Okay, as promised, about me:
My name’s Lauren. I’m from Colorado and studied Graphic design in college. I also took Japanese, which is where I first learned about the JET program. Like many applicants, I sent all my carefully collected forms and letters the Fall of my senior year, and waited to learn when my interview would be.
One problem, I didn’t get an interview. I reacted like any grown adult would: I cried and proceeded to form an extremely bitter view of the JET Program. But when the next year’s application came online, I got over the bitterness and applied again.
Then I was made an alternate. The depression and bitterness set in again and my friends and family could probably attest to me not being a pleasant person to be around for about 10 weeks. Finally in mid-June, I got the call that I was upgraded and would be going to Japan July 2007. This later became August 07, but eitherway, I finally made it.
Now I’m here, and for the most part am having a great time.
hey lauren, it’s so rare that i come across any JETs from Colorado. i justed got short-listed for the program so i’m in the mist of preparing myself for what to come. thanks for your blog. by the way, did you have to ship any boxes over to Japan when you went over? i’m looking for something reasonable but can’t seem to find anything.
Thanks for your comments, Torry. Congrats on making it into the JET Program this year! I’m sure it was much stiffer competition than when I got it.
I don’t know much about shipping except that it’s difficult to find someone that still does Surface Mail to Japan, and if you can find them, it can take up to 2 months for your boxes to arrive.
I ordered a new laptop and it didn’t arrive until after I came to Japan, so I had my folks send it to me along with some winter clothes (my heavy jacket, some sweaters, and I think some shoes). They sent it through USPS and insured it, and I think the cost ended up being about $120. Yeah, I know, pretty expensive especially combined with all the other JET related things you have to pay for, so it’s up to you to determine how much you need it. Just pack as well as you can, and if you’re in doubt about anything you pack (in terms of how much you’ll use it) it’s probably best to leave it out.