So.. Working Holiday. That's right, an interesting idea, an easy visa and a great experience! Right?
.
.
.
.
WRONG (well. sort of!) =)
Working Holiday is a type of visa that allows a student to both study and work in another country for up to a maximum of 1 year. There are a few countries that take part in this wonderful program. They include: Canada, Japan, Australia, South Korea and England (there are more).
Most students believe that they will go to this new country, and with all of their papers in order, be able to start work at an interesting job immediately. While the idea behind this program is strong, the reality is never as good as the myth.
It is commonly known that many foreign teachers travel to Japan to teach English and make "big bucks" while having fun and learning the language. On the other hand, many Japanese students here in Canada on Working Holiday Visas are disappointed that the only jobs they seem able to get are under the table Waitress jobs or possibly working as cleaners in office buildings late at night (ok ok, thats more Brazillian)... Point is, why the difference?
I'll tell you. We will start with us Canadians in Japan. Contrary to popular belief, many people go to Japan and plan to teach for a short period of time and then possibly move on to something else, maybe even related to their field of study. Why then, do many people spend their entire time teaching and very little time studying the language or working other jobs? The simple answer (and it can be case by case, but the majority..) is that there are NO OTHER JOBS for foreginers. Working in an English school in Japan is tough. English teachers are NOT in short supply. There are many. Every school in Japan knows that they can fill up their schools with teachers very easily. Consequently, the hours are long, the pay is not so great and you are treated like a cow by your boss. Unpaid overtime, overflowing classrooms pressure to teach things you really have no idea how to teach.,, :(
In fact, the first and last time I personally thought about teaching in Japan is when I called a school I knew was looking for teachers and was told to sing a Children's song over my cellphone as part of the interview-- I was in the middle of TOKYO STATION! hahahah. I hung up after trying out a few Japanese Bad Words on the loser manager. As far as any other jobs, they don't exist. English is in demand-- all over the world. Any other job for us foreigners? FORGET IT. Impossible. We have no choice but to teach english -- and trust me. The money is HARDLY EVER WORTH IT.
So, don't think we've got it all that easy. Now, Japanese people coming to Canada.,,
You are told by your "agencies" (wait until I post about them!) how you will get a great job, or an internship or some other lie (did I say lie? I meant.. umm... err... ano.. eto... yeah "lie" works) about how easy it will be. Of course the reality, as many of you know, is that no one wants to hire a worker who needs to be trained, and will leave the moment they learn how to do their jobs properly. Although it sucks, I can understand any business (in any country) not wanting to invest in a temporary worker. It just doesn't make sense.
The one thing we DO need though is Waitresses. Japanese restaurants need Japanese Waitresses. (English schools need English teachers) See? Same thing.
Just like English schools in Japan (and Canada!) that take advantage of their workers, so to do Japanese restaurants. I will very quickly outline somethings you should know:
1. Anything less than $6.85 an hour is illegal. Minimum wage dude,
2. You can quit ANYTIME within the first 3 months without ANY NOTICE and NO PENALTY. It's called the PROBABTIONARY PERIOD-- its the law.
3. You MUST BE PAID during training. No 'deposit' no free 'TRAINING'. You work, you get paid.
4. Tips belong to the waitress and to the cooks. Different restaurants have different tip systems, but if your owner/manager is taking tips, thats WRONG. QUIT.
5. If you are fired, or quit or whatever, you are still entitled to be paid for WHATEVER HOURS YOU WORKED.
6. If you are NOT getting a cheque, it's not a 'real' job. If you are getting a cheque, you should also be given a printout with a list of what Taxes and Unemployment are being deducted from your pay. NO RECEIPT = NOT A REAL JOB.
I am sure there are other things I have missed. Point being, BE CAREFUL!
A Working Holiday can be a great experience. See the country, make new friends and make a little bit of money. I would recommend that any student interested in experiencing another country should try for a Working Holiday Visa. The only thing is, DO THE RESEARCH! Go into a Working Holiday Program knowing that the hours will be long, the pay will be low and that it is a tough tough life. Knowing that before you go and preparing for the worst BEFORE will ensure that you have the chance to enjoy the good things about Working Holidays. Be informed, be diligent and if at all possible, do some ground work in looking for a job BEFORE you leave your country.
If anyone has any questions about the Good (and Bad!) of Working Holidays, don't be afraid to mail me here.
Take care and have fun!
Shane
.
.
.
.
WRONG (well. sort of!) =)
Working Holiday is a type of visa that allows a student to both study and work in another country for up to a maximum of 1 year. There are a few countries that take part in this wonderful program. They include: Canada, Japan, Australia, South Korea and England (there are more).
Most students believe that they will go to this new country, and with all of their papers in order, be able to start work at an interesting job immediately. While the idea behind this program is strong, the reality is never as good as the myth.
It is commonly known that many foreign teachers travel to Japan to teach English and make "big bucks" while having fun and learning the language. On the other hand, many Japanese students here in Canada on Working Holiday Visas are disappointed that the only jobs they seem able to get are under the table Waitress jobs or possibly working as cleaners in office buildings late at night (ok ok, thats more Brazillian)... Point is, why the difference?
I'll tell you. We will start with us Canadians in Japan. Contrary to popular belief, many people go to Japan and plan to teach for a short period of time and then possibly move on to something else, maybe even related to their field of study. Why then, do many people spend their entire time teaching and very little time studying the language or working other jobs? The simple answer (and it can be case by case, but the majority..) is that there are NO OTHER JOBS for foreginers. Working in an English school in Japan is tough. English teachers are NOT in short supply. There are many. Every school in Japan knows that they can fill up their schools with teachers very easily. Consequently, the hours are long, the pay is not so great and you are treated like a cow by your boss. Unpaid overtime, overflowing classrooms pressure to teach things you really have no idea how to teach.,, :(
In fact, the first and last time I personally thought about teaching in Japan is when I called a school I knew was looking for teachers and was told to sing a Children's song over my cellphone as part of the interview-- I was in the middle of TOKYO STATION! hahahah. I hung up after trying out a few Japanese Bad Words on the loser manager. As far as any other jobs, they don't exist. English is in demand-- all over the world. Any other job for us foreigners? FORGET IT. Impossible. We have no choice but to teach english -- and trust me. The money is HARDLY EVER WORTH IT.
So, don't think we've got it all that easy. Now, Japanese people coming to Canada.,,
You are told by your "agencies" (wait until I post about them!) how you will get a great job, or an internship or some other lie (did I say lie? I meant.. umm... err... ano.. eto... yeah "lie" works) about how easy it will be. Of course the reality, as many of you know, is that no one wants to hire a worker who needs to be trained, and will leave the moment they learn how to do their jobs properly. Although it sucks, I can understand any business (in any country) not wanting to invest in a temporary worker. It just doesn't make sense.
The one thing we DO need though is Waitresses. Japanese restaurants need Japanese Waitresses. (English schools need English teachers) See? Same thing.
Just like English schools in Japan (and Canada!) that take advantage of their workers, so to do Japanese restaurants. I will very quickly outline somethings you should know:
1. Anything less than $6.85 an hour is illegal. Minimum wage dude,
2. You can quit ANYTIME within the first 3 months without ANY NOTICE and NO PENALTY. It's called the PROBABTIONARY PERIOD-- its the law.
3. You MUST BE PAID during training. No 'deposit' no free 'TRAINING'. You work, you get paid.
4. Tips belong to the waitress and to the cooks. Different restaurants have different tip systems, but if your owner/manager is taking tips, thats WRONG. QUIT.
5. If you are fired, or quit or whatever, you are still entitled to be paid for WHATEVER HOURS YOU WORKED.
6. If you are NOT getting a cheque, it's not a 'real' job. If you are getting a cheque, you should also be given a printout with a list of what Taxes and Unemployment are being deducted from your pay. NO RECEIPT = NOT A REAL JOB.
I am sure there are other things I have missed. Point being, BE CAREFUL!
A Working Holiday can be a great experience. See the country, make new friends and make a little bit of money. I would recommend that any student interested in experiencing another country should try for a Working Holiday Visa. The only thing is, DO THE RESEARCH! Go into a Working Holiday Program knowing that the hours will be long, the pay will be low and that it is a tough tough life. Knowing that before you go and preparing for the worst BEFORE will ensure that you have the chance to enjoy the good things about Working Holidays. Be informed, be diligent and if at all possible, do some ground work in looking for a job BEFORE you leave your country.
If anyone has any questions about the Good (and Bad!) of Working Holidays, don't be afraid to mail me here.
Take care and have fun!
Shane
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