New York JETs 2012

[happytofu]

The way I see it, we're only three weeks to go (and the four since interview results FLEEW BY), aaaand for a change, we KNOW the news is gonna be good!

[jojionmymind]

The time really HAS flown by since then! Wow, can't believe it's been a month already since the interview results...but it really has been!!! After graduation then it'll practically be time for the placements to come out.

[becks2307]

Congrats, NYC JETs! So jealous that you should be getting your placement info in late May... like others have mentioned, last year was mid-June! Torture.

Some things to think about: Our two flights last year were 8:30am-ish (American Airlines) and 1pm-ish (Delta). Of course they might not be the same, but once you find out what flight you'll be on, make sure you sign up for frequent flier programs for the right airlines! AA is Oneworld and Delta is SkyTeam. Also, for those of us on the earlier flight, I think we had to be at JFK around 5:30am? If you're going to have to travel to get to orientation/post-orientation gatherings/the airport, plan accordingly! (side note: the guy from the travel agency who was helping out that morning told everyone to go to the staffed counters for check-in. TERRIBLE IDEA. Find the self-check in kiosks!!!! It is so much quicker and easier, it saved me waiting in line for literally at least 30 minutes)

Packing: Since you'll be allowed 2 suitcases (which I took every opportunity to bring up with my Irish/English friends, who only got one!!), plus a carryon, try to pack your two big suitcases so that you can send them directly upon arrival at Narita to your CO. Pack your carryon with everything you'll need for TO and your first day at your host pref/city. That way, what you sent ahead will have arrived at your CO by the time you get there, and you won't have to lug it around whatever plane/bus/train/boat/etc. you'll need to take to get there once you leave TO. The less things you have to worry about on that day, the better.

That's all I can think of to mention at the moment... I'm in southern Kyushu (Kagoshima) so if anyone has questions about life down here/anything else, feel free to ask!

[tashikanakoto]

Hey! Thought I'd bump this... now that placements are out, a lot of people might be joining us here on the forums!

Just a reminder to join us in NYC on June 3 for lunch, drinks, and karaoke. Please PM me, omnom, or nyc_to_japan to be added to the FB event! So far, we've got more than half a dozen people RSVP'ed, and it'd be great to have even more!

[AVN]

Again just a note the last two JETs in my neighbouring placement have both been from this consulate but NJ originally and went to school in Philly and Pitsb so I think my new neighbour will in all likelyhood be from your area. Pass on my info here on the forums to anyone placed in Kitami I know their pred, who can't contact them yet.

[jojionmymind]

Hey guyyssss!!

Im going to Chiba-ken!!! WOO, my 2nd choice!!!!

Where is everyone else going? Wish I could make it to the June fun times!! I'll be there in spirit!

[Faye]

Hey guys. Recently joined. I live in NYC too so I am in for any events! I won't be in NY for the first JET meeting in June, so I hope to meet you all before we leave at least.

I was placed in Kochi-shi...anyone else?

[pintasuvida]

Great to see other fellow ny JETS! haha. anyways im from the island and i got Okayama-shi for my placement. So excited!

[yomimashou]

Congrats, everybody!

Anyone else representin' from the First State?

I am, and I know a couple others who are as well! I just got my placement for Gunma prefecture

[Lodekim]

Hey all, I'm a NY JET and I'm placed in Sapporo-shi. I'm from CT but getting to NY isn't too hard. I'm actually traveling right now so I'll be out of the country when you guys meet up on June 3rd, but hopefully I can make a later one!

[jimminycricket31]

Hello Everyone!

I am so excited I found this thread! I am from NJ and I was placed in Toyama Prefecture, in Takaoka City. So excited! I will definitely be at the June 3rd meet up now that I know about it. Thanks for setting something up!

[nyc_to_japan]

So glad to see so many new NYC JETs posting here! If you guys want to be added to the facebook event page, anyway, send me a PM and I can add you anyway - maybe we can figure out another date besides June 3 to meet up! Or any of you who are currently in the city, I also live here, and a couple others do as well, or really close by, so we could maybe find a more casual meeting time, too!

Hey all, I'm a NY JET and I'm placed in Sapporo-shi. I'm from CT but getting to NY isn't too hard. I'm actually traveling right now so I'll be out of the country when you guys meet up on June 3rd, but hopefully I can make a later one!

and hey Lodekim! I am from CT originally, too, I've just lived here in NYC the past few years. Go CT! Which part of the state are you from? I am from the Danbury area. Not Danbury specifically, but one of the surrounding towns. (trying to be slightly anon here....LOL)

[hanafubuki]

So glad to see so many new NYC JETs posting here! If you guys want to be added to the facebook event page, anyway, send me a PM and I can add you anyway - maybe we can figure out another date besides June 3 to meet up! Or any of you who are currently in the city, I also live here, and a couple others do as well, or really close by, so we could maybe find a more casual meeting time, too!

Hey all, I'm a NY JET and I'm placed in Sapporo-shi. I'm from CT but getting to NY isn't too hard. I'm actually traveling right now so I'll be out of the country when you guys meet up on June 3rd, but hopefully I can make a later one!

and hey Lodekim! I am from CT originally, too, I've just lived here in NYC the past few years. Go CT! Which part of the state are you from? I am from the Danbury area. Not Danbury specifically, but one of the surrounding towns. (trying to be slightly anon here....LOL)

Hey, I'm from CT too! And I'm also from one of the surrounding towns by Danbury. (Although I suppose it makes sense we'd all be from the same general area, since all of Fairfield County belongs to the NY Consulate.) Right now I'm living in MA, though. I'm moving back to my parents' place about two weeks before departure to spend time with friends/family.

[Harley]

Judging from previous years I'm sure there are a handful of New Jersey JETs who are coming to Fukui, there is a sister state relationship between the two. If you're one of the fortunate ones look check out the Fukui JET's facebook group or website http://fjet.org/. Feel free to private message me too. Looking forward to meeting y'all in July.

[tashikanakoto]

Hey! I know a lot of people may be concerned about where to stay the night between pre-departure orientation and our flight to Tokyo. I've reserved a room at this hotel in Queens:

http://www.qualityinn.com/hotel-jamaica-new_york-NY326

It's right across the street from Jamaica Station, where you can hop on the AirTrain and arrive at JFK Airport within minutes. The E-train also goes to Jamaica Station, which will take you to Lexington Ave/53rd Street Station, a 5 minute walk from the Japanese consulate on Park Ave. So I was planning on getting into New York in the morning, attending orientation at the consulate, hopping on the E-train, crashing for the night in Queens, and then rising early and walking across the street for the AirTrain to JFK.

Just my friendly suggestion.

PS: Make sure to PM me if you want to attend our June 3 meetup!