Monday, June 8, 2015

The Best Summer Job in Japan

Hello, Internet.  I have a lot to discuss today, so grab a notebook, some shredded Wheaties, and hop onto your favorite hammock.  Let’s get started.

As a foreigner, finding work in Japan typically requires a Bachelor’s degree.  Right now, I’m working towards an Associate degree in Visual Communications, and I’m considering continuing my education afterwards.  Anyway, what I’m trying to say is… There are opportunities to find work in Japan without a Bachelor’s degree.

Before I go any further, I should admit that my work was unpaid.  But… my airfare, housing, food, and transportation was all covered by Guy Healy, Japan, the organization that sent me to Japan to teach English at seven different three day summer camps for five and a half weeks.

It was a pretty sweet deal.  I wanted to go to Japan… and they wanted to bring American college students over to befriend campers that were eager to learn English in a fun environment.

My team and I worked with kids from elementary school through high school, preparing them for Eigo Kai, which was an English-speaking competition on the last day of camp.  The kids would perform a skit that the American counselors helped them write, they talked about themselves for 3 minutes in the My Story competition, sang songs that they wrote, and everyone had a good time.

During camp, we’d have dance parties with American music, a carnival with games and prizes, and we even had campfires.

Above everything else, our main goal was to become friends with the campers and provide them with a fun, safe environment for learning English.

It was always sad when we had to say goodbye to our new friends that were only in our lives for three days, but it was even more difficult to leave the team that I lived with during my stay in Japan.  We became a family, and I don’t use that term loosely. 

So, Guy Healy Japan’s USA Summer Camp was the perfect fit for me, since I’m still working towards a degree that will allow me to work in Japan full-time with pay.  I applied for the same program again this summer, and I was glad to be invited back for yet another summer of building my personal confidence, as well as gaining some independence that every adult should have.

Go onto the web, do some research, ask your school about opportunities to go to Japan if you really want to.  If I could go, then you certainly can, too. 

Remember to enjoy life, and take advantage of opportunities that you’re given. 

Take care,


Adam
アダム

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