Your First Few Days

You actually did it! You're here in Japan (eek!), and you're about to start what will most likely be a fantastic chapter in your life. But there's so much to do, so much you don't know, so many people to meet, and you're probably jet-lagged and nervous and possibly a little homesick! It's OK. BREATHE. FuJET is here to help you through it.

So I'm new here...
When you finally arrive in your city/town/village/middle-of-nowhere outpost, you're probably going to be stressed and exhausted, and it's most likely going to be ungodly hot in Fukushima when you arrive. You probably won't have easy access to the internet or a phone or the outside world for that matter. First things first: you should just breathe. Take some time to stop and smell the roses and let it sink in that you're now living in Japan. Enjoy the feeling.

A Whole New World
Familiarize yourself with your surroundings as quickly as possible. Make sure that you can locate your school, and the closest hospital, post office, bank, grocery store, convenience store, video rental store, train stops, bus stops, etc. Ask someone at your school to get you some train and bus schedules and then kindly ask one of the English teachers to translate them for you. Find out the hours for local stores--especially in the countryside stores close extremely early! Many stores in Japan are closed one day a week, either Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. Also, find out where the ATMs are, when they open and close (sometimes early), what their rates are, and if there are any days that they will not be open at all. It is also important to find out which JETs are closest (geographically and emotionally) to you. In case of an emergency or if you lose your sanity, they’ll probably be the ones that you can call for help. Also, find out about your nearest doctor or hospital (not something you want to put off until you have a raging fever).

Meeting New Faces
Everyone feels a little lonely sometimes, and not knowing Japanese can make you feel even more isolated. The Tokyo and local orientations are your best chance to make English-speaking friends in the prefecture. The next step is socializing with other ALTs during summer vacation events such as the FuJET Beach Bomb or the numerous other exciting events held throughout the year. However, try to make some Japanese friends as well. Chances are, there won’t be that many ALTs in your immediate area, so getting to know people in your town is important. Your town probably has community sports clubs and cultural classes you can join, and there are many community events that you can attend. It also helps to get to know your landlord, your neighbors, and local shopkeepers. Even if you don’t know Japanese, meeting Japanese people is not that difficult. Many Japanese people will actually be dying to practice their English. With a little Japanese, simple English, and gestures, it is possible to communicate. Besides, it’s a good reminder of how your students will feel when trying to communicate in English!

And Finally...Settling In!
Try not to compare your arrangements with other JETs because someone will always have it better than you do. Like the famous quote, "The grass is always greener on the other side." This is your home for at least the next year, so make the best of your situation.

It is not wise to skimp on household possessions because you want to save money. There will come a time when you've had a rotten day and are feeling especially down. Even the smallest of extras at home will help make you feel better. So, find a few things that will make your place more comfortable. You don't have to spend a lot of money--and be sure to check out the ¥100 shops for things that will make you laugh or be useful around the house. If you had a predecessor, hopefully you already have a TV, DVD player, electric heater, electric fans, etc. If not, it is definitely worth laying down some cash for such items--trust me, come winter you will be glad you did. Some TVs in Japan are bilingual, which means that at the push of a button you can switch between English and Japanese if a show is being broadcast bilingually. Look for the 音声切換 (onsei kirikae) button on your remote. The NHK channel usually has bilingual news at 7pm and 9pm. Foreign films generally can be viewed bilingually as well. You can also find foreign films and TV shows in abundance at a DVD rental store such as Tsutaya, though you will need to use the DVD menu to change the language to English.

Decorating your place makes a huge difference. Simply by putting up your personal belongings around the house (like pictures, posters, books, magazines, and anything from home), your house or apartment will begin to feel more like a home. It's your home, and it's worth the investment--make it a place you like being in. On the other hand, your first weeks in Japan are a great opportunity to clean from top to bottom and you can get rid of any items your predecessor left that seem unnecessary. That will also help your place feel like it's really yours.