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WHERE IS YAMANASHI?

Some things in Japan may seem smaller than what you are accustomed to; the roads, the cars, the restaurant portions and er… I can’t think of anything else. Yamanashi is the second smallest prefecture in Japan, thus it is home to a modest number of seventy-six JET’s. It is true (only in this case) that size doesn’t matter, as we more than compensate in substance.

You have so much to look forward to! But first, there are some things you should consider doing before you leave home:

  1. Memorize a simple self introduction in Japanese. Arriving with no formal Japanese language skills it is not a problem, but it would help you if you have the greetings and self-introduction under control, so that you don’t feel like too much of a lemon when you meet your supervisor and colleagues for the first time (you may feel like a lemon the rest of the time, but that’s normal).

If you didn’t get any info from the JET Programme, try memorizing this…

Hajimemashite . Nice to meet you.

Watashi wa === to moshimasu. My name is ===.

Watashi wa America no Louisiana-shyu kara kimashita.

I am from Louisiana, America.

(shyu means state –don’t say if you are telling them the city you are from)

Dozo yoroshiku onegaishimasu. (It sort of means, let’s have a happy friendship. – Just say it, they’ll think you are nice and smart).

  1. Start packing! Use this guide to help you. Don’t fret about forgetting something, as chances are you will find it here or can have it sent to you. I say this from personal experience, CHECK AIRLINE WEIGHT LIMITS and WEIGH YOUR BAG - don’t do what I did and leave it until the last minute to realise your bag weighs 60kg, and be pulling the kitchen sink out of it at 3am before leaving.

  1. Have lots of leaving parties and enjoy your time with friends and family. Get those all-important email/home addresses and enjoy your newfound celebrity status as suddenly everyone really appreciates you (believe me, even ex-girl/boyfriends will come out of the woodworks…. though perhaps just to ensure you get on the plane!)

  1. Stop panicking and RELAX!!! You can only prepare up to a point, and then you just have to fly by the seat of your pants and put some faith in the unknown. Rest assured you will not be dropped out of the airplane into the rice paddies and be expected to practice survival skills. You will have many friendly faces to meet you and hold your hand through those turbulent first steps. So just sit back and enjoy the adventure!!

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