Another One Coming Over...

[aozora]

I've been reading the Japan section of SAU for a while and am looking at seriously planning my trip over there once I finish my University degree.

There are quite a few questions I have which I've tried to find an answer for but still worry me regardless!

At the moment I'm working in IT Customer service/support, and with the company I'm working for, there's things changing all the time and it makes me worry that my degree after I come back will be not so useful? I do, however only plan to stay a year or so max... obviously depending on how things go Has anybody come back or had any experience with this sort of issue? At the same time though, with graduation in sight, I'm not sure if I'll be staying in IT? Which is kind of confusing seeing as I've just spent a good number of years on it...

Another thing is that I've been studying Japanese in University on and off since High school, so I can speak basic Japanese I think/hope (although Kanji still never ceases to annoy me ). Is there any chance of getting another job in Japan besides teaching English? Or would you be required to be fluent in Japanese both reading/writing and speaking for most of them?

If teaching English is the only/best option... are there are any recommendations for companies to go under or is it better to go solo with this? Although I would imagine it's difficult to get yourself setup initially, both funds, accomodation etc. wise...?

And lastly... accomodation and location! I almost indefinately will be buying myself a car to bring back at the end of my trip so car space will be an issue. Do the English teaching companies allocate you to specific areas or do you just give preferences or go an area yourself then...? I'm not exactly sure how this works!

I may also be going with a friend and his girlfriend, so sharing an apartment with them might be a good idea perhaps? But where? Not too far from a city but at the same time, not in the sticks I suppose

Sorry about the long winded questions but if somebody could help me calm some fears about it all/give recommendations and advice, it would be greatly appreciated!

[Rezz]

Hi Ben,

I see you've done some research already, but this subject (with almost exactly the same questions) has been covered many, many times in this Japan forum. If you've already tried the search feature with varied 'search words' and still have specific questions to ask, then please go right ahead.

So just briefly:

You have a degree, so go with a corporate English school like Nova, Berlitz, ECC etc. If they aren't what you're looking for, check out http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/jet/index.html with the JET program. JET gives you (possibly countryside) placements though, as do most of the corporates. If you go with a private school though, you pretty much try and get a job wherever you can. Most foreigners stick to the cities... because as you can imagine the country doesn't offer much in the way of action/nightlife/things to do.

With staying for only a year, just teach English. It's easiest, and not being able to speak fluent Japanese doesn't matter.

Share an apartment if you can, you can save so much more if you do.