BUILDING BETTER RELATIONSHIPS ON JET

by: Isaac and Jessie

Relationships with people in Japan

Professionalism Hierarchy Chain of Command

Party Etiquette Gift Giving Work and Private self

Confidentiality

[… with JTEs]

Personal connections influence teaching It takes time: passive waiting is OK! Build trust and understand each other’s

expectations

[…with students]

Appropriate distance: teacher and/or friend?

English or 日本語 ? Contact after graduation

[…with Japanese friends]

Meeting people through organized events/clubs Clubs are taken seriously Don’t over commit, even if urged

Accepting and Refusing Invitations As a rule, say “yes” unless you have a

reason not to. You don’t have to give a reason when

refusing. Word = Bond

If you say you’re going to do something, you have to.

Don’t let high-status friends push you around.

Japan and Time

In our own countries, it is fashionable to arrive late.

Social time is a rigid as professional time. If you’re late, you inconvenience everyone.

Meeting people through the JET community

Social [business] Card

Be judicious This is physical representation of your

professional life. If you get a business card, you don’t have

to return one.

Neighborhood

Meet neighborhood locals Attend parties Make connections

Safety Concerns

Big Brother is Watching

High Visibility People know you, even if you don’t know

them. Be Circumspect

Notice the contents of your trash, your companions, your house, your car.

Your House is NOT Your House Your employer may be responsible for

your house. There may be rules and regulations of

which you are not aware. Any complaints may be passed over you,

straight to your employer.

Trash Disposal

Your trash may be inspected, so dispose properly.

Don’t trash documents with personal information.

Yamagata is Small

You’ll never know when you’ll run into someone you know.

[…with the Foreign Community] Insularity

Living in a small town means everything gets around fast.

Some JETs do not make Japanese friends. Some JETs do not make foreign friends.

Professional Support

JETs and other foreign teachers understand the issues you face.

More-experiences foreigners are usually happy to help.

Sharing ideas improves your current work.

Networking improves your future. Vent to relax.

Socially Integrating the Foreign and Japanese Communities

Language Issues Different attitudes towards time, drinking, and

sexuality can be problematic in mixed groups. Good opportunity for linguistic and cultural

exchange [a major goal of the JET Programme].

Relationships with People from Home

[…with Family]

How often should you contact them? What do they need from you? What do you need from them? Taking it for granted, or not.

They only see snap shots of your life. Call or write when you feel good. Consider postponing contact when you feel

terrible. Don’t postpone if you’re really upset and

need to talk.

[…with Friends]

“I have so much to tell you about AMAZING JAPAN” versus “I still work at Best Buy.” Your friends may not be interested in what you’re up to. Their lives may be the same as before, so they feel like

they don’t have much to share. Infinite possibility and finite time for communication

Realize that friendships change due to proximity …maybe you can’t stay close with everyone.

Sometimes short, frequent messages are better. Sometimes long, infrequent messages are better. Consider the friendships that you value most, and work

to maintain them.

[…with Former Employees & Profs] They really want to hear from you, so send updates

Postcards and emails are good. Don’t worry if you don’t get a response.

Keep options for your return open by keeping relationships open. Don’t let your networks atrophy You may have different ideas in a few years about your

future. Keep up on your academic or professional field.

Take some time to read new literature Talk to people from home or in Japan who are also

interested.

The Internet

Be circumspect when posting about work JETs have been dismissed for this!

Don’t post pictures of students Consider the impression your content

will give to viewers from home, as well as Japan

Use common sense: you don’t always know who sees what.