Studying Japanese at University?
Discussion
First off, a bit about me… I’m a 21 year old instrumentation apprentice technician at the Coryton oil refinery, I’m currently in my 3rd year as an apprentice and I’m due to complete September 2012.
I took up Japanese language evening classes in September 2010 at a college local to me. I am thoroughly enjoying learning the Language and Culture... so much so it has brought about a complete re-assessment of my life goals and future plans. I've allways wanted to live and work abroad, but now I want to focus my efforts for a life out in Japan.
I've recently started looking at taking a University course in Japanese / Japanese Studies here in the UK. I've visited Sheffield Uni and I was thoroughly impressed, I've got another open day at Oxford Brookes coming up. I know the courses will be intensive, but I've enjoyed all the aspects of Japan I've been exposed to, I was planning on visiting in April/May this year, but due to circumstances I've postponed this until April/May 2012, this will ultimately sway my decision, and give me something to remember, work towards while I'm studying at university.
With my apprenticeship I’m due to complete having gained a HNC in Engineering. When I finish my apprenticeship however… there is no guarantee of a Job, and with the ‘credit crunch’ and other factors the last 2 years has seen no full time employment offers for apprentices upon completion. So this would be the ideal opportunity to take up further education if I was offered it.
so, I'm asking for your opinions and thoughts on my situation and what I could do.
If I choose to go down the path of university, how employable will I be in Japan? Not just in an engineering sectors but other fields? The 4 year degree would have me spending my 3rd year at a university in Japan, this would be an ideal to make contacts, and get the ball rolling for jobs upon my completion if I'm right in thinking?
Thank you for reading this waffle
Bill
I took up Japanese language evening classes in September 2010 at a college local to me. I am thoroughly enjoying learning the Language and Culture... so much so it has brought about a complete re-assessment of my life goals and future plans. I've allways wanted to live and work abroad, but now I want to focus my efforts for a life out in Japan.
I've recently started looking at taking a University course in Japanese / Japanese Studies here in the UK. I've visited Sheffield Uni and I was thoroughly impressed, I've got another open day at Oxford Brookes coming up. I know the courses will be intensive, but I've enjoyed all the aspects of Japan I've been exposed to, I was planning on visiting in April/May this year, but due to circumstances I've postponed this until April/May 2012, this will ultimately sway my decision, and give me something to remember, work towards while I'm studying at university.
With my apprenticeship I’m due to complete having gained a HNC in Engineering. When I finish my apprenticeship however… there is no guarantee of a Job, and with the ‘credit crunch’ and other factors the last 2 years has seen no full time employment offers for apprentices upon completion. So this would be the ideal opportunity to take up further education if I was offered it.
so, I'm asking for your opinions and thoughts on my situation and what I could do.
If I choose to go down the path of university, how employable will I be in Japan? Not just in an engineering sectors but other fields? The 4 year degree would have me spending my 3rd year at a university in Japan, this would be an ideal to make contacts, and get the ball rolling for jobs upon my completion if I'm right in thinking?
Thank you for reading this waffle
Bill
OK I'm not like you I hae Japan, far to organized for me. Buy having worked all my life in Oil, If you had a HNC, experience on a plant and spoke japanese you would get a great job easy, I could name you loads of companies that would snap you up, including most of the big Jamapnee ones' people like MHI and Toyo would love to ahve engineers who could relate to their customers, but I'd say you would have to stay ina technical job witha Japanee company, I don't think any one would take you on in mangement not the "Japanese way'.
I would start be reading "The blue eyed salaryman" by Niall Murtagh. As for employment prospects, Japan is really struggling at the moment. It has been in a deflationary spiral for ages now and the current high price of the yen is destroying the economy. It basically means no-one is ready to hire right now. If you really are keen on coming to Japan I would probably come as an English teacher. With the recent disaster it's not as popular as it was, and hence the schools are crying out for teachers.
Almost all engineers that get employed in Japan come directly from the Japanese education system, which usually have close relations with the major companies. All the foreigners I know that work in Japan as engineers either joined a company through a post-graduate program or were assigned to Japan by an overseas subsidiary (like myself).
If you have anymore questions feel free to ask. (And read the book!)
Almost all engineers that get employed in Japan come directly from the Japanese education system, which usually have close relations with the major companies. All the foreigners I know that work in Japan as engineers either joined a company through a post-graduate program or were assigned to Japan by an overseas subsidiary (like myself).
If you have anymore questions feel free to ask. (And read the book!)
I would echo Bozla's comments: I know a whole lot of people over here who have started off teaching English and ended up doing all kinds of other things.
The other thing to bear in mind is that most people when they come want to settle in Tokyo. The people I know with the best Japanese started off somewhere far more rural before coming to the big city. In at the deep end is the way to do it!
The other thing to bear in mind is that most people when they come want to settle in Tokyo. The people I know with the best Japanese started off somewhere far more rural before coming to the big city. In at the deep end is the way to do it!
Some great responses, thanks guys.
Bozla, I've ordered that book from Amazon, I quickly read the blurb and it looks very interesting.
I've got an open day at Oxford Brookes next Saturday, a couple of ex-students from our evening class are studying Japanese there. They both really seem to enjoy it.
Since writing my original post I now have been offered a probationary technician's role, this is ideal as I can now actively save money to lessen the sting of living costs while at University.
Thanks for your replies again, I appreciate any thoughts and opinions, I keep thrashing this subject around in my head everyday haha.
Bill
Bozla, I've ordered that book from Amazon, I quickly read the blurb and it looks very interesting.
I've got an open day at Oxford Brookes next Saturday, a couple of ex-students from our evening class are studying Japanese there. They both really seem to enjoy it.
Since writing my original post I now have been offered a probationary technician's role, this is ideal as I can now actively save money to lessen the sting of living costs while at University.
Thanks for your replies again, I appreciate any thoughts and opinions, I keep thrashing this subject around in my head everyday haha.
Bill
Obtaining a work visa in Japan can be hard, unless your studying and then you obtain a study visa and your allowed to do some part-time work (up to 4 hours daily, for a total of 20 hours per week). Which is typically teaching English.
I lived out in Tokyo for a while and my wife is Japanese. Send me a PM if you have any specific questions.
A good forum for ex-pat information is http://forum.gaijinpot.com/ Good luck with your dream!
I lived out in Tokyo for a while and my wife is Japanese. Send me a PM if you have any specific questions.
A good forum for ex-pat information is http://forum.gaijinpot.com/ Good luck with your dream!
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