Aspiring US JETs 2012

[Bejma]

I requested Hyogo (Awaji shima), Wakayama, and Okayama. Wanted somewhere warm, and a little more south. There's also a lot of natural beauty in those spots. I have family in Osaka so I would really love to be near there. I'm not sure if I should mention the family thing if they ask me about my requests in the interview though... any thoughts? I don't want to make it seem like I just want to be near my family.

Isn't Okayama, Wakayama and Hyogo all in the same prefecture block? I thought you weren't supposed to do that.

I just looked at the app, it appears they request that your third choice not be in the same block. I think he should be OK.

[maulen]

It's so funny to see so many people saying they don't want Hokkaido, as that is my number one choice. Though, I don't blame you guys, it's freaking freezing in the the winter. But, the snow is lovely and the snow festival is AMAZING. Anyway, I picked Sapporo, Hokkaido, and Okinawa as my three choices. Mostly because I have significant people in those places whom I would like to live near. But, if I end up somewhere else in Japan, I won't mind too much. At least I'll be in the same time zone and I would able to more easily travel to see them if I want.

I am so weak against the cold. That's the only reason I don't want Hokkaido. Buuut, if that's where I'm placed, that's where I go!

Well, if you get Hokkaido, keep in mind that even though the winter is cold, most buildings you go into are super heated. In Sapporo, once I get to the subway and go downtown for shopping or going to the bars, I kind of regret all the layers I'm wearing because even the underground shopping is pretty warmed up. What is super crazy to me though is many of the Sapporo girls I see here are walking around in shorts or short skirts or dresses, with, at most, very thin tights underneath them. I'm wearing knee-high socks, fleece-lined leggings, and then my jeans, and I'm still kind of cold outside. I don't know how they can do it in 20 degree F weather!

Last year we didn't get much snow (for Hokkaido)...this year is heavier than normal. Since December, Sorachi-gun has been averaging around -10C. Monday and Tuesday were unusually warm (around 2C)...some of the snow sculptures in Sapporo became unstable...one actually fell on an old lady and broke a vertebrae in her back or something, didn't read the article too close.

Anyway, central heating isn't really common...I don't know anyone in my town who has it. Kerosene / space heaters are the name of the game. The classrooms in my schools are warm enough but you can see your breath in the hallways. Wearing heat-tech or thermals really helps.

I didn't pick Hokkaido but I'm glad I'm here. Yes, it's cold...yes, it snows...but it's awesome.

[Bejma]

I know a good chunk of USA JETs go to Hokkaido each year. Personally I think it would be one wild ride and absolutely great to go skiing in Hokkaido. I know they have some killer sanctioned snowball fights as well!

Also it's funny you mention less snow last year and more this year. Where I'm at we usually expect plenty of snow by this time each year, but so far we've had next to none. Weird weather everywhere I guess.

[minnesconsin]

I requested Hyogo (Awaji shima), Wakayama, and Okayama. Wanted somewhere warm, and a little more south. There's also a lot of natural beauty in those spots. I have family in Osaka so I would really love to be near there. I'm not sure if I should mention the family thing if they ask me about my requests in the interview though... any thoughts? I don't want to make it seem like I just want to be near my family.

Isn't Okayama, Wakayama and Hyogo all in the same prefecture block? I thought you weren't supposed to do that.

I just looked at the app, it appears they request that your third choice not be in the same block. I think he should be OK.

Okayama is in a different block, but still pretty close. And I'm a she

[nicole.ai]

Well, if you get Hokkaido, keep in mind that even though the winter is cold, most buildings you go into are super heated. In Sapporo, once I get to the subway and go downtown for shopping or going to the bars, I kind of regret all the layers I'm wearing because even the underground shopping is pretty warmed up. What is super crazy to me though is many of the Sapporo girls I see here are walking around in shorts or short skirts or dresses, with, at most, very thin tights underneath them. I'm wearing knee-high socks, fleece-lined leggings, and then my jeans, and I'm still kind of cold outside. I don't know how they can do it in 20 degree F weather!

Last year we didn't get much snow (for Hokkaido)...this year is heavier than normal. Since December, Sorachi-gun has been averaging around -10C. Monday and Tuesday were unusually warm (around 2C)...some of the snow sculptures in Sapporo became unstable...one actually fell on an old lady and broke a vertebrae in her back or something, didn't read the article too close.

Anyway, central heating isn't really common...I don't know anyone in my town who has it. Kerosene / space heaters are the name of the game. The classrooms in my schools are warm enough but you can see your breath in the hallways. Wearing heat-tech or thermals really helps.

I didn't pick Hokkaido but I'm glad I'm here. Yes, it's cold...yes, it snows...but it's awesome.

Sorry, I should have written "many buildings in Sapporo seem to be", and not generalized it to all of Hokkaido. The JET apartments here in Sapporo do all have heaters, but it's a bit expensive to keep the heat blasting, so some do opt for space heaters or a kotatsu instead. I have heard the schools' heating in Sapporo varies from school to school.

When I was walking around the snow festival on Monday, I did think was a bit warm and noticed a lot of the sculptures dripping. Did not hear about the injured woman. Though, I don't really have a good opportunity to follow the news here.

[Bejma]

Okayama is in a different block, but still pretty close. And I'm a she

Gotcha! I've been to Okayama before, it is quite lovely, especially in the late summer. If you don't mind bugs... I saw a spider once that was gigantic! Bugs in Japan are big... scary big.

[minnesconsin]

Okayama is in a different block, but still pretty close. And I'm a she

Gotcha! I've been to Okayama before, it is quite lovely, especially in the late summer. If you don't mind bugs... I saw a spider once that was gigantic! Bugs in Japan are big... scary big.

Oh man haha, bugs I can handle, but not when they become freakish. One thing I would not be looking forward to if placed in the inaka. Is Okayama a big beach destination? It looks like they have quite a few islands off the coast. I would love to be near the ocean, having lived in Minnesota and Wisconsin my whole life haha

[minnesconsin]

I requested Hyogo (Awaji shima), Wakayama, and Okayama. Wanted somewhere warm, and a little more south. There's also a lot of natural beauty in those spots. I have family in Osaka so I would really love to be near there. I'm not sure if I should mention the family thing if they ask me about my requests in the interview though... any thoughts? I don't want to make it seem like I just want to be near my family.

When I applied, in the section where we able to write specific reasons for a placement request, I wrote about my fiance in Sapporo and my relatives in Okinawa. I'm sure they will ask me about it. I think that as long as we make it clear that yes, we want to be close to them, but they're not the sole reason we want to be in JET and go to Japan, I think it's okay.

Good advice, thanks!

[Bejma]

Okayama is in a different block, but still pretty close. And I'm a she

Gotcha! I've been to Okayama before, it is quite lovely, especially in the late summer. If you don't mind bugs... I saw a spider once that was gigantic! Bugs in Japan are big... scary big.

Oh man haha, bugs I can handle, but not when they become freakish. One thing I would not be looking forward to if placed in the inaka. Is Okayama a big beach destination? It looks like they have quite a few islands off the coast. I would love to be near the ocean, having lived in Minnesota and Wisconsin my whole life haha

I've heard Shibukawa beach in Okayama is quite the summer vacation spot and very clean. I've never been there personally, but Everyone say it's warm and very clean. I've also heard good things about shiraishi island's beaches too. TIME TO GET THE SUNBLOCK!

[maulen]

Sorry, I should have written "many buildings in Sapporo seem to be", and not generalized it to all of Hokkaido. The JET apartments here in Sapporo do all have heaters, but it's a bit expensive to keep the heat blasting, so some do opt for space heaters or a kotatsu instead. I have heard the schools' heating in Sapporo varies from school to school.

When I was walking around the snow festival on Monday, I did think was a bit warm and noticed a lot of the sculptures dripping. Did not hear about the injured woman. Though, I don't really have a good opportunity to follow the news here.

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/vi ... s-Old-Lady

I don't know anything about the Sapporo JETs as they're pretty segregated from the rest of Hokkaido ALTs. Sounds nice, though, lol. One of my schools' foundations was damaged on 3/11 so they built a new one that we'll start using in April...there are rumors it has central heating. Here's hoping...

I read a different article than the one above that about 7 or so sculptures had to be destroyed because they were unstable to the point of being dangerous. Since Weds the temps have dropped and it's been snowing (here at least, about 35 min outside of Sapps) nonstop for two days now.

I'm going this weekend...hopefully none of the other sculptures come crashing down before I can see them, lol.

[tkmd]

Hi everyone! I'm new to posting to this forum but I had to join because I applied for the JET program and I have some questions:

Firstly, I am from the US. I got an interview (for the location in LA) and I replied the email asking when would be a preferred day/time for the interview. The email said they would get back to us by the 10th. I guess I'm getting antsy since it's barely the 9th, but I have not received any confirmation...have they gotten back to anyone yet? I saw on this forum that they called someone to see if they replied to the email but I haven't heard from them...

[Rising_Sunshine]

I know a good chunk of USA JETs go to Hokkaido each year. Personally I think it would be one wild ride and absolutely great to go skiing in Hokkaido. I know they have some killer sanctioned snowball fights as well!

Also it's funny you mention less snow last year and more this year. Where I'm at we usually expect plenty of snow by this time each year, but so far we've had next to none. Weird weather everywhere I guess.

Do you know the breakdown of other prefectures or regions? for example Kyushu/Okinawa? That's my first choice (climate, food, atmosphere,ect) followed by Kansi region and then Shikoku (the last two might be swapped) Just curious about Americans getting placed there, especially since there are many young american males (Millitary) in Okinawa already.

I can handle the snow but would really prefer a shorter winter

[OttawaPC]

Okayama is in a different block, but still pretty close. And I'm a she

Gotcha! I've been to Okayama before, it is quite lovely, especially in the late summer. If you don't mind bugs... I saw a spider once that was gigantic! Bugs in Japan are big... scary big.

I was previously lived in Okayama, and yes the weather is perfect (if you enjoy warm weather). In terms of bugs I never saw many aside from cicadas.

[kei8]

It's so funny to see so many people saying they don't want Hokkaido, as that is my number one choice. Though, I don't blame you guys, it's freaking freezing in the the winter. But, the snow is lovely and the snow festival is AMAZING. Anyway, I picked Sapporo, Hokkaido, and Okinawa as my three choices. Mostly because I have significant people in those places whom I would like to live near. But, if I end up somewhere else in Japan, I won't mind too much. At least I'll be in the same time zone and I would able to more easily travel to see them if I want.

Hokkaido is my number one choice too. I'm originally from upstate New York, so snow and cold don't faze me; I would much rather live in a place with mild summers and cold winters than somewhere with really hot summers. I also would love to be somewhere with mountains (I don't ski but I love to hike). (Although I'm always cold even in nice centrally-heated buildings so I guess I should stock up on thermals if I get placed there!) I'm pretty sure I put somewhere in Chubu (maybe Gifu?) for my second preference, but I don't remember for sure...maybe I should check that before the interview!

Dang, now I'm looking at pictures of cliffs by the sea in Fukui and kicking myself for not requesting there. It looks so cool!

[Cliodhna]

Okayama is in a different block, but still pretty close. And I'm a she

Gotcha! I've been to Okayama before, it is quite lovely, especially in the late summer. If you don't mind bugs... I saw a spider once that was gigantic! Bugs in Japan are big... scary big.

I was previously lived in Okayama, and yes the weather is perfect (if you enjoy warm weather). In terms of bugs I never saw many aside from cicadas.

Ahhh! Okayama was one of my other requests, but I hope it isn't TOO warm! I'm not a huge fan of hot....

I thought about requesting hokkaido, but I figured there were already so many jets there and so many people request it (since there's no getting placed in Tokyo) that it wouldn't be any use. :/

Still, I'm sort of counting on JET ignoring our placement requests completely and just putting us wherever, which I'm perfectly ok with.