Life After JET: Going Where the Road Takes You
Uncategorized 
Comments Off on Life After JET: Going Where the Road Takes You
First published on JETAA NSW, Rob Maxwell (ALT 2008-2012 Oumu-cho, Hokkaido) talks about the typical experience of a first timer in Japan – the confusion and the panic, and advises giving thought to the future post-JET. And what “Every Situation Is Different” really means.
In 2004 I suddenly had this crazy idea. Move to Japan!!!! So I applied for an English teaching job (with NOVA) and off I went… And what a shock to the system it was. With little to no Japanese language experience I landed in a city with more people in it than my whole country combined. I have vivid memories of walking through Shibuya wondering what the heck I was doing here and how the hell and I going to survive. After about 2 weeks culture shock hit me hard and I was ready to go home, but a close friend gave me some great advice that will always stick with me. “Joining a new culture is like taking a really hot bath. You have to ease yourself into it”. This small crazy bit of advice did the trick. A few more weeks later and wanting to leave was a distant memory. I had picked up a few nuances of Japanese non-verbal communication as well as a few survival phrases to make sure I could eat and get around.
Fastforward a few more years and I’m on the JET Programme. The start of my JET story is similar to most JETs. I was a regular ALT living in a small fishing village on the edge of the Sea of Othosk in North Eastern Japan (Hokkaido). This is a town where it gets cold enough for the ocean to freeze and for a guy who grew up on the beach in Sydney, it was yet another shock to the system. I had 8 schools, a car and it was the first time I had lived in a place where is snowed in winter. Actually it snowed A LOT!!! I think living in this small town of about 5,000 people where I was one of the only non-Japanese person for about 100km, was the biggest challenge of my life. Trying to communicate and express myself effectively in a foreign language put a big strain on me daily, but it was pushing myself to make the effort that really paid off both in personal growth and personal development. At times I would meet other foreign friends who came from all over the world, we would inevitably discuss problems we faced and debate the pros and cons of life in Japan. Although we did have problems in common it was interesting to see things that didn’t bother me (such as comments on how well I use chopsticks) really annoyed some other people.
Another few years into the future and I’m living in Sapporo City. I’m married to a wonderful Japanese woman, with 2 kids and I now have a large Japanese extended family. This takes intercultural communication to a whole new level. Having to memorise my vows in Japanese, communicating with my new family on complex topics such as politics and social issues as we negotiate language and cultural barriers. I’m lucky that my new family are all warm and welcoming. Meeting me half way and mixing in a few key English words to help bridge the gap. I am by no means fluent, but I try and in Japan, that is the key. At times I feel frustrated by my apparent lack of progress. But when I stop and think of the wide-eyed Sydney boy who years earlier stepped off that plane… I can see how far I’ve come and know how far I have yet to travel.
I wanted to take a moment to comment more specifically on some aspects of my JET experience. When I arrived in Japan as a JET, the mantra of the time at Tokyo Orientation was “Every situation is different”, but over the years this phrase seemed to be ridiculed by many as a ‘Duh, of course it is’ and as such has been quietly phased out. I think people missed the point of what was really being said. Maybe what they should have said was, “keep an open mind”. Because you will be challenged in some way almost daily. You WILL go through culture shock and you WILL (at some point) feel like just going home. Where am I going with this you ask? Well what I’m saying is, get involved. If you have a skill or passion, find some way to utilise it.
For me personally I got involved with my local JET group (HAJET) and helped out the way I knew best. I redesigned anything and everything I could. I redesigned their welcome guide, magazine and brand. I didn’t go to all the arranged events but I went to enough to make new friends and renew others.
I got involved in my town activities and kept an open mind. You don’t have to accept every small invitation BUT remember that after a few rejections, they may stop asking. I judged a baking competitions, I went to town events and social BBQs. There were small things that were a little hard to adjust to. The cold (in winter it got so cold the ocean froze), the fact that everyone knows what you are doing (hard to blend in when you’re 187cm tall) and onsen. You see, I love onsen (hot springs) and there was only 1 close to my town. This meant when enjoying said onsen I would often run into co-workers, students and parents in awkward situations… ok, lets be honest, naked, stark naked awkward situations. Even after a year it was still strange for me, but they all seemed to have no problem with it so I ganbatted and got over it.
Like so many opportunities in life, there will be those who embrace the differences and others who will use them as a point of stress. I wanted to be someone who embraced it. Time on JET is a time to be who you ‘want’ to be when you are done. To grow and be challenged. True there will be times when you will question the decision to accept, ‘what the heck am I doing here living in the middle of nowhere???’ and there will be times you will smile from the inside out and be like ‘holy &^#%@ I’m living in Japan!!!!
Career wise I decided early on what I could do whilst in Japan that would help me when I returned home. I joined a JET group, not only for the social contacts but because I saw a need I could fill as a designer. I studied Japanese and took the JLPT because it helps to have something to show for your efforts when asked about your level/skills when you return home (for me it was also about communicating with my new family). All the successful JETs I know are the ones that got involved in some way. They stepped out of their comfort zone and had a go. I studied taiko (with primary school students) and although I wasn’t the best, I enjoyed trying. I learnt how to make beer as well. Was it useful for getting a job when I got home? No, but it was me learning something new with a new group of people who are now really close friends.
Many JETs wait until they have decided to go home before thinking about what they want to do after they return home. In my opinion, it’s almost too little too late. From personal experience I would say the average JET stays on the program 3 years. So make a plan based on how long you expect to stay.
I now work for the NSW Government in Sydney and I’ve used my JET experience to advise senior staff on Japanese business etiquette produce bilingual business cards for the NSW Premier and assist in translation of websites and videos. After returning it took me 12 months to secure a full time job BUT I was very selective about the type of job I applied for. I’m a designer so I had the advantage of being able to freelance while I waited for the right job for me.
So to new and future JETs I say good luck, it’s an experience you will never forget.
Job: Education Abroad Advisor – University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Education Abroad Advisor – University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA)
Via JET alum Carleen Ben. Posted by Jayme Tsutsuse (Kyoto-fu, 2013-Present), organizer of Cross-Cultural Kansai, seeking work opportunities in NYC starting in August 2014.
Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Education Abroad Advisor
Posted by: University of Virginia
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Type: full-time
Overview:
The University of Virginia is seeking an Education Abroad Advisor to join the team in the International Studies Office. The Education Abroad Advisor provides advising, referral, and information services for UVA students interested in study or academic internships abroad, including goal setting, selecting programs, identifying sources of funding, building cross-cultural awareness and mitigation of risks. The Advisor maintains expertise in Higher Education systems of an assigned region of the world and oversees a portfolio of programs and exchanges in the region; assist in developing and promoting UVA study abroad programs, provides input into the admissions decisions, and administers program enrollment and ensures students’ compliance with registration and transfer credit requirements. Read More
Job: Overseas Programs Systems Specialist – Washington University in St. Louis
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Overseas Programs Systems Specialist – Washington University in St. Louis
Via JET alum Carleen Ben. Posted by Jayme Tsutsuse (Kyoto-fu, 2013-Present), organizer of Cross-Cultural Kansai, seeking work opportunities in NYC starting in August 2014.
Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Overseas Programs Systems Specialist
Posted by: Washington University in St. Louis
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Type: full-time
Overview:
With the guidance and under the supervision of the Director, the Overseas Programs Systems Specialist has significant responsibilities relating to StudioAbroad, with additional duties associated with Overseas Programs website maintenance, Study Abroad Advising and Program Management.
Job: Study Abroad Advisor – Bucknell University (PA)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Study Abroad Advisor – Bucknell University (PA)
Via JET alum Carleen Ben. Posted by Jayme Tsutsuse (Kyoto-fu, 2013-Present), organizer of Cross-Cultural Kansai, seeking work opportunities in NYC starting in August 2014.
Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Study Abroad Advisor
Posted by: Bucknell University
Location: Lewisburg, PA
Type: full-time
Overview:
Bucknell University seeks a Study Abroad Advisor to help students develop knowledge and skills for interpreting the commonalities and differences among human societies, including diverse cultural perspectives and traditions within the United States and internationally, to enable living and working effectively in a global context. Bucknell University currently sends over 40% of its student population off campus and expects this number to grow. The Office of International Education is responsible for advising these students on over 160 off campus studies options. As an institution, Bucknell University is committed to enhancing the international character of its community, and strongly supports off-campus studies as one avenue through which students can become tolerant, reflective, global citizens. The Study Abroad Advisor reports directly to the Director of International Education. This position is responsible for all aspects of advising, administration and programming for a portfolio of approved off-campus studies programs, including some faculty-led programs. In addition, this position oversees several areas critical to the successful functioning of the office including internal publications, assessment and global learning programs. This position is scheduled for 10 months per year (likely to increase to 11 months).
Read More
Job: ARO International Visa Sponsorship Specialist (NYC) – Institute of International Education (IIE)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: ARO International Visa Sponsorship Specialist (NYC) – Institute of International Education (IIE)
Interesting temporary job opportunity at IIE. Originally on the Hunter MA TESOL listserve. Posted by blogger and podcaster Jon Dao (Toyama-ken, 2009-12). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
————————————————————————————————————
Position: ARO International Visa Sponsorship Specialist
Location: NYC
Type: Full-Time
Overview:
Reporting to the Director of Exchange Visitor Programs, you will be joining the organization at an exciting time as we set about building a new unit. As one of our ARO’s you will work on all IIE sponsored programs to ensure compliance for several thousand exchange visitors from over 150 countries. As you provide in-depth review of all documents and information from students, professors, teachers, trainees, specialists, and research scholars, you will work both individually and as part of a collaborative team interacting with other program staff providing consistency and a high level of service. After ensuring all legal requirements have been met, you will ultimately make a decision as to whether a person qualifies and is eligible for sponsorship. As you navigate multiple systems, you will troubleshoot technical issues, continuously solving problems and applying critical thinking. Read More
Job: Community Manager at Yelp (Osaka/Tokyo)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Community Manager at Yelp (Osaka/Tokyo)
Thanks to JET alum Mike Shu, who works for Yelp, for sharing this info about Yelp looking to hire Community Managers in Tokyo and Osaka. Mike also says JET alums are welcome to contact him [shu.mike @ gmail.com] with questions and that he is happy to submit referral resumes through the company’s internal system.
Posted by blogger and podcaster Jon Dao (Toyama-ken, 2009-12). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
————————————————————————————————————
Position: Community Manager
Location: Osaka/Tokyo, Japan
Type: Full-Time
Overview:
You’ll be a full-time Yelp employee (working out of your home or anywhere with WiFi) at the helm of a vibrant, buzzing community of locals who drink, shop and play their way through the city via peer recommendations on Yelp. Community Managers are driven, self-motivated, charismatic, and organised as they’re tasked with wrangling a slew of to-dos both on and offline, from writing and moderating to party planning and ringleading! Read More
Job: Travel, Sales, and Marketing Administrator at Art of Travel (Kanazawa)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Travel, Sales, and Marketing Administrator at Art of Travel (Kanazawa)
A nice listing shared by a jet alum who works there. They have hired other jet alums as well. Posted by blogger and podcaster Jon Dao (Toyama-ken, 2009-12). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
————————————————————————————————————
Position: Travel, Sales, and Marketing Administrator
Location: Kanazawa, Japan
Type: Full-Time
Salary: Negotiable based on experience; starting from JPY 2.8 million/year. Some relocation assistance available if needed.
Overview:
This job entails a variety of responsibilities, including planning itineraries for international visitors to Japan and for Japanese and expats traveling abroad; handling communication & mailings, translation both written and oral, assisting visitors during their stay in Japan, and more. Read More
Re: Cultural Identity
Life As a JET, LifeAfterJET, Writers Comments Off on Re: Cultural Identity
Via AJET Chair Kay Makishi. Posted by blogger and podcaster Jon Dao (Toyama-ken, 2009-12).
[Kay’s Note: This is a really good article that adds more to the dialogue concerning how we determine identity– written by a Fukuoka JET. Check it out!]
————————————————————————————————————
For many of us who work in the high school system, I’m sure you had a tearful, reflective experience at your recent graduation ceremony. At my school in the tiny suburb of Jojima, I watched each newly-minted adult stand up when their name was called in a moment of recognition, and then they were folded back into the crowd. It made me think about the class as a unit, about how they grew and learned together and how now they were shedding their safe identities as students of this school. I also couldn’t help thinking how each of them had probably never left this town for more than a week. It was likely that they had never even left Fukuoka at all. Giving all this up was a turning point in their lives, and they would all think back and recognize the significance someday in the future. Read More
【RocketNews24】Eight Japanese words we’d love to import into English
Article/Journalism, Writers Comments Off on 【RocketNews24】Eight Japanese words we’d love to import into English
Posted by Michelle Lynn Dinh (Shimane-ken, Chibu-mura, 2010–13), editor and writer for RocketNews24. The following article was written by Casey Baseel, a writer and translator for RocketNews24, a Japan-based site dedicated to bringing fun and quirky news from Asia to English speaking audiences.
Recently, we talked about how Japanese, while a tough language to learn, isn’t quite as difficult as some horror stories make it out to be. Still, if English is your native language, certain Japanese grammar rules, like saying “wa” and “o” to mark the subject and object of your sentences, can seem like a major hassle.
With practice, though, these things start to become automatic. Even better, the Japanese language is filled with incredibly handy phrases that we’d love to import into English.
Let’s Talk Japan, Episode 22 – A Conversation with Dave Carlson, host of the Japanofiles Podcast
Advice, Audio, Interview/Profile Comments Off on Let’s Talk Japan, Episode 22 – A Conversation with Dave Carlson, host of the Japanofiles Podcast
Let’s Talk Japan is a monthly, interview format podcast covering a wide range of Japan-related topics. Host Nick Harling (Mie-ken, 2001-03) lived in Japan from 2001 until 2005, including two great years as a JET Program participant in Mie-Ken. He practices law in Washington, D.C., and lives with his wife who patiently listens to him talk about Japan . . . a lot.
In this episode, I speak with Dave Carlson, a longtime resident of Japan and host of the popular Japanofiles Podcast. Originally from Michigan, Dave first came to Japan in 1983. Since then, he has resided in Japan on and off for 21 of the last 30 years. Together, we discuss Dave’s life in Japan, his podcast, and how to have a positive experience living in Japan.
If you’ve never listened to the Japanofiles Podcast, I highly recommend it.
Nick
If you have not already done so, be sure to “Like” the podcast on Facebook, and follow the podcast on Twitter @letstalkjapan. Additionally, please consider leaving a positive rating and/or review in iTunes.
Job: Academic Director – BridgePathways (Colorado)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Academic Director – BridgePathways (Colorado)
Via JET alum Carleen Ben. Posted by Jayme Tsutsuse (Kyoto-fu, 2013-Present), organizer of Cross-Cultural Kansai, seeking work opportunities in NYC starting in August 2014.
Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Academic Director
Posted by: BridgePathways
Location: Denver, Colorado
Type: full-time
Overview:
Bridge Linguatec, Inc. (“Bridge”) has been a world leader in language education and teacher training for over 25 years. Based in Denver, Colorado, Bridge is a global company with operations in Argentina, Chile, and Brazil. Through our 5 main divisions, we offer services in English as a second Language (BridgeEnglish), education abroad (BridgePathways & BridgeAbroad), translations and interpretations (BridgeLanguages), and teaching English as a foreign or second language (BridgeTEFL). With just over 70 full-time employees and more than 350 teachers and trainers stretched across the world, Bridge comprises a diverse group of nationalities and cultures. Each year, we serve thousands of students, volunteers, and teachers from every corner of the globe. Please visit us at www.bridge.edu and www.bridgepathways.com.
What makes Bridge different? Our people and our culture. Bridge is a multi-cultural and welcoming environment that is fast-paced, service-oriented and entrepreneurial. Our values and mission are an integral part of our culture: excellence, integrity, learning, innovation and teamwork. Transforming peoples’ lives through international education is what motivates us. Read More
Job: Assistant Director – BridgePathways (Colorado)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Assistant Director – BridgePathways (Colorado)
Via JET alum Carleen Ben. Posted by Jayme Tsutsuse (Kyoto-fu, 2013-Present), organizer of Cross-Cultural Kansai, seeking work opportunities in NYC starting in August 2014.
Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Assistant Director
Posted by: BridgePathways
Location: Denver, Colorado
Type: full-time
Overview:
Bridge Linguatec, Inc. (“Bridge”) has been a world leader in language education and teacher training for over 25 years. Based in Denver, Colorado, Bridge is a global company with operations in Argentina, Chile, and Brazil. Through our 5 main divisions, we offer services in English as a second Language (BridgeEnglish), education abroad (BridgePathways & BridgeAbroad), translations and interpretations (BridgeLanguages), and teaching English as a foreign or second language (BridgeTEFL). With just over 70 full-time employees and more than 350 teachers and trainers stretched across the world, Bridge comprises a diverse group of nationalities and cultures. Each year, we serve thousands of students, volunteers, and teachers from every corner of the globe. Please visit us at www.bridge.edu and www.bridgepathways.com.
What makes Bridge different? Our people and our culture. Bridge is a multi-cultural and welcoming environment that is fast-paced, service-oriented and entrepreneurial. Our values and mission are an integral part of our culture: excellence, integrity, learning, innovation and teamwork. Transforming peoples’ lives through international education is what motivates us.
Via JETAA UK. Posted by blogger and podcaster Jon Dao (Toyama-ken, 2009-12). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
————————————————————————————————————
Overview:
DISCO will be hosting a London Career Forum at the Olympia Conference Centre in London on June 7-8, 2014, bringing together low to high profile Japanese and European companies who are recruiting local Japanese-English bilingual students and professionals. Read More
Job: Assistant Director, International Education Northampton Community College (PA)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Assistant Director, International Education Northampton Community College (PA)
Via JET alum Carleen Ben. Posted by Jayme Tsutsuse (Kyoto-fu, 2013-Present), organizer of Cross-Cultural Kansai, seeking work opportunities in NYC starting in August 2014.
Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Assistant Director
Posted by: International Education Northampton Community College
Location: Bethlehem, PA
Type: full-time
Overview:
Full-time 12-month administrative position in the Center for International Education. Under the supervision of the Director, responsible for managing and directing the international education program staff and students including the day-to-day operations of immigration, academic and student support services, and study abroad services provided to international and domestic students, exchange visitors, and international visitors. Work to develop strategic plans, goals and recommendations for international education programs and activities in collaboration with the Director. Will serve as liaison to all college offices that interact with international students.
Job: Study Abroad Admin Assistant – Boston University
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Study Abroad Admin Assistant – Boston University
Via JET alum Carleen Ben. Posted by Jayme Tsutsuse (Kyoto-fu, 2013-Present), organizer of Cross-Cultural Kansai, seeking work opportunities in NYC starting in August 2014.
Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Study Abroad Admin Assistant
Posted by: Boston University
Location: Boston, MA
Type: full-time
Overview:
Provide efficient and responsive administrative, organizational, and logistical service to the Executive Director at Boston University Study Abroad (BUSA), a division of Global Programs. Help the Executive Director manage and prioritize his/her time. Create a variety of reports and correspondence as well as maintain the Executive Directors calendar, minute taking, making travel arrangements, managing one-off projects and communicating with other schools and colleges on campus. Duties also will include providing logistical support for the annual study abroad meeting and special events. The Administrative Assistant reports to the Executive Director and will also assist the Director, Finance and Administration on administrative projects in support of the Office of the Vice President and Associate Provost for Global Programs (VP/AP). Provide support to the executive staff members, including but not limited to: providing assistance to the Academic Director with program and course evaluations and course approval process.
