Working in Japan

**Artic_counter** · 04-27-2014, 10:58 AM

I'm currently enrolled in an engineering school and I'm required next summer to get an internship as part of my formation. I recently found out that my school is a participating in Coop Japan; a Canadian association based in Vancouver which allows Japanese companies to hire students like me as interns. It's normally around 8 to 12 months long and I get to live in the company dormitory. Commute to work (by train and bus) is paid by the employer. I would make around 150,000 yen/month at best (depending on the job offer) . I'm currently studying in engineering physics so the job would mostly be centered around coding stuff, making prototypes and design shit like antennas for example (This information comes form past internships jobs description). I was wondering if any of you ever worked in Japan or had similar experience and if it would be a great idea to go work there. Tips, personal experience or bits of knowledge about Japan would be welcome.

Oh and in most cases, I'm not required to know a single word of Japanese in order to work there (at least that's what is written on the contracts). Reality might however be different, I don't know. Considering, that human ressources are, at best, evil, you can never be too certain lol. I am however required to take a class in order to learn before hand a little bit of the language which makes a lot of sense. Fun fact: English is my second language.

So what do you guys think?

**DossarLX ODI** · 04-27-2014, 11:03 AM

Aaron from aaronin.jp has some interesting work stories that he could share with you: https://www.facebook.com/aaron.chmielowiec

I have heard all kinds of experiences from him. He's been pretty unlucky in the workplace/has been in some intense situations, so he is definitely the guy that could help give you advice.

Snowcrafta · 04-27-2014, 11:10 AM

Kawaii Nero senpai!!! Daisuke Tori no uta Let's Going Brave Start!!!

**Pseudo Enigma** · 04-27-2014, 11:44 AM

inb4 engrish
learning a few Japanese phrases might help, also learning some Katakana couldn't hurt either. English is part of the Japanese curriculum so it shouldn't be that bad (except Japanese people are notoriously bad with English.)

Aside from that, sounds like fun dude. Good luck, have fun!

Evnoir · 04-27-2014, 01:57 PM

If you want to make good money and work in a lax environment, I can tell you right off the bat you're not going to get that in Japan.
Engineers are treated very differently in that they're more of a 'disposable' worker in Japan.
I went to the Coop Japan presentation in UBC (Vancouver) to talk to some of the presenters there and they accentuated more about the experience outside the work than in the workplace.
Personally, I would choose to work in my hometown and make 3-4x without having to deal with the culture clash.

**Tyson ultima** · 04-27-2014, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evnoir

If you want to make good money and work in a lax environment, I can tell you right off the bat you're not going to get that in Japan.
Engineers are treated very differently in that they're more of a 'disposable' worker in Japan.
I went to the Coop Japan presentation in UBC (Vancouver) to talk to some of the presenters there and they accentuated more about the experience outside the work than in the workplace.
Personally, I would choose to work in my hometown and make 3-4x without having to deal with the culture clash.

sources: Evnoir is Japanese

**arcnmx** · 04-27-2014, 02:32 PM

^ pretty much this. If you want to travel and enjoy a year in Japan, it's probably a somewhat convenient opportunity to take. Just don't go expecting much out of the work experience itself - if you're doing it primarily for the money + job experience, you'd be better off staying within the country.

**Reincarnate** · 04-27-2014, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DossarLX ODI

I have heard all kinds of experiences from him. He's been pretty unlucky in the workplace/has been in some intense situations

Would like to hear more about this

**kommisar** · 05-1-2014, 08:29 AM

you'll be making stupid

Quote:

Originally Posted by kommisar

STUPID

amounts more in Vancouver even as an entry-level job.

so for an experience overseas I would highly recommend it. Living in Japan may be a longtime dream but ya gotta be ready to make some sacrificez

xMUSICxMASTERx · 05-1-2014, 10:30 AM

jesus that is an amazing offer. do it

04-27-2014, 10:58 AM	#1
Artic_counter FFR Veteran Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: In your anus. Right corner Age: 30 Posts: 1,002	Working in Japan I'm currently enrolled in an engineering school and I'm required next summer to get an internship as part of my formation. I recently found out that my school is a participating in Coop Japan; a Canadian association based in Vancouver which allows Japanese companies to hire students like me as interns. It's normally around 8 to 12 months long and I get to live in the company dormitory. Commute to work (by train and bus) is paid by the employer. I would make around 150,000 yen/month at best (depending on the job offer) . I'm currently studying in engineering physics so the job would mostly be centered around coding stuff, making prototypes and design shit like antennas for example (This information comes form past internships jobs description). I was wondering if any of you ever worked in Japan or had similar experience and if it would be a great idea to go work there. Tips, personal experience or bits of knowledge about Japan would be welcome. Oh and in most cases, I'm not required to know a single word of Japanese in order to work there (at least that's what is written on the contracts). Reality might however be different, I don't know. Considering, that human ressources are, at best, evil, you can never be too certain lol. I am however required to take a class in order to learn before hand a little bit of the language which makes a lot of sense. Fun fact: English is my second language. So what do you guys think? __________________ Last edited by Artic_counter; 04-27-2014 at 11:48 AM..

04-27-2014, 11:10 AM	#3
Snowcrafta V's beta-male entourage Join Date: May 2005 Location: Boise, ID Age: 36 Posts: 2,873	Re: Working in Japan Kawaii Nero senpai!!! Daisuke Tori no uta Let's Going Brave Start!!! __________________

04-27-2014, 11:44 AM	#4
Pseudo Enigma ごめんなさい　(/ω＼) Join Date: Aug 2012 Age: 28 Posts: 2,290	Re: Working in Japan inb4 engrish learning a few Japanese phrases might help, also learning some Katakana couldn't hurt either. English is part of the Japanese curriculum so it shouldn't be that bad (except Japanese people are notoriously bad with English.) Aside from that, sounds like fun dude. Good luck, have fun!

04-27-2014, 01:57 PM	#5
Evnoir _(:3」∠)_ Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 978	Re: Working in Japan If you want to make good money and work in a lax environment, I can tell you right off the bat you're not going to get that in Japan. Engineers are treated very differently in that they're more of a 'disposable' worker in Japan. I went to the Coop Japan presentation in UBC (Vancouver) to talk to some of the presenters there and they accentuated more about the experience outside the work than in the workplace. Personally, I would choose to work in my hometown and make 3-4x without having to deal with the culture clash.

04-27-2014, 02:32 PM	#7
arcnmx nanodesu~ Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 503	Re: Working in Japan ^ pretty much this. If you want to travel and enjoy a year in Japan, it's probably a somewhat convenient opportunity to take. Just don't go expecting much out of the work experience itself - if you're doing it primarily for the money + job experience, you'd be better off staying within the country. __________________ FMO AAAs (1): Within Life :: FGO AAAs (1): Einstein-Rosen Bridge

05-1-2014, 10:30 AM	#10
xMUSICxMASTERx FFR Player Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Canada Age: 29 Posts: 269	Re: Working in Japan jesus that is an amazing offer. do it

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