| COUNTRY |
| India |
| EDUCATION |
| Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad |
| COMPANY |
| A Japanese manufacturer specializing in precision cutting tools such as taps, end mills, and drills used in industrial machining and manufacturing. |
| SUMMARY |
| Inspired by an open-world Japanese video game as a child, they eventually developed their own game as their Final Year Project in university. With the help of AtoJ Hirameki and FAST OFFER International, they were able to learn Japanese and get a job offer in Japan. |
Inspired By A Japanese Video Game to Become An Indie Game Developer
When I was a kid, my sister, a professional chef, made me onigiri. That was the delicious start of my love for Japan. Later, I got into playing this amazing open-world Japanese video game Dark Souls. Because it was designed without many tutorials, it encouraged players to independently explore and find their own way.
That video game not only sparked my interest in Computer Science, but it also served as one of my inspirations for one of the first games I eventually made. That experience served as a foundation for my game development skills and creativity when I set out to make another game for my Final Year project. I created a 2D factory management game that can also be used for real factories. I’m excited to say that it’s launching soon!
Learning Japanese: My Casual Hobby During the Pandemic
When the pandemic hit, stuck at home during the quarantine period, I looked for another hobby aside from gaming. That’s where self-studying Japanese came in. I wasn’t studying too seriously, but just like what I enjoyed about video games, it allowed me to enter a whole new world. On my own, I was able to learn the basics, memorizing Hiragana and Katakana.
Leveling Up My Journey: Learning About FAST OFFER International As A Computer Science Student
Japanese Classes
I got serious about studying Japanese when my professors introduced me to AtoJ Hirameki and FAST OFFER International. It was perfect for students like me who were interested in working in Japan. Through joining the program, I began learning Japanese for the next three years.
Though I was not very good at Japanese at that time, AtoJ Hirameki’s Japanese Class teachers helped me a lot. The Japanese classes also allowed me to make supportive friends on the same journey. We really helped each other through the highs and lows! We even practiced speaking in Japanese with each other. Later in our journey, it was also inspiring to watch each other’s journey, seeing each other get job offers in Japan.
Learning with others inspired me to study Japanese even beyond the classes. Through Japanese podcasts, J-dramas, and anime, I got to listen closely to various kinds of situations and conversations, and picked up new vocabulary, expressions, and sentence patterns.
Job Hunting
When I could speak Japanese, I was shifted into the FAST OFFER International program. They went beyond in preparing me for the interviews, guiding me on how to research thoroughly and formulate concise answers. My mentors also helped explain the company information so I could better choose Japanese companies to target.
Interviewing with Japanese Companies
The first time I interviewed with a company, I failed. However, I did not give up. Instead, I used that experience as a lesson to improve myself, and eventually, I secured a job offer. During my second interview, I performed much better because I already had experience from the first one.
What really helped me improve my performance at the interviews was getting to calm myself using “icebreaker” small talk at the start. Finding something simple to talk about can help set a comfortable and natural tone.
My Hard Work Led to Success
After the interview, I was basically frozen: I stayed in a spot, stared at my phone, and waited for the results. I was bubbling with nerves and excitement. When the great news finally came, I was so happy. All those years of study really paid off with this job offer. As my family gathered around the table for dinner, I got to share my happiness with them.
My friends and I were able to achieve our dream because we found a path and kept going in that direction. Even when we failed, we didn’t let that stop us. We always got back up. We kept trying, improving, until finally, it paid off!
My Journey is Just Beginning
Although I’ve gotten a job offer already, I’m not going to stop refining my Japanese skills. I’m still enrolled at AtoJ Hirameki, so I can get my JLPT N1 one day. More than a means to get a job offer, improving my Japanese will also help my future not just working, but also exploring Japan and it’s many beautiful and wonderful places. Maybe I’ll also get to make another game once I’m in Japan! Who knows how living and working in Japan will inspire my next endeavors!
FAST OFFER CAREER GUIDE: How Japanese Video Games Can Help Your Career
“The initial spark of my interest in Japan dates to my high school days. At that time, I used to play Japanese video games and read manga with my friends, which made me curious about Japanese culture.” Read more: How a Homestay in Japan and Passion for Technology Shaped My Career Ambitions
Incorporating your existing interest in video games can help you learn Japanese! Yes, you can have fun while getting closer to your career goals! Here are some tips from students who succeeded thanks in part to Japanese video games:
- Mimic The Japanese Voice Actors in a Game
- “Mimicking the characters’ lines in Yakuza: Like A Dragon helped me internalize vocabulary and sentence patterns. Since many lines are repeated throughout the game, it became easier to remember and understand new words. Thanks to that experience, I developed strong listening skills and could comprehend N4-level Japanese even before I started studying in a structured way.” Read More: “Yakuza: Like A Dragon” To Job In Japan: My Story As A Gamer
- Be Inspired By The Japanese Video Game Industry
- “My love for Japanese games also fed my fondness for gaming and software development, later leading me to major in computer science at my university. Game development, mobile app development, and VR’s various aspects intrigue and excite me. Finding out that Japan puts a priority on developing programming and software engineering skills and that they are keen to hire foreigners, made it easy for me to connect the dots. Working in Japan would allow me to grow in the industry I am most passionate about.” Read More: Love for Japanese Culture Propelled Indonesian’s Japan Career
- Make Japanese Learning A Part Of Your Daily Life Through Games
- “To learn better, I made Japanese part of my daily life. Since I love playing video games, I switched the language settings to Japanese, which expanded my vocabulary and exposed me to natural expressions.” Read More: My Japanese Company Interview Experience As A Foreign Worker
- Watch Japanese Streamers Play Video Games In Your Down Time
- “…I listened to live streams of my favorite games. By watching videos of Japanese people playing games live, I gradually learned Japanese words. Find a method that suits your interests and is easy to continue.” Read More: Language Learning Launched This Passionate Burmese Engineer’s Career in Japan
- Find a Learning Style That Fits Your Interests
- “When learning a language, I try different methods, like playing games or watching YouTube videos. I believe it’s more efficient to study in a way that aligns with your personal interests. If you want to enjoy learning Japanese more, I recommend trying a variety of methods.” Read More: How Online Japanese Classes Helped a Thai Engineer Secure a Career in Japan
