We were very pleased to have met Kuniko-san during our stay at the amazing Intercontinental Resort in Bali. It was unusual to meet a Japanese person working full time in Bali as many would think that you could obviously make a lot more money doing the same thing in Japan. Money is the not the be-all end-all though, and Kuniko-san explains why she has been working in beautiful Bali for over nine months.

Kuniko-san is a busy woman. As the manager and one of only two Japanese staff at Intercontinental Resort in Bali, she has a very important role. "Anything that deals with the Japanese market, I have to deal with... from Japanese media... photo shoots for the hotel... questions and service before during and after their stay... and all information in Japanese, even comment cards". She also speaks English and basic conversational Bahasa Indonesian which wasn't a requirement, but a bonus when the Intercontinental hired her.

Kuniko-san has a hotel and restaurant management degree that she acquired in San Francisco and since then has gained experience working at another hotel in Ubud, a small town in the middle of Bali.

For any westerner reading this who reads, writes and speaks fluent Japanese, Kuniko-san is sorry to say that you probably still won't get the job. "How Japanese feel and the way they think...and react" is something that is better understood amongst Japanese people. Anyone that has lived or been to Japan would be familiar with the level of service and politeness there.

Don't speak Japanese? Still want to work in a resort in Indonesia like the Intercontinental? The next priorities are Spanish and Russian. All candidates must speak English, but if you have Japanese, Spanish or Russian then you are definitely hirable. "As long as my sixth sense tells me that they (job candidate) really love talking with people and helping people then I might think about it." she says with regards to requirements for a candidate to get a job. She also says you have a better chance if you are between 25-40 years of age. She works an average of 12 hours a day and feels that younger people can handle the time and stress a little better.

Kuniko-san compares her level of income to that of a high school student in Japan! Healthcare is included as well accommodation in the hotel. In a place like Bali though, with beautiful beaches, world class surf, perfect weather, super friendly people, and a very cheap standard of living, it doesn't sound bad at all. Kuniko-san can't envisage herself going back to Japan to live full time, so next time you go to Bali you should expect to see Kuniko-san's smiling face walking around the resort!