We are officially in July. My group and many others are set to arrive by the end of this month!
Not gonna lie, it’s a bit scary. I was hoping my childhood excitement of Japan would push me through. I’ve really dreamed of this moment since I was young, however, adulthood realities just take over!
I’m ready to grow as a person, experience life, gain some career insight (I just got my teaching license in my state!), not so much disillusioned by ‘quirky’ and ‘perfect’ Japan.
I’ve been preparing by having lots of trips with friends, sitting with family more often, and petting my pets a lot, but I think that’s making it harder not easier about leaving for a year lol
**To those also about to leave, how are you feeling?** Or any stories about this topic would be appreciated (:
15 comments
I will be leaving in August dv. I haven’t enjoyed my job for over a year now so I’m excited to start a new one. And to be able to travel so far….there is of course anxiety, fear of failure and I will miss my family but after 3 years of studying 9 years ago, working on another island (1 hour ferry ride from home) for almost 5 years and living on my own almost 2 years, I’m mostly excited to be going to Japan.
I watch a lot of videos from other JETs about the good and bad of being there so maybe try that. And focus more on what you will gain from the opportunity. And if you only intend on staying a year, think about how fast a year goes…live your life with no regrets.
I’m excited but nervous. I’m also going through a teacher cert program and want to get it done but am worried about the logistics of doing it in Japan.
I’ve lived overseas before (Taiwan) so I know what is coming in terms of culture shock. Not looking forward to that…
Anxiety, nerves, and the occasional cold feet are all pretty natural. It’s become more real; it’s not just an idea anymore.
I’m in a similar situation ofc (I think we all are). I’m intimidated and uncertain about what the next year plus will hold. But we’ve put a lot of effort into making this happen, literally a year.
Turning back now due to some nerves would be something I deeply regret.
I’ve also been extremely anxious but also trying to embrace it into a feeling i know ill never experience again. Taking in the anxiety and projecting it to a more positive outlook.
Ive Preparing everything by researching the ins and outs of everything. My youtube JET algorithm has been very helpful. Its also settling to know you’re not in this alone and much like an airbnb experience it may always exceed your expectations
All a JET needs to do is get stocked up on their meds, and the rest will take care of itself.
Pretty much what others say, excited, anxious, nervous, eager. Entering a job I have no experience in hah but I always put my best foot forward whatever I do. Family from my dads side came over today to bid me farewell and good luck…the 4th family from my moms side comes over to do the same…have things scheduled with friends in the next couple week but what really made me think “this is happening soon” is that today I put in my 2 weeks notice at work. Still got a lot to do until then like get international driving permit, fill out my yunyu kakuninsho (since I’m bringing more than 1 months supply diabetes meds) which I still need the itinerary info to finish. Trying to get a dental clean up within these next few weeks, still more shopping to do, cancel my phone and bank account, etc etc it’s hectic to say the least
Excited, scared and very nervous! Some days I find myself wanting to pull out of the program because it seems like a crazy idea to just move overseas when life here in Australia seems so comfortable. Other days I catch myself in disbelief that I’m moving to Japan to live there! I’ve always wanted to visit Japan but I’m not a fan of short whirlwind trips, so I’m looking forward to taking slow day trips and experiencing daily life 🙂
I’ve also been looking at apartments in my area of Tokyo and I can’t tell if it’s making me more excited or inducing more stomach-churning nerves. The start-up costs are so high (T-T) but I know once I’m set up, everything will be fine.
Finally, I’m terrified of cockroaches so I’m also preparing myself to have a pet huntsman spider to keep those sneaky turd-insects away.
When you’re leaving for Japan, especially if it’s something you’ve dreamed of or worked hard for over a number of years, you feel like you’re an astronaut or something. Truly pushing yourself far beyond whatever you thought you were capable of before. That’s very natural and even healthy, IT IS a big change and you’ll face challenges and opportunity.
However, when you look back at it years later it’ll often be a case of “wow I really made a big deal out of that didn’t I?” It’s not quite as momentous as it feels in the moment, hundreds of thousands of people have moved to Japan to become ALTs and JETs over the decades, while they all face challenges and issues, and it can feel amazingly scary/exciting at the time, most people will figure it out one way or another. You wont do everything perfectly, but you don’t need to. The important thing is to earnestly try your best and keep your head on your shoulders.
I’m leaving in mid-end of August so a little while to go get. I’m surprised that I’m a little anxious as I’ve studied abroad in Tokyo before and this will be my fifth visit to Japan! I suppose it’s the culmination of a lot of hard work and hoping my long-held dream comes true. I’ve known about JET for over 10 years and always wanted to give it a try so I’m so happy 🥹
I’m so excited to be heading to an inaka place. It honestly reminds me of my hometown 🥹 I’m municipal so will get to teach the small kiddies and my schools are super tiny! My apartment is small but perfectly formed so I’m happy about that (less cleaning).
There’s a lot to do before departure and my only concerns are acquiring medicines in a rural location and missing my bf who’s heading to Okayama (350km away). Plus I have allergies and nature (pollen) seems to be one of them 🫠
I first heard of JET 2 years ago, and since then, the idea of leaving to go live and work in Japan was just that, an idea. But now it’s about to be reality. While the nerves are really ramping up the closer it gets to departure, the thought that I set a goal and achieved it is very satisfying, and definitely keeping the excitement levels high as well. All we can do is just keep carrying on putting our best foot forward!
Please cherish small discoveries. Doing so can alleviate your anxiety. However, what I want you to be careful about is you are a resident, not a tourist, so to live a fulfilling life in Japan is to keep the basics. If you don’t follow it, people will not be involved with you regardless of Japanese or foreigners. Throw trash on the road, yell, make morning and night noise, disturb walkers, sit on the train with your legs spread out, etc..
Observe the Japanese people closely. The solution is not to go through your own way, but to adjust it well. This is my advice as a Japanese. Good luck!( ≧∀≦)b
I’m leaving towards the end of July as well. My main concern/anxiety is just trying to avoid COVID before I go, so that I’m able to get there on time.
I actually have some experience teaching English already, as I began a 5 month contract job last October that concluded in February. My advice is that, if you’re worried about the job itself, don’t be. Your first classes will be nerve wracking and you’ll probably make some mistakes. But, as you get a feel for teaching and develop rapport with your classes, I think you’ll find teaching to be a very rewarding job. I know I feel that way.
The only regret/sadness I feel over moving to another country specifically is that I’m missing out on the chance to see my friends one last time. I decided a few weeks ago to go into hard quarantine mode, in an effort to not test positive and mess up my departure. As a result, I can’t see my friends one final time before leaving, and that definitely hurts.
I’m also somewhat anxious about furnishing my apartment and dealing with all the damned paperwork (internet, phones, Japanese bank accounts, etc.). But, such is the way of adulthood isn’t it? I’ve had to live with my family these past couple years due to economic hardships, so I’m really excited to have my own place again. The thought of having true peace and quiet is keeping me going.
When I first arrived in Japan, I was way too distracted by all the new things around me and excited to try them all out! Admittedly, before I actually left, I was a bit nervous. I was about to leave my family and friends behind, physically anyways. But when I arrived here, I realized how easy it is to still interact with everyone. I can even still play games with them online without any issues. We’re very fortunate to have much easier access to talk with people across the world.
Either way, try to enjoy the experience for what it is. Your family, friends, and pets (if they could talk) are probably (hopefully) supporting you as well!
If you are able to embrace all the new stuff that comes your way, enjoy the interactions with new people, etc., the experience itself will help you grow in ways you may never have expected. For instance, I never realized how much I would enjoy learning to cook, feeling satisfied to do things on my own, participating in way more events than I could have imagined on my own volition, and having wonderful interactions with many people in my local community. When I look at myself before I came to Japan and compare it, the amount I feel that I have grown is staggering. The most important thing for me coming here was to keep an open mind.
For me, some things were a little difficult and caused a bit of stress. But other things, taken into consideration, way offset those and leave me very happy with where I am.
I hope you’re able to enjoy your experience in Japan! Your family, friends, and pets (again if they could talk) are happy for you and look forward to hearing all about your adventures.
I’ll be heading to Japan at the end of July too! I’m nervous of course, but the feelings of excitement far outweigh my nerves!
I’ve dreamt of being a part of the JET Program ever since I saw a video about it in 7th grade, so the fact that my dreams of moving to Japan to teach English through JET are coming true in about two weeks is absolutely insane to me!
I went to school for English Education, have experience teaching English to Japanese people and students in the classroom, and just got my Masters in Education, but I’m still nervous and anxious for what’s to come!
My advice, just take it one step at a time!😊 You did the hardest part, getting into this program! Now all you gotta do is be yourself, put yourself out there, and have fun! Teaching English as a second language can be super fun and rewarding, especially when you see students start to bridge that language barrier!
You got this, we all do!💪💪
If at all possible try to get some sleep on the plane. One of my friends was a total zombie during orientation and barely remembers anything that happened in Tokyo.
Also try not to let your heart get broken when things aren’t like you expected them to be. I’d also dreamed of going to Japan for more than a decade before I went. Even with telling myself to be realistic there were quite a few disappointments. Try to remember that while it is new and different, it’s also just going to be life with all its ups and downs.