The following results are taken from a Niigata JET questionnaire. Hearing some first hand experiences, both positive and negative, might help you better prepare for life in Niigata.
What items are you most happy to have in your apartment?
- CD/MD player | - kotatsu (heated table) | - my goldfish | - TV/VCR | - air-con | - heater | - computer | - rice cooker | - microwave | - pictures of home/friends | - bed | - 'proper' sofa/pillows | - loads of books | - washing machine | - a great view | - heated toilet seat/carpet | - answering machine | - satellite TV |
What books are you most happy you read before (or after) coming to Japan?
- Lonely Planet |
| - Chrysanthemum & the Sword |
| - Jet Handbook |
| - Straight Jacket Society |
| - Enigma of Japanese Power |
| - Culture Shock Japan |
| - Dave Barry Does Japan |
| - Japanese Etiquette |
| - Memoirs of a Geisha |
| - The Rape of Nanking |
| - Shogun |
| - Wild Swans |
| - Speed Tribes |
| - Japanese for Busy People |
| - Learning to Bow |
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What items would you advise new JETs to bring to Japan?
- CDs | - medicine (esp. headache pills) | - extra 'indoor' shoes | - hobby supplies | - Japanese language & travel books | - lap top computer | - smart attire | - cosmetics | - shoes (not lace-ups) | - condoms | - sense of humor | - warm clothes | - rain coat and pants | - a book about your home country | - patience |
* Toiletry supplies especially spray on deodorant, fluoride toothpaste and cosmetics
* Photos, maps, videos, coins, stamps, postcards of your home, family, friends etc.
* International Driver's License
What should they leave at home?
- electrical appliances | - towels, linen, etc. | - opinions about Japan | - books/dictionaries | - excessive amounts of clothes | - lace-up shoes | - heavy, bulky things that will cost a lot to send back home |
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What, in your opinion, is the best book to help in learning Japanese?
Japanese for Busy People
CLAIR Correspondence Course
No book, just getting out there and talk to people
What was your first impression of your school and working conditions?
I was surprised how old the apartment building was and how few facilities were available. No AC or Internet facilities.
That the classrooms were crowded and the students were very shy
Very hot and humid
Everyone works way too many hours
Some staff/students were very open and friendly but others just hid at their desks
Strict, inflexible, and male dominated
The teacher-student relationship was very close, unlike in my home country
What is the most difficult part of your job?
Boredom
Teaching the same lesson repeatedly and making creative lesson plans
Constant superstar status
Being expected to always have brilliant ideas and to be happy all the time
Not being informed about what's going on at school
My & students' motivation
Bureaucracy
What is the best part of your job?
A successful class - when my students actually get it!
Students
English club and getting to know the students and other teachers
Lots of free time to pursue my interests
Cash and traveling opportunities
Meeting other ALTs
How everyone is always so happy to talk to me
What is the most difficult part of your life in Japan?
Isolation and loneliness
Finding vegetarian food
Having to rely on other people so much
Communication - not being able to express myself
Being stared at all the time
Dealing with inflexibility and prejudice
Who has helped you the most in your life and work in Japan?
- other JETs | - supervisor | - Japanese friends in the area | - girlfriend/boyfriend | - the school office workers | - Japanese teacher |
Where are you most happy that you traveled during your stay in Japan?
- Mt Fuji | - Kyoto | - Nara | - Osaka | - Nikko | - Hokkaido | - Nagano | - Kanazawa | - Tokyo | - Kyushu | - Thailand & Vietnam | - Sado Earth Celebration | - Fiji | - China | - Okinawa | - Hiroshima | - Cambodia & Singapore | - India |
What have you done or accomplished during your time in Japan that you are most proud of, happy about, or satisfied with?
Learning about Japanese culture/ Learning Japanese
Traveling
Work for Habitat for Humanity
Learning to snowboard and ski
Increasing my world and teaching experience
Teaching my country's customs to the Japanese
Learned calligraphy/flower arranging/Japanese tea ceremony/Taiko/Judo/Kendo
Made Japanese friends
Made a new life for myself and been good at my job
Surviving!
What is the most important advice you can give about being a JET/living in Niigata-ken?
Relax, take it easy, and enjoy the ride
Integrate with Japanese people lots and learn the language
Know that though things will be tense and frustrating at first, it gets easier
Try everything
Explore Niigata
Get a car
Stay busy and positive
Be flexible and patient - things will work themselves out!
Don't shut yourself away in winter
Find something to get involved in
Be prepared for the weather and boredom
Travel lots
Make a plan of what you want to achieve here and stick to it
Take every opportunity you get as the time flies
Smile - it goes a long way!
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