My Love for Languages Gave Me Freedom To Choose My Path
I am a language learning enthusiast with a deep interest in the languages and cultures of different countries. Thankfully, one of the languages I was heavily drawn to was Japanese which began journey from China to Japan.
My connection with Japanese began in middle school. Out of love for anime and Japanese music, such as “Monogatari,” I started self-studying Japanese. During high school, anime continued to accompany me. Watching anime helped me escape harsh realities and experience the joyful daily life of two-dimensional Japanese high school students. This sparked my desire to at least visit Japan someday.
In university, I studied mechatronics. My course exposed me to a lot of mechanical control devices that use PLCs and robots with high-end equipment. These devices were often sourced from Japanese brands like Mitsubishi, Yaskawa, Kawasaki, FANUC, and Omron. My experience gave me a good impression of Japan’s manufacturing industry and made me realize working in Japan in my field would be a great choice.
Personally, what I also look for in a job is to also have free time to do what I truly love rather than just earning more money. Therefore, working in Japan is a very appealing option for me. From my second year in university, I dedicated significant amount of time learning Japanese. This laid a solid language foundation for my later job search in Japan.
FAST OFFER International’s Support Gave Me Immense Courage to Go from China to Japan
I heard about the FAST OFFER International program back in 2022, but at that time, I didn’t dare register. I thought my Japanese was still insufficient to handle a Japanese interview smoothly. In the second half of 2023, I decided to work in Japan and completely abstained from the local autumn recruitment. Considering my impending graduation, I had no time to delay my job search any longer. Resolved to leave China for Japan, I applied for FAST OFFER International.
After receiving the interview invitation, FAST OFFER International invited us for a pre-interview discussion. In that session we addressed my doubts and had a mock interview. Before the discussion, I prepared about 200-word drafts for each question based on the company’s website and the questions list provided by my FAST OFFER International mentor.
I originally booked just one hour from 7 PM to 8 PM, but he patiently confirmed every one of my responses and provided detailed suggestions for improvement. After I made the modifications on the spot, he continued to provide feedback. We kept discussing until past 1 AM. Since it was getting too late, we scheduled another three-hour meeting the next day to clarify all the answers.
Additionally, the teacher explained interview etiquette and suggested ways to convey my enthusiasm to the interviewers. These two discussions not only alleviated my anxiety about the Japanese interview but also made me deeply impressed with FAST OFFER International staff’s high level of responsibility and dedication.
My Determination & Expert Support Helped Me Reach My Goal
I was extremely determined to go from China to Japan that I even had a backup plan. I signed up for a language school in Tokyo. If I couldn’t find a job through FAST OFFER International, I would come to Japan myself. Fortunately, it didn’t have to come to that, though.
After participating in just one interview event with FAST OFFER International, I received offers from two companies I both favored. Ultimately, I chose to join the IT development department of a manufacturing company based on the city location and environment of the company.
I was able to get an offer quickly because of two things:
- My efforts in facing various challenges head-on
- Largely thanks to the diligent support of my mentor from FAST OFFER International.
Advice for Other Aspirants Seeking to Leave China for Japan
Want to Reach Your Destination? Get Moving
From the initial decision to seek employment in Japan to now holding an offer and waiting for my start date, I believe the most important thing is to act. While preliminary research is important, it’s meaningless if you only stay in the information-gathering phase. Only by taking concrete action—solving problems when faced with obstacles and investigating when in doubt—can you create a positive cycle that leads to your destination and realize your dreams.
Adjusting from Life in China to Japan: Learning Japanese Never Stops
Now that I’m in Tokyo, I’ve enrolled in a language school while attending FAST OFFER International’s Business Japanese Classes. I dedicate almost 10 hours daily to language learning, and I believe it is all worthwhile.
When I first landed in Japan, I needed appliances. I called a Japanese electronics store to make an appointment. At that time, I couldn’t understand what the store clerk was saying, and after struggling for a long time, I ended up irritating them. They reluctantly arranged for a Chinese clerk to assist me. This experience showed me my Japanese is still not enough for daily communication, even after passing the N1 exam.
Making Sure I’m Up to Par as an IT Engineer in Japan
Moreover, in the future, I will need to collaborate with Japanese colleagues in the workplace, making the study of business Japanese urgent. I am also continually learning about the rules and customs of Japanese workplaces to minimize any disruptions caused by my ignorance. I’m also preparing for Japan’s IT qualification exam, the “Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination.”
My Optimistic Start in Japan
Walking through the streets of Tokyo, I do not feel the sense of displacement often associated with being an “outsider.” The familiar scenery and faces bring me comfort. I hope to use the remaining months to enrich myself, continually improve my language skills, and smoothly welcome my future work and life.
