![Visionista [JAC Specified Skills Introduction Case Studies: Visionista]](/common/img/logo_visionista_w.svg){kind=logo}
![Visionista [JAC Specified Skills Introduction Case Studies: Visionista]](/common/img/logo_visionista_b.svg){kind=logo}
If you encourage each other and work hard
It will definitely work!
2023.02.01
Working abroad is a major challenge in life. What experiences have Specified Skilled Worker gone through to get to where they are today? What dreams do they have for the future? We introduce the careers of these challengers.
NicknameSatoshi(30 years old)
Specified Skills start date: March 3, 2021
Length of stay: 8th year
Origin: Myanmar
I decided to go to Japan because I wanted to become independent as soon as possible.
My family owns a clothing store, and I helped out with things like operating the cash register and minding the shop since I was a child. However, instead of taking over the business, as I grew older, I wanted to become independent as soon as possible, so I decided to work in Japan.
Over 30 people were interviewed, and I was one of only three successful candidates to come to Japan.
Confused by differences in values and language
The first thing that surprised me when I came to Japan was the strictness regarding time. For example, lunch breaks are strictly one hour. People in Myanmar aren't so particular about time, so they often go over without a second thought. It took me a while to get used to Japanese values. Another thing I struggled with was Japanese. I had studied a little before coming to Japan, but it was hardly enough to get by.
Days of encouraging each other in an unfamiliar life: 1
Everything about the job was new to me, and it was much harder than I imagined. For a month, I underwent training at the workshop to learn basic tasks, and Mr. Ito, the section chief, was very kind and helpful in teaching me. We, the first group of trainees, were being taught with absolutely no knowledge, so I think Mr. Ito must have had a hard time as well.
Days of encouraging each other in an unfamiliar life: 2
On site, we started with sanding. It required a lot of strength, and I remember being really sore from the muscle pain. It took about a year to get used to it, but I made sure not to forget what I had been taught, so I would take notes during work and review them repeatedly on the train to and from the site. When things didn't go well, I would encourage each other with the other first-year students who were living in the same dormitory.
We had our wedding in Myanmar.
The difficulty of the task has increased, so I approach it with a sense of tension.
I progressed from installing relatively simple vinyl wallpaper to handling more difficult fabric wallpaper. Fabric wallpaper is very expensive, requires careful handling as it must not get wet, and glue and stains are absolutely unacceptable. I approached the work with a greater sense of tension. However, there were times when I made mistakes and had to start over.
I obtained a Level 2 Paper hanging Certificed Skilled Worker!!
I want to continue learning even more advanced techniques in Japan, and I also want to earn more money for my family, so I obtained the national qualification of Level 2 Paper hanging Certificed Skilled Worker!
My goal is to obtain skills certifications and a driver's license!
I recently participated in my first cross-stitching competition. Unfortunately, I didn't win an award, but it was a very valuable experience. Now, in addition to obtaining my Level 1 Paper hanging Certificed Skilled Worker qualification, my ultimate goal is to also obtain Level 1 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test and a regular driver's license!
A message from senior employee Ito
I had no experience teaching anyone, not even Japanese people, let alone foreigners, so accepting students was a trial-and-error process. That's why I feel like I've grown together with Satoshi and the other first-generation students. Since we couldn't communicate verbally, we had an interpreter come and I taught them little by little, using gestures and body language. I think Satoshi learned the difficult tasks very well. I'm impressed that his current abilities are a result of his diligent efforts.
SOE KHANT MAW
Interviewed on October 24, 2022
The article on this page was written by Tingy Pyo of TNK Cooperative.
I am creating this with the help of an interpreter.
