JET Q&A Session and Workshop: Helpful Tips and Advice

July 1, 2013

This past weekend, I attended the JET Q&A Session and Workshops at Tokai University and was able to meet other Hawaii JETs. Former JETs and the Hawaii JETAA council were there to give us a plethora of tips and advice that would be useful for us to know. Below are some of the tips that I was able to pick up.


Money

• Japan is a cash-based society:
• Credit cards are not commonly used
• Always carry around cash with you
• Create a budget and stick to it

Banks

• Find a larger bank for money transfers (you can also use the post office to transfer money)
• When transferring money back home, be sure to watch the exchange rate as it often fluctuates
• Keep your name order consistent and pick either Japanese or English when writing your name
• Ex. John Smith, Smith John, ジョンスミス、スミスジョン、etc. 

Omiyage

• Coffee, nuts, etc are good
• Teachers can share the coffee
• Avoid bringing chocolate because it may melt 
• Ask your predecessor how many teachers there are at your school to plan how much omiyage to bring
• Give your neighbors omiyage when you arrive-- it will help you in the long run! 

School

• You will have 3-5 days after arriving at your Contracting Organization to use before teaching. This is a good opportunity to walk around the school and meet the students
• Talk to all of the teachers, especially during summer when they are not as busy
• Because you will not be in class the first month or so, it is a good idea to prepare lesson plans and your 自己紹介（じこしょうかい）, or your self-introduction
• Some good reward prizes for students include Hawaii stickers, English word stickers ("Super" "Great Job!" etc.), pencils, candy, etc. 

I hope this helps a bit! I'm getting so nervous and excited to go to Japan in a little over a month! (: