Who has never been to Japan before?

[Rising_Sunshine]

I got the idea from Norsehawk's thread about who has visited Japan before.

since we've never been to Japan and it is likely the first question we will be asked in the interview (should we be fortunate enough to get one):

Why do you want to go to Japan?

I have never been but have always wanted to go, but not as a tourist. I want to experience the real Japan (I know its a bit of a loaded term), the non Tokyo/Osaka/Kyoto Japan.

Also, what was your families reaction when you told them about the JET program?

I feel like my family and friends were surprised at first but didn't believe I was serious. The fact that I have a "good" job doesn't help.

Feel free to share

[merkypie]

Oh yay, a " Never Been to Japan Anonymous " thread. I was beginning to feel like I missed the party train or something.

Hmmm, family is 100% supportive of me participating in this program. I'm part Japanese so there's some family history interest into why I want to go to Japan. And I like doing international things.

[erinmarie]

I have never been to Japan before. However, I have tons of international experience because I am a first generation American on both sides of my family. I have a lot of family abroad in Denmark, Egypt, and Ireland.

I want to go to Japan because I have always wanted to live abroad. I didn't have a chance while in college to study abroad and because I'm an education major I knew there was a great opportunity to teach English abroad. I started looking at tons of different places but quickly decided I wanted to do something off the beaten path and not super touristy. Japan was always on my radar because I was also a printmaking major in college and have studied many Japanese artists and printmaking techniques. But what really sealed the deal was finding JET. everything that the program was about was what I was looking for. and there really is no equivalent to it in any other country or even within Japan.

My family was less then thrilled. for about the first few months they called it, "The Japan Problem." They would ask me, "How is the Japan problem going?" stuff like that. They totally changed their opinion on it, when one of my friends told them that she was going to teach English in Uganda for six months starting this december. All of the sudden Japan didn't sound too bad to them. Now they are excited. Asking me everyday about interviews, telling me that they know that I can do it. And if I don't get into JET its okay because they were researching and there are other programs and opportunities to teach in Japan. its so funny how quickly they change their minds.

[mtreecorner]

I haven't. I didn't get a chance while in college to go abroad / live in a "other" place. I have been to Europe and around North America, though.

Why Japan then? Honestly, its a cool/interesting culture and so different than American culture. I could learn a lot there. I think it would do me well to be somewhere where I am a clear minority in culture and appearance. That's why I applied to this program where I'd most likely outside of major cities as well.

[kemi22]

I haven't been to Japan, but I've always liked the culture from what I have learned and want to get to know it better. I've been to South Korea and China though and they were pretty awesome, so I am hoping Japan will be just as great.

[Kian87]

I've never been before but have always been fascinated by the culture and the vast differences between our culture and theirs. I had considered china for a while but having spoken to a friend who taught there apparently they can't be quite anti-western and she had a really hard time over there.

[bduddy]

I've wanted to go for a while, since I started taking Japanese in high school. There was a exchange/tourist type trip that I was going to do right after high school, but it didn't work out...

My parents were very supportive... probably because I finally had some definitive idea of "What do you want to do after college"?

[bananathursdays]

I have never been to Japan, as I wasn't financially capable of taking a trip there or studying abroad while in college. I've wanted to go for a very long time, but I didn't just want to go on a short vacation there. As some of you have mentioned already, I have really wanted to experience Japan and all it has to offer, not just the big cities.

I got my Bachelor's degree in Japanese, so going to live and work in Japan would mean being surrounded by the culture, making it easier to become more fluent. I would love the opportunity to improve my Japanese skills while there and make Japanese friends.

[MHFencer]

I can't say I've been there. I've done some traveling; nothing too far away except Germany and Ireland. The vast difference in culture is what's driving me, and my passion for history. I'd also like to become an educator once I'm through with everything (hopefully the JET Program), so this would be a great opportunity to give me some fantastic experience. I've studied Japanese and Japanese history, and I want to learn more while there.
My family has supported me since I've made the decision, but were wary after the earthquakes. My girlfriend... supports me, but considering that the alternative would be me moving in with her, she's torn.

[hatefulsandwich]

I haven't been to Japan. I'm also of the school of thought that I would like to discover it more in-depth than a short holiday, but the main reason is really down to finances.

EDIT: I forgot to add the part about family support.

My family is supportive, but I think they're largely bemused by the whole thing. On one hand they seem to be excited for me and on the other I feel that they're not convinced I'm going to do it.

[Rising_Sunshine]

Yeah, I should point out my family has come around and understands that this is important to me (every time I talk about Japan I " get really excited and start talking faster" and my voice gets "higher") and have even said, if I get in they plan on celebrating Christmas in Japan with me My dad is retired military so they could potentially visit me fairly easily.

[dragonsthree]

For the experience. I haven't traveled a whole lot, so seeing another country will be interesting. As well as experiencing a new culture, lifestyle, language, etc. And I've taught in the past, but never in a classroom setting, so that would be interesting as well.

[Kittokatto]

Glad I'm not the only one who has never been. If I get chosen this round, it will be the first chance I've had to go overseas at all. (And I haven't even traveled my own country much yet...)

Like so many others here, the finance thing never panned out for me. I majored in a foreign language (not Japanese), but I couldn't study abroad unlike many of my classmates. (Kind of silly to say I studied languages, yet I cannot speak any one of them 100% fluently. Urgh.)

So I'm really looking forward to possibly going, but not knowing the direction of my life at this moment is doing a number on my sanity. Family has been on the fence about it... I think my mother, when she is convinced that I am going, keeps reminding me that if I get lonely, I can quit and come right home. (Like I would blow that chance!)

[merkypie]

Glad I'm not the only one who has never been. If I get chosen this round, it will be the first chance I've had to go overseas at all. (And I haven't even traveled my own country much yet...)

Same with the never been outside the country. While I haven't left the country, I've made it up with traveling around the US. This country is so huge that it's pretty much several countries within itself. The people can be so different depending on where you go. It's an experience, to say the least. So, I've traded one for the other. No regrets, tbh.

Though, if I had the extra money, I would have traveled abroad. No doubt.

[jim]

the non Tokyo/Osaka/Kyoto Japan.

Osaka is as "real Japan" as it gets. Do some proper research on the place, discuss it at interview if asked and you may even be lucky enough to get the JET holy grail of a placement there.