Life as a JET

2. Life as a JET Rural Session

3. Life as a Rural JET Upside • Ample opportunities to speak/learn Japanese • Affordable living in comparison to larger cities in Japan • Can get involved in community events • Can feel like a celebrity in your own village • True cultural immersion

4. Life as a Rural JET Downside • Few foreigners to hang out with • Not as many Japanese people are able to speak English • Can feel some isolation if effort is not put in • Sometimes a lack of privacy in such a small village

5. Getting Started • Get connected (phone, internet, local/JET contacts) • Build as social circle with people you meet at orientation (especially those located in your local region) • Learn about your area (find the grocery store, bank, post office, train station, and other useful places). • Transport (car, train timetables)

6. Enjoying Rural Life • Get involved in community groups/festivals • Take advantage of the sports resources around you • Find a Japanese English language exchange partner • Create opportunities to experience Japanese culture • Be a tourist in your own town!

7. Enjoying Rural Life • Accept social opportunities • Hot Springs • Start a new hobby • Tons of study time! • Make your home comfortable • Allow yourself for trips to the nearest city!

8. Rural Schools • Can get to know your students really well • Smaller school sizes and possibly smaller class sizes • Opportunities for school involvement is high

9. After school and weekends • Try to hang out with teachers from your school(s) • If people invite you to their homes or out for dinner, accept the offer • Don’t worry if you don’t speak Japanese, try your best and they will try their best • Just do as much as you can with the time that you have… • You can always visit larger cities on your weekends

10. Owning a car • PRO • Don’t have to rely on public transport • Traveling in groups • Can drive to school if needed • Road trips! • CON • Driving exam • Expensive • Narrow crowded roads in large cities • Getting lost

11. Speaking/Learning Japanese • Conversation partners • Japanese teachers through the BOE • Get help from your JTEs, supervisors, Pas, and other JETs. • Learn some phrases before and after you arrive. • Get an electronic dictionary

12. Health Physical/Mental Take care of yourself • Staying healthy-join a gym, sports club or team • Find a doctor before an emergency happens • Find someone who can help you translate in case of a medical emergency • Socialize

13. Bugs We tend to see bugs more often in the countryside. A few things to think about: • Keep your house clean • Insect screens (are they sealed?) • Bug Sprays • Take care of your tatami mats

14. Fighting the cold weather • Kerosene (touyu) heaters in more than one room if needed • Kotatsu • Electric blankets • Proper winter clothing

15. Garbage Disposal • If you do not dispose your garbage properly, they will not take it! • Please be aware of burnables, paper, plastics, Pet bottles, tins, cans, glasses • Find out about special items like batteries

16. Useful Links and Info • English train timetables and prices www.hyperdia.com/en/ • English speaking travel agency www.no1-travel.com • Buy western food from Costco online www.theflyingpig.com • English books www.amazon.co.jp • Get info from your predecessor!

17. Questions ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?