| COUNTRY |
| Mongolia |
| EDUCATION |
| Master of Computer Science, Kumamoto University Bachelor of Computer Science, Mongolian University of Science and Technology |
| COMPANY |
| A global manufacturer and supplier of rubber and plastic automotive components, LED and optoelectronic products, as well as general industrial goods. |
| SUMMARY |
| Raised in a Mongolian farming family, a hardworking woman spent her childhood herding sheep in the summer and waking up early in freezing winters. In high school, a programming class, along with her sister’s influence, sparked her decision to pursue a computer science degree. After graduating, she sought to earn a master’s degree in Japan because of her professor’s recommendation and Kumamoto University’s strong computer science reputation and language support. While self-funding her studies and juggling part-time hotel work, she built confidence, Japanese skills, and a support system. During her job-hunting, FAST OFFER International helped her land final interview passes with two companies — setting her up for your next chapter in Japan. |
From Herding Sheep in Mongolia to a Computer Science Degree at Kumamoto University in Japan
My family, like many others in Mongolia, is nomadic. I still remember the summer days when my siblings and I went to the countryside to look after the grazing animals. Even during cold Mongolian winters, I woke up early to tend the sheep or milk the cows before school. It was a hard, labor-intensive life. These early experiences made me realize that caring for animals wasn’t for me, and I needed to start thinking about what I wanted to do in the future.
Choosing a Computer Science Degree After Discovering Programming
When it was time for me to select my undergraduate degree, I had no idea which path to pursue. I had an interesting programming class in high school, but nothing really stuck. Luckily, my sister was studying in the computer science field. Hearing my sister vividly talk about her program, it just clicked, and I enrolled in a computer science program in college.
The more I attended the classes, the more I enjoyed them. With each session, my curiosity grew: how did the hardware work, how did AI know things it did, how does a computer literally do anything? I realized I want to do this for a living. I believe this is the start of my Mongolia-to-Japan tech career journey.
My First Time Living Abroad In Texas: Cost, Culture Shock, and Independence
During university, I got the opportunity to participate in a summer program held in Texas, in the United States of America, for three months. I had always wanted to try living abroad, so I grabbed this chance!
The lifestyle there was hugely different from what I expected. The most surprising being that there is no public transport. I also had to work part-time to cover my expenses. Renting was tough with the currency difference between America and Mongolia. On top of that, I was lonely. If something happened to me or I had an emergency, I had no one to help me out.
Even so, I still want to live abroad, but I had to search for an alternative — something more familiar, something a little bit closer to home.
Why I Chose Japan and Kumamoto University for Computer Science
One day, I learned that one of my cousins lived in Japan, which sparked my curiosity. He was studying in a Japanese Language School while working at the same time. My cousin only had good things to say about Japan. He told me how Japanese people are overall warm in nature, and their personality is relatively close to that of the Mongol people.
At the same time, my university professor, who studied in Japan, recommended I look into enrolling at his alma mater, Kumamoto University. It turns out, Kumamoto University has a strong program for computer science and also has special Japanese Language Classes for international students, where you could easily be part of a supportive community.
Reassured by my cousin and my professor’s experiences, I knew what I had to do. From Mongolia, I went to Japan start my tech career journey.
The Balancing Act: Part-Time Hotel Work, Improving My Japanese Skills, Studying at the University
Coming from Mongolia to Japan to start my tech career journey was a leap of faith. I didn’t know what awaited me in my new life in Japan. But to my amazement, everything just worked itself out. I was self-sponsoring my education and was happy to receive a tuition fee exemption for three terms.
However, all of it is a balancing act — managing my studies, attending lectures, going for part time job at a hotel, and taking care of myself. I would wake up at 6 am, study, attend lectures, and then work. I also made sure I ate and slept well to make sure I didn’t get sick and disrupt my busy schedule.
Working Part-Time as a Student in Japan
Being a student, I was allowed to work for a limited amount of time throughout the week. Most of the international students in the university were from countries where the currency exchange was advantageous. I wanted to join my friends for all the trips, but things were tough for me financially. With a just-enough salary, I could cover my rent and living expenses, but there wasn’t much left for leisure.
Thankfully, through another friend, I was also able to find another part-time job that wasn’t as physically taxing. After my contract with the hotel, I began teaching English to kids at a private school on the weekends. This also paid a little better, and I was able to breathe a little bit.
How Community is at the Heart of My Success
During this tough time, people around me were my support system. Right from welcoming me to Japan, navigating the new life and culture, to helping me find part-time jobs, they were with me through it all. Initially, I couldn’t speak Japanese at all! I only had Mongolian friends who lived in the same city as me. They introduced me to part-time jobs and helped me get familiar with the Japanese work culture.
In just a span of 3 months, one of my closest friends managed to teach me all the basics of working in Japan. When she left, my kind Japanese coworkers took over, helping me get familiar with the tasks.
Thinking back, the highlight of my life in Japan has been my part-time work experiences. I was able to communicate with my co-workers, customers, learn Japanese through that process, and experience kindness from people around me.
FAST OFFER International: My Breakthrough in Job Hunting in Japan
There was a time when I was ready to find a full-time job in Japan. I thought to myself, “This is it. I came from Mongolia to Japan to start my tech career journey, and I’m finally ready.” However, the initial job-hunting experience was terrible. I applied to over twenty companies at once! I was disappointed and felt desperate for a win.
Then, I found out about FAST OFFER International through my friend. He had also been struggling with finding a job in Japan for about 6 months, and found a job through FAST OFFER.
On his suggestion, I registered on the website and booked my online session with the Career Advisor just three days later. After the submission of all necessary documents, in just a few days, two companies selected me. It was unbelievable!
Job Hunting with FAST OFFER International
They also arranged for me to come to Tokyo all the way from Kumamoto for in-person interviews. With such a tight schedule, I was scrambling to get everything done on time. When I landed in Tokyo, the staff helped us get prepared. First, we had an orientation guiding us about the upcoming schedules.
My first interview was online, and another was in-person. I was not too worried since I prepared well. To my amazement, I passed both first interviews. As soon as I received the results, I was happy. But rather than going back to last-minute studying, I took time to rest and relax. I felt so confident that I didn’t even feel nervous.
The next day, the atmosphere in the office was very tense as everyone held their breath for the results. Soon their nervousness got to me, too. We waited till late evening in the office. Suddenly, my mentor calls me over, and I just couldn’t believe my ears. I had passed not just one but the final interviews for both companies! I was over the moon!
My Tips for Other FAST OFFER Candidates Looking For A Job In Japan
- Learn Japanese through Kanji. I really enjoyed learning Kanji, but disliked grammar. So, I started Kanji with small words, then sentences, simple books, and then with small parts of a newspaper. That was my trick to passing the JLPT. When you read, it trickles into thinking in Japanese and then to speaking in Japanese.
- Do a thorough self-analysis. When I first had a meeting with the senior mentor, we practiced answering frequently asked questions during the interviews. And I was stumped on the very first question: Why do you want to work in Japan? When you prepare for the interview, a self-analysis is necessary to understand more about yourself.
- Don’t over-prepare. Don’t overstress yourself. Study while you can and give your best, but avoid over-preparing till the end of the day or until the very last minute. Give yourself time to settle all the latest information.
- Make your life “happen”. Don’t wait for opportunities, friends, or events to find you. With independent living in Japan, take steps to proactively find your own hobbies, communities, and friends. You must push yourself to make your life happen.
Next Chapter: Returning Home to Mongolia, Then Starting My Career in Japan
Before coming to Japan officially, I will be returning home to reconnect with my family. Spending time with them, in nature, and even caring for animals will help me reset before starting a new phase of my life.
Living in Japan taught me independence. While the beginning was challenging, I learned to make decisions on my own and build a life on my own terms. Even if independence is sometimes lonely, I want to choose being free and shape my own future.
