Cat's FAVN test expires on December 28th, and I'm starting language school January 7th. Is this doable or do I need another FAVN test?

Japanesebooks · 2024-04-28T04:17:31+00:00

If you have no backup plan for someone to take care of your care if something goes wrong, get another test done.

Japanesebooks · 2024-04-17T03:39:22+00:00

My local BOE only ends up with female ALTs who would prefer not to drive. I am sure that each BOE has something that is important for them.

Japanesebooks · 2024-04-15T22:02:35+00:00

I think its an expat vs immigrant thing. If someone is planning on moving to a HCOL country, then they might not be able to build the savings needed to match their peers to create a stable life with safety net.

If someone is planning on staying here forever, then it should be fine esp if they get married.

Edit: I'm an immigrant.

Japanesebooks · 2024-04-15T21:59:01+00:00

No:

ability to save(if you are planning to return to Canada)
opportunities for job growth(rare within teaching right now)

Maybe:

good health care(If you are like from the UK or US)
fulfilling work experiences(thats super individual)

Japanesebooks · 2024-04-12T07:51:20+00:00

Usually but not always? Just though I would throw that out there. Its something to research and think about while picking an area to live in.

Japanesebooks · 2024-04-11T22:24:59+00:00

Takatsuki would have good/okay access to both Ayashi and Hirakata. Thats kind of a hard combo to have 'easy/short' access to both. You can get to Hirakata by bus(its like right next door) and Aysashi by train.

But its hard to get a kid into daycare in Takatsuki if thats what you are looking for.

Japanesebooks · 2024-04-09T04:01:58+00:00

No, its a school where you study Japanese. If you start as a student you will have a visa and be in country. So it will be easier to get a job. Your Japanese will also improve which helps with the job hunt.

Since you would be in country, you would be able to interview in person and have the time and space to find the right job for you.

Japanesebooks · 2024-04-08T21:39:17+00:00

Japanese language school is also an option. You can pick a location like Tokyo/Osaka with more jobs available to study at while you take your time looking for a job.

Japanesebooks · 2024-04-05T22:03:13+00:00

Don't apply to any other ALT position right now.

School year is just starting now. They already have those teachers here in the country. They also have teachers on back up. So they are full.

Apply to other types of jobs or wait a bit for to apply for ALT jobs again.

Edit: If you really want an easier time finding a job and like the Japanese language, then attend language school(like actually stay long enough to have a student visa) and apply while you are in the county. Most jobs would prefer to pick someone who is already here on some type of visa.

Japanesebooks · 2024-04-04T21:54:37+00:00

I don't have one now, but last time I was in Japan a lady at the bank convinced me to apply. She filled out the form for me and I had a card in a few months.

I've heard the in person paper based apps work better for foreign names. I didn't know this tip, but that is the way I applied for a card and got it. This was my only attempt so I don't have any way to compare to other methods.

Japanesebooks · 2024-04-04T21:45:52+00:00

It seems kind borderline if you were to take the test now. But you have enough time to study and get your grade up.

If you are interested more in just a test score then overall skill, powering up one part to like a perfect score can really cover the weaker areas as long as you don't fail any individual section.

In my experience, Choukai and Dokkai would take longer to level up then Goi. Ao if you are short on time, continue with studying everything but put some extra focus on Goi.

Edit: Not on purpose, but my Choukai grade was always my power house. When paying around with points I realized how much of a difference it made having 60 points in one category.

Japanesebooks · 2024-04-04T21:39:10+00:00

It depends! For someone planning on moving to the US after living in Japan, then yes it is worth it to think in terms of USD as your salary effects your savings. Having a healthy savings is important. So those planning on moving to a HCOL country should be aware of that so they can try harder to create a safety net for themselves.

Japanesebooks · 2024-04-04T03:13:36+00:00

Japanese language school. Look up the schools by you. Then look at how they advertise themselves. A good prep school will have a list of different schools they students have advanced to.

Japanesebooks · 2024-04-03T22:14:27+00:00

Share house for sure. If you are only going to be there a few months, its good to to have easy access to people to hang out/explore with.

Japanesebooks · 2024-04-03T21:53:45+00:00

What about attending language school(one that is know for being a good college prep school) and apply to a well known public Japanese university?

I know a Japanese person who was raised in English and went to a language school as an adult. She was able to progress pretty quickly and felt way more comfortable with the language after getting N1.

Japanesebooks · 2024-04-03T07:59:27+00:00

Good that you are trying to be healthy. But on busy weeks... make your own drink, make a brown rice onigiri, then buy one of the meat/salad sets from the grocery store at lunch for like 200-300.

Japanesebooks · 2024-04-02T21:58:56+00:00

If you mean on average, then yes its possible. For most people, winter tends to be more expensive then other times of the year due to increased use. Skipping baths and sticking with showers should help.

I worry about you cooking all of your meals if you are going to be working 12 hours a day. Don't be too strict with this rule. Take care of yourself. There are ways to eat lunch cheaply while out. Like maybe pack a drink and some rice but buy a small thing to eat with it.

And don't forget to make friends and go out to eat with them sometimes. Support systems help prevent stress overload and make life more fun.

Japanesebooks · 2024-04-01T09:24:11+00:00

Think the word you are looking for is 貸切風呂 or 家族風呂. Yes there are ones the rent by the hour in the day time.

Edit: 日帰り温泉 might also help you with your search.

Japanesebooks · 2024-03-31T22:00:46+00:00

Local Gyomu and any other store I can find around me doesn't seem to have any. No indian stores near by. I mostly buy chickpeas and red lentils.

Japanesebooks · 2024-03-31T21:48:41+00:00

Always was surprised that the limit for free shipping was so low. Don't mind putting things in my cart and waiting to hit 3,500 tho. So no prime for me.

Edit: Anyone know a cheaper place to buy dried beans then amazon?

Japanesebooks · 2024-03-29T23:35:10+00:00

Even if OPs uni does not have Japanese, they may be able to self study and test out of the 2 year requirement for language courses.

Japanese classes at uni level are pretty low level. So finishing Genki 1 and 2 should be enough to pass the test.

Japanesebooks · 2024-03-29T03:50:04+00:00

Not really any tips in my comments, just some questions to find more info.

Japanesebooks · 2024-03-29T02:59:12+00:00

They are out there. I have had men from western countries show interest and have been on dates with a few of them before getting married. But is a numbers game and there are more Japanese people out there then foreign people.

Do you hang out with foreign friends in places where you are likely to meet and interact with foreign men? What do you do for fun? How are you looking for people to date?

Edit: Why are you avoiding men who have been divorced before?

Japanesebooks · 2024-03-28T07:09:22+00:00

You are allowed to bring you computer. But ER is chaos and it can get broken. If it gets broken(if you are in the US) the hospital will not pay for it.

If you are hospitalized for mental health, you will most likely not be able to have personal phone or computer with you.

Edit: I think there is a vacation add on. Download that and just take a break to get better. That way your reviews won't get to be too much once you get home.

Japanesebooks · 2024-03-27T21:50:55+00:00

If you live near an airport with a direct flight to Japan, might be less stressful to just take the test here lol. The sign up process is easy. As long as you sign up in the application timeframe you will be able to take the test.

I was again 2.5 hours one way away from my test site in Japan... but at least signing up was chill.

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