Hi all! I’m an incoming JET who was upgraded from alternate. I know students are on break when we arrive, so I’m wondering what JETs are supposed to do during August before school starts up? General descriptions of what happens at the orientation etc would be appreciated!!
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Most JETs will spend time desk warming at their BoE or school office. You’ll do some paperwork, get settled in, possibly need to look for housing. While at the office you can begin preparing for your first lessons (usually self introduction), get to know the JTEs (if at your school), practice your Japanese, etc.
In some cases there may be summer programs you are helping with such as English camps, etc. but thats not common. You’ll learn more about your specific situation when you are contacted by your predecessor (if you have one) or your contracting organization.
But its likely to involve a fair amount of desk warming/free time so thinking of things you can do to occupy your time is a good idea.
You’ll have to go through orientation and possibly quarantine. Then you’ll travel to wherever your assignment is. You’ll meet your nakamas and move into your apartment. Then they’ll probably take you shopping and help you set up a bank account etc. You’ll visit your school(s) and meet your teachers. Then you’ll have time off until work starts and during that time most people usually put a self introduction lesson together.
Your BOE will help you take care of stuff like setting up banks, utilities, housing, etc. I was also taken around to be introduced to a variety of different people.
Once that’s done with, you’ll probably just be sitting in the office deskwarming until classes start.
I think it will give you guys a month to settle into your new homes and also give you the chance to lesson plan for the new school term
Obviously it depends on the school. My school gave me two weeks off. Which was good because I wasn’t given any help setting up my apartment, bank, etc, so it was nice to have extra time to get things taken care of.
In terms of orientation, it might be completely different for you. We had orientation online during our stay in the quarantine hotel, and I did not even go. Therefore, you might be fortunate enough to actually have a conference in Tokyo prior to going to your placement. The first week or so is very relaxed; you probably will not even have work and will just have to go around town setting up your bank account, internet, rent billing, pay, direct deposit and things like that. Because I had to quarantine for 2 weeks in Tokyo those counted as paid days so my first month had zero work.
On your first night at your placement, you’ll sit down on your empty apartment floor lit only by your phone screen, famichiki in one hand strong zero in the other, and let out an exhausted yet content sigh.
Everyone covered most of it but be warned that you may have a local orientation in addition to Tokyo orientation. Once that was all done my school started classes in the last week of August.
My local orientation was in the capital city and lasted about 3 days. This means I had a week or so to get stuff settled in town than I had to head to the capital for half a week. I believe even the local to the city were put up in a hotel as well to make sure no one missed anything.
Our local orientation consisted of meeting the governor, PR group photos for the paper. Classes about regional stuff (surviving winter, driving etc). I believe we even had a day of excusrions where they did a cultural cooking activity as well as visiting a major shrine. This orientation was a great way to meet your local JETs and start building a support network.
One thing.. Survive
Incoming people:
Orientation
Getting your housing, banking, etc situated
(Optional) phone (sometimes the boe helps with the contract), car (usually self purchased), insurance, etc
Desk warming until the semester starts.
Assuming quarantine and covid protocols are still a thing, sit in a hotel for a week or two and do the orientation online. Then some schools may give you some time to get your affairs in order before starting, some may get you to jump right in. ESID.
Use your time to get yourself comfortable.
At your desk:
Work on your introduction presentation and make it rad. Research simple games and learn how to play them. Walk around the school grounds. Make your desk your own space. Read and understand your contract. Study Japanese if you have the energy.
At home:
Make your new dwelling comfortable. Clean it. Buy curtains. Furnish it. Walk the neighbourhood. Learn your garbage days. Paint it if it’s a shithole.
がんばって！