#post jet

[maia-abroad]

Things I learned in Japan that I’ve used post-JET #1

Translating Western names into Katakana 

Student-Teaching Year 8 Humanities and the unit I got asked to teach is on Shogun Japan. Told all the kids if they’d finished their worksheet I’d write their name on the whiteboard in Japanese and teach them a few basic Japanese phrases.  Engagement Level 10000.  

[readysetgaikokujin]

Thoughts on what I want to do after JET:

Just musing here, nothing is set in stone.

We won’t be going back to the states, because while it was good to be home for a while, I don’t feel pulled to LIVE there again yet.

I don’t want a job where I can’t have any color hair I want or visible tattoos if I want

I’m thinking of networking around some bars in Tokyo, possibly getting my foot in the door as a bartender or helping out around where I can

Been thinking about being a front-desk helper for tattoo parlors in the area wherever we move to, as well, because I like that atmosphere

I have the qualifications to be a teacher no matter where we move to in Japan, but I’m so burnt out on being at a desk and working in the Japanese education system that I don’t know if I want to do it after this year

Signing on for a fifth year has felt amazing, and I look forward to my last round of self-intros and holidays, so there is absolutely no regret when I admit that I’m tired; I would not have stayed if I didn’t want to be at O-ko, so this is not me complaining about being here until 2018

There is a lot I want to do in Aomori for my students that I could not do if I did not stay a fifth year, and I am hoping I get to teach more this last year too

After this, part of me thinks that I would rather run a private eikaiwa for French and English and set my own hours, instead of sitting at my desk waiting to get a blood clot in my leg from being sedentary

I need to start running again, that’s a reminder

I’ve thought about applying to some international schools anyway, but the thought doesn’t make me happy, and I wonder if that means I need to do something different? Or could it be because I’m not actively teaching at my school lately that has me feeling blue?

Knowing that I have people in Tokyo that will support/advise me is super helpful in making these sorts of decisions. Me saying I would rather work some lowkey jobs that make less money might come as a surprise, since I’ve got the wherewithal to do more, and if I lived anywhere else I might consider it.

If I’m being completely honest, I want to be a writer and nothing else will do. Everything else feels like a means to that end recently. But I’m scared that in the future, I can’t support myself and my husband with writing alone.

Bit too much honesty for the early morning eh? There it is anyway.

[maia-abroad]

Back in Melbourne after a three day JETAA Oceania conference in Auckland. I learned so much about the inner workings of JETAA and it was fun to reunite with some of my buddies from my time on National AJET.

If you’re a recent returnee or returned JET definitely reach out and get in touch. We’re here to help and support you in any way you can when you return.

[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.  

[maia-abroad]

Daruma’s Second Eye: 

I’m so proud of myself and how I did this semester. I’m proud that I set a goal and achieved it almost effortlessly.  I’m so proud of where I am right now and I’m so excited to see where my current path takes me.  Final grades for my first semester of graduate school were released and I smashed it across the board with First Class Honours. 

[maia-abroad]

You can leave Japan, but the feeling of obligation to bring back copious amounts of Omiyage when you visit never goes away. See you soon Japan! 🇯🇵

[maia-abroad]

Visiting Japan, visiting Hiroshima and even visiting my school over the last weekend has been such an extraordinary and humbling experience

I spent a lot of my three years on JET questioning if I was making enough of a difference at my school and in my local community. I wondered if I’d be remembered by students, non-JTE coworkers and even locals I saw on the daily. Returning after nearly a year I was absolutely floored by the hospitality and generosity I received from the people of Hiroshima.

The priceless reactions of showing up unannounced with a casual “久しぶり” (Long time so see). Returning felt as if no time had passed at all, and conversations picked up right back where we left off previously. The city around us had changed, but the relationships still remained the same. I never realized how lucky I was to call this place my home. I never realized how strong some of the connections I built were, I never realized how Hiroshima really does feel like home.

またね広島、I promise I’ll keep coming back.

[maia-abroad]

Reunited after nearly a year and sending letters back and forth to each other as our only way to communicate, it felt so good to see Tomomi again.

I stumbled upon Bar Pretty one night by chance after spending nearly three years walking by it and met Tomomi and then I was hooked and found myself spending every weekend there before I departed Hiroshima. There hasn’t been a Saturday night since leaving Hiroshima where I haven’t felt a homesickness or sense of longing for my favorite bar tender, the abundance of alluring patrons who frequent the establishment and always feeling like I belonged.

It made Hiroshima feel like home. またね Bar Pretty 伊達、 I promise I’ll return again soon.