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Bob Biter · 09-19-2005, 02:54 PM

OK. I just finished a 2-year tour on the JET Programme and I loved it. The pay is great for the amount of work you do (in my case, not much), but this is offset by the fact that many JET participants get sent to inaka (Japanese for "country" or "boonies"), as Vincentt said. However, that's not EVERYONE. I got sent to Sendai, which is one of the biggest city north of Tokyo, along with Sapporo.

Of course, the ultimate goal of the JET Programme is for one to learn Japanese while teaching English, so ending up in the middle of a rice field might seem depressing, but your skills with the language go up FAST.

The application deadli8ne for the program is this September, so you should be hauling ass right now to get all the paperwork done. It's a loooong process (apply now, interview in January, leave in July), but this is a government-funded program, so were talking great pay, subsidized accomodations, free airfare to the place and excellent guidance. NOVA, AEON and GEOS just don't have that. However, you would be teaching in junior or senior high schools, which are fun as hell, but teach English as a required course. Were you ever forced to take a language class in HS that you didn't want? French or Spanish, maybe? Well, it's the same in Japan: some kids like English, some don't, but everyone has to be in class and that can pose some problems (nothing too major, though - I never had seriously bad cases). Private schools have students who PAY to be there, so obviously the interest level is way better, but NOVA and GEOS work the ass off of their staff.

As for being black, this doesn't seem to be a problem in Japan, in the sense that you won't be attacked, charged higher prices, ridiculed or any seriously blatant things like that. What you must understand is that black people are "extra foreign" to the Japanese, who are more used to white people as tourists and whatnot. Vincentt is right about the type of blacks you see in big cities. They're from Africa and most of them speak their native tongue and fluent Japanese, but rarely English (I met a Senegalese club employee in Tokyo with whom I spoke French, which was pretty surreal) and, in Sendai, they all work at hip-hop stores and just stand outside all day, as if this gives their place more cred. However, since many Japanese still harbor some pretty hardcore stereotypes about foreigners, this whole thing works for the Africans ("A black man in front of a hip-hop store? I must go there! This is a real hip-hop store!").

I know it sounds unbelievable, but I've seen it many times in Sendai, Tokyo and Osaka. I can't speak for the boonies, but if you end up there, expect a lot of attention, curiosity, and people requesting to touch your hair and skin.

However, humans excel at adapting, so if you end up living in Japan, then I'm sure you'll manage just fine. Those that don't end up complaining all the time and leaving early, but they're in the minority.

Best of luck!

09-19-2005, 02:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bob Biter Non-smokers die everyday Location: Montreal	OK. I just finished a 2-year tour on the JET Programme and I loved it. The pay is great for the amount of work you do (in my case, not much), but this is offset by the fact that many JET participants get sent to inaka (Japanese for "country" or "boonies"), as Vincentt said. However, that's not EVERYONE. I got sent to Sendai, which is one of the biggest city north of Tokyo, along with Sapporo. Of course, the ultimate goal of the JET Programme is for one to learn Japanese while teaching English, so ending up in the middle of a rice field might seem depressing, but your skills with the language go up FAST. The application deadli8ne for the program is this September, so you should be hauling ass right now to get all the paperwork done. It's a loooong process (apply now, interview in January, leave in July), but this is a government-funded program, so were talking great pay, subsidized accomodations, free airfare to the place and excellent guidance. NOVA, AEON and GEOS just don't have that. However, you would be teaching in junior or senior high schools, which are fun as hell, but teach English as a required course. Were you ever forced to take a language class in HS that you didn't want? French or Spanish, maybe? Well, it's the same in Japan: some kids like English, some don't, but everyone has to be in class and that can pose some problems (nothing too major, though - I never had seriously bad cases). Private schools have students who PAY to be there, so obviously the interest level is way better, but NOVA and GEOS work the ass off of their staff. As for being black, this doesn't seem to be a problem in Japan, in the sense that you won't be attacked, charged higher prices, ridiculed or any seriously blatant things like that. What you must understand is that black people are "extra foreign" to the Japanese, who are more used to white people as tourists and whatnot. Vincentt is right about the type of blacks you see in big cities. They're from Africa and most of them speak their native tongue and fluent Japanese, but rarely English (I met a Senegalese club employee in Tokyo with whom I spoke French, which was pretty surreal) and, in Sendai, they all work at hip-hop stores and just stand outside all day, as if this gives their place more cred. However, since many Japanese still harbor some pretty hardcore stereotypes about foreigners, this whole thing works for the Africans ("A black man in front of a hip-hop store? I must go there! This is a real hip-hop store!"). I know it sounds unbelievable, but I've seen it many times in Sendai, Tokyo and Osaka. I can't speak for the boonies, but if you end up there, expect a lot of attention, curiosity, and people requesting to touch your hair and skin. However, humans excel at adapting, so if you end up living in Japan, then I'm sure you'll manage just fine. Those that don't end up complaining all the time and leaving early, but they're in the minority. Best of luck! __________________ A plan is just a list of things that don't happen.