Study, Work and Travel Talk 2016

On 12th October, we held our annual Study, Work and Travel in Japan Talk. Needless to say, we received the latest information on great programmes we can all embark on to fulfil our dream of living in Japan, albeit for a moment! Don’t worry if you missed it all or forgot some details, here’s a quick recap of the talk:

From the Embassy of Japan and JCC’s Deputy Director, Mr Masanori Kawabata first introduced the Monbukagakusho (MEXT) Scholarship, offered by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology(MEXT). The scholarship has 6 types and cover travel costs, school fees and a monthly allowance. If you’ve ever desired studying long-term in Japan, visit the following for more information: http://www.studyjapan.go.jp/en/toj/toj0302e.html

To apply for the scholarship, visit the embassy’s website: http://www.sg.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/culture.html

Mr Kawabata also provided useful information about the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme and the application process. The JET Programme was started in 1987, with the aim of promoting internationalism and mutual understanding between Japan and other countries by enriching foreign language education and international exchange at the local level. Participants are employed as one of three job types, the most common of which is the Assistant Language Teacher(ALT) who assists Japanese teachers with foreign language lessons in schools.

Can’t wait to go there already? You can satisfy your thirst for Japan at the Japan Creative Centre(JCC) first! Opened in November 2007, and located at the start of Orchard Road (at 4 Nassim Road), JCC is the centre for the dissemination of information on Japan’s culture and technologies, past and present. The first of its kind outside of Japan, we are truly lucky to have the JCC right here in Singapore. Do check your mail often so you don’t miss invitations to the many workshops, exhibitions and events held there.

Next, our fellow JACian, Koh Hui Qi shared her experience at Akita International University, under the exchange programme offered by our school. She shared how the school was in a rural area, with a peaceful atmosphere far from the busy hype of a city like Tokyo. The exchange left a huge impact on her, as the school culture was refreshingly different: they held a lesson outdoors under the trees! For those of you who are still hesitant or have not thought much about it before, she highly recommends you go for an exchange. It is a really enriching experience and one that cannot be experienced again once you graduate.

If you are not looking to spend a whole semester in Japan, how about during your holidays? Specifically, in May next year? Another fellow JACian, Carnie Tan shared her experience in Japan with JAC, which took place in May this year. If you haven’t already seen, here is the video she made of the trip: https://youtu.be/hP-rNjcHZxs

The video truly captures how fun and exciting the trip was! It also tells you how much fun the next trip can be, so mark those dates and let’s go together next year XD

For those graduating soon and those looking to be employed in Japan or Japanese companies in Singapore, look no further. JAC Recruitment (no, not our JAC), came as well and gave us a crash course on common employment procedures and workplace etiquette in Japan. The company is a long established international recruitment group, helping employers get connected to potential employees across borders.

The talk ended with a video presentation by Japan Travel, the leading resource for Japan travel information. The video shared how you can be a short term travel reporter under them or get employed as a long term intern at their office in Tokyo. Getting paid while experiencing all of Japan? What better deal is there out there? Make your travel itinerary or find more about your dream job here: http://en.japantravel.com/

Written by: Emelyn