University Life in Japan

A less well known way of living and studying in Japan is by engaging in an exchange program with a Japanese university. I have found that living in Japan as a student (on a student visa) has many benefits which are not accessible to someone who lives here semi-long term on a landing permit (3-6 months).

For example: guaranteed study of the Japanese language. Attending a Japanese university provides an ideal environment for studying the language, as you are immersed in the language in both an academic and a social way. As these courses are for learners of Japanese, many programs will also have cultural based classes taught in English, therefore making the experience accessible to more people.

On a student visa it is possible to work up to 28 hours a week. There are many jobs out there for students, such as working in restaurants or teaching. The opportunity to work, even for a few hours a week, allows you to gain new skills and to meet new people. It also gives you more of a taste of ‘living’ in Japan.

Although, as a university student you perhaps won’t be as immersed in ‘general’ Japanese life as a standard resident, the experience itself and the community atmosphere of the campus is enough to make the opportunity both noteworthy and unique. If you have the opportunity, I recommend it.

"Level Up" Japanese Tutorial

Introduction:

Everybody knows you can take Japaneses classes at our school. But we do not stop there.
On every Thursday, we offer the "Level Up" Japanese Tutorial.

The most important part of learning a foreign language is being able to express yourself. This can only be done by speaking! Speaking is the best way to practice and gain confidence.

We give you an environment where you can practice your skills with other students and get support from a native Japanese teacher. Our teacher will guide you, raise your skill and keep your motivation up all of the time.

You will learn how to use Japanese in the best way, and get skills that you can use in the future. If you have a pasion for Japanese, you will get the tools and methods you need to express yourself and lead discussions.

For example, we encourage you to prepare a presentation in Japanese about a topic you like, you can share it with fellow students and get useful tipps and advice from our teacher.

When & Where:

Every Thursday afternoon, from 16:00 to 16:55 at Asahi Nihongo.

 

"Advancement" vs. "tradition" in Japan

Many people have shrines next to skyscrapers and women in kimonos operating smartphones in mind when thinking about Tokyo. "Old vs. new" or "Advancement vs. tradition" is something that can not be captured in a photo however.

This contrast can not be seen, only experienced. In the land of robotic vacuum cleaners, most people clean their rooms with an old broom made of straw; if the water cooker and and the aircon is running, I do not dare to plug in my laptop.

In public toilets, I can choose between the traditional Japanese one, which is basically a hole in the floor covered in porcelain and the "westernized" version that is more convenient than any toilet I have ever seen in the West.

One should not be fooled into thinking Japan is less advanced. It is true that most Japanese people do not use a credit card, but mainly because the chargeable railcard "Nimoca" can be used to pay for almost anything.

Smartphones had a slow start in Japan, because even the most basic phone can send E-mails and connect to the Internet. I even tend to think that the marketing strategy for smartphones relies on the fact that there is more room for customization and decoration.

Japanese people might be amused by some aspects of daily life in Germany. For example that any people still use pencils that have to be sharpened by hand, or that you can not pay your bills at the supermarket.

"Advancement vs. tradition" is something the Japanese do not even think about, which resulted in questioning eyes when I tried to start a conversation about that here.

Just like Chinese people do not say "Chinese food" to what is just "food" to them.

Internship-Report Frederick-san

Frederick-san has done an internship at “Hakata Ono” Restaurant in Fukuoka.

Find his report below. Thank you for coming and good job, Frederick-san!

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After finishing my 4 weeks of Japanese classes at Asahi Nihongo, I took the chance to do an internship in my professional field via Asahi Nihongo. I’ve been working at a hotel in customer services in Montreal, Canada for 10 Years. They referred me to many places; one of them was Hakata Ono, one of the many restaurants of the Ono Group in Fukuoka. I was told it was a friendly place and one of the nicest restaurants in town. I had my interview on June 22 and on the next day, I started. What a nice experience! Ever wanted to work into a Japanese restaurant in Japan? (This one actually serves Chinese food, though). Well, I had the chance to work there and as well improve my Japanese every day. It was a new, nice challenge for me.

I learned how to greet my co-workers (when I started working: おはようございますand when I left work: おつかれさまでした), and customers as well (when they entered: いらっしゃいませ or left the restaurant: ありがとうございました). Something typically Japanese. Also, I learned how to give おしぼり(wet tissue to clean your hands before eating) to the customers by saying ようこそ and how to make Onigiri. I also prepared a few cocktails and beers at the bar, served drinks to the tables, cleaned glasses and dried utensils. The usual restaurant job, but this time in Japan! 

The staffs were friendly and professional, and the managers too. For me; these 4 weeks of internship overall were a fun experience and moreover a chance to practice Japanese in a nice environment in Japan, rather than working in an office building in front of a computer. I love working with people at my hotel in Canada, so for me, it was very nice to socialize with the clients and staff here in Fukuoka. I think everyone was happy to practice English a bit, and I could practice Japanese. A Nice cultural exchange! I recommend to anyone who wants do to an internship to apply at Asahi Nihongo, they will find you a place where you can practice your Japanese, communicate with Japanese people and improve your overall skills.

I can say that it was an unforgettable experience for me.

Frédérick Bonnefoy

Some general information about Japan

This time we would like to answer some frequently asked questions to prepare for your stay in Japan.

About Health Insurance Insurance
If you come to Japan with a visitor or short-term visa, you cannot join the National Health Insurance in Japan. In those cases we advise you to get a travel insurance in your home country.

About Visa
The allowed time to stay in Japan depends on the visa agreement with your home country. Most of the time you are allowed to stay for 90 days and it might also be able to apply for extension. Please consult the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan for a list with the period of stay for each country.

About International Calls
The easiest way to contact your family is using Skype. If it is not possible to use Skype there are Pre-Paid cards than specialize in international calls. One company that offers this service is Brastel.

About the Temperature
During spring the temperature in Fukuoka is between 14°C in March and 24°C in May. The night can still get chilly, so it is advised to prepare accordingly.
The air in Japan is rather humid during summer and the average temperature is around 30°C.
Fall in Japan still has an average temperature of around 30°C and the humidity decreases. In October it starts to get colder, but it still is around 20°C.
While the temperature during the day is still around 10°C the nights can get pretty cold.

Hello!!

Hello everybody!

My name is Zuri, I am Spanish and now, the new staff member of ASAHI SCHOOL!

  One year ago I contacted Asahi School because I was Interested in the Internship Program.
After that, I came to Fukuoka and I spent 6 month in this interesting city, practising japanese and learning a lot of  new things.

   Now, I am back is Fukuoka, and  this time I am working at Asahi School!!!

   I feel so happy to meet everyone again and have the chance to continue meeting new people and having new experiences in this awesome city! ^^

About Japanese Culture by Michael

I took a quick series of 5 photographs of this girl at Oohori Park in 2009. I am fond of it for the beautiful expression of the pleasure of having fun. This photo and seeing how children are held and raised in close interaction with parents are positive expressions of child rearing in Japan and of its Culture.  It is a direct symbol of Culture.
I enjoy studying Japanese Culture from History & food to Architecture & Aikido. Much has happened in Japan since this photo was taken. The tsunami made the photo indelible in my mind, as well as many video presentations on the Internet, by interviews with children and families. People of strength.
This summer, my friend Yukiko-san, introduced me to the Japanese Culture contained in children's books. I am grateful.  The author is Miyoko Matsutani.  These are four books I have found, and they are printed in English:
Two Little Girls Called Iida
Little Momo-chan
Momo-chan & Poo
Momo-chan & Akane-chan

These books are the best! What a great way for a foreigner to get a sense of the Japanese Culture. And for those who may know of Matsutani-san's work one can practice English and at last see how the stories translate and provide study at the same time. The stories are filled with childhood adventure and parental guidance, accepting and understanding a child's reality and self development.
Stories range from vacation adventures to discovering the meaning of August 6th. The creative aliveness of childhood imagination and the intimate friendship with schoolmates, pet animals, local characters and parent's lives.
All are filled with lively description and conversation with sensitivity and warmth... And childhood realities. Such stories and scenes are indivisible, at least for myself for studying your Japanese Culture.
One incredible topic is the depiction of a child's sense of time...   and how as adults we can forget about such an aspect "when for us everything was one."
Yukiko-san said she began to read these books when she was only 7 years of age. I am sure mothers have read these to much younger children.
Regardless these books present an opportunity to practice reading English and maybe to practice English with children.
They are worth checking out for some fun and they are instructive.

Enjoy!

Studying and Working in Japan - An interview with: Michael

Please tell us a little about yourself and how you got involved with Asahi Nihongo.
I recently graduated with a BA in international business from San Diego State University. I have been to Japan a few times, including one year in Oita as a student and three months in Fukuoka as an intern. Towards the end of my internship, the company offered me a full-time position for at least 2-5 years. I really enjoy the Japanese lifestyle and look forward to starting my career here.

What kind of internship or job do you have here in Fukuoka?
I work full-time for a trading company that imports specialty beer from around the world for sale to establishments throughout Japan.

What are you working on at the moment?
One of the main roles I play at the company is as the point of contact for international beer companies. This involves maintaining regular contact with these other companies and help resolve any issues that arise regarding orders. It is when I am able to resolve such issues that I feel most like a vital member of the team.

What is the most interesting task/experience you have had at your job/internship so far?
The most interesting task I have had thus far involved negotiating a resolution to a particularly difficult shipping and payment problem involving one of the overseas beer companies my company regularly works with. Since I was the only native English speaker in the company, I became the main point of contact and mediator between our two companies. The issue was successfully resolved to the benefit of each company.

What are the most rewarding and challenging aspects of working in Japan?
For me the most rewarding aspect of having this job is the ability to live on my own, without having to be dependent on anyone else, and the fact that every day is a new adventure. Using the language and mastering Japanese business etiquette are definitely the greatest challenges I face here; I still feel like I have so much to learn.  At the moment, I am preparing for the N2 exam.

What do you want to do in the future and how does this job/internship relate to that goal?
I am still exploring long-term career options, but this current job will prepare me for any future job I may have here in Japan, or anywhere in the world. Regardless, I definitely intend to continue to pursue a career in the field of international business. At this point, I plan to remain with this company for about five years.

Do you have any advice for someone interested in finding a job/internship in Japan?
The best piece of advice I can offer to anyone who wants to work in Japan is to study Japanese as much as possible. The more you know, the better your work experience will be. It’s also important to build a network of people in your own country and Japan who may be able to help you in your job search and adjusting to your new circumstances once you are in Japan.

Studying and Working in Japan – An Interview with Simon Zhang

 An Interview with Simon Zhang

Please tell us a little about yourself and how you got involved with Asahi Nihongo.
My name is Simon, and I am from Vancouver on the West Coast of Canada. I finished my university studies in Canada and then came to Fukuoka because I wanted to try working in a Japanese company. Asahi introduced me to do marketing at a cosmetic company, and then I spent 9 months in this beautiful city.

What kind of internship or job do you have here in Fukuoka?
I am currently working at Ritter School as an English teaching staff. I used to teach in Saitama for one whole year, but I am enjoying it here much more.

What are you working on at the moment?
I am currently studying a little Japanese on the side and organizing summer parties at Noko Island.

What are the most rewarding and challenging aspects of working in Japan?
The most challenging part is definitely the language. Although foreigners learn set phrases for how to communicate at work, there will always be times when you have to learn new words and expressions on the spot. But after overcoming this challenge, it feels very rewarding because you know you can accomplish difficult tasks.

Did you take classes at Asahi Nihongo before starting the job/internship? Are you　still taking classes?
Yes, I took classes with some of the best Japanese teachers I have ever had. The quality of teaching is excellent, and teachers really care about your progress.

Do you have any advice for someone interested in studying and finding a job/internship in Japan?
‘’The sky is the limit!’’ If you find passion in what you want to do (working or studying in Japan), and you keep yourself motivated, there is no stopping you!

Studying and Working in Japan - An interview with: Katya

An interview with: Katya

Please tell us a little about yourself and how you got involved with Asahi Nihongo.I am from Hannover in the northern part of Germany. There I spent number of years working as a social worker and volunteering in the community. I am also a very creative person who enjoys music and art, and who carries this interest into my life here in Japan. I arrived in Fukuoka in February of this year on a one-year working-holiday visa.

What kind of internship or job do you have here in Fukuoka?
For the past couple of months I have been working part-time at a local Austrian restaurant and I am also in training to become an Assistant German Language teacher at Ritter School.

What are you working on at the moment?
At the restaurant, I spend much of my time explaining the different kinds of German foods and beers to our many Japanese customers.

In addition, although I am still in training to become a German teacher at Ritter School, I have started teaching German to Japanese students online through Skype. I actually have experience teaching German as a volunteer to immigrants in Germany for one year before I came to Japan. Although the teaching method and student needs are different here in Japan, this experience has helped give me a strong interest in teaching my native language.

What are the most rewarding and challenging aspects of working in Japan?
I would say one of the most challenging aspects I have encountered so far is getting into and adjusting to the Japanese business system, as well as understanding the Japanese perspective on work and careers. Of course, using and developing one’s language skills is also a daily challenge, which is why I intend to resume taking classes as soon as possible.

Did you take classes at Asahi Nihongo before starting the job/internship? Are you
still taking classes?
Yes, I took four weeks of the intensive course. I am not taking classes at the moment, but I intend to do so in the future.

Do you have any advice for someone interested in studying and finding a job/
internship in Japan?
Most importantly be patient with yourself and don’t give up, either on learning the language or finding the right job. When you are in Japan be sure to meet as many people as possible. Make and use these types of connections, like friends, whenever possible because that is how opportunities are made or found here in Japan. This is exactly how I managed to learn about and get both of the jobs I have now.

My other main piece of advice is to expect the unexpected and be flexible because you never know what opportunities may come your way as a foreigner in this city. This can be a challenge sometimes as you plan for the future, but it’s also exciting.

Studying and Working in Japan - an interview with: Samantha Dorn

An interview with: Samantha Dorn

Please tell us a little about yourself and how you got involved with Asahi Nihongo.

I think the best way to describe myself is as an insatiable travel adventure seeker who has a passion for Japan. I graduated with a master’s in international affairs from American University last year and soon thereafter boarded a plane to Fukuoka. I have spent most of the past eight months living, studying, and now working here in this fantastic city.

What kind of job/internship do you have here in Japan?

Last year I interned for one month with an environmental NPO, Groundwork Fukuoka, which promotes environmental protection and community building in and around Fukuoka. My tasks mainly included basic office tasks, translation and blog-writing. I also had the opportunity to participate in some of their special events, each of which was a great opportunity to practice my language skills and have a very unique Japanese experience.

More recently I have been hired to teach English at Ritter School, carryout proofreading and copywriting tasks and to occasionally teach a world cooking class.

What are you working on at the moment?

At the moment, I am being trained in the specific method this school employs to teach foreign languages. I am also focused on proofreading the daily correspondence between the Asahi Nihongo staff and English speaking prospective students around the world. The school is also offering my proofreading skills to other companies in the Kyushu area. My first such client was TOTO, where I recently spent two days proofreading documents related to some of their products in development.

What are the most rewarding and challenging aspects of working in Japan?

To me the most rewarding aspect of working in Japan is just being able to live here. Fukuoka is a great city and there is no better way to learn a language than to live and work in country where it is spoken. Of course, this is also one of the most challenging aspects of working in Japan; I, like so many foreigners here, am engaged in a constant effort to improve my language skills. It is extremely satisfying each time I figure out how to read another sign on the street.

Did you take classes at Asahi Nihongo before starting the job/internship? Are you still taking classes? How has this helped in your job?

Yes, I took three months of lessons (intensive course) in 2011, two months of courses online while I was back in the U.S., and another three months of lessons in 2012 (standard course) before starting this job. The teachers are great and, although I know I still have a long way to go before I am fluent, I am amazed at how much I have learned so far.

I also intend to continue to take classes while I work, although only one private class per day.  I think it's important to continue studying the language even if I have a job because it is too easy to forget the grammar and there is always more to learn.

Do you have any advice for someone interested in studying and finding a job/internship in Japan?

My advice would be to plan to spend sometime taking classes in Japan before starting any internship or job. This will help you adjust to the culture and speaking Japanese on a daily basis, regardless of your language level.