| COUNTRY |
| India |
| EDUCATION |
| Master’s in Electronics and Telecommunication, University of Hertfordshire |
| COMPANY |
| A Japanese company that specializes in the development, manufacturing, and sales of fine glass, electronic components, and multilayer film filters by applying thin film technology. |
| SUMMARY |
| Growing up in India, a young boy formed a connection with a Japanese family in his neighborhood. Through casual conversations and friendly guidance, he learned the basics of the language, including Hiragana and Katakana. It’s an experience that sparked a lifelong interest in the Japanese language and culture. Though circumstances delayed his dream of living in Japan, he never let it fade. Years later, that dream is finally coming true as he prepares to begin a new chapter of his life in Japan. |
How A Japanese Neighbor Sparked My Dream
My journey towards my dream of living in Japan as an Indian started when I was a young boy living in Bangalore. I was neighbors with a Japanese family, and over time, we became good friends. Without even realizing it, I started picking up simple words and greetings like こんにちは (konnichiwa) and はじめまして (hajimemashite), which mean “hello” and “nice to meet you.” But it wasn’t just the language that drew me in. Through them, I got my first real glimpse into Japanese culture: the delicious food, their way of life, and culture. I was completely fascinated.
From that point on, I knew I wanted to experience Japan for myself. It wasn’t just a passing interest, but it became something I held onto for years. No matter what, I knew that someday, I had to find my way there.
From India to the United Kingdom
To chase my dream, I originally wanted to go to Japan as a university student. But at the time, it just wasn’t meant to be. Life had other plans, and due to a variety of circumstances, my path took a pivot, a few miles off course, and brought me to the United Kingdom instead.
Still, Japan was always at the back of my mind. The dream of living in Japan as an Indian never left me. Even while pursuing my Master’s in Electronics and Telecommunication at the University of Hertfordshire, I made space for that dream. I started studying Japanese formally alongside my main course load, determined to keep moving toward the goal I’d held onto for so long.
Back in India, I didn’t have access to many resources for learning Japanese. I had to rely on online materials, YouTube videos, and a few books. I only knew the basics (Hiragana and Katakana) and had a rough understanding of sentence structures and beginner grammar. But once I got to the UK, things changed. I finally had the chance to study the language in a structured, formal setting. That’s when everything really began to take shape— my understanding of kanji, grammar, and sentence patterns deepened.
My Top 2 Tips for Learning Japanese:
- One Topic a Day – Focus on just one new thing: one kanji, one grammar rule, or one phrase. Small steps add up!
- Stay Consistent – Even 10 minutes a day of studying Japanese makes a difference. The key is not how long, but how often.
Being a university student in a foreign country was anything but easy. Life was hectic and demanding. I had to juggle my studies, a part-time job, cooking, and laundry. But through it all, I held on to what had always inspired me: the discipline I had admired in the Japanese people, ever since those early days with my childhood neighbors.
Exploring LinkedIn Introduced Me To FAST OFFER International
After finishing my Master’s, I decided to apply for jobs at Japanese companies. I had a few friends in Japan, and one of them suggested I look into ASIA to Japan’s FAST OFFER International. I immediately applied to the program, and the interview process and meetings started.
Interview Experience with Japanese Companies
Initially, I was skeptical about FAST OFFER International and how they are offering free services, free interviews, and helping you land job offers. I thought it was too good to be true, and there may be a catch at the end. However, after meeting the team, all my doubts were cleared up. They explained everything and made the process of applying for a job in Japan easier.
The process was less daunting and more comfortable thanks to the guidance and support provided by FAST OFFER International mentors. This support became especially crucial when I encountered bumps along the way. For the first two job interviews I attended, I got turned down.
As a result, I was feeling very down about my confidence, but my mentors encouraged me a lot. They also helped me refine my interviews, presentations, and PowerPoint presentations. Eventually, all that hard work paid off, and I got a job offer! Finally, my dream of living in Japan as an Indian is within reach!
FAST OFFER CAREER GUIDE: What It’s Like Living In Japan As An Indian
Living and working in Japan is a dream for many of our successful candidates from India. But what is it like to live that dream? For some, it feels like stepping into their favorite anime shows; for others, it’s like starting a brand-new chapter in life. Here’s what FAST OFFER International candidates who secured job offers and are now living in Japan have to say about their experiences as Indians building a life abroad.
Felt Welcomed By Locals
For any expat, the worry of not being able to fit in is always there. Before starting his life in Japan, one engineer from India felt the same. But his worries quickly disappeared once he began working in Japan. Although he still ran into some language barriers, the locals he met helped him improve his Japanese by expanding his kanji vocabulary. “I found that regarding Japanese culture, the locals never think of me as someone foreign to them. They always considered me and gladly accepted me as one of them. With that in mind, I found a place in Japanese society where I could fit in and learn a lot from the locals. I would like everyone to experience the same thing as well,” he said.
Experiencing Work-Life Balance
One computer engineering graduate from Savitribai Phule Pune University shared that he was familiar with the stereotype that Japanese companies have rigorous work hours and responsibilities. However, in his experience, while Japanese people are serious about work, he still experienced a clear boundary between his professional and personal life.
“In truth, similar to the rest of the world, company culture greatly differs. Still, my experience with my company has been excellent. Perhaps partly because Japanese companies are globalizing and operating under tight government regulations that protect labor rights, my company was actively working against overworking,” he shared in his story about his first Golden Week in Japan — a week comprising of consecutive public holidays that make it a popular time for locals to unwind and travel.
Supported by the local Indian community in Japan
Some of our successful candidates shared how they felt supported by the local Indian community in Japan. One software engineer was ecstatic about meeting a fellow engineer from India during a visit to his future workplace in Japan. “He shared his experiences as an Indian working in Japan. Through him, I gained a deeper understanding of the company’s business and initiatives in India,” he said.
Another successful candidate feels excited about having a community while working in Japan. “I’m so thrilled that I even have friends who got an offer from the same company. We will not have to feel lonely or miserable when we start our jobs because we will surely help each other.” Indeed, the Indian community in Japan has been growing, with many FAST OFFER International success stories and talented professionals coming from India.
