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Should Lira go to Japan? (pg. 2)
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| Lira |
Erm... the problem is: I'm not a native speaker, although I've managed to trick some people into believing that I speak "Londonian English" :p
| quote: | Originally posted by Perfect_Cheezit
Is this through a Japan English Teaching program, or is this through something else? |
No, not really. It's a scholarship programme from Sophia University in Tokyo. I'm majoring in Japanese Language, and it would be an opportunity to study more about the language (and, being the linguistics-freak I am, I wouldn't "waste" my time with tourism :p). That's main problem - my focus is on linguistics, and I'm afraid I won't be able to study properly if I have to work an insane amount of hours a day.
I considered the hypothesis of teaching English because it's the only thing I've done so far, other than web design.
Edit: As for the Anti-American feeling, if you skim over my first posts here on TA, you'll find out how general it is - I was "taught" at school not to like the US. I only learnt how stupid the whole thing was after I got to know some of the Americans posting here, and I'm thankful for that. |
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| St_Andrew |
What about teaching portugeese? or not a big enough interest from the Japanese?
Anyway, I hope you will manage to get there :) |
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| Porky |
hey maaz
i taught english in korea and it was an awesome experience. i'm not sure how perfect your english pronounciation is but you seem to be on top of it so i wouldn't worry about it too much. the main thing they really care about for an authentic learning experience is the skin color. one of my roomates was an australian and had this really ed up aussie accent and i really felt sorry for his students.
i really think you can survive in japan having a few students on the side. it's tough getting connections at first but once you get a few plum students, you should be able to make extra cash to cover your living expenses. that aside, japan is really expensive. tokyo is even more. you'll have a heart attack when you realize living costs are 10x what you are used to.
lemme know if you have anymore questions ok?
pork |
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| igottaknow |
| quote: | Originally posted by Lira
Erm... the problem is: I'm not a native speaker, although I've managed to trick some people into believing that I speak "Londonian English" :p
No, not really. It's a scholarship programme from Sophia University in Tokyo. I'm majoring in Japanese Language, and it would be an opportunity to study more about the language (and, being the linguistics-freak I am, I wouldn't "waste" my time with tourism :p). That's main problem - my focus is on linguistics, and I'm afraid I won't be able to study properly if I have to work an insane amount of hours a day.
I considered the hypothesis of teaching English because it's the only thing I've done so far, other than web design.
Edit: As for the Anti-American feeling, if you skim over my first posts here on TA, you'll find out how general it is - I was "taught" at school not to like the US. I only learnt how stupid the whole thing was after I got to know some of the Americans posting here, and I'm thankful for that. |
i just finished reading a book on japan and i don't like their society and how they treat foreigners. i think its foolish to think you can insulate yourself from japanese society. eventually your going to get a job in translation and either live there or work with japanese ppl. we cant stop you so if thats what you want to do then go right a head. |
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| jdat |
Just like you said, another opportunity like this may not come up at a later time so might as well take it now!
There is the financial aspect that's going to be tricky and as you know the money you'd get per month would barely cover your expenses. I know that in Japan, and actually for any student in a foreign country there's tons of small jobs you can take that will help you make it financially.
Never the less, despite the fact that you may have to work and that things may be a really different I think it can only be for the best for you to go over there. You'll only be enriched by the experience.
It's also been my understanding that there's this connection between Brazil and Japan yourself also having mentionned in the past that there is a large Japanese population in Brazil. I suggest you try and gather more info and seek opportunities through this link between the countries. I'd imagine there's local chambers of commerce for Brazil in Japan and things of that nature.
And ultimately if your subject of study is the Japanese language it is most essential that you spend some time surrounded by the language and the cultural.
Languages are not meant to be learned through a school book but through practice and if you go to Japan you will gain an undeniable understanding of the language which you could not acquire otherwise; add to that the fact it could make you a little bit less of a gaijin :p
Please Maaz, do not look at the downside of going because I can guarantee you that the upsides outweigh the rest!
Ps: I'm shocked at the amount of ignorance and preconceptions portrayed in some of the replies in this thread. Some people seriously need to expand their minds and realize there is a world outside their own bubbles. |
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| Palladium |
dont dowiiiit
bird flu!!! run!!!!:eyespop: |
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| malek |
| Japanese literature in College... ugh what a horrid experience, weird and boring litterature, i felt no connection whatsoever. But thats just me :p |
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| DJ Lucas |
| i'm considering being a japanese major, and i would jump at the chance of studying over there. your monthly "allowance" is very small, but i don't think they'd let you starve. "brajirujin wa taberaremasen! tabemono ga arimasen! zanen desu ne..." yeah, i think you should be able to find a job as a tutor teaching english, but then again i haven't been to japan yet, so....i don't think the scholarship would have been offered to you if it wasn't a good deal.... |
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| Lira |
| quote: | Originally posted by St_Andrew
What about teaching portugeese? or not a big enough interest from the Japanese?
Anyway, I hope you will manage to get there :) |
| quote: | Originally posted by jdat
Just like you said, another opportunity like this may not come up at a later time so might as well take it now!
There is the financial aspect that's going to be tricky and as you know the money you'd get per month would barely cover your expenses. I know that in Japan, and actually for any student in a foreign country there's tons of small jobs you can take that will help you make it financially.
Never the less, despite the fact that you may have to work and that things may be a really different I think it can only be for the best for you to go over there. You'll only be enriched by the experience.
It's also been my understanding that there's this connection between Brazil and Japan yourself also having mentionned in the past that there is a large Japanese population in Brazil. I suggest you try and gather more info and seek opportunities through this link between the countries. I'd imagine there's local chambers of commerce for Brazil in Japan and things of that nature.
And ultimately if your subject of study is the Japanese language it is most essential that you spend some time surrounded by the language and the cultural.
Languages are not meant to be learned through a school book but through practice and if you go to Japan you will gain an undeniable understanding of the language which you could not acquire otherwise; add to that the fact it could make you a little bit less of a gaijin :p
Please Maaz, do not look at the downside of going because I can guarantee you that the upsides outweigh the rest!
Ps: I'm shocked at the amount of ignorance and preconceptions portrayed in some of the replies in this thread. Some people seriously need to expand their minds and realize there is a world outside their own bubbles. |
Yeah, the thought of teaching Portuguese has crossed my mind (or even teaching Japanese to Brazilian - and other Portuguese speaking - emigrants), because of the number of Brazilians in Japan. I had not thought about chambers of commerce before, that would be a nice place to look for a job as well.
And indeed, what you mentioned about living the language is true, and is one of the main reasons why I don't want to say no.
| quote: | Originally posted by igottaknow
i just finished reading a book on japan and i don't like their society and how they treat foreigners. i think its foolish to think you can insulate yourself from japanese society. eventually your going to get a job in translation and either live there or work with japanese ppl. we cant stop you so if thats what you want to do then go right a head. |
This is a bit tricky.
First of all, when you expect "reactions" from "societies" you have to work with generalisations, which is a problem in itself. I've heard the testimonials of other Brazilians who were in Japan and they hardly had any problem.
From what I've read, they can be harsh on foreigners, but the same is said about the so-called "Japanese Brazilians" and I never felt any prejudice from them (in fact, I've felt prejudice from those who are "Afro-European" blooded, like me).
I've always lived in a very confortable situation. I'm a "white" male. Feeling some "prejudice" would be an interesting life experience, if it were to be the case, as long as I don't find a bunch of neo-nazis in the North Atlantic or those guys riding black buses in Japan :p
| quote: | Originally posted by Porky
hey maaz
i taught english in korea and it was an awesome experience. i'm not sure how perfect your english pronounciation is but you seem to be on top of it so i wouldn't worry about it too much. the main thing they really care about for an authentic learning experience is the skin color. one of my roomates was an australian and had this really ed up aussie accent and i really felt sorry for his students.
i really think you can survive in japan having a few students on the side. it's tough getting connections at first but once you get a few plum students, you should be able to make extra cash to cover your living expenses. that aside, japan is really expensive. tokyo is even more. you'll have a heart attack when you realize living costs are 10x what you are used to.
lemme know if you have anymore questions ok?
pork |
I remember reading about your experience in Korea, and I loved it. Yeah, I have already done some math, and the living costs are, and I found it amazing that the money I'd pay for a small room in Tokyo is more than what is paid for a big apartment here with 4 rooms and a parking space :p
Don't worry, I am going to write if I have more questions, thanks, Porky ;)
| quote: | Originally posted by malek
Japanese literature in College... ugh what a horrid experience, weird and boring litterature, i felt no connection whatsoever. But thats just me :p |
And this, my friend, is why I'm first taking all the credits I can and leaving Literature for the end of the course :p
| quote: | Originally posted by DJ Lucas
i'm considering being a japanese major, and i would jump at the chance of studying over there. your monthly "allowance" is very small, but i don't think they'd let you starve. "brajirujin wa taberaremasen! tabemono ga arimasen! zanen desu ne..." yeah, i think you should be able to find a job as a tutor teaching english, but then again i haven't been to japan yet, so....i don't think the scholarship would have been offered to you if it wasn't a good deal.... |
Hehe, I'd hold a "Will code for food and bandwith" sign in Shinjuku or something :D
Anyway, as for the last line, this is exactly what worried me. My professor was telling me the story of the students who went to Japan with this scholarship.
"The first one was the child of a TV host. When I told him he would need a thousand dollars to live, other than what the scholarship paid, he said 'Hey, that's my allowance', and went. The second girl was the child of a great businessman, and she didn't have problems with money. The third guy was a bit of a crazy guy, who had relatives in Japan and decided to go without the scholarship. Naturally, once he was there, and there were no other candidates, he got it. However, the university complained saying he was terrible, so they told us to choose the best we could.
That's why we chose you (now that's something I didn't expect :p), although you might find out that money can be a problem. If you prefer, other opportunities might come in the future".
And that's why I got cold feet at first :p
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Anyway, thanks for your feedback. I'm going to research a bit and see what my options are (your feedback has been great, cheers). I also want to see what the course is like (I would find it to be a bit useless to learn about "Japanese culture and commerce"). If there are no other similar opportunities (i.e. living in a less expensive city), I AM going to try my luck in Japan. |
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| mongeone |
Lira,
Im in Japan now. Have been here for 4 years now. Im on a scholorship studying psychology at Kobe University. I get \135,000 a month. Im guessing your scholorship is about \80,000 a month. Although this isnt great you can survive on it. You are very much a student then but. Im sure you will be able to apply for a dorm room or even be given one as they cant expect you to find your own place if your only going to be there for one year or even two. You have to pay key money to rent a place out and that can go up to $2000US for a one bedroom apartment.
Tokyo is expensive but so Osaka where I live. Finding work in Tokyo is much easier but. Japanese are opening up to the fact that non- english speaking country people can actually speak english so if you look around you should be able to find a school that will take you on. Otherwise youc an advertise your services in one of the many Gaijin newspapers like Japanzine etc. An alternative is workign in a bar. Its not as good pay but you get to practice your Japanese with the Japanese customers and meet expats who can help you find work and help you out.
Living in Japan is a great experience. Tokyo is absolutely crazy and I suggest you jump at the oportunity. There is nothing like immersion to learn a language. To fully see tokyo you will want to work a little to get enough money to go out and have fun. If you dont really drink alot you will be absolutely fine. Its us beer heads that have trouble living on our scholorships alone.
As for been a Brazilian. I dont think you should attach yourself to the other Brazilians in Japan. The Japanese and the Brazillians have a tense relationship. Any atrocity caused by a Brazillian is blanketed upon all of them. They are generally of a lower socio-economic level (hence why they came here) which helps to give some foundation to the stereotypes unfortunately. Plus you want to make friends with Japanese to increase your Japanese level. Although finding work in a brazillian restaurant could earn you a bit of a better wage then at a bar.
On the subject of rascism in Japan. It is here but the people you actually deal with will be nothing but polite and curtious (sp?). I quite often have an empty seat next to me on the but while people are standing up and fighting for other seats and on the odd occasion a taxi driver will close the door on me so i cant get into his taxi. But there is absolutely no risk of violence against you simply because of your ethnicity from the Japanese. There may be some from other expat ethnic groups in Japan but (i.e. why you dont wanna run around in Brazilian circles).
Anys Japanese do have an underlying pride for their race and deem themselves to be above others. But this is kept to themselves most of the time and because of this it doesnt affect you and you can still make honest friends with them and have a great time.
This is a fkn long post im gonna stop now if you have any questions ask me!
Will |
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| mongeone |
| p.s. I remember you saying ages ago that the trance scene in Brazil was minimal. Its pretty big in Japan especially Tokyo where there are some huge clubs with lots of international coming through. Plus if I remember correctly you are anti-drugs. The scene here is alot less drug fuelled then the scenes in most other countries. |
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