Who's in Japan at the moment? What purpose?

Exidez · 14 Jun 2004

Hi eveyone
im just curious to know if there are other exchange students on this board that are in japan at the moment? Or have recently been..

I am currently doing a one years exhcnage (Rotary exchange) and am living in the Aomori Prefecture.

and i have to say, The lifestyle as an exchange students to the best!
im loving this exchange

i also want to come here again as an english teacher for when i finished my degree...

as an exchange student i have to go to school and everything, but i dont have to take it seriously

is live as an assistand language teacher the same?
or is it just mainly work?

chiquiliquis · 14 Jun 2004

Hi Exidez... salutations from Yamanashi Prefecture! I live in a small town in eastern Yamanashi (a few stops from western Tokyo).

Back in my college days (which was really only a year ago... but I sound more mature when I put it like that), I was dying to get over here as an exchange student. I had made a pact with my best buddy to come together. But, I chose philosophy as my degree... and, well, it's difficult to get a study abroad on a philosophy degree (unless you have loads of time and wads of money to spare). Actually, that buddy of mine will be headed to Aomori in July, as a CIR for the JET program.

But yeah, I grabbed myself a TEFL cert. after graduating (which I recomend, if you truly are interested in teaching [or CELTA = equiv.]), and here I am. Live it up! Time passes quickly here. And best of luck with your plans!

Ewok85 · 14 Jun 2004

I just got back from a year in Tokyo as an exchange student, its so much better than being an asistant teacher I had a wild time and I must say you Rotary people get it good, looked after well

How do you go about getting TEFL certif? Was it expensive/difficult?

chiquiliquis · 14 Jun 2004

Ewok85 said:
I just got back from a year in Tokyo as an exchange student, its so much better than being an asistant teacher I had a wild time and I must say you Rotary people get it good, looked after well

How do you go about getting TEFL certif? Was it expensive/difficult?

Well... yes, the student life is always better than the working life (with the only exception being that I make money, and students don't--at least not the same amount ) PS: Don't knock it 'til you've tried it I get ~10 weeks vacation a year, and only have to pay 10,000ﾂ･/mo. for my apt. on a 250k/mo. salary. Life is way better than when I was a student!

TEFL certs are easy, and there are wads of info out there. Just do a search on Google. Usually they are offered through post-bacalaureate University associated programs. TEFL-international offers them worldwide (in a study abroad style program). I got my basic cert. in 4 weeks (intensive), and 215 US$ per credit (12 credits) thru Seattle University. I am working on an Advanced Cert. which is equiv. to an MA in TESOL (abroad)... but it is not cheap (another 12 credits past the basic, at the same price)--I just need to finish my practicum

Ewok85 · 15 Jun 2004

I was looking at this - http://www.onlinetefl.com/statravelau/ - as they (sta) insured me in Japan and were great as well as having an office at my Uni. Nip in, pay and get this done over the holidays!

Wow, that's a great rent, I was looking at different real estate sites to see what an apartment in north Tokyo/southern Saitama would be for two people (2LDK), and its about 100,000 a month, not including the starting costs >_<

potatoe · 18 Jun 2004

i going soon its going to be glorious!!!

Buddha Smoker · 19 Jun 2004

I'm in Japan and have been for almost 10 years.

mad pierrot · 19 Jun 2004

Teaching English....

In Wakayama, in the JET programme.

Chipi · 19 Jun 2004

In Kyoto, until September 3rd..Internship (clothing and fashion related).

Elgin · 19 Jun 2004

In Kyoto, as a exchange student. I must say Im not having much fun as every one else here seems to be having. I spend 5 hours of my day in a bus and train. Then 9 hours at school which isnt bad but its still school. Saturday I spend working with my host dad as a carpenter which is hard work and no pay. Sunday I usually go visit my host grand ma which is sitting on the floor doing nothing.

Thats about my week, how do you guys get the time to have fun? Maybe I live to far from my school since when I get back home its usually 7-8pm then I eat do little homework and go to sleep to wake up at 5am.

Zicler · 20 Jun 2004

My dream is one day to travel to Japan, to stay. I don't know how because I m Portuguese, but there's still hope. =)
I'm in informatics and programation degree here in Portugal at the University of Minho.

Ewok85 · 20 Jun 2004

Luc said:
In Kyoto, as a exchange student. I must say Im not having much fun as every one else here seems to be having. I spend 5 hours of my day in a bus and train. Then 9 hours at school which isnt bad but its still school. Saturday I spend working with my host dad as a carpenter which is hard work and no pay. Sunday I usually go visit my host grand ma which is sitting on the floor doing nothing.

Thats about my week, how do you guys get the time to have fun? Maybe I live to far from my school since when I get back home its usually 7-8pm then I eat do little homework and go to sleep to wake up at 5am.

I did that for a while too, 2 hours there, more coming back. Had a friend who did over 3 hours in one direction!! Just stick with it, it'll work out. I did a club at school so i would get home at 11pm at the earliest mon-sat, often I would eat alone and be the last person awake!

Grandpa Frank · 20 Jun 2004

My God Luc, How Long Does This Last??

Luc said:
In Kyoto, as a exchange student. I must say Im not having much fun as every one else here seems to be having. I spend 5 hours of my day in a bus and train. Then 9 hours at school which isnt bad but its still school. Saturday I spend working with my host dad as a carpenter which is hard work and no pay. Sunday I usually go visit my host grand ma which is sitting on the floor doing nothing.

Thats about my week, how do you guys get the time to have fun? Maybe I live to far from my school since when I get back home its usually 7-8pm then I eat do little homework and go to sleep to wake up at 5am.

When are you due to go home?? Hopefully you'll get used to things and find some time for enjoyment! Hang
in there bud!!

Frank

Buddha Smoker · 20 Jun 2004

Zicler said:
My dream is one day travel to japan, to stay , i dont know how because i m Portuguese, but there's still hope. =)
Im in informatics and programation degree here in Portugal in University of Minho.

Anything is possible. You never know, you might get what you wish for.

Chipi · 20 Jun 2004

Buddha Smoker said:
Anything is possible. You never know, you might get what you wish for.

...that is true. When I started to work to achieve my dream (to come to Japan) I was really scheptic about it first, i thought i would never be able to come to Japan. And, here I am. Youll be too, if you just want enough

Buddha Smoker · 20 Jun 2004

Chipi said:
...that is true. When I started to work to achieve my dream (to come to Japan) I was really scheptic about it first, i thought i would never be able to come to Japan. And, here I am. Youll be too, if you just want enough

I rest my case. If you wasn't in Kyoto then we could meet for coffee or something, etc. if you lived in Tokyo or if my family and I lived in Kyoto but if you make your way here then let me know and I'll do the same.

Elizabeth · 25 Jun 2004

Exidez said:
Hi eveyone
im just curious to know if there are other exchange students on this board that are in japan at the moment? Or have recently been..

I am currently doing a one years exhcnage (Rotary exchange) and am living in the Aomori Prefecture

Are you attending an International University Exidez ?

ロータリークラブから奨学金をもらって、今青森の国際大学に通っていますか。

Iron Chef · 25 Jun 2004

In Nagoya atm (and for the forseeable future) working on the business side... I used to be an ALT in Sapporo for two years though back in the late `90s.

Exidez · 26 Jun 2004

Elizabeth said:
Are you attending an International University Exidez ?

ロータリークラブから奨学金をもらって、今青森の国際大学に通っていますか。

although i have graduated from high school in Australia, i am still attending a high school here in japan
so no university

Elizabeth · 26 Jun 2004

Exidez said:
although i have graduated from high school in Australia, i am still attending a high school here in japan
so no university

Oh, OK. I just knew someone on a Rotary scholarship at International Christian University in Tokyo and thought your situation might have been similar.... Anyway, hope you're having a great time ! What's it like in a Japanese high school ? Is Touhoku ben making any more sense ?

Exidez · 27 Jun 2004

Elizabeth said:
Oh, OK. I just knew someone on a Rotary scholarship at International Christian University in Tokyo and thought your situation might have been similar.... Anyway, hope you're having a great time ! What's it like in a Japanese high school ? Is Touhoku ben making any more sense ?

well, for me highschool life is pretty relaxed... i dont have to take the same subjects as everybody else and i dont need to take the tests. The school i am in is a technical highschool, so i am learning subjects like, the construction of robots, mechanics, electronics ect...
i take mainly the practical lessons then the theory ones. As an exhcnage student i can do anything that i want....

as my areas dialect.... im getting use to it, however theres still alot i dont understand! they use nanbu-ben in my area however in the western part of aomori they speak tsugaru-ben. Nanbu ben is easier to learn then tsugaru. But they are both hard for me...
but i will get there one day!!

Elizabeth · 29 Jun 2004

as my areas dialect.... im getting use to it, however theres still alot i dont understand! they use nanbu-ben in my area however in the western part of aomori they speak tsugaru-ben. Nanbu ben is easier to learn then tsugaru. But they are both hard for me...
but i will get there one day!!

Do your Japanese friends use lots of slang with a very familiar style in conversation or is it still somewhat standoffish & respectful ?

Exidez · 29 Jun 2004

Elizabeth said:
Do your Japanese friends use lots of slang with a very familiar style in conversation or is it still somewhat standoffish & respectful ?

i understand most of the conversation when they are talking to me. However when two other japanese are talking to each other, i cannot follow what they are saying. Im not sure why i dont understand, maybe because there is a lot of vocab which i dont know due to the topic there talking about
im not sure
but one day i will understand!

PopCulturePooka · 8 Jul 2004

I am a NOVA teacher. the worst job in the WORLD!

Been in Japan for over a year. Can't speak a lick of Japanese but hasn't caused any major problems at all.

Mandylion · 8 Jul 2004

Exidez said:
is live as an assistand language teacher the same?
or is it just mainly work?

Sadly, when people pay you money, they tend to want you to do something in exchange. You have weekends and holidays and afterhours (depending on where you work) but you will have much more freetime on your exchange than as an ALT. Plus teaching isn't for everyone and if you come over to teach, help us all out and do a good job (not saying you won't, but there are a lot of rather unfortunate ideas about foreigners teaching English in Japan).

Enjoy your time in Aomori!

Who's in Japan at the moment? What purpose?

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