2. Rural Session Life as a JET

3. Upside  Ample opportunities to speak/learn Japanese  Affordable living in comparison to larger cities in Japan  Can get involved in community events  Can feel like a celebrity in your own village  True cultural immersion

4. Downside  Few foreigners to hang out with  Not as many Japanese people are able to speak English  Can feel some isolation if effort is not put in  Sometimes a lack of privacy in such a small village

5. Getting Started  Get connected (phone, internet, local/JET contacts)  Build as social circle with people you meet at orientation (especially those located in your local region)  Learn about your area (find the grocery store, bank, post office, train station, and other useful places).  Transport (car, train timetables)

6.  Get involved in community groups/festivals  Take advantage of the sports resources around you  Find a Japanese English language exchange partner  Create opportunities to experience Japanese culture  Be a tourist in your own town!

7. Enjoying Rural Life  Accept social opportunities  Hot Springs  Start a new hobby  Tons of study time!  Make your home comfortable  Allow yourself for trips to the nearest city!

8. Rural Schools  Can get to know your students really well  Smaller school sizes and possibly smaller class sizes  Opportunities for school involvement is high

9.  Try to hang out with teachers from your school(s)  If people invite you to their homes or out for dinner, accept the offer  Don’t worry if you don’t speak Japanese, try your best and they will try their best  Just do as much as you can with the time that you have…  You can always visit larger cities on your weekends

10. Owning a car  PRO Don’t have to rely on public transport Traveling in groups Can drive to school if needed Road trips!  CON Driving exam Expensive Narrow crowded roads in large cities Getting lost

11. Speaking/Learning Japanese  Conversation partners  Japanese teachers through the BOE  Get help from your JTEs, supervisors, Pas, and other JETs.  Learn some phrases before and after you arrive.  Get an electronic dictionary

12. Take care of yourself  Staying healthy-join a gym, sports club or team  Find a doctor before an emergency happens  Find someone who can help you translate in case of a medical emergency  Socialize

13. Bugs We tend to see bugs more often in the countryside. A few things to think about:  Keep your house clean  Insect screens (are they sealed?)  Bug Sprays  Take care of your tatami mats

14. Fighting the cold weather  Kerosene (touyu) heaters in more than one room if needed  Kotatsu  Electric blankets  Proper winter clothing

15. Garbage Disposal  If you do not dispose your garbage properly, they will not take it!  Please be aware of burnables, paper, plastics, Pet bottles, tins, cans, glasses  Find out about special items like batteries

16.  English train timetables and prices www.hyperdia.com/en/ www.hyperdia.com/en/  English speaking travel agency www.no1-travel.com www.no1-travel.com  Buy western food from Costco online www.theflyingpig.com www.theflyingpig.com  English books www.amazon.co.jpwww.amazon.co.jp  Get info from your predecessor!

17. Questions ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?