The Rise of Japanese Culture in Myanmar Pulled Me In
Recently, there’s been a surge in Japanese companies based in Myanmar. This has led to more locals getting exposed to Japanese culture through their music, language learning, and other facets of the culture. My cousin was one of those pulled in. She then influenced me when she taught me hiragana and katakana. I took this interest further when I enrolled in the Department of Japanese Language at Yangon University of Foreign Languages. There, I spent every day studying Japanese language and culture. I was really hoping to eventually study abroad in Japan, too.
At the Yangon University of Foreign Languages, my teacher, who was also from Myanmar, helped me understand Japanese grammar from a Myanmar perspective. They explained both the overlaps and differences between my Burmese native tongue and the Japanese language.
Improving My Japanese With Ten Months of Study Abroad Experience at Osaka University, Japan
Despite some hiccups, including a two-year suspension of my university studies due to the new coronavirus, in 2021, I was finally able to fulfill my long-awaited dream of studying abroad in Japan.
I got to study at Osaka University for 10 months, through two semesters. During that time, I got to do a lot of things. There were classes, trips, club activities, and a part-time job at a sushi restaurant. I even got to solo travel to Kyoto, Mie, Kagoshima, and Fukuoka, and watched kabuki and sumo wrestling. I also made a lot of very good Japanese friends. Some friends I met through Osaka University Burmese language events and classes I attended.
Practicing what I’ve learned through interacting with the Japanese locals daily and in all sorts of scenarios improved my Japanese conversation skills greatly. More than my language skills, living, working, and studying in Japan gave me valuable insights into life in Japan. I also learned about Japanese religion, proverbs, culture, and more.
Stereotype Debunked: Working Part-Time at a Sushi Restaurant
Luckily, while studying abroad in Japan, I could also work part time. My time working for a sushi restaurant turned out to be the highlight of my time in Japan. Through this experience, my apprehension about working in Japan diminished. Everyone at the sushi restaurant was Japanese, except for me and one other co-worker. Although there was a language barrier, they were kind enough to help me when I didn’t understand a certain task and were very attentive.
Before that part-time job, I had an image of Japanese work culture as strict and scary. My experience broke that stereotype and inspired my desire to work in Japan after graduating!
FAST OFFER International Gave Me the Ticket to My Dream Job in Japan
When I returned to Myanmar after completing my study abroad program in Japan, I began researching on the internet about how to find a job in Japan. Considering that I majored in Japanese language, I initially looked for a job as a translator or a position that used my language skills, but I was unable to find a good job. Thankfully, during my troubles finding a job, FAST OFFER International went to Yangon University of Foreign Languages!
After FAST OFFER came to my university, I immediately enrolled in their program. After interviewing with the FAST OFFER staff, they flew me to Japan last August 2024 to interview with four Japanese companies who shortlisted my resume! FAST OFFER International gave me the opportunity to learn about companies that were engaged in a variety of businesses, different from the type of work I had been looking for.
How I Landed My Job in Japan
I practiced multiple times with my FAST OFFER mentor in preparation for the interviews. They were well-versed in the interview styles of Japanese companies. They got to advise me on how to answer questions effectively, what types of questions to expect, how much I should know about the company beforehand, and so on. We also had mock interviews so I could get used to the interview style of Japanese companies.
I was nervous during the actual interview. To my surprise, the interviewers were friendlier than I expected. That helped me relax when communicating with them. I was able to successfully win a job offer from the company of my first choice! Now, I’m set to work as a humanities employee at a company that provides financial services throughout Japan.
Foreigners Who Want to Work in Japan: Sign up With FAST OFFER International
I’m sure others who’ve experiencing studying abroad in Japan also feel the same way: they want more of Japan! To foreigner itching to working in Japan, I highly recommend signing up with FAST OFFER International. They provide extensive support: from introducing you to Japanese companies, training you for the Japanese interviews, flying you to Japan for interviews, and even giving you moral support. Even now, I am actively recommending FAST OFFER International to my juniors at my university. I’m just one success story of many from Myanmar!
The Life Ahead of Me in Japan
Studying abroad in Japan means I know most of what I’m going into, but there’s still a lot that will be new to me. I am a little nervous because this is my first time working as an adult, so I am trying to prepare well for my life in Japan.
The company I am working for is related to finance, so I am looking forward to learning new knowledge through training after joining the company. I’m also working on my language skills which I may use at work. Aside from learning Japanese, I have also started studying Chinese and English. I am anticipating the day I reunite with friends and relatives in Japan. A friend from college has the same start date as me. Three of my relatives work in Japan, including my cousin who inspired me to learn Japanese! I am very excited to welcome this next chapter in my life, with old friends and new.
