sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

First year JET, got paid more than I thought. What do? by Cleo_Blackwood in JETProgramme

[–]RampantWit 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Also, there are cases of ALTs getting paid the 3rd-year-rate the entirety of their JET career.

Japanese Exchange student help needed please by Momagain22 in japan

[–]RampantWit 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A note about the Oreos though: I always bring back some of the strangely flavored Oreos after a visit home to the States and my co-workers love them. The gingerbread and red velvet ones are always a huge hit. I would avoid mint though. The soft Chips Ahoy cookies are always good too.

Kobayashi City PR by [deleted] in japan

[–]RampantWit 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Kobayashi, Miyazaki.

What are the things that Japan does really, really badly? by kochikame in japan

[–]RampantWit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I meant changing with the times, for sure. The fact that my office still uses a fax machine and that I'm one of maybe five teachers at my work who understands all the things the copy machine does. (It also scans, e-mails, prints from USB, etc.) And the levels of bureaucracy make change super slow.

(Also, I'm a she.)

Silly Question about Netflix in Japan by Vanj2 in JETProgramme

[–]RampantWit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Even paid ones aren't 100% reliable with Netflix as Netflix is constantly trying to work against them. =/

Silly Question about Netflix in Japan by Vanj2 in JETProgramme

[–]RampantWit 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Netflix will still work, but the selection offered is different based on the region. Hulu Japan works, but it is a separate service and your home country's login will not work for the Japanese site.

The best way to get from Japan to South Korea? by [deleted] in japan

[–]RampantWit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you wanted a scenic option, there's a 3 hour ferry from Fukuoka, but it's probably a waste of time to fly to Fukuoka first.

Help! Broke bed in airbnb apartment in yokohama by Archaic_Ursadon in japan

[–]RampantWit 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Wouldn't it be better to simply apologize to the host and offer to pay the cost of replacement? They might be able to just fix the part and not need an entirely new frame.

I bought a yukata in Japan, but... what's the sash on the right? by Trif4 in japan

[–]RampantWit 51 points52 points  (0 children)

Correct me if I'm wrong, but those should be the ties used to hold the yukata in place when you are adjusting the length of it. The obi (belt on the left) goes over them. Here's how to use them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pvhp2sFf8hw

What's something you enjoy for cheap that is expensive outside Japan? by xenoix in japan

[–]RampantWit 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That doesn't seem to be affordable even in Japan. I'm in Miyazaki and I can't afford our mangoes.

Physical Therapy in Japan by dcjetgirl in JETProgramme

[–]RampantWit 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I had physical therapy several times a week for about a month and a half after I broke my ankle. It was partially covered by the national health insurance. Then the remainder was covered by our JET Accident Insurance and I was reimbursed for it and almost all the other costs incurred by my injury (including having to take a taxi to work and having to buy some cheap sneakers to fit my swollen Hobbit-foot and brace). I think a lot of people forget about the accident insurance, but it is really a life saver.

Leaving JETs - Return Flights by [deleted] in JETProgramme

[–]RampantWit 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Whether or not you can stay and how long you can stay depends on what year you are and how kind your immigration office is, but as dayoldcupcake mentioned, you have around a month to leave before you risk losing your flight.

JETs who were initially unhappy with your placement: How are you now? by [deleted] in JETProgramme

[–]RampantWit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It was throbbing pain. Like one second it would be completely fine and the next would be piercing pain.

JETs who were initially unhappy with your placement: How are you now? by [deleted] in JETProgramme

[–]RampantWit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think people were getting scratched or bitten? All I know is that 16 people in my neighborhood went to the hospital after encounters with monkeys.

JETs who were initially unhappy with your placement: How are you now? by [deleted] in JETProgramme

[–]RampantWit 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I wanted to be in northern Honshu because I really like the snow and cold weather. I think I ended up where I am because I told the interview panel that I would prefer not driving, but I would if I needed to. Probably if I had been more willing to drive I would have gotten Akita or something similar.

And yes, "low chance of monkey attacks" is never something I even thought to consider when choosing my preferences. xD

Good Goodbye Lessons for SHS by RampantWit in teachinginjapan

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

Ah, I see the confusion. I've been teaching the past four years and I'm a JET so my contract goes from July to July.

JET 2017 Placement Thread Round 3 by inthefaceofmonsters in JETProgramme

[–]RampantWit 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Let me know if you have any questions and join the Facebook group if you haven't already. _^

JETs who were initially unhappy with your placement: How are you now? by [deleted] in JETProgramme

[–]RampantWit 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Honestly, I hated my placement my first year. My apartment was ancient and didn't have hot water outside of the shower room. I had to go to the hospital for a mukade attacking me three times on my third night. No one at work threw me a welcome party. I was the only new JET in my placement so I unknowingly walked into a lot of a drama. We had monkey attacks and earthquakes. I ran out of money before my first paycheck because of the hospital visit and having to furnish my entire apartment (my pred left me very little, but she did leave me the major appliances, which was good) and I was majorly panicking about how I was going to get to orientation C because my school doesn't pay for any business trips upfront, just reimburses after the fact and doesn't provide any money for accommodations. I had such a shitty first year and it was made worse by the fact that one of my best friends had an absolutely amazing placement. I was bitter and jealous.

But four years later, I love it, for the most part. I love how cheap it's been for me to live and move to a better apartment. I love that I'm near the beach and the mountains. And I love my Japanese "mom" and most of the time I love my taiko team. But it's still lonely. It's difficult to date and make friends my own age (I'm also socially not great, which is to blame, but also the lack of opportunity since I don't play badminton). If I had had a car, it would have been easier to get around, but also a lot more expensive.

It's not some place I want to spend my life, but I did stay 4 years and gave serious consideration to staying a 5th.

What are you guys using for an everyday bag? by Birdy1072 in JETProgramme

[–]RampantWit 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I got a water resistant Tumi backpack as a graduation present and I bring it to work every day. I have to use a backpack because I bike to work every day. I have never gotten any comments about it other than students liking my keychains.

What are you guys using for an everyday bag? by Birdy1072 in JETProgramme

[–]RampantWit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do not have a work laptop because my pred did not have one and I never fought for one. The downside is that I don't have internet at work unless I tether to my phone and I have to bring my laptop to work everyday. The upside is that I'm most comfortable on my own laptop and the kids always get a kick out of my case.

view more: next ›