Seriously... what about Japan?

My last post made me realize that I should probably get serious about searching for a job in Japan.
I'd still rather go with AEON, but Ben and I should probably apply for a back-up or two. Even if we need to look outside of Japan.

So for now I'm going to look into these companies:

Japanese companies:
This is our #1 choice, besides I already have $60 worth of Japanese Travel Guides.

• Japanese Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET) - Actually, we've already applied for JET and neither of us got an interview. The applications were very lengthy and detailed with the treat of being thrown out if any documents were missing or completed incorrectly. We believe that we didn't get in because we each were unable to include the transcripts from the community colleges that we attended before going to university.
  
• Amity - This is AEON's sister company and supposedly focuses more on teaching children.
  
• ECC - I've read a lot of promising reviews about this school from past teachers. However, they must be downsizing because they no longer do hiring in the U.S. Instead we would have to travel all the way to Toronto, Canada to interview.

South Korean Companies:
Originally I had been much more gung-ho about teaching in South Korea. The pay is better, they often pay for your tickets, and the vacation time is better. However, after more research I learned that South Korean companies very often take advantage of their teachers (refusing pay, bonuses, vacation, etc.) and that South Koreans are very openly racist towards Caucasians. I haven't yet decided if my experiences in South Korea would be positive or negative,but I have decided to focus more on Japan.

• YES Youngdo - I was very excited about this company before the things that I've heard about South Korea.
• Longbridge Pacific - This company offers some great pay, pays for airfare, and has good vacation time and bonuses.

Chinese Companies:
I've recently been looking into Chinese companies as a backup for Japan. The pay isn't very good, but apparently it's not so bad because of the standard of living. I'm also a little worried about teaching in a remote part of the country.

• English First- The official language trainers from the Olympics? Sounds great!
• U.S. Chinese Culture Center - Free airfare, housing, Mandarin lessons, and great pay? OK!

I think I'd better start narrowing it down and assigning Ben and myself to applying to a few. It's good luck not to put all of your eggs in one basket...

Sayoonara
(See how good my Japanese is already?)

Just wishing and hoping....

Here's a little something to set the mood for this entry.

It's already been two weeks since our interview with AEON and still they haven't called and told us that they love us and are desperate to hire us.
...and place us near each other
...and offer us a larger salary
...and give us more vacation time

Although we haven't heard from AEON, our references have. We take this as a sign that things are in our favor.

After first trying to contact our references by phone, AEON decided to e-mail the questions. Just the standard reference checks- nothing unusual.

The reference checks took place just a few days after the interview, so I am a little confused as to why we haven't heard back from AEON- either with or without a job offer. However, they did say that it could take up to a month before we would know if we are even on the waiting list.

But perhaps that's just too much waiting for us. We've already caught the travel bug and have decided to seek a cure...

in Mexico!

One of the amazing perks of teaching is that I get Spring Break. Usually I visit family, but I happened to find a great deal at STA Travel.

Because, seriously, who doesn't look for travel deals everyday?

I suppose that soon we'll need to apply to more companies, but for now I'm awakening my bikini body and practicing my Spanish.

Adios!