University teaching - Westgate Corporation

[leon]

Hi,

I have been offered a job to work for Westgate Corporation, at a University. They are offering me 275,000/month. At the time I thought this was good money but now I'm beginning to feel that it might now even allow me to save much. It also doesn't seem to be consistent with what other university instructors receive.

My only apparent perk is that they are paying for round-trip airfare.

I have been offered a job for a 3 month period (which is perfect for me). Could the 3 month contract have anything to do with what I perceive to be a low university salary in Japan?

Has anyone heard of Westgate? What have you heard?

Should the salary concern me? I ask because I have an M.A. and extenisve university teaching experience and would like to maxime my earning potential (obviously).

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Leon

[Anonymous]

An acquaintance of mine was also accepted as a university lecturer for Westgate.
The day before he was start work (he had already come to Japan in order to start working for them), they contacted him to say that not enough students had enrolled in the classes and so he was no longer necessary. They cancelled his contract... and all he could do was apply to NOVA. Just a word of warning...

[Anonymous]

An acquaintance of mine was also accepted as a university lecturer for Westgate.
The day before he was start work (he had already come to Japan in order to start working for them), they contacted him to say that not enough students had enrolled in the classes and so he was no longer necessary. They cancelled his contract... and all he could do was apply to NOVA. Just a word of warning...

[Anonymous]

Leon- Hello. I was wondering if you have gone over to Japan yet. I am considering going as well with this group. What is your opinion on them now. Do you feel this is legitimate?

Thank you-
Ingrid

[joan.sa]

My only apparent perk is that they are paying for round-trip airfare.

According to the website, Westgate also provide furnished accommodation at what I assume is a competitive rental. Have you had any details about this? The short-term contract periods are attractive, but like you I am also afraid that by the time one has paid for the rental, daily commute, telephone, internet access etc not to mention food and other necessities one will be left empty-handed. So keen to hear from anybody who has worked for Westgate.

[KansaiBen]

According to the website, Westgate also provide furnished accommodation at what I assume is a competitive rental. Have you had any details about this? The short-term contract periods are attractive, but like you I am also afraid that by the time one has paid for the rental, daily commute, telephone, internet access etc not to mention food and other necessities one will be left empty-handed. So keen to hear from anybody who has worked for Westgate.

Westgate teachers are not university teachers, they are dispatch teachers sent to work on a university campus. They are not hired directly by the university.

There is a two month gap between contracts which are not paid, so if you want to renew you have to hang around for two months with no salary. The goal here is not for you to save money but to provide them with a warm body every semester.

Transportation is usually paid for by the company, by the way.

[HarryHurry]

OP posted in 2002....