Tomas Cermak

STAFF INTERVIEW: Tomas Cermak (OCJS Programmer)

I caught up with Tomas whilst he was working on the Online Center for Japanese Studies (OCJS)..

Jon: Do you have time for a quick interview for this weeks newsletter?
Tomas Yeh, sure.

J: I can see that you're doing some work on the OCJS at the moment but can you tell me what exactly your job here is?
T: I'm a programmer. I do a number of different jobs related to computers, not only programming but I also build new PC's and maintain Yamasa's WEB servers. My work at the moment is concentrated on programming the OCJS.

J: Tell me a bit more about the OCJS and its development.
T: I`ve been working on this project for 2 years now. I do most of the programming and the contents are developed by our Instruction Coordinators, Erina Kato and Tadashi Sugita. It's programmed in IBM Lotus Domino which means that it can support a multilanguage environment. The first 50 lessons are already finished and these are currently being translated into 5 languages other than the original English version - Chinese (traditional), Czech, German, Korean and Spanish. There are still many things to do though!

J: How did you come to work in the International Office ?
T: I first came to study at Yamasa, which I did for about 18 months on AIJP. I was looking for work during and after my studies were finished and I mentioned this to Declan Murphy. So when Declan started the OCJS project, he asked me to work on it. I think I was very lucky to get the job at the time.

J: What was studying at Yamasa like?
T: I think that the classes were good. I preferred some teachers to others but of course that's personal preference and differs from person to person.
J: How were the other students?
T: The good thing was that I only spoke with other students in Japanese so we could always practice even without a Japanese person being around.
J: Was studying at Yamasa what you expected - better or worse?
T: It was as I expected. I think that if I wasn't so lazy I could have learned more.....

J: What interested you so much about Japan that you decided to come and live and work here?
T: I like consumer electronics, such as T.V.'s, computers, stereos and so on, which Japan is one of the leading producers in the world. So, more than an interest in traditional Japanese culture, it was technology that attracted me to Japan. I was surprised how such a relatively small country without fossil fuels could produce such wonderful things.

J: Did you study Japanese before you came to Japan?
T: Yes, in the Czech Republic.
J: How long for?
T: For five years, mostly self study.

J: What were you doing before you came to Japan?
T: I was programming and also working as a tourist guide for Japanese people coming to visit the Czech capital, Prague.

J: What do you like about living in Japan?
T: Services are good, and the people are very kind. Of course, this doesn't apply to absolutely everybody everywhere, but nothing is perfect in this world. The summers are humid but I prefer hot weather rather than cold, and I like the mountains and countryside as well.

J: Are there any downsides to living in Japan?
T: Holidays are shorter than in Europe but I knew this before I started working so I can`t really complain. I wanted to live in Japan and I`m really happy my dream was fulfilled.

J: How does Japan compare to living in the Czech Republic? For example, prices, working practices, etc.
T: Japanese prices are approximately 4-5 times higher than in the Czech Republic. Consumer electronics are cheaper there also and some fruits are 10 times more expensive here in Japan. An average salary in the Czech Republic is about 55,000 Yen per month. The standard of living is probably higher in Japan but people tend to work really hard - much longer hours. Basially that`s not a bad thing but if it starts to influence your family life for example, then it can be.

J: What do you do in your spare time?
T: I like listening to music (I recently bought a Sony hi-fi system), taking photographs, going to the gym, riding my bicycle into the mountains nearby, meeting friends and travelling in Japan. I only wish I had more time because I have so many interests!

J: What's your favorite part of Japan and why?
T: I like the countryside near Okazaki. I have ridden my bike there many times so I feel like it's my second home. I go to Akihabara in Tokyo sometimes too but I generally prefer a quieter environment.

J: Tell me a bit about your family, such as where they are and what they are doing.
T: My family now lives in Kladno, which is a small city near Prague. My younger brother is working in Prague and is still single like me. We have a large garden so my parents work on that quite a lot.

J: You still live in Yamasa accommodation...what is it like?
T: My apartment in Villa 1 is quite big for one person, but from a European point of view it`s a little cold in the winter so you need to use a heater.

J: What are your future plans?
T: I'd like to know the answer to that question as well! It depends on many things, but for now I plan to stay in Japan and work on the OCJS project.

J: Do you plan to return to the Czech Republic someday?
T: Again it depends.... My problem is when I'm living in Japan I miss home, but when I'm in the Czech Republic I miss Japan.....I'll definitely visit the Czech Republic again sometime soon.

J: Any hints/tips/advice for people coming to study at Yamasa, or to work in Japan?
T: The more you study before coming to Japan the easier the study here will be. Japanese is quite easy for Korean people because the grammar is very similar but for me it was hard. However, if you don`t give up, you`ll definitely be able to speak Japanese - it's just a matter of willpower, and of course, studying hard.

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