software developer for 10 years, and I just don't want to have a "black-hole" in my CV
After consulting my supervisor, I was encouraged to get a part-time job that is related to my studies, and I could find a pretty good one!
The problem now is that the students affairs department is not allowing me to work. I know that I should be taking some documents from them to the Immigration Office and then I can start working, but they just don't want to give me those documents
They argue that I might fail in my studies if I start working and that would be very bad for the reputation of the university
Now I have to start working next week, but still I can't get any permission, what to do?

 

[Mike Cash]

You shouldn't have accepted a job (and starting date) prior to completing the necessary paperwork.

You should have your professor talk to the people in the office about approving your request to work part-time. If that fails then your options are to give up the idea of working or to work illegally and risk the consequences of that.

The only sensible thing to do is to explain to the employer that you irresponsibly contracted to work for them before making sure you had permission and apologize for inconveniencing them. Ask if they will wait while you try to fix the problem. I'm not just being my usual judgmental self here; if the employers are Japanese then an apology for inconveniencing them will do you far more good than attempting to explain the situation and place blame elsewhere.

 

[FiFo]

i didn't sign any contract and i don't have any obligations
i was supposed to be evaluated for a month and after that everything will be decided, so i don't have any problem quitting the job
the point is, i don't want to give it up!
I've been told prior to coming here that i can have a part-time job, and many of my friends did it before
and to be frank with you, the 143,000yen is a miserable amount of money especially that I'm living in country side of Japan
I need to go at least twice a year to big cities, and the only thing i'm asking for IS MY RIGHT BE ALLOWED WORKING!
i might still go next week as a trainee
I'll ask them to hold my payment until i sort this thing out
if i can't sort it out by December i'll probably just cancel the scholarship and go to work and study at a friendlier country
so much for "a scholarship that promotes friendly relationship with people from other countries"...meh!

 

[thepie]

You're living in the country side and 143,000 is a "miserable" amount of money? I'm living in Tokyo and my 147,000 is definitely not extravagant, but nothing close to "miserable" at all.

 

[FiFo]

it depends on whether you're a guy who wants to fully live his life, or you're a guy who spends his days and nights between the lab and house
the only thing more expensive in Tokyo is the house rent, while in a city like Fukui, food, clothes, appliances and transportation are way more expensive!
it's a simple economy of scale
in addition to that, you'll almost never find the super cheap brands that you can find in Tokyo
adding insult to injury, my city's transportation does not pass through ANY major points (department stores, event halls, etc...)
so i'll have either to use a bike for 40min+ to do some simple shopping or something, or take a cab
and btw, living in country side is very very different from Tokyo, it's another world in here!
you'll find very very very little young people
most of the activities and amenities are made for 80+ years old grannies
that alone makes me super depressed. i'm having at least one trip a month to big cities, although i've been preferring going to Tokyo recently
but two days trip would cost me at least 30,000yen! and that's the reason why i wanna work...

 

[Mike Cash]

You entered into a verbal contract with the employer prior to having permission to work. That was presumptuous and irresponsible.

You don't have a "right" to work in Japan. You don't have a "right" to be here at all. You are here as an invited guest, receiving a free education and a monthly stipend. A little humility and gratitude would not be out of place.

Perhaps you would be happier if you resigned the scholarship and left Japan; I don't see how ingratitude and a sense of entitlement as large as those you have can comfortably fit in such a tiny country anyway. And I would be more content knowing that my hard-earned tax money doesn't help support someone with an attitude like yours.

 

[thepie]

I couldn't agree more with Mike.

Just check your previous posts, and it seems you're much better off than many other students that I know here. You even had one year of free accommodation, which definitely saved you a lot of money from housing. And remember you wrote this:

For me I'm having a full-year for studying Japanese
As for being away from home, I've told the representatives in the Japanese Embassy that I'm not planning to leave Japan even after finishing my studies

That was just a year ago and you're bitching like your life is a torture here.

 

[Emoni]

You both are being far too harsh on him. As a foreign student in Japan, there are costs that go above the MEXT scholarship, and there are various travel and lab costs that each student has to pay as well. That isn't a "luxurious" amount by any means, and in some places it can be a struggle to manage with this amount. If you do not find cheap housing (as is becoming more of a problem for students in the Tokyo area) things become more restrictive.

In addition, it is only natural that he would want to take up a part-time job. Almost ALL students take up some sort of part-time work legit, or under the table. This is a fact. Don't like it? Then tough, but you must live on another planet. Lay off the OP a bit. I can understand your frustrations with him, but he/she came here for help.

As for my recommendation for this situation, you need to talk to someone in power. I would talk directly to your professor but have an honest discussion and present the situation and reasons for this job as well as your costs. He/She should be your ally and back up in this situation in most cases, as long as you are kind and honest. Show your confusion and frustration, admit the confusion and mistakes made. There should be a way to work something out, but speak with them in person and be better prepared.

 

[Mike Cash]

Neither of us said we think he shouldn't be allowed to work. Neither of us suggested his stipend allows a luxurious lifestyle. In the future, kindly limit yourself to taking me to task for things I have actually said rather than for things you imagine I have said. (Especially when you wrap up by offering precisely the same advice as I have. The professor already approves and doesn't need convincing, by the way; do try better to read and comprehend what you're responding to).

 

[thepie]

Better yet, in the worst case he can just cut down the number of trips each month and he can save money.

2

 

[Glenski]

I think your school should to be able to block your attempt to get PT work. Special permission from immigration is needed on a a student visa, of course, but their reason for not giving you the paperwork is flaky.

Have you given them any reason to suspect that PT work will interfere with your studies, more than any other student, that is? This is the crux of it. I am sure they don't say no to Japanese students, but they don't need visa permission. And i am sure some students work late evening shifts, which is not good for their health or studies!

Why do you think they feel you are a risk?

Also, what does your advisor have to say about this reaction? He is the one who encouraged you, after all, so he probably felt you were NOT a risk!

If it is programming work that can be done at home, all the more in your favor.

 

[Mike Cash]

Did you omit "not" in your first sentence, Gkenski?

 

[taints]

You're ability to apply for a part time work visa has nothing to do with the university... (Or at least it didn't in my case.)

From my university's website:
The process of applying for the permit is as follows (the process is free of charge):
1. Please submit the following documents to the Immigration Bureau that has jurisdiction over the area in which you live:.
(1) Application for Permission to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted (available on the Ministry of Justice's website)
Immigration Procedures Guidebook
(2) Passport
(3) Certificate of Alien Registration (card)
(4) (If you already know where you will work) A document which makes clear the content of the work you will engage in (e.g., a copy of your employment agreement)

The only thing you need to do for the university is to hand in an updated copy of your visa with work permit.

 

[ichigoya]

I just enjoyed the whole thing here! hahahaha
Fifo's lifestyle is simply unjustifiable! Your Uni's ranking is over 4500! What are you talking about???