Aspiring US JETs 2012

[merkypie]

Population density doesn't mean much of anything Japan, as apparently there'll be cities that say they have 300,000 people but its just a collection of villages spread far apart from each other. It's really a crapshoot, from what I hear, in terms of inaka vs urban.

[Boogerghost]

Just curious... which placements did you all request? I requested an "urban" placement in Fukuoka, Kobe, or Okayama.

Inaka for me. I live in a small town already. Already spent time in some of the cities and was hoping for a change of pace. Plus I thought it might bump my score. =)

I'm pretty sure the application said placement preferences would not affect your score (unless perhaps you give a particularly daft reason or show lack of flexibility in the interview?), but obviously that's a convenient preference to have, so good for you.

[jojionmymind]

I did get an interview. Haven't been on lately though.

Congrats to all who did and better luck next time for those who didn't!

[Bejma]

Just curious... which placements did you all request? I requested an "urban" placement in Fukuoka, Kobe, or Okayama.

Inaka for me. I live in a small town already. Already spent time in some of the cities and was hoping for a change of pace. Plus I thought it might bump my score. =)

I'm pretty sure the application said placement preferences would not affect your score (unless perhaps you give a particularly daft reason or show lack of flexibility in the interview?), but obviously that's a convenient preference to have, so good for you.

Wow, I must be one of the few people who didn't make a placement request at all. I kept trying to think of the ideal location for myself in Japan, but every time I would pick some I would stop and think of more places... I guess I'd better be prepared to answer why I didn't make a request.

[hello_kiri]

My requests were urban, Kobe, Osaka, Hiroshima. In my explanation I wrote the reasons I wanted the Kinki area (dialect interest from linguistics, and Hiroshima was a prof. recommendation) but was very clear that I would be happy anywhere and loved all dialects. I've lived in small towns before, so even if (or when really) I end up in the inaka, I'll be cool. If they take me of course! Then I realized I could have picked a million other locations, like up north since I love snow. I'm not too stressed about getting placed where I asked.

[Rising_Sunshine]

DC people: I'm still planning on meeting some of you at pre-departure

I requested Rural or Semi rural down to the block groups. I chose Kyushu/Okinawa, Kinki/Kansai and Shikoku. I am not a cold lover my any means so that played a large part in my rational. I also love camping, rock climbing, kayaking, and surfing so that was a factor too. In the end I decided I could be happy anywhere in Japan but if I had the choice I would prefer to be cold as little as possible....I'm getting Hokkaido aren't I lol j/k I'll take anywhere!

[koko]

I chose Chiba-ken, mostly because I want to be placed in Chiba-shi, but knew city placement is rare. I also put either Beppu-shi or Oita-shi as a preference (I can't really remember now, which I guess is not very good...oops), because I like warmer climates, and I want to meet a Macaque. I'm pretty intolerant to the cold, but I can adapt if I get placed in Hokkaido. I really just want to be in Japan.

[jookie]

Wow, I must be one of the few people who didn't make a placement request at all. I kept trying to think of the ideal location for myself in Japan, but every time I would pick some I would stop and think of more places... I guess I'd better be prepared to answer why I didn't make a request.

I didn't make a placement request either. It's fairly easy for me to adapt to different climates/areas. Also I've never been to Japan, I didn't think I really had a good idea on where I would like to be placed.

[Cliodhna]

I requested Ise so that I could be relatively close to the Ise shrine and be thoroughly annoying by taking lots of pictures and exploring places that I probably shouldn't get into. My other two requests were also historically-significant towns, for pretty much the same reason. You could put me next to a pile of ruins and I'd be happy. Heck, when I considered going to korea, I was going to request the area around the ancient capital of Shilla which literally is a pile of old rocks and foundations in the grass a thousand years old and apparently in the most sparsely populated area in the country, hahaha. That stuff's the best to me, though.

[erinmarie]

anybody in Houston have their interview time confirmed yet? I am on Thursday at 10 am. First one on the second day! I really thought about doing the first interview on the first day but ended up settling for the second day. I'm thinking of driving up at around 6:30 so I can get most of the drive done before the huge rush hour. If I leave at 8 I'm going to be in traffic the whole way. its better to leave ridiculously early and find somewhere to chill than be stressed about getting there in time.

[Bejma]

Wow, I must be one of the few people who didn't make a placement request at all. I kept trying to think of the ideal location for myself in Japan, but every time I would pick some I would stop and think of more places... I guess I'd better be prepared to answer why I didn't make a request.

I didn't make a placement request either. It's fairly easy for me to adapt to different climates/areas. Also I've never been to Japan, I didn't think I really had a good idea on where I would like to be placed.

OK, I'm glad I wasn't the only one. Gotta be creative with our response to that question because I am almost 100% sure it will be asked.

[kemek]

I requested Ise so that I could be relatively close to the Ise shrine and be thoroughly annoying by taking lots of pictures and exploring places that I probably shouldn't get into. My other two requests were also historically-significant towns, for pretty much the same reason. You could put me next to a pile of ruins and I'd be happy. Heck, when I considered going to korea, I was going to request the area around the ancient capital of Shilla which literally is a pile of old rocks and foundations in the grass a thousand years old and apparently in the most sparsely populated area in the country, hahaha. That stuff's the best to me, though.

Haha, I'm the same way. I'm teaching in Korea now and chose Gyeongbuk Province because the old Shilla capital, Gyeongju, is here. I'm not near Gyeongju but I am in the heart of the Gaya Kingdom, which I didn't know about before coming. There's actually a giant dolmen visible from my teacher's office. Anyway, in Japan I chose Oita, Ehime and Kanazawa because of their proximity to historical places.

I'll be interviewing in Guam. Anyone else going through Guam?

[sloth]

I went with Hyogo prefecture and Osaka prefecture. I would like to get placed somewhere within the Kansai region as I am interested in theatre. *crosses fingers for a successful interview*

[nb117]

I picked urban, with my area choices Saitama, Gunma and Nagano. Not too original though I guess!

Has anyone received anything in the mail from the NY consulate yet? I wish we could schedule online like a lot of the other ones..!

[koko]

anybody in Houston have their interview time confirmed yet? I am on Thursday at 10 am. First one on the second day! I really thought about doing the first interview on the first day but ended up settling for the second day. I'm thinking of driving up at around 6:30 so I can get most of the drive done before the huge rush hour. If I leave at 8 I'm going to be in traffic the whole way. its better to leave ridiculously early and find somewhere to chill than be stressed about getting there in time.

My interview is on Wednesday at 11am! I wanted to have it early so I wasn't tempted to read other interviewees' experiences on this forum