Caribbean JET Applicants

[Lexxxi]

Hey guys, any more word? Tacuma u havent heard anything via email as yet? U shud have by now. U interviewed, so u shud be hearing something. The docs must be sent in by April 30th. But just keep checking ur junk mail etc. It may have slipped by u. Keep us posted whoever else have received email notification. Im sure they arent thru sendin out notices.

[Meela]

LOL yeah I got over my depression after the first two hours or so...


Tacuma you need to contact the embassy. And prepare another certificate of health and criminal record before the 30th just in case. The certificate of health form is the same as the one used in your application.

[Lexxxi]

Question to those who are now in Japan. What city did you depart from in the US? Both jamaicans and Trinis, what was ur US departure point cuz im seeing loadssssss on this form. Next question is your living arrangements, do u guys live in a studio set up apt or do u have roommates and share amenities etc. Just would love som insight into living conditions. I really dont care about the cost of things , i just want to know how comfortable Ill be in my day to day living and comfort level. Thanks . (Ps it hasnt sunk in yet, so im still in calm, collective getting necessary ish organised mode) when that is done , then celebrations WILL begin.

[kokuracrystals]

Question to those who are now in Japan. What city did you depart from in the US? Both jamaicans and Trinis, what was ur US departure point cuz im seeing loadssssss on this form. Next question is your living arrangements, do u guys live in a studio set up apt or do u have roommates and share amenities etc. Just would love som insight into living conditions. I really dont care about the cost of things , i just want to know how comfortable Ill be in my day to day living and comfort level. Thanks . (Ps it hasnt sunk in yet, so im still in calm, collective getting necessary ish organised mode) when that is done , then celebrations WILL begin.

So i am Trini we departed from Miami, and as regards to living conditions i would be open minded as it will depend on where you are placed. I got placed in a city quite frankly i would say i lucked out to be placed in Kitakyushu city in Fukuoka. I live alone i was able to choose my apartment out of a set, so i took a one bedroom non studio apartment and i deliberatly didnt want it any bigger because am lazy and cleaning is a pain. Winter is a witch in Japan and i dont think anywhere you are placed you will be comfortably prepared for that beast. ................. Keep asking away ! .......... i should add that i dont live in teacher housing either where the apartments are generally bigger, at times older and generally cheaper.... Do u you know any others who got in?

[Lexxxi]

good stuff K. Thanks. Well I lived and studied in UK so I ave livd through the Big Freeze as we called it. But from other winter experiences, I am well aware how blistering they can be. I really would prefer an apt to myself, and small is fine by me. Cozy and small. I can make that work. No, i dont know any others. I dont know who else I interviewed with made it thru. Alot of ppl prob arent even aware of this forum unfortunately. I was reading the US forums and those posts are bumpin with information. The day to day relations in ur school, how do u find it? Any plans to renew? Are you enjoying the entire experience?

[Lexxxi]

Oh yea. U said u left from Miami. But i know its like 2 stops. So after miami, what other stop was made? Im just tryna get an idea of the haul of the trip to Narita.

[Renz_A]

True dat. Don't you also find it wierd that nobody else is on here either? I mean, somebody should be celebrating on this thread by now

I was wondering the same thing. So seeing that I'm the only one so far, and an alternate to boot, I don't know if I should feel hopeful.

Don`t loose hope Meela, I was an alternate too and here I am in Japan so ur chances are pretty good.

[Renz_A]

Oh yea. U said u left from Miami. But i know its like 2 stops. So after miami, what other stop was made? Im just tryna get an idea of the haul of the trip to Narita.

I left from Jamaica and my flight was Kingston - Miami (overnight) - Chicago - Japan.

With regards to housing, u wont be be sharing but the living conditions will vary greatly. I live in a city and my apartment is pretty big (by Japanese standards), most of the other ALTs in my area have typical studio apartments so I was lucky I guess. Some apartments will come furnished, some wont - It all depends on ur BOE basically. My apartment came fully furnished.

[kokuracrystals]

Oh yea. U said u left from Miami. But i know its like 2 stops. So after miami, what other stop was made? Im just tryna get an idea of the haul of the trip to Narita.

So the actual journey was Trinidad.....miami for a short nap.....Texas then Narita. The thing with winter is that the houses are not insulated nor have central heating so still brace thyself !! Day to day running of my school is okay sometimes its hustle pace stress ! THEN you go through the period of nothing to do and your brain falls asleep or goes on autopilot !! HA HA!
I don't take school lunch because there is way too many things am allergic too being served in it but you can decide to have it with or without your students if you like.
You will live alone and conditions of houseing will depend on your board of education. Continue to shoot!

[kokuracrystals]

Did yall put down where you wanted to go? Please be patient this is where the waiting game begins! Oh ladies walk with many shoes! Less you have a petite foot of course!

[Lexxxi]

Awww mehnnn!!! U have no idea how much ease ya all putting me , and i imagine the others who browse and pass thru, at. I prefer living alone. I have grown accustomd to living alone as i do im ny home country. I do me, and prefer ti keep it that way . I was browsing the journey and its looking pretty crazy with the stop overs etc. Ok so next question, i imagine clothes wise, we oughta travel with winter gear , coats, scarves etc. What essentials shud we consider bringing, since theres a limit on what we can load up with. Im gonna refrain frm bringin bulky books etc. So what wud be the essentials. And ye im a shoe feign, sad ill hav to leave my 'hotter' pairs behind for a more laid back walkin friendly bunch. And what other travels have u guys been on outside of japan? If any at all? I cant even remeber where i put down as my prefernce. I know it wasnt tokyo or okinawa tho. I prefer to be away from the centralised hustle n bustle.

[Hawkeye]

Yeah, my route was also Trini, Miami and Texas.

I got a small apartment that grew on me.. the whole thing is the size of my bedroom back home... didn't like it at first, still complain about lack of space, but WHEN IN ROME..... hehe. It grows on you, i guess.

[Nako]

Ok, So I read someone's post that alternates get through because some people can't come up with the money, before that I wasn't really stressing over the money thing, that just changed. From a current or past JET, I'm just trying to get an idea of the amount you'll use getting set up from Trini, and then how much you'll need average when you get over. I know ESID, because I've read it a million times, but all the other threads only really speak about financial preparation in terms of US and I kinda wanted a more local perspective...I'll take bajan too, lol. Also, if anyone has suggestions on money transfer arrangements for paying back student loans while over in Japan.

[Lexxxi]

Hey . Ill try to help where I can. I had some queries about paying student loans and other things and i found alotttt of info on the others forums. U can go at the top of the page and click on Jet Forums, and select Current jets. Scroll down till u see a thread saying ' Paying Back Student loans'. I wud advise u peruse these other threads for general info. Alot of my questions have been kinda answered there and other threads. Apparently, the easiest way is via GoLloyds, i imaging that wiring money is expensive. As for how much money will b needed is a toss up, as factors such as u dont know where ur goin, how expensive cheap, rent etc, u dont know. What im doing is just saving as much as i can and then some. They will sort transporatation etc but u still have to eat and so on. Even if one of the current jets tell u, that wud be great, but u still wont know if that applies to u cuz more than likely u will be placed elsewhere in a different prefecture, or maybe not. Im nt a very stress-entertaining person, so my advice is just dont worry too much. Just get ur required docs in. And browse the other forums. Im sure ull find some comfort.

[kokuracrystals]

Ok, So I read someone's post that alternates get through because some people can't come up with the money, before that I wasn't really stressing over the money thing, that just changed. From a current or past JET, I'm just trying to get an idea of the amount you'll use getting set up from Trini, and then how much you'll need average when you get over. I know ESID, because I've read it a million times, but all the other threads only really speak about financial preparation in terms of US and I kinda wanted a more local perspective...I'll take bajan too, lol. Also, if anyone has suggestions on money transfer arrangements for paying back student loans while over in Japan.

Hey guys, so i will tell you what i did to set up : To remit money home i use Go Lloyds i set that up when i came to Japan but you can start downloading your forms from their website as anything to help reduce initial anxiety is always helpful. Some people send the money to US accounts which they set up with any of the banks or like me i send it home to my regular savings account and that is also fine. To set up a us account u need to have specific set of money and i wasnt willing to go through the extra so hence i used my regular savings account. For coming here i was sure to come with just over one months salary just around 3000usd the exchange rate when u get here will not be in your favour so aim for that as your minimum as you are trading in the opposite direction.