Hello, all!
I’m applying to JET again this year and had some questions concerning the social experiences of JET ALTs.
My solo travels abroad have taught me that I’m pretty susceptible to loneliness. I prefer being embedded in a group (however loosely), so that there’s a social network to fall back on (people sharing a similar experience with whom I could hang out, grab drinks, etc.).
This is largely an issue for me because I have depression, which can affect my productivity (in addition to diminishing my enjoyment/appreciation of being in a new environment).
So, how isolated/lonely is the JET ALT experience? And, aside from Tokyo, what are notable areas with larger expat communities? (I assume, any large city?)
Thanks and best wishes!
11 comments
Anybody moving into a new culture will experience culture shock. Culture shock affects people differently but depression is a big one. Finding a community is always a challenge for immigrants and Japan is no exception. If you don’t take the initiative you will be alone here. If you are in a bigger city you probably can find language exchange or some foreign meetups. If you just need drinking or restaurant buddies just frequent an izakaya.
Isolation and loneliness are different for everyone. If you’re worried about it, I’d think twice about going on JET unless you’re sure you can overcome it.
And work on your Japanese. If you already suffer from depression and issues like that, if you can’t speak Japanese when you move here, you’re liable to become one of those people who hear random Japanese words as “gaijin” and think everyone is badmouthing you.
I don’t want to sound like a debbie downer. But if you already have depression issues, you may want to wait until you have solid control over it. As living in a foreign country, in a foreign environment, may very well exacerbate the issues further.
In JET, and most of the dispatch companies, you don’t have much control over where you’ll be placed, especially when you first sign up. So there’s a very good chance you could end up in the country-side where you will end up rather isolated, more so if you can’t speak Japanese. So that will leave you feeling lonely.
I would definitely get a start on learning Japanese as soon as possible.
As for your other question, I would definitely say Osaka and Sapporo have a nice sized foreign community among other places.
If you have depression that is untreated or unstable, and are especially susceptible to loneliness and isolation, do not move internationally to take a new job, especially if you don’t speak the language.
Get your depression (really) stabilized and work with a therapist to learn proper tools for dealing with loneliness and other stresses of such a move. Then, think about moving across the world to live alone.
I’ve lived and taught in Japan for more than 10 years and I’d say making friends outside the expat community has been the most difficult thing. There is a sense of inside/outside (uchi/soto) that is a part of the culture in many ways. And it never goes away. I’m an introvert and generally have no problems with this, but it does wear on most. You may find your social support group at your school, but if not you’ll need to be proactive and find one outside it. TBH, all of the new experiences may be enough to keep you going for a while. But if you are planning for more than a year or two, you might want to think hard about what that may mean for you. Good luck!
Unless it’s changed, jet always sends groups of people together. So when I left the states it was me and like 7 other people all headed to the sane place (and later two other people from aus/NZ). Maybe I’m just lucky but we basically always stuck together, ate together at least once a week. Even had a fake thanksgiving together with Costco chicken!
My point is that you start off with a group of people that are largely in the sane boat. New place, new job, new everything. Hopefully you’ll connect with those people.
Outside of that my prefecture had a really good support network for JETs, with everyone helping eachother.
To put it another way, I am fairly confident you will be able to find s group of people to bond with. If you’re looking to hang out with japanese people, that’s just a matter of going to places you like/doing things you like and meeting people that way.
Please wait several years before applying. I’ve seen several people go to pieces here because they came when they shouldn’t have. Not a pretty sight. Japan isn’t going anywhere.
In the meantime, study Japanese a lot. This is necessary for getting to know many people.
Placements can vary wildly. You might end up being offered a isolated position. But, you can always decline
Not to be blunt but a history of depression does not match well with JET. Japan is not the place to be if you suffer from any mental disorders including depression as the services are not available here for you.
I recommend you highly reconsider as JET means you will most likely be in the middle of no where with no other foreigners around.
The thing with JET is it could be absolutely anything. Maybe you’ll be put somewhere with a bunch of other similarly aged, friendly ALTs just like you and spend a couple of years with the closest friends you’ve ever had. Or you could be put a half hour drive from the nearest small town with the only other foreigners disinterested, unfriendly, or just a bit odd with no young Japanese people to make friends with either.
Just keep that in mind, there’s the saying “ESID”, every situation is different, and it’s honestly very true. The people who do best on JET are the people who can roll with the punches, keep an open mind, and find the best from whatever situation they get put in.
Japan is a lonely and depressive place, actually this is one of the reasons I don’t want to work not only as a teacher but in general.
I also suffer something similar and I know Japan is a hard place for people who suffer socially speaking.
​
To make a comparison, going to Japan with depression is like going to Venezuela looking for money and stability.
Many people in Japan points out how isolated, different out of place you feel there, so yes i might reconsider it.