HJJ Work in Japan Files tag:www.hotjobsjapan.net,2008:/weblog/01//1 2008-06-26T11:26:22Z We hear from people working all across Japan. This Weblog style entry is full of information, interviews with ALT staff and some great first impressions of life in Japan today. Movable Type 3.33 HJJ Talks with Phyllis E. Washington tag:www.hotjobsjapan.net,2008:/weblog/01//1.3 2008-05-22T09:21:55Z 2008-06-26T11:26:22Z Q1 : Why did you decide to come to Japan? Ans. : I wanted a chance to experience Japanese culture and traditions first-hand. I love learning about new cultures and languages! Plus, I enjoy traveling and Japan has so much... hjjstaff http://www.hotjobsjapan.net/ Q1 : Why did you decide to come to Japan? Ans. : I wanted a chance to experience Japanese culture and traditions first-hand. I love learning about new cultures and languages! Plus, I enjoy traveling and Japan has so much to offer in the way of sight-seeing. Q2 : What was your biggest problem at first? Ans. : The biggest problem for me has definitely been the language barrier. I came to Japan with a zero knowledge base of the language. But, after 4 months Ive been surprising myself at how much Ive learned. Q3 : What surprised you most about Japan? Ans. : The weather was a shocker for me. Living in Nagoya this summer has been super humid and sticky. Q4 : What do you do in Japan now? Ans. : I work as an Assistant Language Teacher in an elementary and junior high school. I really enjoy working with children and this has been the ideal position for me. This is both a rewarding and enriching experience. Q5 : Do you have any favorite place in Japan? Ans. : My favorite place is Osu Kannon in Nagoya. It has many funky/hippie shops and great places to grab a quick cheap bite to eat. HJJ Talks with L'Hériteau Juliette tag:www.hotjobsjapan.net,2008:/weblog/01//1.4 2008-05-12T09:22:49Z 2008-06-26T11:26:22Z Q1 : Why did you decide to come to Japan? Ans. : I am half Japanese, but I have never been in Japan for more than holidays or short-term internships. I wanted to have an experience of “real life” in... hjjstaff http://www.hotjobsjapan.net/ Q1 : Why did you decide to come to Japan? Ans. : I am half Japanese, but I have never been in Japan for more than holidays or short-term internships. I wanted to have an experience of “real life” in Japan, and to know more about my mother country, especially since I’ve been teaching Japanese in France. Q2 : What was your biggest problem at first? Ans. : I came with nothing but my optimism, and had to find a job and a place to live. Hopefully my lucky star is twinkling above Japan and I had got everything within 3 weeks! Q3 : What surprised you most about Japan? Ans. : I didn’t expect to meet funky Japanese people, and I am always surprised by what I call their high level of amateurism. Most of them are fire dancers, DJs or break dancers, musicians, painters or craft workers, have a blog or write a diary “just for fun”… and when I draw a tomato, people think it’s an apple. Q4 : What do you do in Japan now? Ans. : I’m assistant English teacher in 2 public schools, 1 Elementary and 1 Junior High… and incidentally spying the education system, which is miles away from the way French grown-ups are built up. Q5 : Do you have any favorite place in Japan? Ans. : I spent my winter holidays in Takayama (Gifu Pref.) and I found the place really beautiful. But I also love to temples, karaoke, onsen (hot springs)… and wherever you grab your chopsticks and enjoy Japanese food. Free message : Despite my understanding of the language, every day I have a bit of cultural shock. Sometimes I was like Don Quichotte, struggling against an enemy invisible to any Japanese. So if you feel like that, here’s the tip: let things be, and carpe diem. HJJ Talks with Josh Vergote tag:www.hotjobsjapan.net,2008:/weblog/01//1.17 2008-05-02T11:23:57Z 2008-06-26T11:26:22Z Q1 : Why did you decide to come to Japan? Ans. : My best friend came a year earlier and recommend a trip to visit him. When I got here I decided to stay. Q2 : What was your biggest... hjjstaff http://www.hotjobsjapan.net/ Q1 : Why did you decide to come to Japan? Ans. : My best friend came a year earlier and recommend a trip to visit him. When I got here I decided to stay. Q2 : What was your biggest problem at first? Ans. : I didn't speak Japanese at all!! Q3 : What surprised you most about Japan? Ans. : I was very surprised how mellow people are in crowded areas. Q4 : What do you do in Japan now? Ans. : I am a junior high school English teacher. Q5 : Do you have any favorite place in Japan? Ans. : My favorite place in Japan is Shibuya. Free message : I hope to learn Japanese and use it for the rest of my life. HJJ Talks with Tom Schmidt-Makino tag:www.hotjobsjapan.net,2008:/weblog/01//1.16 2008-05-02T11:21:44Z 2008-06-26T11:26:22Z Q1 : Why did you decide to come to Japan? Ans. : I wanted to learn more about my own culture, and improve my Japanese. Q2 : What was your biggest problem at first? Ans. : I didn’t really have... hjjstaff http://www.hotjobsjapan.net/ Q1 : Why did you decide to come to Japan? Ans. : I wanted to learn more about my own culture, and improve my Japanese. Q2 : What was your biggest problem at first? Ans. : I didn’t really have any cultural problems when I first came to Japan, but it was a little difficult to save money at first. Q3 : What surprised you most about Japan? Ans. : The incredible amount of packaging used for food surprised me, along with some of the English t-shirts. Q4 : What do you do in Japan now? Ans. : I teach English at elementary and junior high schools in Shikoku. Q5 : Do you have any favorite place in Japan? Ans. : I like the various temples in Kyoto a lot, but I've enjoyed living in Matsuyama the most. Free message : Be sure to travel around in Japan once you're here, there're a lot of good things to be discovered.