Supporting International Students: Job Contents and How to Find Job Listings

Many international students come to study at Japanese universities and vocational schools. Among foreigners working in Japan, some might want to support students coming from their home countries.
This article introduces jobs that involve supporting international students.

What Does a Job Supporting International Students Involve?

Recently, Japanese schools have been accepting more international students. To ensure that foreign students can study without any issues in Japan, more schools are appointing staff to support and handle procedures for international students.
The main places recruiting for jobs supporting international students are universities, graduate schools, and vocational schools. Sometimes, Japanese language schools and high schools also recruit for these positions.

Preparing Documents for Accepting International Students

When schools accept international students, various documents need to be prepared, such as those for applying for residence status and other school forms. This involves drafting and helping students fill out these documents to ensure they can live in Japan without issues. In some schools, you might be tasked with creating example documents in English or the students' native languages.

Supporting School Life

To help international students adjust smoothly to school life, you might teach them how to register for classes and mediate between teachers and Japanese students.
In some countries, the school system is completely different from Japan. International students might struggle to understand just from verbal explanations or documents. In such cases, you might conduct orientations or be in charge of a consultation desk.

Supporting Daily Life

Depending on the workplace, you might be responsible for supporting the daily lives of international students during their stay. In some schools, international students live in dedicated dormitories. You might explain how to live in the dormitory or how to do simple shopping.
If there are Japanese student supporters, you will collaborate with them to support international students. You might also organize exchange events between international students and Japanese students.

Skills Needed for Jobs Supporting International Students

To work in a job supporting international students, you will need the following skills:

• Ability to communicate in both Japanese and English
• Ability to read and translate documents in both Japanese and English
• Knowledge of procedures and applications necessary for foreigners to live in Japan
• Administrative skills (e.g., document preparation)

To support international students effectively, you need to have good communication skills and empathy for the students.

Job descriptions vary depends on the employer, but experience in interpretation, translation, working in school or public relations can be beneficial. If you came to Japan as an international student yourself and then found a job in Japan, you can leverage your own experiences.
In some schools, you might also be responsible for public relations work to recruit international students. This could involve creating promotional videos and brochures that make students want to study in Japan.

Examples of Job Listings for Supporting International Students

Here are some examples of job listings for supporting international students that were previously posted on JOB JOURNEY. Use them as a reference for job duties and qualifications.

Administrative Support for Entrance Exams and Accepting International Students (28703)

Administrative Work in a Student Support Department (28176)

Required Residence Status

Jobs supporting international students are often categorized under interpretation and translation. Those with Permanent Resident (PR), Spouse or Child of Japanese National (SCJN), Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident (SCPR), or Long-Term Resident (LTR) status can work in any job. For interpretation and translation jobs, the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (ESI) status is commonly required.

Conditions for Obtaining Residence Status

• Graduated from a university, graduate school, or junior college in Japan or overseas
• Holds graduation qualifications from a specialized school in Japan
  

To obtain the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (ESI) residence status, you need graduation qualifications from a university, graduate school, or junior college in Japan or overseas, or from a specialized school in Japan. However, for overseas universities, graduate schools, or junior colleges, you need a certificate proving that the qualification is equivalent to a Japanese university graduation. Overseas specialized schools are not recognized. If you do not meet the educational requirements, 3 to 10 years of work experience is required.

Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan - "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services"

How to Find Jobs Supporting International Students

Jobs supporting international students are less common compared to other types of jobs. Therefore, it's a good idea to use multiple job search methods to check if there are any openings.

• Search for job listings at Hello Work
• Use job search websites
• Look on Facebook and other social media
• Check university and vocational school websites
  

In Japan, searching for jobs at Hello Work and using job search websites are common practices. There are "Foreign Employment Service Centers" in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka.
They offer job consultations and introductions.

🔗 Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: Hello Work Offices by Prefecture
🔗 Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: Foreign Employment Service Centers List

Some Japanese job search websites offer multilingual support for foreigners. You can search for jobs by occupation and location and apply. There are many job listings that are not available onHello Work.

Conclusion

Jobs supporting international students not only utilize your language skills but also offer the joy of meeting students from around the world. While these jobs are not frequently posted, if you are interested, check school websites and job search websites.
JOB JOURNEY also lists administrative job openings, including those supporting international students. If you find a job that interests you, feel free to apply.

🔎 Find administrative job openings on JOB JOURNEY