being a student vs teacher in japan

[moochachip]

have received my associates degree in Baking & Patisserie and am working towards getting my bachelor's in Visual Arts. The college I am going to offers a semester to learn to Japan.. But I also know of this program that allows one to teach in Japan after you are done with college. I have visited Japan once and fell in love. I would like to go again

Comments

[moldypotatochip]

It depends on what you want to do with your life. I studied in Japan for one semester and after I graduated I came to Japan with the JET Program. It also depends on where in Japan you might like to live.... most study programs would place you near Tokyo or another large city. If you are teaching you may end up in the middle of nowhere (I live in the country).

[moochachip]

At this point, I'm not sure.

The college exchanges with Saitama. Though I'm not exactly sure where that is in Japan..

[moldypotatochip]

Saitama might be a great place :) I had a friend that did a homestay there a year or two ago. Saitama is north of Tokyo. You can get to Tokyo in probably an hour depending on where you will be living. And it's not the middle-of-nowhere but it's not the big city, either.

[moochachip]

It sounds like a good area, then. Thanks.

[reppu]

Student. I had a much better time in Japan being a student over being a teacher there. I mean, you have to weigh the pros and cons. Firstly, as a student, you'll have less money, but probably more time. I don't know anything about your program, but if it's like other colleges in Japan, you'll have each class once a week, which allows for a lot of free time for exploring and travel. Depending on your living situation (living alone vs. host family), your Japanese will improve too.

Teaching...it all depends on the program. English schools will work you very hard. Look into the program and see if you can hear from people who have done the program to see what their conditions are like. Then decide what you want most out of your Japan experience; if it's seeing a bit of Japan while earning money, go for teaching. If it's being able to dedicate a lot of time to exploring and learning the language, be a student. Like I said, I did both for one year each, and this is just based on my own experience.

[ganbattegaijin]

if it's like other colleges in Japan, you'll have each class once a week, which allows for a lot of free time for exploring and travel

Man, I wish. I had each class at least twice, usually three times, for two hours each class, plus every morning from 8-12 was solid Japanese language. I had very little time for breaks, and because my grades counted back home (as opposed to the pass-fail system most students from other schools had), I had no time to do anything. I've actually had more free time as a JET because at least my evenings and weekends are free. But your mileage may vary.

[reppu]

Interesting! I mean, I had a Japanese class everyday, but they were all counted as different classes. So yeah, I had Japanese from 9-12, but they were two different classes, and I had about nine classes per semester. But yeah, I guess it's different for everyone. That's how the schools were set up in my area's colleges. I was usually out of school by 1 or 2pm (except once a week, when I was there 'til 7pm, or if I had work). Plus, there were 15 weeks of school and I could miss three lessons per class, which was like missing three weeks

[ganbattegaijin]

I'm fighting back everyone's favourite JET acronym, but it's in the back of my mind ... ;)

Your school actually sounds amazing -- I would've loved excused absences for educational stuff, since that's what I was interested in anyway. Man.

For the OP, I think it also depends on where the school is, as well. Mine was in the middle of Kansai, so even though I didn't have much time, I was really close to a lot of amazing things. If it's somewhere in the complete inaka, it might not be as good an option, because it's fine if you're on JET and can have a car/live independently, but not so much on a student visa, I should think. (Though again, you never know...)

[konoichi]

Do both! :D OK, not as helpful.

I have only worked in Japan, not studied. I think the benefits and drawbacks are the same as they would be in your home country, with some cultural caveats. As a worker you can earn money, have real weekends without schoolwork, and (usually) a home of your own. As a student, you'd have fewer responsibilities outside schoolwork and many social opportunities that can be harder to come by as a working stiff.

The cultural differences are that generally in Japan work is work, only there's more of it. :P And college, from what I hear, is not as demanding as it is in America. Not sure where you're from and how it would compare, and I'm sure it differs depending on what you're doing.

I think it would be awesome to study visual arts in Japan! You could certainly do a lot of "research" in baking and patisserie too, heh. I know I did. The more you learn about the program your school is a part of, the easier the decision will be.

[abbajen]

I gained like 15 pounds visa my baking and patisserie "research" that I had to burn off via lunches consisting only of a soyjoy and a fruit. :( (That's what I got for eating 2 cheese bagels and a pastry for lunch 3 days a week, I guess). Once I went the eat bad mostly on the weekends and eat good the rest of the week route, I had the best of both worlds. :D

[moochachip]

Thanks. Haha, I'm curious as to how similar and different Japan's baking is from America..

[konoichi]

Two words: savory pastry.

[abbajen]

I'd say do the study abroad if you can afford to cause it's probably easier to get into. The better teaching jobs in Japan are competitive, so if you study abroad 1. you'll almost definitely get to go and 2. it will look awesome on your application for Japanese jobs if you decide to return! :)

[moochachip]

Thanks. Yeah, I could see it looking good on the application.

[sasayaka]

I never got the chance to study abroad in Japan before coming here, though I wish I had. Now, I am with JET, and though it has its frustrations, I would recommend it to anyone. That said, English schools and private companies are a mixed bag. If you decide to go that route, try to find someone who has worked for the company. Maybe they can give you advice (or advise you to steer clear of the company if it is shady).

[moochachip]

Once I get more familiar with the college, hopefully I will be able to run into someone who has done the exchange with Saitama. Thanks.