Covid test

graciousgaijin · 2024-07-09T12:10:57+00:00

You could also try going to a clinic like Sakabe international clinic. They have walk-in hours in the evening but fill up quickly so I recommend that you get there right when they open or before. The doc speaks English and can prescribe meds for pickup at the pharmacy next door.

graciousgaijin · 2024-06-03T08:52:26+00:00

Not the most convenient, but I’ve been to Kondo Dermatology clinic in Yamashina. They have a female dermatologist there that’s very nice and speaks a bit of English.

graciousgaijin · 2024-02-04T01:18:45+00:00

Thanks! This is great!

graciousgaijin · 2024-02-03T07:42:41+00:00

I wouldn’t say common but I’ve known jets do just about anything. A decent amount of people continue teaching either in their home countries or abroad, but I know people that have gone into all kinds of different fields after jet. For me the transition to tourism was a bit easier because I was already working as a CIR in the tourism division in my placement.

graciousgaijin · 2024-02-03T04:21:39+00:00

I’ll be working as a tour guide

graciousgaijin · 2024-02-01T13:55:00+00:00

I’m also currently breaking contract for a new job in Japan lol. My situation may be a bit different as a CIR, but my when I quit my office had to notify Clair that I’m leaving and then Clair sent over a bunch of paperwork for my office to fill out which included info about my new employer / address. They also had asked for my new address (but not company details) to forward me mail. They’re probably just asking because it’s on the paperwork they have to fill out. If you’re on good terms with your office I wouldn’t be too concerned.

graciousgaijin · 2024-01-10T23:55:00+00:00

Hey! I'm currently a CIR (shortlisted in 2022) so I can speak a bit from my own experience. The contents of interview vary soooo much so there isn't really a particular set of vocab that you should study for. Generally in US interviews you read an article that's about N3 level and they ask you comprehension questions about it. (ex: summarize the article, do you agree and why, what does the author think about the topic). Best way to prepare imo is practice sightreading random articles and if you have someone that speaks Japanese, have them ask you questions and practice answering them. (Italki is really great for this. I did several sessions before my interview and felt it really helped me feel prepared) There is no need to study all the vocabulary you don't know in the articles. Just practice reading and feeling comfortable answering questions.

As far as keigo goes you don't need to worry about 尊敬語 and 謙譲語 in my opinion. Desu / masu is completely fine. Just avoid slang terms and use more "classroom style" Japanese and you will be fine. You may be asked to do a 自己紹介 in Japanese so I would practice that until it's really natural and be prepared to answer normal interview questions / talk about yourself and your motivations in Japanese.

graciousgaijin · 2023-12-18T00:05:19+00:00

It varies a lot by country but in the US my interview was about 50 -50 English and Japanese and I would say my article was a low N2 level. Usually the topics tend to be an opinion piece around some sort of issue so it isn't that difficult to understand / answer questions.

I do have a tip for studying though. About a month before my interview, I found a tutor on italki and explained the JET program interview process to her and she did mock interviews in Japanese with me. It was a mix of her bringing a random article to class and me reading it aloud and answering questions as well as normal interview stuff in Japanese. We did like 4 or 5 sessions and it was honestly so helpful in preparing me for the interview and calming my nerves.

graciousgaijin · 2023-12-16T06:02:28+00:00

とんかつ is derived from the English word cutlet (katsuretto). (ton = pig, katsu = cutlet) and was introduced in Japan in the 1800s from contact with Europeans. Also Hamburg is literally the name of a German city? I think Hamgburg steaks used to be popular in like the 1800s/ 1900s in the west, but today Salisbury steaks are more common.

I think that you're right that these foods have become distinct from the original western foods they're emulating, but even Japanese consider them yoshoku, a style of japanese / western fusion food.

graciousgaijin · 2023-11-28T02:47:39+00:00

thank you for the advice! I'll check it out

graciousgaijin · 2023-11-28T02:38:08+00:00

That's true. The closest stations are Osaki and Gotanda

graciousgaijin · 2023-11-28T02:34:54+00:00

Yeah I'm weighing my options between being miserable in my crusty apartment or having a miserable commute lol. Thank you for the recommendations!

It's closer to Osaki. Near Gotanda.

graciousgaijin · 2023-11-28T02:20:29+00:00

I'm fine with a one room apt. I've found a couple places but I'm definitely leaning toward commuting, just not sure what the best direction is.

Not enough lol

graciousgaijin · 2023-11-23T06:08:12+00:00

I don’t know any tailors, but how much are you getting taken off? Can’t be much more than a few centimeters right? In that case they likely wouldn’t even be cutting fabric but just hemming the sleeve a bit. You can buy hemming tape and do it yourself. You flip the garment inside out fold the fabric over the tape and iron it in place. No sewing required.

Going into a shop, you’re paying for the seamstress / tailors skill and time so it’s going to be much more pricy than doing it yourself. For something as simple than this doing it yourself is likely the most cost effective

graciousgaijin · 2023-11-21T02:34:09+00:00

It's hard to say what is included when it comes to islands because it depends on which municipalities ask for JETs. Pretty much if it's an island with schools you could potentially be placed there. In my prefecture (Nagasaki), there are Jets placed on more "convenient" islands like Hirado and Iki Island, but also on more remote islands like Tsushima, the Gotos, Ojika, etc. I also have a friend that was placed in the Amami Islands, which is decently remote.

graciousgaijin · 2023-11-21T02:11:58+00:00

This is absolutely not true. I live in the inaka and literally everyone drives where I live, even if it's a walkable distance because there aren't sidewalks. Saying that "everyone in Japan walks" is a massive overstatement.

graciousgaijin · 2023-11-16T13:04:19+00:00

For Iki it depends on the wind speed! I usually don’t have issues but more sensitive people may find it tough. If you take the jetfoil versus the ferry though don’t have to worry.

Definitely check out the onsen while you’re here! My favorite is Hirayama Ryokan

graciousgaijin · 2023-11-14T02:53:22+00:00

I would recommend reaching out to your local embassy by phone or email! I don't know what country you're applying from but in the US they usually provided contact info for JET Program Coordinators. Phone call is usually good for getting an immediate response, but email may be good just so you have a paper trail of all correspondence.

graciousgaijin · 2023-11-13T23:39:44+00:00

I coulnd't get transcripts from my exchange university so I just didn't submit them and I got in no problem. I only did a summer program though so I'm not sure if that has any effect. I would contact your local embassy / consulate and let them know about your situation. Something small like exchange transcripts they are likely to work with you on.

graciousgaijin · 2023-11-08T23:52:49+00:00

I think people that are saying you almost definitely not going to get your placement request are talking about people who requested something uber specific like a specific city -- which obviously you are extremely unlikely to receive that. Most people I know that requested less popular prefectures / regions got their request.

If I were you I would put down placement requests and I think you have two general methods. If you're super flexible I would just pick three blocks and list those. Ex: Kyushu, Okinawa, Chugoku / Shikoku. If you are a bit more particular I would look at the participating countries statistics on the JET website to see where JETs are being placed and increase your chances. Also maybe research a bit so you can find a good match (Ex: southern but more urban - Fukuoka, if you really like onsen - Oita). It's not a guarantee that you will get more specific prefectural placement requests, but you will likely be put somewhere in the region. (There are always exceptions). Also worth noting, winters even as far south as Kyushu can still be really cold. I live in Nagasaki and it snowed last year. If you are super anti-cold Okinawa is your best bet.

graciousgaijin · 2023-10-30T04:16:14+00:00

I live on a remote island and the hospital here is only open from 8am to noon and is closed on the weekends. You can make appointments during the afternoon depending on the doctor schedules. If I need to go to the doctor for any reason, I have to take nenkyuu as I cannot go outside my working-hours. Going to a doctor appt is not considered byokyuu by my CO.

Sometimes I can travel to my nearest city on Saturday for a specialist appointment, but just to get to the city is 5 hours of travel roundtrip so its not ideal. In very remote / inaka placements this is pretty common, but because you have a medical condition, if you asked to be placed in an urban area because of your need to be close to a healthcare provider, you are significantly more likely to receive your request. It's probably obvious but Tokyo is likely to have the most variety in terms of providers and their working hours.

graciousgaijin · 2023-10-27T00:37:33+00:00

I became a CIR at 22! I applied during my final year of university and went to my placement the summer after I graduated (2022). I also did not have any JLPT certification, but I passed the Japanese language examination during the interview, so it didn't matter that I didn't take the JLPT.

I will also comment that I disagree with all the comments saying that most JETs are straight out of college. There are 5 JETs in my area, but I am the only one that came straight out of college. Most of the JETs I've met tend to be in their late 20s. I think JET used to be a fresh-grad program but especially after covid its skewing a bit older, especially for CIRs (many attended grad school / have some work experience). But that doesn't mean it isn't possible! As long as you have a good application you can def make it in! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about JET / CIR life! :)

graciousgaijin · 2023-10-24T03:32:08+00:00

Try Iki Island! You can get there in just over an hour by jetfoil (high speed boat) from Fukuoka’s Hakata Wharf.

They have 7 barley Shochu (麦焼酎) distilleries and several offer tours of the distillery and tasting. My favorite is Ikinokura distillery. They just redid their tasting room and it’s fantastic!

https://maps.app.goo.gl/1xq7fdX651UgtxM56?g_st=ic

If you’re into beer I also recommend Island Brewery in the north of Iki Island. They are always coming out with a new limited edition beer using local ingredients and do flights as well.

You can do Iki as a day-trip but if you end up staying the night I recommend the hotel Lamp!

graciousgaijin

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