Ms. Mai Thị Xuân

1997: Born in Vietnam
2015: Graduated from high school (Vietnam)
2015: Japanese language school (Vietnam)
2017: Agricultural technical intern training (Miyazaki Prefecture)
2020: Became a specified skilled worker at the same workplace

Coming to Japan after passing JLPT N3

I got accepted to a top science university in Vietnam, but I could not enroll due to financial reasons. So, I decided to take technical intern training to help my family’s finances. I thought I would study Japanese sufficiently before coming to Japan, so I studied at a reputable Japanese language school for two years.

I took classes at the school in the morning and studied on my own for six and a half hours in the afternoon and evening. As a result, I passed the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N3 before coming to Japan, and N2 in my second year of working in Japan.

In charge of supporting Japanese senior colleagues

Enjoying Yakiniku with colleagues and Japanese senior colleagues(photo taken in 2019)

I started technical intern training at a farm in Miyazaki Prefecture in 2017. I worked in the fields for the first six months and then in the factory on the farm’s property. It is a factory for freezing and processing spinach, edamame, and other vegetables from the farm. I check the package printing, etc., of frozen vegetables and put them in a box. When the box is full, I move the box (9-16kg) to a pallet. I sometimes help with the work in the fields.

Since I can speak Japanese well, I help Japanese senior colleagues decide the placement of trainees, interpret in the workplace, and teach new trainees about their jobs. I can practice Japanese by talking with senior colleagues. They teach me new vocabulary and correct Japanese on the spot.

A workplace friendly to foreign workers

Company trip by sightseeing bus(photo taken in 2019)

Our farm offers company trips for the employees and year-end parties, and foreign workers also participate. Also, an elderly man in charge of foreign workers gives sincere advice to us.

All male technical intern trainees have a tractor driver’s license. This is because they work in the fields using a tractor. They attend the driving school near the farm. The driving school costs about 230,000 yen, but the farm covers the whole cost.

From a technical intern trainee to a specified skilled worker

I completed my three-year technical intern training in August 2020 and have been working for the same farm since the following month as a specified skilled worker. When we change our status of residence, we usually have to go back to our home country for a few weeks, but I was able to change my status of residence without going back to my country as a COVID-19 measure. My job assignment has not changed even since I became a specified skilled worker, but the basic salary has increased by 5%. In addition, depending on my work performance, I can get promoted or an increase in salary in the future.

I have been saving money to pay off my debts and have never traveled in Japan, but as my salary has increased a little, I would like to travel to Osaka, Kyoto, and other places once the COVID-19 situation improves.

If you want to know more, check here!

Regarding residence applications for foreigners regarding COVID-19｜Immigration Services Agency

What Should I Do So I Can Work? | Support Website for the Specified Skilled Worker Program | Immigration Services Agency of Japan