Thank you for attending AzATJ x GATJ Senpai Talk on Sep. 8th. We received many questions during the event. Here are the answers we couldn’t answer during the event.
(Please read about the presenters' background from here.)
General Questions (Josh, Katie and Japanese teachers answered these questions.)
As far as accommodations, depending on how close you live to the company, you get a stipend either for your commute or rent. Also, at one point I think they offered Japanese classes for people who needed it, not sure if they’re still doing it though.
Because I’m one of the lead engineers, I need to communicate with people everyday in meeting and messages, and so I need to make sure I understand the situation or the specifications fully beforehand so I can be prepared to talk about it. It’s still very hard with people who tend to talk fast, or if they have accents, or if there are typos in messages, but I’m getting by. (Josh)
Questions for Josh
As far as living in Japan, this was my first time living on my own, so I can’t really compare the cost of living here and in America too well, but there are differences. Like certain foods here are more or less expensive than in America, phone and internet bills are about the same. One thing I haven’t thought about doing is comparing the cost of commuting, filling a car with gas weekly vs. taking the train to and from every destination.
I went to Georgia Tech which was pretty diverse, and so yeah I think there were a lot of different types of people from different backgrounds all in different types of engineering.
Questions for Katie
Useful Links
(Please read about the presenters' background from here.)
General Questions (Josh, Katie and Japanese teachers answered these questions.)
- I would really like to have an occupation in the future that allows me to travel to and work in Japan; right now I plan on studying abroad for an International Communications degree, are there any other steps I can take to make this happen?
- How much did COVID-19 impact your progress with having a life in Japan? Do you see any differences with what Japan is today compared to what you knew before the pandemic?
- What do you feel like the most challenging parts of going to japan? and how would you compare the working environment in America vs Japan in terms of the jet program/your workplace?
- What is the work culture like in Japan? How receptive is it to changes within the system? How accommodating are conditions for those that pursue work in Japan? How much dedication to the language have you had to put in on a daily basis to get to where you were?
As far as accommodations, depending on how close you live to the company, you get a stipend either for your commute or rent. Also, at one point I think they offered Japanese classes for people who needed it, not sure if they’re still doing it though.
Because I’m one of the lead engineers, I need to communicate with people everyday in meeting and messages, and so I need to make sure I understand the situation or the specifications fully beforehand so I can be prepared to talk about it. It’s still very hard with people who tend to talk fast, or if they have accents, or if there are typos in messages, but I’m getting by. (Josh)
- How much Japanese do you need to know before working in Japan?
- How has your view of Japan changed as you’ve worked and lived there?
- What should you do if you're looking to study abroad?
- Was a transition of cultures difficult for somebody coming out of America who might not have had much previous knowledge of Japanese culture?
- I'm in ninth grade , and I'm looking to teach English in Japan -- so are there any tips that you have for me moving forward educationally?
- I'd like to move to Japan and work there as an educator for the long - term . Do you think that I should familiarize myself by visiting Japan regularly ? How do you think I should approach moving there indefinitely?
Questions for Josh
- How difficult is it to get an internship opportunity/position at a Japanese company? What is the best way to find potential positions?
- Does it feel any different being a POC in Japan than in America? And were there any moments where you felt discouraged having big dreams? How did you deal with that? As well as how do you feel living in Japan is financially? I also wanted to ask when you were studying do you feel like there are a variety of people majoring in different types of engineering?
As far as living in Japan, this was my first time living on my own, so I can’t really compare the cost of living here and in America too well, but there are differences. Like certain foods here are more or less expensive than in America, phone and internet bills are about the same. One thing I haven’t thought about doing is comparing the cost of commuting, filling a car with gas weekly vs. taking the train to and from every destination.
I went to Georgia Tech which was pretty diverse, and so yeah I think there were a lot of different types of people from different backgrounds all in different types of engineering.
- A question on the commute regarding the transit system. (How is your commute?)
Questions for Katie
- What classes or subject areas do you think are particularly important for educators who are interested in the JET program?
- What would be the ideal major(s) that would better benefit me not only for the JET program, but would also benefit me in other job prospects outside of JET?
- In JET, how hard would it be to be placed in a prefecture you had previous experience studying abroad in?
Useful Links
- Jet Program: https://jetprogramusa.org/
- Boston Career Forum: https://careerforum.net/en/event/bos/
- Los Angeles Career Forum: https://careerforum.net/en/event/los/
- Mext Scholarship: https://www.mext.go.jp/en/policy/education/highered/title02/detail02/sdetail02/1373897.htm
- Fulbright (Scholarship): https://us.fulbrightonline.org/