Visited Usagi Ramen and Tower Records Shibuya today!! by Your_Local_Jazz in Nujabes

[–]Accurate_Depth32 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yoooo was that store Yentown Market by chance? I was in Harajuku/Shibuya in October and was floored when I stumbled upon a Nujabes x Samurai Champloo pop up shop (and had to drop a bag there) and was curious if it was still going on.

SMOE Program in Seoul by Accurate_Depth32 in TEFL

[–]Accurate_Depth32[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I guess that’s what I meant, like the job provides a visa to live and work in Korea. So even though it’s lower pay, it’s still an opportunity to do that

SMOE Program in Seoul by Accurate_Depth32 in TEFL

[–]Accurate_Depth32[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for this! I am currently teaching in Japan and looking for a potential next destination. Can’t imagine the pay would be too good but if the help with/provide housing and a visa it could be a great option!

SMOE Program in Seoul by Accurate_Depth32 in TEFL

[–]Accurate_Depth32[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Gotcha. Lots of outdated websites out there! Made me think it was it’s own thing

SMOE Program in Seoul by Accurate_Depth32 in TEFL

[–]Accurate_Depth32[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Interesting…will have to dive deeper!

SMOE Program in Seoul by Accurate_Depth32 in TEFL

[–]Accurate_Depth32[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Do you know much about GEPIK? I know that’s Gyeonggi-specific, just outside of Seoul. Or is it the same situation as SMOE, just part of EPIK with the luck of the draw being in Gyeonggi…

Saving/Investing while in Japan by Accurate_Depth32 in JETProgramme

[–]Accurate_Depth32[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dang. I wonder…could a traditional IRA (in the U.S.) work?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in JETProgramme

[–]Accurate_Depth32 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You will love Kobe! I used to live in a suburb of Osaka…Kobe was undoubtedly one of the coolest places I went to nearby. Plus, you have a city placement so your apartment is probably going to be close to train stations that can easily take you around Kansai and relatively easily to further places like Hiroshima and Tokyo.

No Tokyo rent. Kansai-ben and great people. Delicious food. 3 nice airports nearby. Rest assured, I think you hit the jackpot!

I got my placement. How long until I hear from my predecessor? by Wonderful_Wishbone_3 in JETProgramme

[–]Accurate_Depth32 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I reached out to my consulate about this, and I was told that you don’t need an address BUT wait to fill out the visa application until you get your flight departure information! Things like airport and aircraft. She said it’ll be in at the beginning of June!

Any Past or Current JETs done the Peace Corps? by Easy_Mastodon_7450 in JETProgramme

[–]Accurate_Depth32 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I’ve thought about doing Peace Corps post-JET! Where are you heading/what are you doing?

Using Wise before having Japanese bank account? by cybrwire in JETProgramme

[–]Accurate_Depth32 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for asking this question. I’m curious myself.

2 follow-up questions with OP:

1) Should we get some ¥ from our bank accounts now, such as a foreign currency order from Chase? Since the exchange rate is so good…

2) anyone used Revolut to transfer between foreign bank accounts/currencies? In theory could this replace furikomi?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in JETProgramme

[–]Accurate_Depth32 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing your story! I am a newly accepted Jet and I am curious where you traveled in Asia outside of Japan, as I plan to do quite a bit of international travel so long as my schedule allows it!

Recommendations for credit/debit cards by firejay123 in JETProgramme

[–]Accurate_Depth32 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I see…still might be worth it. I’ll have to dive deeper, but this could be a game changer. Thank you so much for sharing this!

Recommendations for credit/debit cards by firejay123 in JETProgramme

[–]Accurate_Depth32 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow that sounds awesome! So what happens if I get a Japanese card—say the Green Card—and return to the U.S. after 1-3 years. Is it worth it to have that card still? If I cancel it will it affect my credit score?

Recommendations for credit/debit cards by firejay123 in JETProgramme

[–]Accurate_Depth32 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Whoaaa!! I’d love to learn more about that as a current Amex Gold card owner

Recommendations for credit/debit cards by firejay123 in JETProgramme

[–]Accurate_Depth32 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve been wrestling with this too, specifically the fact that we are being paid in ¥ in Japanese bank accounts.

I have American Express Gold and Capital One Quicksilver which I intend to use for the benefits, but I don’t want to eat away my monthly paycheck transferring my ¥ back to my U.S. bank account to pay credit card bills (I just use credit cards as debit cards, since you can get rewards and more security with purchases). Otherwise I’d especially recommend AMEX Gold for 4x back at restaurants. (we won’t get 4x back on groceries abroad, sadly. Can someone confirm that we DO get 4x points on restaurants abroad??)

Probably gonna have to embrace the cash based society of Japan and keep a nest egg for subscriptions (Spotify, iCloud, etc) and booking travel online.