kanji koohii FORUM
Choosing Abroad Program and Major - Printable Version

+- kanji koohii FORUM (http://forum.koohii.com)
+-- Forum: Learning Japanese (http://forum.koohii.com/forum-4.html)
+--- Forum: JLPT, Jobs & College in Japan (http://forum.koohii.com/forum-12.html)
+--- Thread: Choosing Abroad Program and Major (/thread-8307.html)

Choosing Abroad Program and Major - Tolerence91 - 2011-08-26

I am going t be getting into the process of looking for a good abroad program and deciding my major and was hoping for some advice

I might go with a major in Linguistics and a minor in Asian Studies since all I wanna do is become an interpreter and get into JET after college and these 2 show a focus in language atleast. Since there isnt really an interpreting major at my university I would think Linguistics might be a good major for someone applying to JET (wanting to teach language) and a platform for interpretation sometime after.

My school gave me a big list of abroad program brochures and books but I would imagine you guys might know more, or have experience with those programs. Im looking for a cheap way to Japan but I dont want to compromise a better experience by just sticking with one thats cheaper. Im open to any possibilities there are. My GPA is about a 3.5 or higher and any help would be appreciated.

also whats better, staying at a college dorm there or with a family in your opinion? Im curious on everone's thoughts. please share your experience with me

Choosing Abroad Program and Major - bluemarigolds - 2011-08-26

Do a homestay. It's built-in conversation practice. The families are usually used every year by the abroad program, so they're used to dealing with foreigners and sharing the Japanese experience with you. Yes it means you shouldn't come home at all hours of the night, but you're there to study and learn, not party every night.

If you're only interested in teaching, why not major in TESL, TESOL or TEFL or education? A degree like that might make you marketable to a Japanese Uni, which would be a long term stay abroad...as opposed to the 3 years you can get off of JET. I'm not well-versed in those sorts of things, but being a good translator means that you've got a good handle not only on the foreign language, but on your native one as well.

Are you talking about summer programs? I had friends do really well at ICU and Princeton in Ishikawa. Does your University have any Japanese universities or consortium schools it's associated with? KCJS takes students from non-consortium schools (I think you have to apply through Columbia). I'm not sure about AKP. I think Stanford also runs a consortium school.

Go for a full year. Or more if you can (spend the summer). A semester is just not enough.

Does this help?

Choosing Abroad Program and Major - Tolerence91 - 2011-08-26

I was considering Education for teaching but as for interpreting I was planning to get interpreting experience when I get there so I think that route might make sense.

My school has no japanese school its associated with so I have to find a program myself.
A dorm feels better because Id get to be around people my own age but I dont know. Just being in Japan would be enough for my studies. all I do is read manga in my classes in japanese anyway lol.

Im definitely planning on the year stay though
also what are the other ones?

Choosing Abroad Program and Major - mutley - 2011-08-27

There are already a few other good threads on this forum about people interested in getting into interpreting/translating and what they should study at university.

From my own background of being on JET and then looking to get into translating, here are a few things you might want to consider.

Firstly if you want to get experience translating/interpreting it's much better to apply to JET as a CIR than as a teacher. For this you would probably need Japanese around JLPT level 1 or 2.

The JET selection process can be pretty hard to predict. Often people with great Japanese and teaching experience get rejected. Don't pick your courses in order to get onto JET. It is possible to get onto JET whatever courses you take as long as you interview well.

Interpreting (as opposed to translating) is very difficult to get into as a full-time job, especially for people that haven't grown up speaking both languages. Do you think you can get to that level? It may be a very long-term goal with several other jobs before you get there.

Translating (sometimes with a bit of interpreting as part of the job) seems 'easier' to get into. It's important to think about what you want to translate though. People who can translate technical scientific/computing/economic are much more in demand. This may have an effect on what courses you want to study.

Choosing Abroad Program and Major - pudding cat - 2011-08-27

I'm about to start an MA in Translating & Interpreting so I hope I can give some useful advice! I did BSc Physics (3 years) and took a year out between my second and third year to do a Japanese language exchange programme. Next I did JET for a year as an ALT, took JLPT N2 and when I came back I lived at home for a year (thank you kind parents) whilst applying for translating/interpreting post-graduate courses. I got accepted onto all the ones I applied for so not having a language degree wasn't a disadvantage for me.

I think if you really want to get into interpreting and you can't major in it, it may be a good idea to look into postgraduate courses and see what kind of entry requirements they have. Whilst linguistics shows an interest in languages you should look into how helpful it will actually be with interpreting. It's a good idea to study something that's not language-related that you could specialise in as a translator/interpreter.

Choosing Abroad Program and Major - fakewookie - 2011-08-27

I'll also chime in and say that I got accepted into JET with a Computer Science degree and no teaching qualifications.

Choosing Abroad Program and Major - Tolerence91 - 2011-08-27

Thanks for the replies guys. Does this mean I should pursue something like Western Philosophy? I like philosophy but its not a degree I think a lot of people that get it expect to help them get a job after college. Maybe it'll help me get a job in Japan teaching it. I'll continue looking at linguistics to see how much it may help in becoming an interpreter but I'm still mildly confused at what makes the most sense to go after at this point.

How important is the paper for JET? should it be a masterpiece? I think JET is my main concern right now. Im looking into the CIR position right now. I wonder if those positions are easier to get into since Id imagine less people would apply for it.

Choosing Abroad Program and Major - pudding cat - 2011-08-27

Tolerence91 Wrote:Does this mean I should pursue something like Western Philosophy? I like philosophy but it's not a degree I think a lot of people that get it expect to help them get a job after college. Maybe it'll help me get a job in Japan teaching it.
Are you talking about teaching on JET? If so I don't really think Western Philosophy would be of great benefit. Or are you talking about teaching Western Philosophy in Japan at a university or something? That's a pretty long-term plan and I'm not sure how that fits in with wanting to be an interpreter.

Tolerence91 Wrote:I'm looking into the CIR position right now. I wonder if those positions are easier to get into since I'd imagine less people would apply for it.
Less people will apply but there are also far less CIR places than JET places so it may not make much difference.

Choosing Abroad Program and Major - mutley - 2011-08-27

My impression is that if you're eventually looking for interpreting/translation work the following factors might be important in deciding whether or not you get a job.

1.) Japanese ability (obvious really, though not necessarily the most important factor)

2.) The ability to write and speak English clearly in range of styles.

3.) Knowledge of the subject matter you will be translating/interpreting

4.) Experience and ability in translation/interpretation

Think about how your degree choice will help with each of these factors, and how you will make up for other the factors not covered by your degree e.g. by self-study or work experience.

I don't think you should focus too much on JET.
There are fewer people applying for the CIR positions, but then there are also a lot fewer places available. This means that your chances of being accepted will depend a lot more on the other applicants for that particular year. For example there may be 10 CIR applicants fighting for just 1 or 2 places compared to 1000 ALT applicants going for 100-200 places.

Choosing Abroad Program and Major - Tolerence91 - 2011-08-27

You said it may help to specialize in something. If JET doesnt care what your major is, it may open a different teaching door at university or give me philosophy things to translate as everyone was was getting at in specializing in a field to translate.

I want to get to Japan with a teaching job or CIR if possible then steadily get into interpretation. If the major isnt too important with JET then maybe a preferred major should help me to continue teaching with something thats interesting to teach if I leave JET and want to continue teaching or something along those lines.

theres always so many variables that its confusing.

Choosing Abroad Program and Major - Omoishinji - 2011-08-27

Tolerence91 Wrote:Thanks for the replies guys. Does this mean I should pursue something like Western Philosophy? I like philosophy but its not a degree I think a lot of people that get it expect to help them get a job after college.
Choose the program that you will like the best, be successful at, and use for a professional career.

To get a teaching job is Japan. You need above average English skill. Well above average in the context of good grammar, clear speech, and flexibility. You can do English Conversation, JET, or ALT/AET. All are English teachers, but obtain their jobs differently.

My advice is to work on your Japanese language skills, and learn a job skill that would be useful in Japan. Then find a job different than Teaching.

However, if you don't know how long you want to staying Japan. Teaching is a good short term route. I have met many English Teachers who have taught for 10 years in Japan.

I agree with mutley don't focus too much on JET.

Work hard in school and your Japanese skill, and find a better way to come to Japan than as an English teacher.

Choosing Abroad Program and Major - pudding cat - 2011-08-27

Tolerence91 Wrote:You said it may help to specialize in something. If JET doesnt care what your major is, it may open a different teaching door at university or give me philosophy things to translate as everyone was was getting at in specializing in a field to translate.
If you want to translate philosophy it sounds like something you may have to do as research at a university so you'll need to take an academic route. Going on the JET programme won't give you any particular advantage in that respect. No one will give you a teaching post because you went on JET, you need to work your way up through a university.

Tolerence91 Wrote:I want to get to Japan with a teaching job or CIR if possible then steadily get into interpretation. If the major isn't too important with JET then maybe a preferred major should help me to continue teaching with something that's interesting to teach if I leave JET and want to continue teaching or something along those lines.

There are always so many variables that it's confusing.
Your post is slightly confusing, I don't know if you
1) want to focus on translating/interpreting as a career
2) it's something you want to do on the side whilst teaching
3) you just want to teach in Japan.

If you want to teach anything other than English in Japan, don't bother with JET. Become a teacher in whatever it is you want and then try and get a job at a Japanese university.

Choosing Abroad Program and Major - Tolerence91 - 2011-08-27

Yeah youre right it is confusing. I apologize. what I wanted was to pursue interpreting on the side while teaching english in japan. My main goal is to interpret but getting a teaching position is a easier way to get to Japan until then so I'm trying to figure out the safest route to doing that.

Choosing Abroad Program and Major - Gingerninja - 2011-08-27

pudding cat Wrote:I'm about to start an MA in Translating & Interpreting so I hope I can give some useful advice! I did BSc Physics (3 years) and took a year out between my second and third year to do a Japanese language exchange programme. Next I did JET for a year as an ALT, took JLPT N2 and when I came back I lived at home for a year (thank you kind parents) whilst applying for translating/interpreting post-graduate courses. I got accepted onto all the ones I applied for so not having a language degree wasn't a disadvantage for me.

I think if you really want to get into interpreting and you can't major in it, it may be a good idea to look into postgraduate courses and see what kind of entry requirements they have. Whilst linguistics shows an interest in languages you should look into how helpful it will actually be with interpreting. It's a good idea to study something that's not language-related that you could specialise in as a translator/interpreter.
What uni you doing your MA? I'm looking into doing something similar once I'm done my BA this year. (was thinking of a year out to save some money up to actually afford to do it first.. and improve my Japanese further, right now i'd be laughed out of the application process.

Choosing Abroad Program and Major - Jarvik7 - 2011-08-27

Think of interpretation as a very longterm goal - something you do after doing translation or working bilingually for a decade or two. I've never met a young (professional) interpreter.

Choosing Abroad Program and Major - Omoishinji - 2011-08-27

Tolerence91 Wrote:Yeah youre right it is confusing. I apologize. what I wanted was to pursue interpreting on the side while teaching english in japan. My main goal is to interpret but getting a teaching position is a easier way to get to Japan until then so I'm trying to figure out the safest route to doing that.
Interpreting and Translation are as different as public speaking and writing. There are professional programs for both, and there are Master programs for both. Teaching English in Japan is good way to go, but a professional degree is helpful. Try to find some books on both. From your ambition, you seem that you will be successful.

Here is a quote that I found.
Quote:"Interpreting takes patience, dedication, professionalism and the conscious ability to remain neutral. You must have a passion for helping others, facilitating communication, and be motivated to learn and grow".


Choosing Abroad Program and Major - mutley - 2011-08-28

The degrees that will help you get translation jobs are things like sciences, economics, computing, engineering etc. This is because there are lots of companies out there making money out of these sorts of things. There are very few companies wanting people to translate philosophy essays or books.

If you have an interest in one of these areas and think that you could study Japanese by using your own time, and maybe doing an exchange year abroad, then that is probably the best option.

If you don't have an interest in these sorts of subjects then don't force yourself to study them as you'll end up quiting or getting bad grades. There seem to be plenty of people who come to Japan, say as a CIR, having studied Japanese/Asian Studies/Philosophy at university and then eventually switch into a full translation/interpreting job. Often these jobs will still be in the industries I listed at the start though, where they may be competing against other people with a degree background in that area.

As Jarvik said interpretation is a very long-term goal. I've never met anyone who did interpreting on the side while teaching English on JET (if they could get work interpreting why would they bother with JET?).

Choosing Abroad Program and Major - pudding cat - 2011-08-28

Gingerninja Wrote:What uni you doing your MA? I'm looking into doing something similar once I'm done my BA this year. (was thinking of a year out to save some money up to actually afford to do it first.. and improve my Japanese further, right now i'd be laughed out of the application process.
I'm doing it at Bath. Ignore the bit where it says interviews take place in Japan, it's because the majority of people on the course are Japanese; in my year it will be 17/20. UK interviews can take place in London or Bath.

Choosing Abroad Program and Major - mutley - 2011-08-29

Looks like an interesting course pudding cat, you'll have to let us know how it goes.

Looking back, one of the most important things about university is not just what and how much you study, but also what you do with your time outside of that. I had a great time at university and managed to do a lot of sports, travel etc. but I also wish I'd done more to improve my job skills while I was at it.
Things like study abroad, work experience/internships during holidays, getting involved in events relating to your course etc. not only give you new skills but help you make contacts you can use in the future.

Choosing Abroad Program and Major - Tolerence91 - 2011-08-29

@Omoishinji thanks for the awesome quote!
@mutley My problem is im not sure what to major in that may relate somewhat to Japanese. Id love to do internships but have little interest in engineering, business etc. If I major in English maybe. Im looking into seeing if my school has a japanese/asian club or something tomorrow

I tried a linguistics class today and ended up switching it for an Asian art class. Those courses can be a little heavy for someone not sure if majoring in it is for him