Interac Experience Questions for Those in the Know!

[Metal_Horse]

So here's the skinny:

I was recently contracted to work a year for Interac. I leave in March for the harrowing adventure before me and I have a slew of questions for those who actually know something from personal experience of Interac and the schools and areas they usually utilize.

At this stage, I'm still a little in the dark. Interac will send me an email in October that has most of the vital information like where in Japan I'll be, the age group I'll be working with, etc. Until then, I want to know more about what it's like to work as an employee of this company. I believe in being armed to the teeth before diving into such a huge project. Is there any advice anyone can give me about packing? living alone? shopping? meeting other ALTs? how others will regard me as a mere possessor of a BA in English?

Thanks in advance! <3

[Glenski]

Packing.
Take the clothes you will need for the first 6 months, and have someone ship the rest later. Some things may depend on your clothing/shoe sizes. Have shoes that slip off easily. Don't overpack. Find out what is supplied in the apartment they will set up for you, and make a note of things you may want to bring or buy secondhand after you arrive.

Living alone.
What do you want to know here? My biggest piece of advice falls into 2 categories:
1) Mental stability. Culture shock will inevitably hit. Learn what the 4 phases are. I strongly recommend a lifeline home, whether in the form of regular phone calls, letters, email, Skype, whatever. But realize that after a couple of months here, most people back home will dismiss the fact that you are overseas and not respond as immediately as they did in the beginning. It's natural because their lives go on. Things will change for them and you, and unless you keep up on them, you may feel left out and get depressed.

2) Language studies. If you want to stay here long-term, you will have to find your own way to study Japanese. This requires discipline and often avoiding fellow foreigners to some degree. You don't have to be a hermit, but unless you devote serious time to reading up on the grammar and vocabulary, you will fall into the gaijin bubble.

Shopping.
Again, what's going through your mind? Japan has a 5% sales tax on the verge of going to 10%. Are you talking about buying clothes, books, medicine, groceries, foreign foods, etc.?

How you will be treated as a "mere" BA holder?
Treated by whom? Most newbie teachers and ALTs don't have anything higher, and I would guess that most of their degrees are NOT in an English major.

[yankee01]

"Japan has a 5% sales tax on the verge of going to 10%."

Isn't the GST rate going up in two stages and the 10% rate doesn't take effect until 2014?

[Glenski]

That is what I meant by "on the verge". I think the first blip is to 8%...?

Two years go by fast. You may not be here only 1 year. Doesn't hurt to know this.

[Metal_Horse]

"Some things may depend on your clothing/shoe sizes. Have shoes that slip off easily."

I'm about 5'5'', small feet, so I'm not especially worried about finding clothes to fit me. When I say "shopping" I mean for things that are daily life. Should I be looking for adapter cables for international sockets? Do most apartment complexes come with rice cookers or is it strictly BYO? I'm also very concerned about life in the schools and what teachers are expected to wear in modern Japan or if social expectations of clothing differ by region: ie, more conservative vs less traditional. What are modern Japanese women wearing?


"the gaijin bubble."

Please explain more. I have an idea of what you mean, and want to avoid this stigma.


"How you will be treated as a "mere" BA holder?"

Well, as a newbie and a foreigner, I'm worried about constantly being on the social and cultural threshold, never really allowed to assimilate into the Japanese world because I'm just another ALT. Are ALT from different programs treated differently? With disdain? Simply disregarded?

Thanks for being the brunt of my onslaught of questions

[KansaiBen]

"Some things may depend on your clothing/shoe sizes. Have shoes that slip off easily."

I'm about 5'5'', small feet, so I'm not especially worried about finding clothes to fit me. When I say "shopping" I mean for things that are daily life. Should I be looking for adapter cables for international sockets?

Not sure what you are bringing from overseas. Anything electric you buy in Japan.

Do most apartment complexes come with rice cookers or is it strictly BYO?

If you are taking over someones apartment it will likely already be furnished.

I'm also very concerned about life in the schools and what teachers are expected to wear in modern Japan or if social expectations of clothing differ by region:

No jeans, no t-shirts. ALTS tend to wear tidy casuals, dock shoes etc.

What are modern Japanese women wearing?

Clothes, mainly.

"the gaijin bubble."

Foreigners who dont speak Japanese tend to stick together. Go to bars frequented by other foreigners, go home and watch videos and avoid interacting with Japanese or trying to learn the language. Stick to people who speak English.

Well, as a newbie and a foreigner, I'm worried about constantly being on the social and cultural threshold, never really allowed to assimilate into the Japanese world because I'm just another ALT. Are ALT from different programs treated differently? With disdain? Simply disregarded?

Put it this way. The welcome you get is in inverse proportion to the length of time you stay here. In smaller rural areas you will get the "rock star" treatment by locals and your students. I have been working in a kindergarten where the ALT is foisted on the school by the BOE against the wishes of the school. You will likely be barely tolerated. Maybe nice to your face but scathing behind your back, people griping about the dumb useless gaijin they have to babysit. At least if you speak Japanese you can hear what they say about you when they think you dont understand them.



If you dont speak any Japanese expect the other teachers to tiptoe around you, maybe ignore you. It wont be malicious but its as though they have to pick short straws as to who looks after the gaijin. If you have a Japanese English teacher who likes foreigners and likes English (not all do, not spoken English at least) then you should have an OK time. A lot depends on the school or area you go to. ESID Every Situation is Different.

[timeflies]

Don't worry too much.

The most important thing to do is make a good impression when you teach.
Lots of the ALT's English teachers here are either jaded or are just lazy. They spend more time complaining about how incompetent their students are than trying to improve their students learning techniques.

Teachers and students are not used to speaking. They know that they get confused about which order words go in and they may have been overly corrected in their education.
I have heard many stories of native and Japanese English teachers destroying kids confidence by insisting on correct intonation and pronunciation. Of course, these things are important but not as important as getting kids to speak in the first place.

Save the strict practice for students who are entered into speech contests, and even then try to find out if it was the Japanese teacher who pushed them into it. If it was the Japanese teacher that pushed them into it, be gentle and encourage them.
You will be dealing with fragile egos.

This goes double for Japanese English teachers. If you speak with complicated words and use strange grammatical structures, you will probably be treated like someone who is too much trouble to be a good teacher.

Speak naturally, but clearly and simplify your sentences.

Think before you speak. Don't mix tenses in a sentence. That kind of stuff. If you can say something in less words do so.

Teaching English as a native can be a great deal of fun and students will really appreciate a teacher who is kind and makes them feel like they can communicate.


Now all this information is for if you are sent to a high level school!

If you are sent to a low level school... learn Japanese and smile a lot. Be twice as kind and really praise any answer you get.

If you plan good lesson and study books on teaching kids English. You will be gold. Simple is best!


learning Japanese will give you an understanding of how difficult the jump between the two languages is.

Good luck

[Glenski]

I'm about 5'5'', small feet, so I'm not especially worried about finding clothes to fit me.

This and the question about what Japanese women are wearing suggests you are female. Generally, westerners find that Japanese fashions fit uncomfortably because they are built a bit differently than Japanese. Hips and shoulders and sleeve length are a problem for some. Women complain a lot about undergarments. I'd suggest that if you are female, go to www.being-a-broad.com and asking the sources there about clothing and other feminine questions.

When I say "shopping" I mean for things that are daily life.

You will have little problems finding such things as toothpaste, batteries, detergents and shampoos, cooking oils, toilet paper, etc. It may depend on where you are posted. I have found not a wide variety of herbs in some places (dill is sparse, for example), but there are ways around that, like a couple of mail-order services. Are you concerned about anything in particular?

Should I be looking for adapter cables for international sockets?

Household outlets have 2 parallel prongs, so if you bring something that has 3 prongs, then yes, go to a hardware store or electronics shop and spend $1.50 on an adapter. Realize that depending on where you are posted, the power may be different. America works on ~110-120 volts, and so does Japan, so that is not the problem. America works on 50 Hz, while Japan is split; some areas are 50, some are 60, which may affect things like clocks and hair dryers.

Do most apartment complexes come with rice cookers or is it strictly BYO?

Most apartments come with nothing -- no furniture, curtains, bedding, kitchen utensils, kitchen appliances, washing machine, NOTHING. Doesn't Interac have an FAQ to cover this? Ah, yes, here it is:
"Almost all Interac ALTs live in their own private apartments. Interac provides thorough assistance in the search process for an economical and convenient apartment, and provides the guarantorship that is required to secure a place to live. ALTs are personally responsible for the move in costs, furnishings, rent and utility charges each month."
DON'T bring things like frying pans and rice cookers, etc. You'll be able to buy everything here, whether at a 100-yen shop or secondhand shop, or even new.

I'm also very concerned about life in the schools and what teachers are expected to wear in modern Japan or if social expectations of clothing differ by region: ie, more conservative vs less traditional. What are modern Japanese women wearing?

You will NOT be expected to dress like the Japanese in the sense that you will not wear the almost uniform-like suits women do. For other info on what IS expected of you at Interac, go to the FAQ again.
https://www.interacnetwork.com/recruit/index.php/faq

"the gaijin bubble."

Please explain more. I have an idea of what you mean, and want to avoid this stigma.

KB covered this well enough.

"How you will be treated as a "mere" BA holder?"

Well, as a newbie and a foreigner, I'm worried about constantly being on the social and cultural threshold,

That has NOTHING to do with holding a BA, MA, or PhD. The degrees are what employers use to perceive your worth. Social and cultural things are separate.

never really allowed to assimilate into the Japanese world because I'm just another ALT.

Being an ALT is unrelated to assimilating. Being foreign, you will never be allowed to assimilate fully. Get used to that, and you are halfway home in overcoming culture shock before it ever hits.

Are ALT from different programs treated differently? With disdain? Simply disregarded?

In my experience, they are treated very similarly by foreigners and Japanese.

[KansaiBen]

So here's the skinny:

I was recently contracted to work a year for Interac. I leave in March for the harrowing adventure before me and I have a slew of questions for those who actually know something from personal experience of Interac and the schools and areas they usually utilize.

At this stage, I'm still a little in the dark. Interac will send me an email in October that has most of the vital information like where in Japan I'll be, the age group I'll be working with, etc. Until then, I want to know more about what it's like to work as an employee of this company. I believe in being armed to the teeth before diving into such a huge project. Is there any advice anyone can give me about packing? living alone? shopping? meeting other ALTs? how others will regard me as a mere possessor of a BA in English?

Thanks in advance! <3

a lot of foreigners come on gaijinpot and whinge about feeling alienated, somehow not being "accepted" (whatever that means). Keep in mind that many minorities are not accepted in their own countries and experience discrimination even racism even living there for decades. For many westerners it is the first time to be on the receiving end of special or different treatment. Realise it is not wrong, it is just different. If you are in a small town people may generally be conservative, be wary of outsiders though at the same time will be hospitable. You are being hired BECAUSE you are the outsider, the westerner, the English speaker. By definition they wont expect you to become Japanese overnight and go local all in one swoop.

Japanese teachers graduate from a university with a bachelors degree, a teaching licence and will not be any more qualified than you, but at the same time they are qualified teachers, and have their own way of doing things and managing their classes. You will be expected to fit in with whatever arrangements they have in place.

I have a good site here you should read about coming to Japan, especially the chapter on culture shock 101.

I wouldnt worry too much about what people think, you have no control over other people, whether or not they like you or accept you. the best way is to be non-threatening, smile a lot and try not to rock the boat too much by being demanding on people. Generally you will be popular with students but at some schools students can smell weakness and fear in the new ALT and they will take advantage of that.

The JTE (Japanese Teacher of English ) can run the gamut from those who see you as the enemy and a threat to his class, to others who welcome you with open arms and try and make your stay a good one. Mostly they want to paint a good image of Japan to outsiders and visitors and they usually roll out the welcome mat for you. You just have to go with the flow. Some foreigners can and do resist assimilating, act like the ugly American overseas and generally be obnoxious. Im not saying you will be like that, be interested in the culture, language and people and people will appreciate that. They dont expect you to become Japanese however.

Im not a woman but if you are I hear that often western women have trouble fitting comfortably into Japanese bras. Western women and Japanese women tend to have different physiques and bras are made accordingly with the Japanese body in mind. Best to pack your own underwear.

There are 100 yen shops all over the place so you can furnish an apartment quite cheaply, the other day i bought a kitchen knife for 100 yen, normally they sell for up to 2,000 yen.

Forget about bringing electric appliances, hairdryers and curling tongs maybe (if you are a girl) but you can buy microwaves here.

[Metal_Horse]

Thanks, <Timeflies> for all your advice. I'm in the early stages still and won't know where and with whom I'm placed until October, but all your advice was very encouraging. I've worked with children of all ages before, just not as a teacher. I'm also a very dedicated person, so I don't have a problem with gradually working with children and praising them a lot.

Thank you again! You are very wise.

[Metal_Horse]

You are being hired BECAUSE you are the outsider, the westerner, the English speaker. By definition they wont expect you to become Japanese overnight and go local all in one swoop.


I have a good site here you should read about coming to Japan, especially the chapter on culture shock 101.

Generally you will be popular with students but at some schools students can smell weakness and fear in the new ALT and they will take advantage of that.

Thank you KansaiBen, your advice was very insightful and I love the link you sent!

[Metal_Horse]

I just want to throw this out there so there's no more confusion: I signed up with Interac because I want the experience of being a minority and a foreigner in another country. I don't anticipate going to Japan and exclusively latching onto other foreign native English speakers and alienating myself from the Japanese teachers and my neighbors. I don't plan on "sticking" with other gaijin because I'm afraid of stepping out of my comfort zone.

That's partly what this experience is for.

I've been getting a lot of helpful advice from everyone, so thank you for that! Interac does have a great FAQ page, but I'm just wondering what some teacher's perspectives are regarding teaching in another country.

[KansaiBen]

I've been getting a lot of helpful advice from everyone, so thank you for that! Interac does have a great FAQ page, but I'm just wondering what some teacher's perspectives are regarding teaching in another country.

Depending on where they send you you could be 10 miles away from any other foreigner and will often be pleased to meet someone and speak English. When I first came to japan I lived in Shikoku, the only foreigners I met were ones from my school and one other local conversation school. We would meet up on Fridays at a local izakaya (beer hall) for drinks.

Living in a small town you will draw on reserves as there will be times when you are lonely, homesick. TV will be a mystery to you unless you get cable or satellite TV (cant live without it now and Japanese TV is banal rubbish anyway). Learn to be independent.

The way I made friends is to go into a local tachinomiya (stand up bar) or yakitori restaurant. Many people will be locals and they will soon learn you are the local ALT at the local high schools. I found people would buy me drinks and the odd meal. Some will even take you on local sightseeing tours or they have local culture (summer festival, taiko etc).

Most of what you have experienced up till now has been your reality and much of it you take for granted. When you come to a foreign country your ideas about your own culture will be tested as it is held up for comparison with Japanese culture. How people interact with each other. food culture. Japanese toilets. Do's and don'ts. Attitudes towards sex.

I have found Japan a relatively easy place to live in, even if you don't speak the language, compared to many other places. Try living in America or where ever and not being able to speak English. In Germany its expected you learn German if you are there any length of time. Mostly Japanese think Japanese language is too difficult for foreigners and are amazed you can string two words together.
(When they stop praising your Japanese ability you know that its finally stopping to sound awful and butchered to them).

If you get stuck with things and dont know what to do, don't rely on one person (such as English speaking staff at work) to act as your personal translator, servant or messenger boy. Spread the favors around many different people and dont be too demanding. TRy and use some initiative and if you get really stuck people are willing to help you.

[Mr. Ludd]

So here's the skinny:

I was recently contracted to work a year for Interac. I leave in March for the harrowing adventure before me and I have a slew of questions for those who actually know something from personal experience of Interac and the schools and areas they usually utilize.

At this stage, I'm still a little in the dark. Interac will send me an email in October that has most of the vital information like where in Japan I'll be, the age group I'll be working with, etc. Until then, I want to know more about what it's like to work as an employee of this company. I believe in being armed to the teeth before diving into such a huge project. Is there any advice anyone can give me about packing? living alone? shopping? meeting other ALTs? how others will regard me as a mere possessor of a BA in English?

Thanks in advance! <3

Interac is pretty good at ALT support, not just throwing one into the sticks and saying good luck. There is a 5 day training program for all new people, broken into two groups: those who already live here and those who have just arrived. There are also native Japanese people that live in your area that you can call for help with daily life problems, such as utilites, getting a cell phone and such.
As KansaiBen said, not speaking Japanese here is not the end of the world. People here (unless you are teaching on one of the islands out in the middle of nowhere) know a little English. If you are going to be clueless, this is the country to be in. Could you imagine going to a government office in the U.S. and asking "could you please help me fill in this form, as I can't read it and can't write your characters."? A very accommodating place.
The Interac office people will generally leave you alone as long as you are doing your job fairly well. You'll be sent to public schools. As long as you are cheerful, open to whatever the teacher says, can adapt to changing lessons, you shouldn't have any real trouble. The training program will give you some ideas for classroom activities and spur of the moment lessons.
The place is a First World country so you can always whatever clothes or things that you need. Living cheaply is the "in" thing now, so plenty of discount shops. As long as you are not closed minded, you should do just fine.

[brit chick]

I'm female so I can tell you from a female perspective - no matter how tiny you think you may be, bring your own undies! Not only are they fabulously expensive here compard to back home, they are not comfortable either because they are not designed for us and unless you are sent to a big city you may not find yourself with a lot of options.

Don't come over determined to immerse yourself in culture or avoid it at all costs etc etc either. Everyone has preconceived ideas of "how they want it to be" and wind up beating themselves up when they can't hack it or flip over 180 degrees to what they planned. Go with the flow and see how you feel. Expect to be wildly excited, then depressed, then try too hard to assimilate, then flip the other way and try your damnedest to stand out, then feel euphoric, then irritated - all in the first 6 months! If you get the opportunity to immerse yourself take it up but equally if you see a bunch of foreigners sitting in a bar don't avoid it at all costs - you will need these people more than you think you will!

Good luck! It's a fab country full of wonderful people but definitely listen to the people who have been here a long time already. It will really help you and all the pitfalls I knew nothing about when I came here. This forum is a great place to do that.

[Meguroblonde]

I'm female so I can tell you from a female perspective - no matter how tiny you think you may be, bring your own undies! Not only are they fabulously expensive here compard to back home, they are not comfortable either because they are not designed for us and unless you are sent to a big city you may not find yourself with a lot of options.

Seconded.

I can't explain it but their panties seem to come up past my belly button. It's not that you can't wear them, just that they are cut so different to what we are used to. Thong panties fit fine.

As for the gaijin bubble, sure, whatever. I happen to live and sleep with a real live Japanese teacher. If anyone in our household lives or works in a bubble, it's him! The school teachers' scene here is totally insular.

That won't really affect you as an ALT, though.

[Effected After]

Just say no to belly-button-high granny panties. They are horrible.

[brit chick]

Seconded.

I can't explain it but their panties seem to come up past my belly button. It's not that you can't wear them, just that they are cut so different to what we are used to. Thong panties fit fine.

Me too! So I only wear thongs but they are surprisingly hard to find here.

[kurogane]

Seconded.

I can't explain it but their panties seem to come up past my belly button. It's not that you can't wear them, just that they are cut so different to what we are used to. Thong panties fit fine. .

I think it is also the cut of them, but you've probably noticed They tend to have a much longer rise.

You should see what they can do to a normal pair of chinos; some are so damn long-crotched I hardly need a shirt.

Most of the guys' undies are similar, except for the mighty tighty pseudo boxers (those weird ball pouch thingies).

And those are no solution for boys wit' booty.

Also, a truly disturbing number of Japanese wear their undies and pants pulled way, way higher than should be considered proper.

Just say no to belly-button-high granny panties. They are horrible.

I remember Sally Yoshino's tamer gravure work used to make them almost acceptable, but yeah...........

Me too! So I only wear thongs but they are surprisingly hard to find here.

Any beach resort arcade should have them. I have big feet and they still usually have my size.

500 yen...............Cheep!

[vegan666]

Packing.
I strongly recommend a lifeline home, whether in the form of regular phone calls, letters, email, Skype, whatever. But realize that after a couple of months here, most people back home will dismiss the fact that you are overseas and not respond as immediately as they did in the beginning. It's natural because their lives go on. Things will change for them and you, and unless you keep up on them, you may feel left out and get depressed.

THIS. I am finding this to be very true.

[Metal_Horse]

I'm female so I can tell you from a female perspective - no matter how tiny you think you may be, bring your own undies! Not only are they fabulously expensive here compard to back home, they are not comfortable either because they are not designed for us and unless you are sent to a big city you may not find yourself with a lot of options.

Thanks for that advice! Hahaha I will stock up before I go