Working holiday in New Zealand

I had career counseling with a Japanese agent and discussed my previous experiences and future career plans. So far, I have been considering whether to pursue a career in the Information Technology field or the educational field. During the counseling, he said to me, "It is possible to explore both options based on your previous careers. However, if you wish to pursue a career in IT, you would need to take action by next February. This is because you will soon turn 30, and most IT companies in Japan prefer hiring younger candidates." I truly appreciated his explanation of the current situation in Japan. I will take time to think about my next steps while working here in New Zealand.

I succeeded in giving my final speech at this school. I was able to say everything I wanted to express. My personality has remained unchanged since I stayed in Japan, but my attitude and motivation when trying something new have dramatically changed, thanks to all my experiences, such as distributing my CV to so many shops and negotiating with the owners, giving business-related presentations in front of many students, and writing in my diary without missing a single day. Starting next week, I will begin working. I cannot predict how the work will be at the moment, but I will do my best anyway. These are some of the gifts my friends gave me. I really appreciate their kindness.

Nothing Left Behind at School! I did everything I could at this school. This challenge has been the biggest investment in myself in my life. Over these four months, I’ve truly felt the meaning of the phrase,  "Nothing happens if I don’t do anything."  It’s a simple idea, but consistently taking action is incredibly difficult. To be honest, I often struggled to maintain my motivation for studying English and looking for a job. There were times when I seriously considered going back to Japan right after graduating from school because so many things felt out of my control. However, I can confidently say,  "Nothing was a waste of time." If I had come here when I was a student, I might have had more options for my career earlier. But now, I believe I can see things from a broader perspective, thanks to the experiences I’ve gained through my previous jobs. Moreover, I wouldn’t have met such reliable friends if I had come here earlier. So, I feel my decision and timing wer...

I will start working as a customer service staff member at a car parts retail shop next Monday.  Previously, I worked in a similar role at a pharmacy when I was a university student. However, the type of merchandise is quite different from that of a pharmacy, so I cannot fully imagine how I will perform in this new workplace yet. Still, I am confident that trying something new will make me tougher than ever before. My previous colleagues often asked me, "How can you keep trying something new?" or "Aren't you afraid of being embarrassed?" My answer was always the same: "I dislike being laughed at or insulted when I make a mistake, but those moments only last a few seconds. I know I can gain more benefits and knowledge from such experiences."

Have you ever met a person you can truly trust and respect? I want to introduce someone I respect greatly in Japan. When I was a university student, I worked as a customer service staff member at a pharmacy for almost four years. My responsibilities included operating a cash register, replenishing items, and taking care of customers. At the beginning of my time there, one permanent staff often trained me. He frequently advised me to take detailed notes, always consider time limitations, and speak as concisely as possible. At that time, I was not very mature, so I did not take his advice seriously. However, after graduating from university, I have come to realize how important his advice was. These three skills are essential for any kind of job, especially in human-life-related fields, such as developing investigational new drugs, which I have experienced before. If I had not met him, I would not have reflected so deeply on my attitude toward work. For that reason, I truly appreciate hi...

Early this morning, New Zealand time, a test match between a Japanese team, known as the Brave Blossoms, and England was held at Twickenham Stadium in England. This stadium, the largest in England, is reserved only for important games. I was very happy because it felt like a sign of respect for Japanese rugby. Japan scored just 14 points, while England scored 59 points, so the result was not what I had hoped for. However, I will continue to cheer for the Japanese National Team because I understand that building a strong and mature team takes time, and they have been doing their best to overcome their current challenges through daily training. If I became a professional player like them now, I don't think I would be able to bear this situation. How about you? I think most people would answer the same way. We still have three years left to prepare for the next Rugby World Cup in Australia. England vs Japan: Autumn Nations Series - LIVE! Nine tries for England in dominant win to round...

I went to Queen Street in the CBD to watch the Farmers Santa Parade. I found it challenging to secure a spot because so many people were trying to get as close as possible. Some people were watching the parade from balconies or terraces of nearby restaurants and buildings. Regardless, I experienced a summer Christmas for the first time in my life. After the parade, I had ice cream at Island Gelato Co. near the CBD Ferry Terminal with friends from Chile, Ecuador, and France. We talked about strange food each of us had eaten before. At the beginning of my working holiday, I couldn’t have imagined spending holidays with friends from other countries because I tend to be introverted. Due to the recently fluctuating weather, we all need to take care of our health to avoid getting sick.

I am fortunate to have gotten a job here, so I will stay for a while. I will start working right after graduating from language school. Although I was able to move up to the highest class, I understand that there is a big gap between studying in a classroom and working in a real job. My confidence had gradually been chipped away until last week because the person who will train me has extensive experience studying abroad. However, I have recently been able to think, "This experience will definitely be valuable for my future." I am not sure what level my English skills have reached, but I know I must take on the challenge anyway. The most important things are simple: not showing off my previous career, accepting my mistakes gracefully, and letting go of my pride. My attitude toward everything is what matters most. I also plan to celebrate even small achievements to maintain both my mental and physical well-being. No effort will be wasted.

I have just one week left at language school. At the beginning of my working holiday, I faced various pressures, such as, "Can I really adapt to a new environment?" and "Can my wife manage to stay alone in Japan?" I consider myself an adventurous and decisive person, but I’ve often been bothered by imagined threats that haven’t even happened. However, I can now confidently say, "My decision was absolutely correct." Yesterday, I visited a Japanese matcha café with classmates from Chile, Ecuador, Brazil, and Japan. We had a deep conversation about cultural differences and perspectives. For example, I learned why South American people often prioritize their families over their friends or partners. Many of their countries have areas where safety is a significant concern, and their parents must take great care of their children. This naturally creates a close bond between parents and children. In contrast, in Japan, we generally enjoy a safer environment, so th...

We are sometimes required to make important decisions about our careers and private matters. There is one crucial point to keep in mind: we should hold off on making any decisions when we are exhausted. In other words, we should wait until we recover from that state. If our brain is unclear, the chances of making poor decisions increase. Instead, we should approach such decisions while being rational and carefully aligned with our own ideas. Taking time to lie down on a bed, listen to music, or engaging in other relaxing activities is perfectly fine. Relieving our brain from stress factors is the first task.

"Time management skills are essential for work." This phrase is often said to new employees all over the world. But what exactly is time management? It means completing each task on time and in the correct order of priority. For example, we may need to put together a report in the workplace. How can we avoid rushing around at the last minute before the deadline? The solution is simple: avoid wrestling with the same problems repeatedly and staying behind in the office for long hours. Ideally, we should aim to resolve all issues on our own, but in reality, this is not always possible. That’s why we need to be flexible rather than rigid with ourselves and not hesitate to ask others for help.

Many people struggle to get used to a new environment, such as studying or working abroad. I think there are two tips for overcoming this challenge: Not being picky about anything. This means continuing to take action without immediately judging whether something is better or worse. For example, many international students feel bothered about making new friends during their first few weeks in a foreign country. Joining after-school activities, participating in volunteer work—anything is OK! By visiting various places and communities, we can gradually make reliable friends, even without an extensive English vocabulary.   Being curious about something. This means having a keen interest in others, including their language and culture. Actively listening to others' thoughts and beliefs, such as their religions, is crucial. Simply adhering to what teachers or school counselors suggest is not enough. Greeting others proactively and carefully listening to their opinions can help us g...

The highest-level class started today. First of all, I noticed that the skills required in this class are substantially distinct from those in the previous classes I have attended so far. In the earlier classes, teachers often helped students a lot by guiding them in what to say. However, in this class, they expect students to answer without deviating from the intent of the questions and to respond with complete sentences rather than just a few phrases. I only have two weeks left at this school, but I am happy to take such a high-level class because it pushes me to speak concisely and make my points clear. Although it feels a little challenging at the moment, I believe it will be meaningful in the long run.

A lot of things happened just this week. My application for a working holiday visa was approved, I finally got a job, and I will be moving up to the highest class next week. Maybe this is a sign that I have certainly made progress on my pathway. Although I am happy, I need to overcome my next challenges to keep stepping up. Correctly understanding native speakers when they talk. Having a wide range of vocabulary choices for each situation. I have gradually gotten used to having casual conversations with my flatmate and my teachers at language school. However, this is not the same as a working situation. I need to use appropriate vocabulary smoothly in each context. To achieve this, I plan to learn more business-related words and phrases and listen to real conversations by native speakers on YouTube.

I went to Academy Cinemas, located under the Auckland Council Libraries, and watched  It's a Summer Film!  Various Japanese movies have been shown there as part of the JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL, running from the 14th to the 17th of November. I found out about the festival when I visited the Consulate-General of Japan in Auckland for an errand and received this information from their office. Watching the movie brought back memories of my youth.

A surprising thing happened today! I found out that I'll be moving up to the highest class next week. Honestly, I'm not sure why, as I haven't really felt my English skills improving, and I've been struggling to keep up with my studies lately. But I'm happy to get this chance to try something new!

Today, I went to The Shakespeare Restaurant & Brewery with my Japanese friends. Many people might say that talking a lot with Japanese friends isn’t meaningful, but I don’t think so. Sometimes, communicating with people of the same nationality gives me the opportunity to deeply rethink my future plans, challenges, and struggles here in New Zealand. One friend I spoke with said, 'I want to help others as much as possible because I want people who keep trying new things to be happy.' I didn’t expect to meet such a compassionate person here. Today was a great occasion to reflect on my behavior and thoughts.

Today, I finally got a job in customer service! It has taken three and a half months since I started looking. This has been a challenging time, but I feel relieved from the stress now. However, I have to remember that this is just the starting point, not the goal. I will focus on my work after graduating from language school and keep moving forward. Number of applications: 238 Number of interviews: 8 Number of trials (Just restaurants are applicable) : 1 Number of jobs offered: 1

I finally obtained my working holiday visa, two months after applying. I've felt stressed lately because I hadn’t received any reply from the immigration office for a long time. Additionally, last week, they asked me to resubmit a document similar to one they had requested a month before. I didn’t realize how challenging it would be to communicate with a local government office. Although many frustrating things have happened, I feel relieved now that I have my visa. I will keep looking for a job.

Today, I had a job interview for a customer service officer position. I spoke with the manager about my reasons for being interested in the shop and my future plans, so I can confidently say I did everything I could. Now, I am just waiting for a reply from him. Additionally, my current job search situation is as follows: Number of applications: 232 Number of interviews: 8 Number of trials: 1 Number of jobs offered: 0

I went hiking with my Chilean friends. I was able to relax thanks to the peaceful nature and the calm mood they created. I often couldn't understand them speaking in Spanish, but it didn’t matter. Just sharing time with my funny friends gave me a chance to relieve stress. Overall, it was a great day!

This morning, I had brunch with a friend I happened to meet at Holy Trinity Cathedral last month. I originally went there just to relax without any particular purpose or intention, as I was feeling tired and dealing with some concerns. We hadn’t exchanged contact information at that time, but a few weeks later, we ran into each other at the bus stop in front of Britomart Station and exchanged phone numbers. This was the start of our communication. If I did the same thing in Japan, people might find it unusual. Many Japanese people aren’t accustomed to sharing personal information with those outside their close circles. I don’t want to criticize Japanese customs, as managing personal information carefully is also important. I just realized that the culture here is interesting.

I'll write down the meals I often cook with my flatmate in New Zealand. Of course, I cook other meals as well, but most of them are based on the ones listed below. Bolognese 1. Boil water and add salt to it in a pot. 2. Once the water is boiling, add the pasta and cook until al dente. 3. Chop or dice an onion. 4. Pour some oil into a frying pan and let it heat for a few minutes until hot. 5. Add the chopped onion to the frying pan and sauté until it turns golden brown. 6. Add minced meat to the frying pan and cook together with the onion until browned. 7. Season the minced meat and onion mixture with herbs. 8. Add ketchup to the frying pan and mix well. 9. Combine the cooked pasta with the sauce, stirring until evenly mixed.   Beef Steak 1. Wash the lamb beef and pat it dry. 2. Sprinkle salt on the beef meat and let it sit for 1 hour. 3. Cook it in a frying pan until it turns dark brown.   Pizza 1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius. 2. Chop or dice an onio...

This week’s classes have been very fun and meaningful. Common points between the morning and afternoon teachers are as follows: They incorporate funny episodes they have experienced into their explanations of vocabulary and grammar. They manage time well. They always foster interactive communication, rather than just one-way teaching. I really enjoy the current environment and am absorbing a lot of knowledge. However, this week’s morning teacher is temporarily replacing the original one, who has been on holiday. The original teacher will return next week. Honestly, I would love to keep the current arrangement.   I’ve come to understand again that effective speaking and teaching skills are very important.

Honestly, I have felt frustrated and exhausted over the past month, as there has been no progress with my working holiday visa application. The New Zealand Immigration Office lost my email and the information they requested, which has delayed the process. Although I understand that I need to adapt to unexpected situations, I have struggled to stay in control, especially since this delay has clearly affected my job search. This week has been the hardest since I moved here. Of course, I contacted the Immigration Office by phone several times, but each time, the contact person simply says, 'I don’t know how long it will take for your working holiday visa to be granted because we are not in charge of the process.' I am eager to work with people from other countries, but I feel helpless because there is nothing more I can do.

I cook meals with my flatmate every day, though I usually just follow his instructions. Today, I made pizza with pineapple, bacon, and onions. The combination of salty and sweet flavors tastes great, and I really like this dish.

The Immigration Office asked me to submit the same document they requested a month ago. I completed that in a timely manner, but it seems they may have lost the information I sent. So, they contacted me again. I managed to explain my current situation to them over the phone with the support of my flatmate, who is a New Zealander. I feel frustrated because the delay has already affected my job search.

Today, I joined the Auckland Marathon and ran a total of 21.5 km, completing a half-marathon. This was my first time attempting a marathon in my life. The hardest part was going over the Harbor Bridge, where strong winds and the steep slope made it difficult to keep the same pace I had during the first 10 km. I wanted to walk many times, but I managed to keep running until the finish line. Although I felt very tired, I enjoyed every moment.

I saw the Eastern Rosella, New Zealand's most colorful bird. I first spotted it by chance in Mt. Eden last week but missed the opportunity to take a photo. So, I was really happy to run into it again. This encounter feels like a good sign! Even just walking around my neighborhood, I can find unexpected, joyful moments. I had a lovely holiday.

Today, I participated in a running activity in Auckland CBD to train my legs and build up my respiratory strength, as I’ll be joining the Auckland Marathon this Sunday. Up until yesterday morning, I was unsure about attempting the marathon, but I decided to go for it—this might be my first and last chance to cross the iconic Harbor Bridge, one of Auckland’s most famous landmarks. I’ve already completed check-in at the designated venue, so on race day, I’ll just need to head to the starting point.