My name is Monica. I studied Japanese at UVM for around 3 years, or up to the Semi-Advanced classes with Ueno-Sensei, and my study at UVM was my only real exposure into the Japanese language. I also did a short intensive Japanese program abroad at Rikkyo Daigaku in the summer of 2016 for three weeks. I’ve lived my life so far with a lot of variety. Due to my father’s position in the US Air Force, I’ve lived all over the United States and in Canada. That being said I relish a change of scenery and a change of pace. After my graduation in May 2018, I was ready for a new adventure. I graduated with a double major in English and Asian Studies, a double minor in Japanese and Linguistics, and a UVM certified TESOL certificate.
My new job is with Universal Campus at the M. School just outside of Kobe. Universal Campus is a branch under the Kyoshin Corporation. Funny enough I didn’t find the job, the job found me. I was applying for a bunch of positions through gaijinpot.com and I posted my resume as searchable on the website, so company’s could contact me about their job opportunities as well. I got a message from Universal Campus inviting me to apply and only a short time later the interview was scheduled.
I was very worried about the interview process. It was going to be a skype call and I couldn’t reserve a private, professional room since the time was so late. I had to settle for my room. I put my laptop on my bed and positioned it at a blank corner of the wall with no posters or decorations then I had to kneel to be in the camera’s frame. Looking back it was the strangest interview I’d ever done. I was worried for nothing though, the interview process was relatively painless. Over half the interview we talked about the company’s expectations and whether I thought I’d be able to cope. “Will you need to go home anytime other than the three weeks vacation?” “Our company will not be able to assist with opening a bank or finding housing, is that alright with you?” After that she asked me questions about teaching kids. “Would you be comfortable singing songs?” “Would you be comfortable teaching this age range?” “What experience do you have teaching kids?” I was able to draw examples from my classes (Japanese Teaching Practicum) and even talk about helping out with my 3 (then 2) year-old sister. Then she said something in Japanese and I understood so I nodded. She looked very surprised and asked me if I could speak Japanese. She asked me a basic question in Japanese I can’t remember exactly but I think it had something to do with hobbies. I told her that I understood her but I am not very confident in my speaking abilities because I wasn’t able to formulate an answer very well. She thanked me for my time and said they’d send me a personality bubble quiz to fill out. The next day I filled out the bubble quiz it was one of those quizzes with statements and answers of 1-5 (Strongly disagree-Strongly agree). Unfortunately I think some of the statements may have been translated poorly so it was hard to know what they meant. I was able to understand most of them, but every so often I had to guess what the statement meant. Once I completed the bubble quiz, it was around a week later when I got an email that I got a position. It was for Spring 2019, so she said she’d contact me again in November to do VISA work.
Despite the fact they emailed me to tell me I had a position, when November rolled around I had quite a scare. This story is really just an email nightmare. The woman, who had originally contacted me, emailed me before Thanksgiving to say that the teachers in Japan were still deciding whether to renew their contracts and she’d contact me later whether a position opens. I was very upset at the time. After Thanksgiving, I followed up to ask if a position had opened and she responded that all positions were full but she could recommend me to another sister company Hoppa (more of a preschool). Here I thought I had completely wasted months I could’ve been job searching because I thought my job was a sure thing. I emailed to say that I was disappointed there were no open spots through their company but would love to be considered for the other company. She then responds that actually a position might open and essentially “check back with me in a week”. I checked back in a week as requested and she said that the original position she was talking about was filled but there was a slot open in M. School. I snagged the opportunity as soon as I got the email. So even though we were set to start VISA work in November we actually started in December and at the moment I’m still waiting for my certificate of eligibility to go get my VISA. It’s been a long, painstaking process but I’m excited to say I finally have a real job in Japan. I’ve signed the contract and everything.
The company isn’t paying for my moving process. I have to find my own apartment, put down a deposit and buy my own plane ticket. But at least transportation to work is free, I get a stipend of up to ¥30,000 for transportation.