There's always good and bad

I came over in April of 2012. The recruiting process was pretty simple. A couple of applications, a couple of interviews, a trip down to the embassy for the visa paperwork. Nothing too extreme and the company was actually very helpful throughout the visa process. I did get bounced around a bit as far as placement. The first one didn't work out or something so I got shifted before I came over. The transition was seamless in the sense that all that changed was a place and its name.

When I got here, the support was pretty good. I asked to move into my apartment before training so I could drop my luggage off and retool for training and they accomodated my request. The training was good, and I learned a lot from it. The support was pretty decent too, with an IC to help get settled in. The car was also a blessing, though mixed once you realize that it's costing you about ¥30000 a month and the company's allowance is maybe ¥15000.

I'm still in the same place. I like my schools and my city so I don't feel like moving. That said there are some issues with the program. Primarily, the system is designed as a revolving door, such that you tend to feel undervalued if you stay on. A lot of the support that you get fades after you renew. Want to move out of the Interac steered apartment? They won't co-sign unless it's another leopalace, which are expensive. Want to get your own car to save money? They won't do a thing to help you, and you have to file all the paperwork with them and get insurance to their spec.That seemingly small NHS and pension payment you had in your first year when you had no taxation base will grow, but your pay won't and even if you're on campus and working longer than 30 hours a week, your contract and pay are based on 29.5 so they don't have to pay the half that they would if you were 30+.