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Anonymous
2002-09-01, 10:50 PM
Hi everybody,

Im a 28 year old danish man. Shortly I will be visiting my japanese gf in Kyoto for two and a half months. This will be my third stay in Japan. Previously I went there three months (travelling around) and one year (1 year exchange program at Osaka University). For the coming trip, I was thinking I'd spend some of my time probing the possibilities for making a future career in Japan. I would like to marry my gf in the future, but that future is still a bit distant to me (and to her). I would definitely like to live in japan, at least for periods spanning several years.

Im currently studying japanese language, culture and society at the University of Copenhagen and have done so since 97. Im expecting to complete my bachelors degree (4 years) at the latest in July 2003.

Since Im currently considering whether or not I want to do my masters studies, I'd like to hear your opinion on whether a bachelor degree like mine would be sufficient to start searching for jobs in Japan. Also, In case I continue studying for a masters degree, will that considerably improve my chances to make a living in Japan? And does japanese companies accept foreigners for internships (I could take some of my masters course as an internship).

Im fairly openminded in terms of what kind of job I would like to get, but my interests lie within IT, visual media and (of course) japanese culture and society. Id like to work for at least half a year, mainly to "get a foot inside" and to improve my japanese.



About my qualifications:

As to my other qualifications, I have various job experience - most of it of a general nature; shop salesman, working with kids, working as a mailman, interview per phone. I am currently doing a student job as an assistant in a subsection of the danish educational ministry, where I am doing editing and translation work (english to danish) as well as counselling per email or mail (my office is in charge of internationalization of the danish education system, and as such get various inquiries from both danish and foreign students and institutions).

My english skills are pretty good (I cannot remember my exact TOEFL score, but it was above 90%, if that counts for anything), my japanese are good enough for everyday use. I have some knowledge of german too, and of course my danish is perfect ;) I can communicate with people from Sweden and people Norway as well.

I have worked a bit with documentary video (during a university course) and I am somewhat skilled in linux network administration and I am currently managing the network at my dormitory. I have a bit of english teaching experience, from working in a private juku in Osaka.


Regards
Tor Bechmann S.

Anonymous
2002-09-01, 10:53 PM
Addition:

Id prefer to work around Kansai, as my gf lives in Kyoto. Of course if the salary / schedule allow travelling back and forth, other regions are an option too.

Osakan
2002-09-02, 11:01 AM
Tor,

A couple of points:

First, have you considered studying for your masters degree in Japan? The Japanese education ministry (Monbusho) is very keen to encourage overseas candidates to do postgraduate work in Japan, and offers a generous grant (approx \190,000 per month, tax free). Since Kyoto is a university town, you might be well set up. For further details, see the website of the Japanese embassy/consulate in Sweden (or that for the Japanese embassy in London - www.embjapan.org.uk - which may be more comprehensive).

Second, there is a bar in Kyoto (I think, in Gion) called 'Scandia' or 'Finlandia' or something like that. It often advertises for native Scandinavian bar staff and could be worth investigating either as a possible means of supplementing your income or just making friends.

Good luck!

Osakan
2002-09-02, 01:53 PM
Sorry, typed 'Sweden', meant Denmark.

Anonymous
2002-09-08, 11:34 PM
You might consider checking things out in Denmark before you come. Find out what Danish companies do biz in Japan, and what Japanese companies do biz in Denmark and talk to them. The Danish consulate or embassy in Japan may have work programs or interships; some especially for students. Your Danish university might also have some leads. For example, I went to a big American university and they had work, study, or internships available all over the world. These are just suggestions; I hope they are useful!