Japan - Summer 2009

The first time I visited Japan was in December 2006, a 6 days stop over after my US & Canada trip. I didn’t prepare any plan for that 6 days… big mistake. Since I was coming “down” from Canada, a country located nearer to the North Pole, I assumed Japan’s winter would be just a breeze. WRONG. Damn cold wind welcomed me the moment I stepped my foot outside Tokyo Station!

I also didn’t buy JR Pass to go to Kyoto, and chose the night bus instead. STUPID idea to cut cost. I ended up walking around looking for my bus in front of Tokyo station for almost 1.5 hour, with my big luggage, no one spoke English, a bus uncle yelled at me (coz I asked him the same question more then 5 times, “Is this bus?” – while furiously pointing my ticket), oh and the damn freezing wind has asked the snow to joined me.














The snow fall, the first snow of 2006 in Tokyo, turned the 7 hours bus ride into 10 hours. No, It was not romantic at all! So this time, I have made a travel plan, to fully abuse the 7 days Japan Railway (JR) Pass. JR has been kind enough to mail me the detailed JR time schedule. It’s really useful to plan your itinerary. You can request the schedule from here.











Since I will be arriving late afternoon in Narita, I don’t want to use my precioussss 7 days JR Pass for only ½ day. I will take either Limousine Bus (¥3,000) or Keisei Limited Express (¥1,000) from Narita to Tokyo Station, saving my JR pass for a full day use from the next day.


















Accommodation list:

Tokyo: Taito Ryokan & K’s House Tokyo
Kyoto: K’s House Kyoto
Matsuyama: Funaya Onsen
Hiroshima: K’s House Hiroshima
Beppu: Khaosan Beppu














Other website that I use to help me plan my travel:

• Japan Festivals
• Beppu City Guide
• Matsuyama City Guide
  

Australian PR

Not like Singapore which is quite easy for foreigners to find works, Australia is totally a different matter. In most job search website, it is always stated that you need to obtain a working permit before you could apply. So for most people, Australian Permanent Residency (PR) is the first step in finding a job or moving to Australia.














Australian PR is based on point testing system and depending on which type of PR you apply, the minimum PR points must be satisfied. Below are some information about Australian PR application, based on my personal experience.

1. Type of PR
2. Points calculation
3. Skill Assessment
4. List of documents
5. Lodging your application
6. After lodgment

1. Type of PR
The easiest way to find your most suitable visa (PR is part of visa), is by using Visa Wizard from Australian Immigration website. After a few questions, the web will come out with which visa is the most suitable for you, complete with links to web page to guide you through the lodgment

2. Point Calculation
If you do the Visa Wizard, in “Visa Basic” tab, there’s a link for you to calculate your mark. Basically, you are going to be tested against these criterias:

• Age
• English language ability
• Nominated skilled occupation
• Skills assessment
• Recent work experience or two (2) year study
• Location
• Health
• Character
• Australian Values Statement
• Specific work experience
• Australian work experience
• Australian qualifications
• Occupation in demand/job offer
• Community Language
• Regional Australia
• Partner skills

Now, don’t cheat your self by giving higher scores when you calculate your points, because in the end the system will determine the correct points.

Each visa category has different minimum pass point. If your points is not enough for the visa you want, but still higher then the pool mark, your application will be saved in “pool” as reserves. Check the pass point here.



















3. Skill Assessment
Probably the most important and the most time consuming to do before you can lodge your application. You need to get your education assessed by the Australian Assessing Authority to determine whether it’s equal with Australian level.

Each skill has different Assessing Authority, for example, Accountant / Auditor will be assessed by CPA Australia or Chartered Accountant Australia. The list of assessment bodies can be found here.



4. List of Documents
All documents must be in English (or accompanied by English translation) and certified true copy by authorized person (lawyer, Embassy, etc).

• Birth certificate
• Copy of passport
• IELTS Report Results
• Evidence of qualifications (degree certificate)
• Evidence of skills assessment Evidence of work experience (Testimonial letter / Work contract)
• Evidence of Designated Language Qualifications (for claiming community language point) Passport photo

5. Lodgment
You can lodge your application online through this link.













6. After lodgment
It’s recommended for you to check your application status frequently, as the immigration will ask you any additional documents or information through this website. To check your application status, you can follow this link.

DO NOT take your health check until you are asked to do so. You must download and complete the health check form from before visiting the appointed doctor/clinic.