Newbie Questions, sure you heard it all before....

[Invictus]

I am an expatriated New Yorker currently working in the sewer pit of Asia (also known as Korea, specifically Ulsan) as an English Teacher (Babysitter).

My contract doesn't expire until the middle of July 2007, so I have a while to go. I feel the need however to plan long in advance to get out of this *beep* and I definitely want to head to Japan next year. I obviously want to swing something in Japan.

Some things I have heard about are JET (the best option) and otherwise private institutions. Unfortunately I don't have a masters, which would prevent me from getting a uni position. What are my options and how should I best go about it? I would like to do the JET thing but with the weird application process I don't know if I could fly out to the nearest place for an interview (Hawaii) given work constraints here. I have no real holiday so I can't just piss off and fly off. Then there's NOVA, but I have only heard negative stuff about the place.

Also I know Japan is MUCH more expensive than Korea (its only redeeming feature). Any and all advice from ESL expats or Japan experts or people who have already made the graceful transition from Korea to Nippon would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks in advance to all, Invictus....

[mycolumbus]

Wow, you seem pretty disappointed with your current position.

I hope things get better for you soon...

I think you will be starting to prepare too early if you want to teach in Japan next year in July. Unless of course you plan to teach at Uni or on the JET program. Giving yourself 1 month prior to arriving in Japan is enough to find a teaching job. A lot can happen in 12 months, and schools really wont be interested in you if your arrival is 12 months later.

Can't you quit early and apologise to your school and help them find a replacement teacher? To spend the next 12 months somewhere where you don't want to be is going to be hell.

Nova is alright but you will be more of a number than anything else. They are huge in Japan, and your salary will be one of the lowest around. Other than that, they are fair and wont rip you off.

Japan is not as expensive as most seem. Checkout this thread regarding the cost of living in Japan.

The JET program would be your best option. Some JETs have a blast getting top pay and benefits working only a light schedule with many paid holidays. If you can get on this program, then take it!