Moving to Japan for 10 months

EnjiBenji · (#1 (**permalink**))

Hi,

Basically, i'm wanting to go to Tokyo for 10 months, starting in August. I'll just be out of high school, so I'll be 18 years old by the time i'm there. I'm from UK, so I'll be getting a Working Holiday Visa. Just a few questions:

As i'm 18, I know it's going to be very, very hard, and I have a very, very small chance of getting a job as an ALT (age and no degree), so I'm wondering about English teaching. I have to be able to pay for most of my living expenses, but my parents will help me out with some money. I'm wanting to stay in an apartment there, which I'm guessing is going to cost me around 120 000yen. Add on money for food, transportation etc, and I'm guessing I'll need about 160 000yen a month?

I'm aware of private tutoring, as well as GABA, so I'm just wondering how I can cover my expenses. I know of someone who is in Japan right now, 18 years old and doing thes types of work, so I know I have at least a chance. How much can I expect to make from GABA and private English teaching? (also, how is it I can get a job through GABA?). Can anyone tell me about your experience with teaching like this? Also, I have got no idea how hard it is to find students, so if you could give me some info, it would be much appreciated

Do you think I could cover my living expenses by private teaching? I'm not really aware of any other ways I could find work.

Appreciate any help,
Thanks

MMM · (#2 (**permalink**))

JET applications for ALTs and the interviews are already finished for 2008-2009. You can only go to Japan for 3 months on a tourist visa unless you find a job before you go and get a work visa. Another option is to go to school, but I imagine the application process is pretty far along by now. I don't mean to be discouraging. Look online for teaching jobs in Japan, liek at Gaijin Pot and see what you can find,

Wait.... without a 4-year-degree, you are going to have a hard time...most companies that give work visas only hire people with degrees.

EnjiBenji · (#3 (**permalink**))

Forgot to say, I'm from UK so I will be applying for a Working Holiday Visa.

I know without the Bachelors degree it will be very tricky to find a job, but like I said, there is someone from UK in Japan that I know of, 18 years old, doing GABA and private teaching and is doing ok.

I know it's very ambitious and could turn into a complete disaster, but it's common for people here to go abroad to another country for 1 year before university.

anrakushi · (#4 (**permalink**))

you will be able to find plenty of work but for not a lot of money. also the work might not be in big blocks. so it might be a few hours here, a few hours there. you'll need to get out and get social to help make some contacts because there are some plum jobs out there for short term here and there for working holiday visa people. some people i know were doing some pretty easy work and getting good money. all on a working holiday visa. then for winter they disappeared up into the slopes to work in the ski fields (there is PLENTY of work for you there in winter)

but as i said having contacts is a big thing, and it helps a lot to get started out. at least the australians there are very friendly at helping each other out, and being a pom, the aussies should look out for the motherland.. haha.

just be prepared for a hard time from the beginning, don't be fussy for work, there are even jobs for holding signs etc. do those sort of crappy jobs until you find something better.

as for working in an english school, you should be able to get a job but age might be a problem. i was working part time in a small 3 location english school and i was the youngest person at 22.

anyway there are plenty of small bits and pieces here and there, but it won't be easy getting started.

jasonbvr · (#5 (**permalink**))

I am shooting for Gaba as well actually. I will be doing the info session on the 20th of March and will let you know how it goes. I am hoping that I can pull enough classes to make my average now. I won't start until June so I can't tell you till then. If your mate is making enough, you should be fine right? You can check out Shane's too since you speak the Queen's English as opposed to my American self. They hire part timers at 3,000 yen an hour or 15,000 for the day. They advertise on gaijinpot.com.

EnjiBenji · (#6 (**permalink**))

Thanks very much for the replies

Queens English eh... sounds good for my Scottish self

Also, how much would I look to be making working up at ski resorts?

Thanks again

MMM · (#7 (**permalink**))

With a working holiday you have a lot more options (lucky nut). We don't have those between the US and Japan....

LolitaLover · (#8 (**permalink**))

queens english american english is Australian Queens English!!

jasonbvr · (#9 (**permalink**))

Ski resorts are paying 180,000 to 210,000 a month, but most of them house and feed you while you are there. I suggest if you get a job there, you give me free lift passes and let me pass out on your floor. It sounds like an excellent suggestion, does it not?

anrakushi · (#10 (**permalink**))

lol yeah and me too, i'll be back in Japan by then and wouldn't mind a place to crash while doing some snow boarding ^^ would it help to say i'm a descendant of the douglas clan? haha what would i have in me now.. like 1% douglas.. haha