JET acceptance, and the future

[kodalai]

So, to finally followup to the post of a few days ago: Yes, I have been accepted into the JET program. I got a call on Friday confirming it, and a document package in the mail today. I don't yet know where I'm going to be placed, but it's certain that I'm going. Note to self; do medical form ASAP! I have an informational session next weekend that should prove to be very helpful, and then I should start thinking about packing.

For those of you who don't automatically know what this means; the JET program is a Japanese-English Teaching exchange program, and I will be going to Japan to teach English to schoolchildren for between one and three years. (Contracts are for one year, and can be renewed twice.) This is the right move for me right now, both personally and career-wise; I'll finish up the contract with the experiene of a real, salary-paying, professional job under my belt, which should help my start-up resume immensely.

But this does mean I'll be going out of the country for at least a year, and I don't know where I'll be placed (they have urban, suburban, and rural placements to offer; because I was an alternate, I don't have preference in which one I'll be going to.) I'm very excited, nervous, worried, scared, and did I mention excited? I've forgotten all the Japanese I ever knew already. Hell, I'd forgotten it within months of ceasing studying the language.

My last day of work here will be the 15th of July, since I'll be leaving July 27th, and I need not only time to pack and get all my stuff off to storage, but also time to drive my car out to Austin, spend time with my parents, and fly home.

Comments

[sharona1x2.livejournal.com]

Congrats, Mikke! We'll miss you at Yaoi Con, but I'm sure you'll be having a great time. ^_^

[reikah.livejournal.com]

Good luck, babe. ♥

[zalia.livejournal.com]

Congratulations Mikke!! I hope you have a fantastic time ^___^

[sunhawk16.livejournal.com]

Congratulations, sugah! That's great! You know... there are a couple of people on my friends list who are doing similair programs right now... one in Japan and one in China. If you haven't seen them, I'm sure they wouldn't mind sharing experiences and tips?

[foxglove6.livejournal.com]

YAY!! I really will have to come to Japan now. You and becci_angel will both be there!

When will you be in Austin? Maybe I could come down and see the new house and visit with you guys? Or would that be too much with you leaving for Japan and all? Just ignore the fact that I'm inviting myself there. It's your parents' house and if I knew where it was I'd treat it like the Green Lane house. Just an extension of my own ^_^

Huggles and congrats!! someone will have to teach my Japanese ;-)

[ayelle.livejournal.com]

I wanna see you before you go! Hmm, I wonder how this could work? I was hoping the parents could come visit cypher_0 and me during some period around the 15-23 of July, since I'll be in the new (lovely) place then. I wonder... I wonder... if there's any way to get us all in the same place together during your short Jul 15-27 window... I know cypher_0 will be taking your car back from Austin to Boston at some point, and I don't know if she'd have any desire for a road trip companion (or, even if she did, hopefully I'd have a job by then and who knows what that would mean)...

Logistically there must be some way for this to work.

[ayelle.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I didn't make it at all clear, but the reason I was responding specifically to your comment, foxglove6, was that it would be wonderful if this puzzle could somehow involve seeing you, too.

[foxglove6.livejournal.com]

;-) i figured. I actually didn't realize how far Austin is from St. Louis. I knew I was close on the longitudinal line but it's actually a bit west and a lot south of me. about 15 hours. almost the same distance as Philly to St. Louis.... but we could always work something out! :-D

visit with you guys

[aging-parents.livejournal.com]

Of course! Galleria Cove is just Green Lane southwest.

[okaasan59.livejournal.com]

This sounds so exciting! There will be many of us living vicariously through you.

[nekojita.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Congrats.