Lim Mira (South Korea)
Business Japanese Class, Front Office
Q 1. What were you doing before coming to Japan?
After graduating form university, I studied Japanese for about a year in a cramming school. I did not have any working experience.
Q 2. Why did you choose to study in Japan?
I wanted to work for a Japanese company and started to learn the language. I believe that if your Japanese is good enough, you can try to look for job opportunities in Japan. So, so widening my career options was my motivation.
Q 3. Why did you choose ARC?
As I was already thinking about employment, the presence of the Business Japanese Class was a big factor for me. ARC has a Business Class with a consistent curriculum, so it was an easy decision.
Q 4. What did you study in the Business Japanese Class?
I was able to get used to formal speech, and learn how to write business mails. The training I did in class turned out to be very useful in my job search. I also learned how to talk over the phone.
Q 5. What class activity or exercise impressed you the most? What kind of tests did you take in Business Class?
One time, we had a class where the teacher would call us on our phones and leave a message.
I remember finding it hard to retain a company name I was hearing for the first time, and asked the teacher to repeat many times over, but in the end, I understood how to prepare to properly take a phone call.
Every week during the conversation class, we simulated conversation patterns that were very likely to occur in real working life.
At the end of the term, we also did an interview simulation and a presentation.
Q 6. What do you think about ARC teachers?
They helped me revise and improve my resume so many times.
And even after classes, they would find time to help me with my requests, or reply to my emails even during the holidays.
I feel very grateful.
Q 7. What about your classmates?
They were from different countries: China, Taiwan, Italy, Malaysia… there were classmates around my age but also older ones. Some of them already had working experience in their own countries and had moved to Japan to find new working opportunities. We had different aspirations and goals but we used to share information on job fairs and advice about our interviews.
Q 8. How was your job-hunting process?
I used to attend info-sessions targeted at foreigners, or check websites like MyNavi or Ryukatsu, but I found attending info-sessions organized directly by the companies to be the most effective.
Q 9. What was difficult for you during your study abroad experience or the job-hunting process?
The fact that there were few companies looking for Korean employees at the job fairs I went to.
In Japan, job search activities are usually limited to March-August, and there were only a few options left when I started job-hunting in October.
Q 10. How did you find your accommodation?
I live with a Korean friend who was already working here.
Q 11. What are the customs in which Japan and South Korea differ?
The fact that it is quite rare to take a break from university, not using the umbrella that much, ar speaking by roundabouts.
Q 12. What is your proposition for when you are a full-time employee?
I want to find out more about the working style, way of thinking and life habits of the Japanese people.
In my days off, I want to travel to places that are not very touristy.
Q 13. Do you have any advice for people who are considering the study abroad experience to Japan?
If you aim too high you might be disappointed, but if you have clear objectives from the start, you will surely find your way.
In Japan, I found a gentler environment towards foreigners than I expected. I did not find many big differences with South Korea, so there is no need to worry too much about that.
I was happy to be able to confront with friends from other countries and cultures, and extend my point of view.
Here, it is possible to do all the experiences not accessible to someone who has always be in their own country. I think it is worthwhile to give the study abroad experience a try!