Room mates?

[Siyris]

To clarify, I wasn't trying to sound condescending, or give a reality check. I just know that, so far in my experience and that of the people who came the same year as me that I have made friends with, the people who had the biggest stars in their eyes are also those who are crashing the hardest right now, even to the point of breaking contract. So please don't think of it as a reality check but rather giving details that might have slipped your mind (or really, any other aspiring JET who reads this thread's mind).

I'm sorry if I have offended it was not the intent.

As to silly mentions of laundry -- it might sound silly to some people, however anyone who's been in a really dark place at any point in their life will know that a bunch of small silly things that add up on top of an already stressful situation can cause seemingly stupid emotional meltdowns. So while on the surface it seems silly - it is the sort of thing that someone never having lived away from home, or never having had to deal with every chore themselves, will not have thought of. I figured some warnings of the not-so-nice bits of JET were worth giving, considering that the number one complaint I've heard from the people who came this past year was that we were all given the 'shiny happy, wonderland' view of JET and very little of the negatives... even on this forum.

[word]

I adore Japan and have for almost my whole life, so it has always been a dream to at least visit...

[SeaJay]

Sorry this is so long, I do value getting detailed accounts of experience instead of advice. you might not. This isn't the same as experience in Japan but my experience living alone. I have lived in Michigan, florida, south Carolina, and Boston. Michigan writh family Florida with college and jobs, and the others through summer research programs at other university in provided campus housing paid by grants.

No apologies needed! I really appreciate you taking the time tell me about your experience living alone. It's always valuable to hear about others' experiences. Thank you for sharing yours.

To clarify, I wasn't trying to sound condescending, or give a reality check. I just know that, so far in my experience and that of the people who came the same year as me that I have made friends with, the people who had the biggest stars in their eyes are also those who are crashing the hardest right now, even to the point of breaking contract. So please don't think of it as a reality check but rather giving details that might have slipped your mind (or really, any other aspiring JET who reads this thread's mind).

I'm sorry if I have offended it was not the intent.

As to silly mentions of laundry -- it might sound silly to some people, however anyone who's been in a really dark place at any point in their life will know that a bunch of small silly things that add up on top of an already stressful situation can cause seemingly stupid emotional meltdowns. So while on the surface it seems silly - it is the sort of thing that someone never having lived away from home, or never having had to deal with every chore themselves, will not have thought of. I figured some warnings of the not-so-nice bits of JET were worth giving, considering that the number one complaint I've heard from the people who came this past year was that we were all given the 'shiny happy, wonderland' view of JET and very little of the negatives... even on this forum.

I wasn't really offended by your original post, don't worry. And I get what you mean by the silly small things being the catalyst to a huge meltdown, that's normally how it happens for me. As I said above, I appreciate first hand accounts of others' experiences. So, thank you for your input.

But, as I said, I am fully aware that if I do get into the program, it's going to be hard. Really, very, terribly hard. And that's all the more reason for me to do it.

And I suppose I should have been more direct with the "I don't need a reality check" comment.

No, actually I don't. But some actual advice would be helpful.

I adore Japan and have for almost my whole life, so it has always been a dream to at least visit...

Cute. But still not quite helpful. Your very first post, that was helpful. These past two? Not so much.

[word]

A picture is worth a thousand words! Your reaction to these two pictures implies that you probably wouldn't care for the thousand words I'd have offered in their place, though. Try growing a thicker skin and learning to laugh at yourself! Trust me, it'll help you here. I'd even go so far as to say it's pretty essential. If you can't take a light ribbing on an internet forum, life in Japan is gonna bone you so hard...


Besides, I always try to offer meaningful advice! Sometimes, it's in the form of a very sweet, meaningful, carefully-worded, friendly post, but sometimes it's in the form of a joke, sometimes it's in the form of a picture, and sometimes it's in the form of a sarcastic comment. What can I say? I calls 'em like I sees 'em--I'm a whale biologist.

[EricaHartmann]

Word has a point, you most likely will be in for a rude awakening. When you lived on your own, I assume you weren't a 30 minute bike ride from the nearest station. You weren't a 15 minute bike rid from the nearest shop. You didn't need to leave a party at 9 to make sure you will catch the train back home.

The Japan people 'adore' and the first thing they see is the bright lights of the city. Then you go to placement.

[Jax]

I wasn't going to say anything, but this is getting nuts. I think most of the posters in this thread are being unfairly hard on SeaJay. You take one SIMPLE comment along the lines of I can't wait to live on my own in Japan and completely twist it into a judgement when you've never even met them. I found their comment completely harmless. Plenty of people have the same feeling as SeaJay and have absolutely no problems, then there are some who do. It's hard to say who will. There's no reason to pounce on someone for voicing being excited to live in Japan, though, when you don't even know the person.

[Cliodhna]

My roommates' cats do this ALL THE TIME. They've even gone so far as to try and push one another off the ledge to plummet to their death. I love those stupid cats. <3


Guys, I'm guessing the original question's already been answered: You will probably have to room with someone during orientation, but after that, you will ultimately be on your own.

[SeaJay]

Good point. My question has been answered.

Thank you Jax for your input, I appreciate it. But maybe they have a point. I'm frazzled and in a pretty stressed state this week - for obvious reasons. So maybe I jumped for the throat a little quickly.

I'm gonna go grow that "thick skin" and move on now.







(Still SUPER DUPER MEGA X INFINITY excited about the possibility of living in Japan!!!! )

[nicklar]

Well said Jax. I realise that people are trying to make valid points but it can quickly spiral downwards from here. There are other places where that is more the modus operandi and best left there. Good luck to SeaJay and other applicants Do be excited - JET is a great opportunity.

[bittersweet]

Word has a point, you most likely will be in for a rude awakening. When you lived on your own, I assume you weren't a 30 minute CAR OR BUS ride from the nearest train station. You weren't a 30 minute bike ride from the nearest shop. You didn't need to leave a party at 7pm (lol) to make sure you will catch the BUS back home. Or go to the party and not drink so you can drive yourself home (it's zero tolerance here).

The Japan people 'adore' and the first thing they see is the bright lights of the city. Then you go to placement.

fixed for me.

[word]

I wasn't going to say anything, but this is getting nuts. I think most of the posters in this thread are being unfairly hard on SeaJay. You take one SIMPLE comment along the lines of I can't wait to live on my own in Japan and completely twist it into a judgement when you've never even met them. I found their comment completely harmless. Plenty of people have the same feeling as SeaJay and have absolutely no problems, then there are some who do. It's hard to say who will. There's no reason to pounce on someone for voicing being excited to live in Japan, though, when you don't even know the person.

If posting two mildly amusing pictures in order to give someone a light ribbing is something you consider "pouncing" on someone, then you DEFINITELY need to grow a thicker skin. Sea seems to be taking it in stride.

I guess I should make more of an effort to only make fun of people who say really, incredibly, unimaginably horrific, stupid, and offensive things on the bulletin boards. Like, say, that one time, right after that really big earthquake, when this one poster actually had the audacity to...