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

[tochira]

I've done both, and loved both experiences. I think it depends on the university/program, really - I was masochistic lucky enough to have the opportunity to attend a Japanese university and take courses in Japanese, as well as being the only North American student there at the time (I think I was also the only foreign undergrad), so it was probably quite different from what a lot of exchange students encounter in Japan. But then so are public schools vs. eikaiwa jobs. :)

I'd say find out as much as possible about your school's study opportunity - it might be set up to be as accessible as possible (ie English instruction, a set course, etc), or it could be total freewheeling cultural immersion.

[moochachip]

Alright. Have you heard of Saitama?

[tochira]

Are you referring to the prefecture or just the city?

[moochachip]

The city. Saitama University is who the college my school is partnered with.

[sabishii_kirito]

I was a student for a year and am in my first year as a teacher here. Being a student was more fun because I had tons of free time (three day weekends, easy classes, almost no homework, classes were only 3-4 hours total each day, most classes only met once a week, for language classes I was able to choose from several days/times that I wanted to go to), and it was a lot easier to meet people that were my age. It was also nice because my school was very international, so I was able to meet people from dozens of countries

[moochachip]

Wow. That's a pretty big difference, work wise between being a student and being a teacher.

Thanks for the information on scholarships. I'll have to check into it.

[love_monster]

Sorry just had to pop in. You are so lucky...
I would love to finish at 5.
Working for an Eikaiwa is much worse.
I get home around 10pm at night. I work starting from 12 but really 11:30. I don't get to be out and about when the rest of the town is. I get 10 days off a year plus national holidays (which are usually on a Monday so I get screwed out of those). Also the company can decline your holidays and you're not allowed more than two consecutive days (example two tuesdays) even if you combine your holidays with national holidays.

[rakugo_report]

Being a student here is way better. You get a built-in social system and safety net and have way more free time to explore and learn.

[moochachip]

Thanks.

.

[deathbringer]

A degree in being a baker? Man i wish i'd done that now...

"Don't you think the cake looks a bit plain with just one santa on it?"
"Yeah well, we aint got anything else"
"What about this?" *puts on white vodka bottle top*
"What's that supposed to be?"
"Santa's Igloo"
"We ought to spread it out a bit, though"
*next scene reveals they have 100 cakes to 'spread out' two ornaments on*
"They'll never go round"

Re: .

[moochachip]

The associates was a great experience. I would have never thought of some of the things they caught us in school.

[brithla]

I think the benefits to living in the country are that you have money to spend... to go places and buy things. Since you stay at least a year, you have plenty of time to experience all the different seasons and the festivals that come with them.

But the best part about being a student is that I think you have more opportunity to meet local Japanese people and other exchange students your age. You also get to participate in cultural events and activities provided by your university. And if you end up not liking it, it's only a term.

I would go to Japan first as a student. I did. Even though I like my life better living here, I'm really glad I got to experience Japan with my classmates. I had the best Thanksgiving ever that year!

[moochachip]

Thanks. From everything posted here, I'm leaning towards beginning as a student.