Originally Posted by Kayci (Post 502691)

This is why I love people like MMM so much. Realistic, whether we agree or not. (But in this case, it's the former)

As a junior in high school, I'm struggling...not because I'm stupid, but because it's hard to keep me on track, especially with the past few hard years going on. (No excuse, I know. trying to recover)

I'm making plans to go to a community college up north cali, like san jose or san fran...maybe the tokai university in hawaii when possible.

I'm going because in certain classes in high school, I struggled or have no interest, like math. I got a high school on the CAHSEE, but that's easy anyways...however, it seems to go on from community to university.
My main focus however, is languages. I'll inquire more about taking multiple languages at community, for english is just too boring to be my only language ;D

I know enough japanese to keep conversations and get around, but I will go back to very beginning. I'll be taking chinese in senior year, continue on with it, so I'll see if it's possible to take three languages, along with my catching up classes. (Chinese, Korean, and Japanese)

however, if it's possible to do schooling in japan or Korea, I'll jump at the chance.

I used to be against teaching english in japan, however. I LIED and said it was "beneath me", but really, it's prolly above me. I would make a bad teacher, I fear, and if by some chance I did get to be, that job maybe taken over already with the popularity the idea's given. Basically, I'm scared.

I want to give up my USA citizenship and be considered a "Japanese Citizen" if possible by my 50th birthday.
But on the other hand, I'm afraid of the difficulties behind that too, as one way I'm considering to learn languages in a military linguistics school, where you have to serve, and to me, it wouldn't prolly make sense to the japanese government to give one who served another countrie's fighting/protection force citizenship. (Sorry if this made no sense in proper english. My thoughts are a scramble.)

I know japan is not a perfect society. I know it's VERY difficult, and money is indeed "king".
Plus education. And that I'm a easy-come, easy go person, I guess you can say. I don't act ambitious, unlike most of my japanese friends.

However, I do want to be there. If citizenship isn't allowed, I rather live there for a least a decade, then move somewhere back in US or UK, and just go back every year for visits and such.

By the way, I keep hearing of "JET" program, and other stuff.
Could anyone PM me more info on these programs?
Maybe that could help...

Sorry for such a long post MMM, but any comments/advice/etc would be appreciated. ^^;

Originally Posted by Sangetsu (Post 504295)

One of the things you look at when considering working for a company is vacation time. A job is not just about the pay, you have to look at things like insurance, sick time, holiday pay, and the like. One thing I do like about Japan is the fact that Japanese law requires all employers to give ten days off after 6 months of employment. In American companies you typically get one week off after your first year, and then two weeks off after your second.

Originally Posted by Sangetsu (Post 504295)

One of the things you look at when considering working for a company is vacation time. A job is not just about the pay, you have to look at things like insurance, sick time, holiday pay, and the like. One thing I do like about Japan is the fact that Japanese law requires all employers to give ten days off after 6 months of employment. In American companies you typically get one week off after your first year, and then two weeks off after your second.

Originally Posted by SSJup81 (Post 504343)

Wow...benefits! Something else I've never had, and I've worked in offices.:p If I get into JET, that would be my first job with some type of benefits...like health insurance. I so miss having that, but I've never had a job that's offered me it.

Anyway, my father has been at the same company for almost 20 years, and he only gets 3 weeks vacation. Sad, isn't it?

Originally Posted by godwine (Post 504439)

Well 3 weeks vacation is considered decent, many company still give 2 and you don't get 3 until you hit like 10 or 15 years of services. Guess I am just lucky that they gave me 4 per year to start with

But what you said earlier someowhat inspired me to say something that is along the line of what MMM originally posted. I think it is true that the priveledge to travel also belong to those who can afford it, in terms of both money and time. And to get that, you really need to land a good job that offers both. And this type of job NEEDS a University/College degree.

Not suggesting that the University/College degree will guaratnee it, but not having one will definitely not help :)

MMM I feel your pain, so are you still working as a translator? I guess being self employed also mean that you manage your own time. One of my ex-partner in photography decided to withdraw from our operation and go freelance, he quit his full time job and basically take pictures for a living, self employed as well of course, with a small home studio. It sounds great, but I guess in that field, it will end up what you are doing, not taking vacation at all.

Originally Posted by godwine (Post 504439)

Well 3 weeks vacation is considered decent, many company still give 2 and you don't get 3 until you hit like 10 or 15 years of services. Guess I am just lucky that they gave me 4 per year to start with

Originally Posted by akisan (Post 505247)

then i suppose its good that i plan on going to college for 8 years......XD

which i am doing as up this moment. but that off topic, as though i may only be 17,(very young) i understand that japan isnt a lala land full of anime....etc..but of course i respect, its half of who i am...i have relatives there. i plan on visiting them soon too. i hope it will help my japanese alot.
since they only come over for thanks giveing here in america, but thats off topic as well......

it is sad to see evryone jsut wna go to japan for the anime..i suppose its a reason. if that what they realy want, who am i to stop them?

of course i am just as young......

Originally Posted by Sangetsu (Post 504305)

You have the order a little wrong. In Japan, education is king. If your resume shows you attended Tokyo University, you will have no shortage of job offers, and you will have little trouble making good money.

Japanese know this, so they work as hard as they can in junior high and high school so they have a chance at passing the entrance exams from the better universities. The exams are very difficult, though the courses at the "best" universities are not any more difficult than those of lesser schools, and are actually easier than the courses at many western (American/European) universities.

If you want a good job in Japan, you need to attend a good school.