First Month Checklist

You won’t have any classes until early September so chances are you will spend a lot of time at your desk at the BoE, town office, or your base school.

Your first month will be filled with orientations, parties, and other events designed to help you meet other JETs and the people in your community. There be a one week Japanese language course in Saga City and a Prefectural Orientation mandatory for all new ALTs.

The following is a list of recommendations for what you should do during your first month. It’s overwhelming and you’ll be tired, but invest in your new life early!

You should aim to:

Connect with the JETs and Japanese people in your workplace and community – accept invitations, go to enkais, and other social events, (don’t hide in your apartment!)
Introduce yourself to your neighbors. You might be rewarded later with surprise gifts of seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables.
Register with your embassy & the CLAIR Emergency Contact Safety Confirmation System
Workout how your local garbage and recycling system works. You may get a guide at city hall (or can find it online), and can ask your predecessor or supervisor.
Have a good idea of where your nearest bus stop, train station, hospital, bank, medical clinic, post office and supermarket are.
Ask your supervisor(s) for information – the school year event schedule, how much time you have for each school/class, what technology and resources you have, etc.
Compile a list of questions, be they work-related or living-related, to ask your supervisor, JTEs, District Representatives, or Prefectural Advisors.
Join the various SagaJET Facebook groups and check out resources like Fukuoka NOW, so you don’t miss out on anything.
Set some goals:
- Financial (budget, create a savings and debt management plan)
- Personal – language, fitness, hobbies, or other interests
- Professional – teaching skills, future career direction
- Travel – destinations and festivals you want to go to
It is also a good idea to carry the following items with you at all times (the first four items will be arranged and given to you by your supervisor/BoE):
- Your inkan (personal seal)
- Residence Card
- Bankbook
- Passport
- Your apartment and BoE addresses, in English and Japanese
If they haven’t yet already, your supervisor can help you get a phone line or the internet connected, buy a mobile phone, sort out the paperwork for your car, and teach you how to understand and pay your bills (however bear in mind that these things could take a few weeks to sort out).