We interview Tran Thi Thu Hoai and Nguyen Thi Thuy Linh, who are from Vietnam and live in Hokkaido.
Tran Thi Thu Hoai ・Country of origin : Vietnam ・Year of arrival in Japan : 2019 ・Status of residence : Technical Intern Trainee ・Japanese skill : N3
Nguyen Thi Thuy Linh ・Country of origin : Vietnam ・Year of arrival in Japan : 2019 ・Status of residence : Technical Intern Trainee ・Japanese skill : N2
Interview
Why did you come to Japan? What made you decide to come to Japan?
I come to Japan to make money. Moreover, I want to improve my Japanese.
When I was in university, I saw Japan as a good country through TV, and I want to experience it once. So I came to Japan.
What sparked your interest in becoming a care worker?
I like the elderly and want to learn how to take care of them.
Because I love helping people and I love the elders, so I choose this job.
What makes you feel rewarded and happy about doing care work?
I am happiest when I am conversing with the elderly every day.
It is that every day I can help people and see their smiles.
What are the good points about the nursing care facility you are currently working in?
My facility is surrounded by beautiful natural scenery.
My workplace is beautiful, the atmosphere is warm, and the staff is enthusiastic.
What are the good points about the region you are currently living in?
Life around me is quite convenient.
The place where I live now is very beautiful, with both the sea and the mountains, and the neighbors are so friendly.
What are the most impressive memories and episodes of your life in Japan?
Life in Japan is quite convenient.
Life in Japan is quite convenient for me.
What makes you happy about working as a care worker?
The happiest thing is to see users eat well, sleep well, live happily… I feel very happy.
The nice thing about this job is that I can help other people and see their smiles every day.
What was your first experience working as a care worker?
Firstly, communicating with users is really difficult.
The first experience I got from this job is that I am able to bring smiles to people all the time.
Did you find any nursing care work to be difficult?
The difficult thing for me is that sometimes when users want to talk about something or need something, I can’t explain it.
I think the most difficult thing in this job is when it comes to problems and emergencies.
ave you ever been praised by a user of the nursing care facility? What kind of words did they use to praise you?
Users usually praise me, saying things like “You’re very cute” or “You’re doing well”…
I received a lot of praises such as “You are cute!,” “You are so gentle!,” “You are doing great!,” etc. I was so happy when I received those words.
After working as a care worker, has the image of nursing care service changed?
Nothing has changed.
I think it has changed. It’s more fun and interesting than I thought.
After working as a care worker is there anything from that experience which you find useful to your life?
I have learned many experiences, in which I know how to communicate and engage with the elderly more easily.
In this job, you can experience not only in work but also in daily life, so let’s try if you can!
What are your goals and dreams for the future?
My goal is to study Japanese well. My dream is that after coming back to Vietnam, I want to develop the nursing care industry.
From now on, I think I will continue to study more about Japanese and daily work. I want to experience more about Japanese life and culture.
What is your message to those who are thinking of being a care worker in Japan?
Studying Japanese is very necessary. You should learn about Japanese nursing care work before coming to Japan.
This job is not only an interesting job but also possible to experience a lot of Japanese culture and life, so let’s come to Japan if you can!
Who taught you about nursing care when you were in your country?Who were you talking to about something you didn’t understand?
In Vietnam, I will be guided by the teachers at the center. I also ask them to discuss with me when I don’t understand anything.
First, I was introduced and taught by my university teacher. When I don’t understand, I talk to my teachers and my friends.
How did you study Japanese and care work?
I study Japanese at the Japanese language center in Vietnam.
Before coming to Japan, I studied at a Japanese language center. After coming to Japan, I learned at work and then practiced by myself.
How long have you been studying Japanese since you came to Japan?
I have been studying Japanese for 2 years in Vietnam.
After coming to Japan, I studied Japanese for about 2 and a half years.
What do you think is difficult to study Japanese?
When studying Japanese, I find kanji and grammar are the most difficult for me.
I think the most difficult thing when studying Japanese is kanji, honorifics, and dialects.
What are some ideas and tips for improving Japanese language skills quickly?
To study Japanese as quickly as possible, I think it is necessary to study and talk with Japanese people every day.
To study Japanese well, there is no other way but to study it every day.
How did you study “Nursing Care Japanese Language Evaluation Test” and “Nursing Care Skills Evaluation Test”for the “Specified Skilled Worker” test?
First, I’ll seek advice from the facility staff, and then I’ll practice by myself after going home.
Every day, I will try to study at home and practice again at work.
How many hours a day did you study for the test? Please tell me your study schedule.
Every day, I study for about an hour. I combine work and practice at work. After work, I practice again.
Every day, I study for about 3 hours. I will organize my time to study vocabulary, kanji, and technical vocabulary.
What was difficult about studying for the test?
The technical vocabulary is the most difficult for me.
In studying, I think kanji and honorifics are very difficult.
Was there any difficulty getting information about nursing care jobs once you learned about the jobs but before arriving in Japan? How did you resolve this problem?
There are difficulties. To solve the problem, I asked my staff at work. I ask them when I don’t understand something, and they will explain it to me in a very detailed way.
I chose to come to Japan to work as a care worker but I was very worried because I don’t understand Japanese, then how can I do the work and be able to talk to people. After that, I tried to study Japanese.
What do you do on your days off?
On my days off, I walk and study with my friends.
On my days off, I usually talk to my family, friends, study, and go for a walk with my friends.
What is your favorite Japanese food?
My favorite food in Japan is curry rice.
The biggest difference between Japan and Vietnam is about means of transport and about food.
What do you feel is very different between your country and Japan?
The biggest difference between Japan and Vietnam is about means of transport and about food.
The different things between Japan and Vietnam are the transportation and the way food is prepared.
Where is your favorite scenic spot in Hokkaido?
I live in Hokkaido, where has a lot of beautiful scenery. There is Tomari beach near my house, Furano, Niseko… and meny more places.
There are many beautiful scenes in Hokkaido. It’s Hakodate, Niseko… and Tomari near where I live.
What advice would you give to people in your own country who are thinking about coming to Japan?
My advice to you is to study Japanese carefully before coming to Japan and to participate in as many social activities as possible.
I think Japan is a good country. Let’s come to Japan and experience it if you can. First of all, you should study Japanese and discover about Japanese life.
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