chickdigger802
Banned
Don't think your parents would be thrilled with that kind of career change.
so i wanna move to japan and/or s.korea
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Don't think your parents would be thrilled with that kind of career change.
Buddha Beam
Banned
Thread fu-sion-HO!
chickdigger802
Banned
bullying is a bit more common thing
And its not like the US don't have those kinda stories. With so many english teachers and what not here... just curious about what school life is over there.
Boom Boom Pow
Banned
I'm moving to Korea in 2 weeks.
Advise me gaf. Will be working for a large corporation, so no issue there. can't speak a lick of Korean though
Advise me gaf. Will be working for a large corporation, so no issue there. can't speak a lick of Korean though
chickdigger802
Banned
You won't see much of the cleavage in your avatar there.
CornBurrito
Member
My mother is dead and I have little relationship with my dad. I'm as free as a bird.
You Are Viewtiful
Member
The OP HAS to be trolling with that thread title change. Next thing he'll move and become some cultural expert??
Angelus Errare
Banned
Just move here and call it a day. You can live out your dumb weeaboo fantasies till your heart's full.
I think the two threads got merged
I'm an expert
Formerly worldrevolution. The only reason I am nice to anyone else is to avoid being banned.
Healthcare is godlike in Japan, least the national one. Company ones are fine too.
Angelus Errare
Banned
Not better than American healthcare coverage! Who doesn't like paying $3k for a physical! That debt you accumulate makes you an adult!
<insert baldeagle.gif here>
<insert baldeagle.gif here>
I'm an expert
Formerly worldrevolution. The only reason I am nice to anyone else is to avoid being banned.
I have great insurance here as well, though that's all dependent on employment. In Japan even a McDonald's employee has wonderful health coverage.
Boom Boom Pow
Banned
thank god my cleavage is about the same size then.
chickdigger802
Banned
My mother is dead and I have little relationship with my dad. I'm as free as a bird.
Sorry bout that then!
Aren't you a Ga Tech grad or was that someone else? If so, I expect a bit more out of ya then
Well, being foreign but not being military or a teacher puts you at an advantage
CornBurrito
Member
Sorry bout that then!
Aren't you a Ga Tech grad or was that someone else? If so, I expect a bit more out of ya then
That was someone else!
You can't just choose to live in another country. You have to make yourself very desirable to the other country first. Can you supply some kind of work whose demand can't be met by native Japanese alone? Then they might be willing to take you in. If not, then it's going to be very tough.
Read up on Korean manners. They take that really seriously.
It'd help to learn at least some Korean too.
Talk To Me In Korean is an amazing free podcast. Shit ton of free stuff that'll help you learn the basics. Start here.
Well, I think it's a great thing to be adventurous and just DO something, even if it's crazy.
But before you actually move somewhere, do some research, and visit the places, or at least move on a more temporary basis to see if you would like it.
Actually moving somewhere is a tiresome process.
But before you actually move somewhere, do some research, and visit the places, or at least move on a more temporary basis to see if you would like it.
Actually moving somewhere is a tiresome process.
sleeping_dragon
Banned
Watch lots of Japanese and Korean drama before deciding where to go.
sasimirobot
Junior Member
the douchiest poster...in the world.
dude just asked for a story, if its not up to your
standards share some of yours.
Surprised that more people don't consider China as an option. It's a short flight to Japan or Korea so you can earn good bank here and travel to other places in your time off.
The hard part is finding a decent job. There are a lot of really shitty schools that will treat you poorly if you don't stand up for yourself.
Thankfully there are heaps of job offers around, so its not hard to move on and start a new job in a day or two.
I've been here since last October and have already visited Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand (twice) and Laos. Heading to Vietnam, Cambodia and back to Thailand again early next month.
A lot of my friends back home question my decision to live here (especially now that I have a newborn daughter), and this is how I explain it.
Converted to USD from AUD / RMB
Monthly figures
Australia
Salary: $3,000.00 after tax
Rent: $1200
Food: $400
Bus/Train: $150 (Brisbane transport prices are insane)
Car payment: $400
Entertainment: $400 - nothing crazy.. Just dinner and a movie a few times a week, a game occasionally
Total income: $3,000
Costs: $2,550
Savings: Struggled to put away $100 a week - $400
Money left: $50
China
Salary : $1,950
Textbroker salary: Minimum $400. My current job gives me spare time to do writing each day
1 on 1 teaching: $300. I charge $30 an hour and have 3 middle-aged students
Rent: Free
Internet: Free
Health Insurance: Free
Food: $120 I buy fresh meat, fruit and veg from the local co-op market. Stuff is crazy cheap
Bus/Train: $30 a month for a metro card
Car Payment: $150 paying off a new car in Thailand
Entertainment: $300 a month and I get much better value for money.
I send $750 to my fiance in Thailand for her, the baby and she saves $200-$300 for my holiday fund which I use when I take time off work to visit
Total income: $2,650
Costs: $1,350
Savings: $1,000
Money left: $300
This isn't totally accurate. I get a bonus $7.50 for each new student that signs up to the school and that can easily add another $150-$300 to my income. Sometimes I have a bit of a blow out and buy stupid shit that I don't need, like a Vita and Kinect last week.
But it's easy to see that I'm much better off working and living here. We have already managed to save $5,000 USD in 8 months ,which would have taken me over two years in Australia.
The hard part is finding a decent job. There are a lot of really shitty schools that will treat you poorly if you don't stand up for yourself.
Thankfully there are heaps of job offers around, so its not hard to move on and start a new job in a day or two.
I've been here since last October and have already visited Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand (twice) and Laos. Heading to Vietnam, Cambodia and back to Thailand again early next month.
A lot of my friends back home question my decision to live here (especially now that I have a newborn daughter), and this is how I explain it.
Converted to USD from AUD / RMB
Monthly figures
Australia
Salary: $3,000.00 after tax
Rent: $1200
Food: $400
Bus/Train: $150 (Brisbane transport prices are insane)
Car payment: $400
Entertainment: $400 - nothing crazy.. Just dinner and a movie a few times a week, a game occasionally
Total income: $3,000
Costs: $2,550
Savings: Struggled to put away $100 a week - $400
Money left: $50
China
Salary : $1,950
Textbroker salary: Minimum $400. My current job gives me spare time to do writing each day
1 on 1 teaching: $300. I charge $30 an hour and have 3 middle-aged students
Rent: Free
Internet: Free
Health Insurance: Free
Food: $120 I buy fresh meat, fruit and veg from the local co-op market. Stuff is crazy cheap
Bus/Train: $30 a month for a metro card
Car Payment: $150 paying off a new car in Thailand
Entertainment: $300 a month and I get much better value for money.
I send $750 to my fiance in Thailand for her, the baby and she saves $200-$300 for my holiday fund which I use when I take time off work to visit
Total income: $2,650
Costs: $1,350
Savings: $1,000
Money left: $300
This isn't totally accurate. I get a bonus $7.50 for each new student that signs up to the school and that can easily add another $150-$300 to my income. Sometimes I have a bit of a blow out and buy stupid shit that I don't need, like a Vita and Kinect last week.
But it's easy to see that I'm much better off working and living here. We have already managed to save $5,000 USD in 8 months ,which would have taken me over two years in Australia.
POWERSPHERE
Member
Catch a flite there and stay r u wite coz all u wil do is do games and kiss girls coz u wil b so secksy to them coz u r amerrycun and soo eksotic and they wil b ur survants and secks frens just kno culcha an respek and samurai ninja thins have fun no more verginity u a King now lol
I think he means austria
You know Mozart, Strauss, Schubert, started World War 1, birthplace of Hitler, prevented the ottoman empire at is most powerfull to expand into europe and so on.Thanks. Yep that is right. I was just worried that even when working sales for a international brand / subsidiary that they would prefer Japanese ppl for the job.
Jaffaboy
Member
OP, just so you know, Japan and Korea are very different countries. I know a few people in Korea right now that expected it to be very similar to Japan but have been a bit disappointed with their stay as there are a lot of differences between the two. Korea is its own country with its own customs, past times and ideals. There's some similarities like bowing and sitting on the floor to eat and stuff but the mentality of people in both countries is very different.
It's kinda like thinking France and Germany are the same because they're next to each other.
It's kinda like thinking France and Germany are the same because they're next to each other.
travisbickle
Member
If you are moving to a major city, sign up for Korean class at a Seoul Global Centre. There are a few of them across Seoul and other cities. They offer free weekend classes, they teach Korean at a number of different levels, and the school calendar is based around the TOPIK test which I'm doing this weekend, and happen every 4 months, so the new classes will probably start around the time you arrive.
I guess I'll chip in with my experiences and what I know my friends have been through since moving to Japan. Hopefully it might be of use to someone, although I should say my experience up to now could be considered quite different to what most people experience working here.
I studied Japanese at university, and out of all of the people on my course who graduated and came to Japan to teach English (maybe 7/8 people), there are only one or two who seem happy about their situation. Those that found non-JET jobs often complain about their time being wasted or the fact they just sit around all day with nothing to do (which sounds nice until you realise you can't just surf the internet or do anything else very easily). I have heard similar things from people who graduated from non-Japanese courses as well.
The other people who found jobs through JET (ALTs or CIRs) seem to have it better, although the experience seems to differ depending on where you are placed. If you want to come over and have a (most likely) easy time of things then this is a good option, although few people seem to stick it out long term, especially those who don't know much/any Japanese, either due to the cultural differences or the isolation/boredom of living in rural areas. That being said, if you are outgoing and motivated enough you can make it work. It's also very hard to get out of the teaching job loop without any Japanese knowledge, so if you come over make sure you learn the language properly and at least get the JLPT N2 under your belt.
For people who can speak Japanese (JLPT N1/N2), you can try getting a job interview for a corporation instead of going with the teaching route, although these are very slim pickings from overseas, and tend to have a large number of people applying. Having said that, the company I joined seemed like it wanted to take on a lot of foreigners at the time, and combined with the small number of applicants it meant I got in fairly easily.
I can really only recommend the salaryman route if you find a job doing exactly what you want, as the Japanese way of working and general inability to know what to do with foreigners wears you down pretty quick. If you enter in the same way as a Japanese person does you won't be interviewed for a specific job, you will just be interviewed to get into the company, which means that after the training period is finished someone at HR decides where you go, sometimes against your wishes. Needless to say, I was dumped somewhere where I had no knowledge or interest and spent the next year with nothing to do but stare at miserable Japanese people getting overworked all day.
After that, I applied to various recruitment companies in Japan in order to find a new job. As long as you have the skills and some experience it isn't that hard to get some interviews lined up now you are in the country, and after about a month I had another job lined up at a big company doing translation as a "haken", which basically means a temporary worker. These jobs can either be very temporary (as in a few months) or just be the same as a full time position in terms of hours and pay (without some of the benefits such as a bonus etc.)
I'm still working that translation job now as it pays better than my last job, and also has good working hours (9 - 5.30 with no overtime at all, and 15 minutes walking distance from my house in Yokohama). This job also has a super slack workload so I have plenty of time to study other things, or write this overly long post, so I really can't complain about my current situation. The advantage with haken work is that they don't generally want you to do overtime, and there's no obligation to get involved with other tedious employee related things like compulsory drinking parties and meetings, although obviously this can differ from job to job. However, with this type of work there is a chance you could be told to leave at some point in the future and there is little to no chance of a raise.
Other than that, don't get your hopes up about working in a games company, any interview I went to (Gree, Square and some other small mobile developers) they seemed to push the fact that you will be expected to come in at weekends and most likely work until late at night (so until the last trains). In fact, one interview I was asked if I was willing to move within walking distance so that I didn't have to worry about the last trains (meaning leaving the office after midnight), and also was I happy to deal with customer calls on my day off! Safe to say I gave up on the idea of game localisation after that....
I have no idea how to sum this post up now...so, I'll just say come to Japan with at least some basic Japanese knowledge, otherwise things will be rough for a while. If you are close to fluent in Japanese try to stay away from the salaryman type jobs unless you really find your dream position, as they will drive you insane. Oh, and one more major thing I learned since coming here for work - The wonderful experience you'll have travelling or being an exchange student here in no way reflects what it is like to actually work and live here. Japan is an amazing place to live, it's just a shame the working life seems so depressing for most people.
I could literally write a book about this crap, maybe I need a blog or something. If anyone wants my stupidly biased opinion about Japanese companies feel free to ask!
I studied Japanese at university, and out of all of the people on my course who graduated and came to Japan to teach English (maybe 7/8 people), there are only one or two who seem happy about their situation. Those that found non-JET jobs often complain about their time being wasted or the fact they just sit around all day with nothing to do (which sounds nice until you realise you can't just surf the internet or do anything else very easily). I have heard similar things from people who graduated from non-Japanese courses as well.
The other people who found jobs through JET (ALTs or CIRs) seem to have it better, although the experience seems to differ depending on where you are placed. If you want to come over and have a (most likely) easy time of things then this is a good option, although few people seem to stick it out long term, especially those who don't know much/any Japanese, either due to the cultural differences or the isolation/boredom of living in rural areas. That being said, if you are outgoing and motivated enough you can make it work. It's also very hard to get out of the teaching job loop without any Japanese knowledge, so if you come over make sure you learn the language properly and at least get the JLPT N2 under your belt.
For people who can speak Japanese (JLPT N1/N2), you can try getting a job interview for a corporation instead of going with the teaching route, although these are very slim pickings from overseas, and tend to have a large number of people applying. Having said that, the company I joined seemed like it wanted to take on a lot of foreigners at the time, and combined with the small number of applicants it meant I got in fairly easily.
I can really only recommend the salaryman route if you find a job doing exactly what you want, as the Japanese way of working and general inability to know what to do with foreigners wears you down pretty quick. If you enter in the same way as a Japanese person does you won't be interviewed for a specific job, you will just be interviewed to get into the company, which means that after the training period is finished someone at HR decides where you go, sometimes against your wishes. Needless to say, I was dumped somewhere where I had no knowledge or interest and spent the next year with nothing to do but stare at miserable Japanese people getting overworked all day.
After that, I applied to various recruitment companies in Japan in order to find a new job. As long as you have the skills and some experience it isn't that hard to get some interviews lined up now you are in the country, and after about a month I had another job lined up at a big company doing translation as a "haken", which basically means a temporary worker. These jobs can either be very temporary (as in a few months) or just be the same as a full time position in terms of hours and pay (without some of the benefits such as a bonus etc.)
I'm still working that translation job now as it pays better than my last job, and also has good working hours (9 - 5.30 with no overtime at all, and 15 minutes walking distance from my house in Yokohama). This job also has a super slack workload so I have plenty of time to study other things, or write this overly long post, so I really can't complain about my current situation. The advantage with haken work is that they don't generally want you to do overtime, and there's no obligation to get involved with other tedious employee related things like compulsory drinking parties and meetings, although obviously this can differ from job to job. However, with this type of work there is a chance you could be told to leave at some point in the future and there is little to no chance of a raise.
Other than that, don't get your hopes up about working in a games company, any interview I went to (Gree, Square and some other small mobile developers) they seemed to push the fact that you will be expected to come in at weekends and most likely work until late at night (so until the last trains). In fact, one interview I was asked if I was willing to move within walking distance so that I didn't have to worry about the last trains (meaning leaving the office after midnight), and also was I happy to deal with customer calls on my day off! Safe to say I gave up on the idea of game localisation after that....
I have no idea how to sum this post up now...so, I'll just say come to Japan with at least some basic Japanese knowledge, otherwise things will be rough for a while. If you are close to fluent in Japanese try to stay away from the salaryman type jobs unless you really find your dream position, as they will drive you insane. Oh, and one more major thing I learned since coming here for work - The wonderful experience you'll have travelling or being an exchange student here in no way reflects what it is like to actually work and live here. Japan is an amazing place to live, it's just a shame the working life seems so depressing for most people.
I could literally write a book about this crap, maybe I need a blog or something. If anyone wants my stupidly biased opinion about Japanese companies feel free to ask!
It's a shame that your excellent post will be largely overlooked in this fairly pointless thread. Maybe you could start a new one focusing on your experiences in Japan. I'm sure a lot of members will enjoy it.
A blog wouldn't be a bad idea either. I would definitely sign up for updates. It's fascinating reading about a foreigners experience in Japan that's not based on the normal ESL thing.
Parakeetman
No one wants a throne you've been sitting on!
Its too bad that its wasted on someone who obviously isnt serious. A mod seriously should save this shit and put it up as a first post for whenever someone asks the same question.
I think he means austria
Seems like my lasik is wearing off as I think its time I get glasses again haha
I'm an expert
Formerly worldrevolution. The only reason I am nice to anyone else is to avoid being banned.
As others have said in this thread, if you want to move to Japan and be an ESL mooch, you don't need a lick of Japanese.
Yeah, I figured this wouldn't be much use to the OP, but maybe someone else would get something out of it. I would make a new thread, but seeing as this is my 4th post on GAF I'm guessing I'm a long ways off having permission to do that...Very tempted with the blog idea though.
If your Japanese is good and you can find a way in, you should be fine! Have you been to Japan before for study or anything like that? If not, you may find it takes a while to get used to things, but it's not so bad. It really helps to make some Japanese friends outside of your job as well.
KidA Seven
Member
CornBurrito
Member
Ooph, is "ESL mooch" a term the Japanese use? Will being in Japan to teach English get me hated by the locals?
Also does Japan having any fucking weird nation-wide thing like Korea being irrational about fans on at night? IIRC they are pretty bad when it comes to thinking blood type determines personality, but idk how common that really is.
D
Deleted member 17706
Unconfirmed Member
No, it's not a common term used by Japanese people. I don't think ESL teachers are generally viewed in a negative light--in fact, I imagine quite a few locals will expect that most foreigners are there to teach a language.
The fan death thing is Korean-only as far as I'm aware. There is the blood type stuff, but it's mostly just harmless conversation that comes up while out drinking. Most people that I know don't *really* believe it. Kind of like horoscopes.
On an unrelated note, if you're actually fluent in the language, you wouldn't post a thread to a forum like this asking for advice. You'd already know what you need to do, or at least which direction you need to head in.
CornBurrito
Member
Yeah I know the fan death is Korea only. I wanted to know if Japan had anything somewhat similar.
Good to know the blood-type thing isn't really "really" believed in general. Or at least not more than astrology is in the US.
D
Deleted member 17706
Unconfirmed Member
Hmm... maybe the belief that gargling with water is actually an effective way to prevent catching a cold or the flu? Recently, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced that there's no evidence that gargling does anything to prevent illness, but the belief is still pretty well ingrained.
Gentleman Jack
Member
Despite the cost of living gap I'd much rather have South Korean or Japanese Internet access.
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