#leaving jet

[whiteleavesmusic]

Leaving on a jet plane..

[maia-abroad]

5 Tips for Getting Ready To Leave JET: from a former ALT who has been there and done that.

Another JET contract year is ending and another set of ALTs are getting ready to leave Japan. I can’t believe it’s been nearly a year since I wrapped up everything in Japan and got ready to start the next chapter in Australia.  Here are some tips to ensure a smooth transition: 1. Write Goodbye Notes / Say Goodbye to Everyone in Your Community who you’ve formed casual relationships with: Prior to leaving I made a list of everyone who I saw on a daily basis and made a point to find a way to say goodbye to them in some way, shape or form. I felt really awkward being a fixture and seeing these people daily for three years and then suddenly vanishing into thin air. While my Japanese wasn’t amazing, I asked a Japanese friend help me write goodbye letters and work on a short, “I’m leaving to go back to the United States, thank you for everything. I will never forget you” speech.  My recent trip to Japan really showed me first hand how much of an impact I made during my three years in Hiroshima, even at times when it felt like I didn’t and even just in passing seeing these people again, and how instantly I felt welcomed back.  2. Keep in Contact!: If you have a good relationship with your school, some students, or other members of the community, continue to keep in touch! I write letters monthly to my favourite bartender, Tomomi. I send facebook messages to my old JTEs. Occasionally, former ESS students message me on LINE to let me know how their studies are going. I kind of realised that a lot of what JET really is, is how you maintain these connections you’ve made after you’ve left Japan. Definitely, if you can - visit!   3. Save room in your suitcase for leaving gifts: I wasn’t prepared for the influx of departing gifts I would receive from literally EVERYONE as I left Japan. I ended up having to buy a bigger suitcase since I was given so many gifts (books, scrapbooks, message boards, hello kitty themed stationary, face cloths), definitely set aside some space!   4. Try and do all the packing earlier rather than later: Since It’s early July, this is definitely a given that most people have already started. Ship things off before if possible. Japan Post will pick up packages which saves you from lugging everything to the post office. The sooner you finish packing, the sooner you get to just enjoy your remaining time in Japan stress-free. Remember that you can have your heavy suitcases delivered to the airport as well!  5. JETAA & Reverse Culture Shock:  Reverse Culture Shock hits pretty hard, the best you can do is prepare yourself and accept that it’s something that rears its ugly head from time to time. If possible join your local JETAA chapter, it’s a group of people that understand and will never get tired of hearing about your adventures in Japan.  

[readysetgaikokujin]

Leaving JET but staying in Japan?

Me too yo.

This week I’ll get a certificate that shows my release from contract (taishoku shoumeisho) and notify city hall that I’m going to be changing residence (tenshutsu todoke). Next week I’ll schedule to have my water, gas, and electricity cut off, and then call about internet too. I’ll have to send in my husband’s insurance card and go to the Aomori city immigration office on Monday to start applying for a residency status under... get this... “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/Int’l Services”.

Wild right??

I’ll be working at a hotel haha. But “hotel staff” sounds way less cool than all that.

I’ll reblog this regularly with what I’m getting done, but just in case someone wants to know what to do to leave and stay at the same time... I’ll record for posterity.

(and on the off chance that I did something wrong so one of y’all can correct me bahaha)

[maia-abroad]

Last night was the first time I really cried about leaving Japan. I saw JET Star was doing a flight sale with insanely cheap flights early next year and it stirred up so much homesickness and nostalgia that once I started I couldn’t stop.

 40 days, and it finally hit my like a truck. 

[maia-abroad]

Tomomi (the owner and bar tender at Bar PRETTY) mailed me a post card that I received today at my dad's. Continuously touched and humbled by all the people I met in Japan and I think it's the first time it hit me I'm not going back (just yet at least). I really hope our cute snail mail correspondence continues.

[maia-abroad]

Cool things about temporarily being home:

Re-reading the cringe fest that is all your old notebooks from High School to present day 

Finding a surplus of stickers for bands that don’t exist anymore

Being able to buy 1lb of strawberries for the same amount of money you used to spend on 8 strawberries

Mexican Food

Puppy cuddles

Driving and blasting pop punk

Being reunited with your extensive record collection 

Sleeping until late afternoon

Access to American Netflix and Hulu

Hanging out with Dad 

[maia-abroad]

Day 2- back from Japan and a perfect embodiment of all my feelings (Credit to @kawaiilo--ren for reminding me of this)

[maia-abroad]

And just like that I say goodbye to this wonderful country I've called home for the last three years and all the people I've met along the way. It wasn't always easy, but it changed me for the better. またね日本, we both know this isn't さよなら。⛩💕 See you in a few hours San Francisco and see you in a few weeks Melbourne. ✈️🇯🇵🇺🇸🇦🇺