Flying Solo (Living Away From Home)

[japanagram]

I completely agree with the posts about 'why such negativity?'!
There have been a few cases of it on other threads and i wonder why some people are doing this job when they appear to have no desire to help people and are so exceptionally arrogant
I'm happy to see that other new shortlisters are nice and i'm looking forward to meeting everyone

jx

[naju]

I completely agree with the posts about 'why such negativity?'!
There have been a few cases of it on other threads and i wonder why some people are doing this job when they appear to have no desire to help people and are so exceptionally arrogant
I'm happy to see that other new shortlisters are nice and i'm looking forward to meeting everyone

Here, here. And to all previous comments about this. I'm happy this has been finally highlighted, and I feel the reason why it hasn't already is because the forums unfortunately had started to feel like you couldn't say something without being shot down or made to feel stupid. I feel we have the safety of sitting behind our screens and saying what we like but I'm certain we would never speak to one another like this face to face. Peace and love! xxx

[jookie]

This list is quite helpful and I'm not going to try to sit on a high horse and act like I can do everything on it. No, it isn't all "common sense" to everyone because no two people grow up in the exact same way. I do have to agree with the "why all the negativity" comment. Especially for the current JETs who are attempting to troll the new ones. I sure hope you people don't treat your students like that when they ask a question that you've deemed "common sense" or "obvious."

[madelineanne]

Thanks to everyone for making these sorts of lists! Even if everything does not apply to me, I always find at least one thing I have not considered yet. It's really nice when people take the time just in case. I know I'm "behind" because I'm from a liberal arts school and have never lived in an apartment before, but we all have to adjust sometime. This helps. I think we'll all be fine at the end, but that we will have adjustments to make nevertheless, no matter how independent we already are. Thanks, guys.

[Lianwen]

I, too, think this is a great thread. Are gas bills generally more expensive in Japan than elsewhere? Everyone is talking about saving gas - just curious. I don't pay gas in my current apartment, so I don't have much to compare it to-I just pay electricity.

I'm sure other people will chime in to, but my gas bill ranges from 3500yen~9000yen a month. Gas is used to heat my water (I have to flip a switch when I want hot water) and for cooking. If I cook maybe on half the nights out of the month using my stove and take short 5 min showers @ 37C, my gas bill is about 7000-8000yen. If I only cook a few nights, same thing on the shower, it comes to about 5500yen. I'm up north, though, so maybe that has something to do with it.

My electricity comes to about 5000yen. That's with me running a dryer 3 times or so a night and having other household appliances on.

[coop52]

You could also end up in a situation with no gas at all. My house is completely electric. My bill usually runs between 5000 and 8000 yen a month, depending on the season. I don't have a kerosene heater though. I use my kotatsu and a fan heater. I also leave my computer on 24/7.

[Jax]

I agree with the why such negativity posts and that no one should be putting anyone down, but (not trying to be negative here)... much of this is simple survival 101. I can totally see why some current JETs are having a negative reaction to this thread as I'm having a hard time myself trying not to smack my forehead and type this post up calmly.

Just jump right in and you'll figure it out. I know it's scary going off on your own for the first time. I had to do it too... and I did it in China of all places and thought I was a complete idiot for willingly putting myself through that and had a total breakdown before I left.... but I got there and figured it out. You guys can too. You'll learn as you go.

Also I cook all the time and don't turn off my water heater thingy and my gas bill isn't crazy expensive.

[Antonath]

As an ITIL regular (*dodges thrown bricks*), I'd say there's two reasons for the negativity. The first is that while most of the items on the original list are skills people may not have picked up and should probably do so (riding a bike, using a non-electric kettle...), others are things like "Perform basic hygiene". Seriously?

The second reason for the negativity is that people keep phrasing their questions badly. As a current example, "where can I buy a first-aid kit in Japan?" is a sensible quesion: when I arrived, I had heard plenty of tales of the magical combinis that sell everything, so went there to get some asprin. Combinis don't sell medicine so I was out of luck, but they do sell things like bandages, which I would have put in the same "medical" category as asprin. However, asking "do they have first aid kits in Japan" is poorly phrased, possibly even implying a touch of xenophobia.

[Allison_NaraPA]

OP, I think this is a good list. Some of these things we'll learn when we get there, like the trash/recycling ordeal, and some we can just google or youtube for a tutorial.

I agree! *However, as for Google, your immediate access to the Internet may be limited. While my Supervisor helped me set up my cell phone on `Day One` once I arrived in Nara, I know others who waited a week or two for a cell phone and months for an Internet connection in their apt.

My ￥2:

1. Practice Reading a Map Especially useful when exploring new areas and getting to your schools/workplace for the first few times. A small compass may help explorers stay on track.

2. Become comfortable with the Metric system. This skill is especially useful when cooking and understanding the weather forecast!

3. Know Yourself. Moving to Japan can be a huge transition! The first few days away from family, friends, and the bustle of Tokyo Orientation (and possibly without the Internet) can be especially difficult. There will be much to do and many people to meet, but what do you need to be comfortable? A book? Journal? Music? Art supplies? Bicycle (maybe your pred has one)?

[Allison_NaraPA]

others are things like "Perform basic hygiene". Seriously? .

Cheers to all the lucky, sweet smelling JETs out there, but hygiene is a big issue. This can be a difficult issue to discuss when it arises, too.

For example, some bodies react to the heat differently, and folks may not be aware of odors. Other folks may have not been raised with the hygienic practices others have been. Showering/hair washing daily (?), teeth brushing (2x/day?), etc. Practicing good hygiene will help you put your best self forward and also help you stay healthy!

[Kirari]

Just jump right in and you'll figure it out. I know it's scary going off on your own for the first time. I had to do it too... and I did it in China of all places and thought I was a complete idiot for willingly putting myself through that and had a total breakdown before I left.... but I got there and figured it out. You guys can too. You'll learn as you go.

Also I cook all the time and don't turn off my water heater thingy and my gas bill isn't crazy expensive.

See, this is a good way to word it. There's no need to be condescending about anything. And if the way the way a question is worded sounds xenophobic to some of you, though it was not likely meant that way, just think of a way to say it professionally and politely. Again, there may be "reasons" for negativity, but there's really no excuse for it on this forum. No one's throwing bricks (said the pot to the kettle) - we're just expressing the need to be treated with respect.

I kind of balked at the 'perform basic hygiene' thing too. But I thought that maybe it referred to learning where to buy soap and toothpaste. And now that I think about it, I have friend that used to frequent anime conventions. She said that she often volunteered to hand out little hygiene sets, like deodorant and soap and toothpaste, because frequently, the lack of personal hygiene among some of the attendees was nearly unbearable. Maybe some of these people made it into the JET program and now need to be reminded? It's possible. In any case, if you feel you must say something, please be helpful by keeping it respectful. Everyone here deserves it, and again, this forum should be a little more professional.

[word]

Oh, cool, a bandwagon! Is there still room for me on board?

I agree completely with the "Y U SO NEGATIVE" posts! Why on earth would anyone react negatively to a thread like this? The simple truth is, the vast majority of JETs come from first-world nations and, therefor, live incredibly privileged lives, even if they're not aware of this fact. We're accustomed to facing all sorts of first-world problems, and it is the height of insensitivity for one to assume that these problems aren't truly frustrating, serious obstacles to our health and safety. Japan is a first-world nation, to be sure, but it comes with a slew of its own unique first-world problems, many of which new ALTs have never experienced.

First-world problems are a very serious matter, and should be taken very seriously. There won't be people holding your hand from the moment you step off the plane. Well, actually, there will, but there won't be many resources or much available support once you arrive at your placement. Well, actually, there will, but there won't be lots of native people around you who will bend over backwards to help you when you need it. Well, actually, there will, but there won't be anyone around to give you a swift kick in the butt when you need it. But, hey, that's what the internet is for, amiright?

All that said, please, please, please, people! READ these posts. The OP's list was a good one, there are many other good posts, and I hope you'll take mine seriously. Oh, I tossed a few LOLs in there for fun (and while I'll be the first to agree that not everyone shares my sense of humor, I think it's pretty obvious when I'm joking and when I'm being earnest), but these things must be truly, thoughtfully considered. One of the ALT deaths that I mentioned actually happened. It was truly a terrible, terrible tragedy, one which I, as a fourth-year JET, hope never to see repeated.

To those Negative Nancys, those haters and trolls--SHAME on you. You should know better than to assume everyone can handle things that seem obvious to you simply because they haven't lived your particular lifestyle. How arrogant and obnoxious of you! What's worse, you're assuming that they have a healthy sense of self-efficacy. American schools have emphasized self-esteem for years, rather than self-efficacy, and as a result, many young Americans today feel that, while they are great people, winners all, they may not be capable of handling certain first-world problems without a bit of help. Why would you come here and attempt to insult them and diminish their self-esteem? It's rude, unprofessional, and appallingly insensitive.

The world will be a much better place when we can learn to face the truth that first-world problems are real, they are serious, and they have the potential to seriously affect the happiness and well-being of any new ALT. Let's all try to keep in mind that our differences should be celebrated. Sometimes it's good, even healthy, to laugh at our problems and differences, but we absolutely must remain civil and understanding towards one another.

Thanks for allowing me to call this one like I see it, folks. You're awesome!

-word

[Cytrix]

(trolol that was the biggest carebear post of all time Word).

I think it's important to hear the 'negative criticisms' and the bad side of Japan. It's important that you do not arrive with wonderfully superglued-on rose-coloured specs. Its' important for you to realise that you have a huge journey ahead of yourself and if you don't get this sort of BASIC life training now then your supervisor and experienced ALTs in your area are going to get sick and tired of your requests.

If you are unlucky enough in life not to have learned how to do all these BASIC LIFESKILLS you need to quickly change that now...not just for Japan but for your own sake. Not everyone here is straight out of college. Many of us have worked for several years, led independent lives and, yes, it can be easy for us to forget that at one stage we didn't know how to do this stuff...but you're all no longer teenagers. You're adults. Time to learn how to be one otherwise you are not going to cope here.

[Sooyong]

2. Become comfortable with the Metric system. This skill is especially useful when cooking and understanding the weather forecast!

This deserves a blue ribbon. Americans have the unfortunate circumstance of using measurements that hardly any other country uses as our primary method. it While I personally prefer using pounds for weight and Fahrenheit for temperature because they're more precise, it's saves so much time when you get used to using metric standards without having to convert everything.

[Jennaiii]

Word, Cytrix thumbs up. Totally agreed on this one.

The rose-tinted specs especially because if you think that your time here is going to be perfect and wonderful, when something happens that does rock the boat, even a little it will seem huge. Day by day you will face things that upset or annoy you, from casual racism to the Gaijin Brigade parking their van outside your apartment and yelling all foreigners are scum (words to that effect). And it's often the little things. For example, I got a form through the post that someone told me was reeeeally important, but I didn't understand what it was, or why I had to do it. I got super stressed. Over a form. Like, crying stressed. It wasn't anything to do with the form, it was because I didn't know what it was for, and I didn't know what to do with it. Something that would have taken me less than an hour to do in the UK, but took me five days to figure out (and it turned out that I DIDN'T need to fill it out at all...). That is something you are going to be dealing with a lot. You have to emotional strong enough to deal with this, not just have the abilities to look after a home and yourself in the physical ways. In comparison, stuff like gas bills and car insurance will seem like small potatoes, even if they are still important.

Don't feel stupid for asking questions. You aren't going to know everything, but you should try and figure it out yourself before going to the nearest person to cry for help. You are adults, and I assure you that after 6 months in the country you'll start thinking, "Huh, I don't know why I ever worried. These last 6 months have flown by."
Nobody excepts you to be fully assimilated, and you shouldn't expect it of anyone else either. Otherwise you will have a high horse to climb down from.