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Post by 𝑜𝓇𝒾𝒽𝒾𝓂𝑒 on May 11, 2019 22:01:48 GMT 9
Hey, congrats on being shortlisted!~ ^^
I know you didn't really ask me, but I just wanted to add that I failed N2 before I started as a CIR (and when I took it again last December....) and I'm doing okay! I'm not so confident at interpreting but I don't think many people are when they start so ^^;; plus if you're more confident in speaking you'll prolly do fine~
After all, most written stuff you do for work you'll be able to look up or find references for somehow, so if anything it's prolly better to be better at speaking ^^;;
I felt not good enough when I started, but I feel like most of us here have felt not good enough at some point and we're all doing alright, so I'm sure you'll do great too, good luck!~
In the meantime welcome to the forums! This place is really great for advice on anything but also for just chatting about anything (movies, music, books, games, anime, crafts, cooking, numerous other things...) and general emotional support, so I hope you stick around and find this place welcoming ^^ |
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Merry-Gaijin
Straight outta Narita
Posts: 5
CIR Experience: Incoming CIR
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Post by Merry-Gaijin on May 11, 2019 22:40:14 GMT 9
Everyone “s00ks @ japanese” before they start jet so don’t worry about it! There’s only so much you can learn from school and the rest you learn through immersion, so you’ll be grand! Thanks for the reassurance! (And orihime too!! Sorry, I have no idea how to use this forum correctly yet and quote both of you. I appreciate the responses!)
I took two interpreting classes so, I'm probably more prepared for that than most (Though.. we did only really learn interpreting in a medical or police station setting - still, the skills are there).
It's great to hear about having a nice Irish community over there. I've heard of one other Irish CIR who got accepted this year but I haven't met them yet (There might be more than just the two of us, I'm not sure). I'll definitely be relying on some kind of support system if I end up being really rural and isolated - luckily I have a license so, getting a car would hopefully solve some of the isolation issues.
Getting soo excited to go back. Japan feels like a second home at this point~ I just want to find out where I'm goinggggg. I'm not good at this waiting game stuff.
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Post by ことしも魚ろしく on May 12, 2019 0:07:49 GMT 9
I am indeed from upside down UCD! Hello fellow upside down UCD-er  You're probably the perfect person to ask since we studied at the same place - How did you find your Japanese level matched up with the required work at the start? I'm a little nervous that my Japanese level isn't quite good enough yet (I MAY have failed the N2 when I tried for it in December). I know I'll improve pretty quickly and I think my spoken language is much better than my written, I'm just preparing to feel a little swamped at the start. Everyone “s00ks @ japanese” before they start jet so don’t worry about it! There’s only so much you can learn from school and the rest you learn through immersion, so you’ll be grand! There are plenty of cirs who don’t have any level of jlpt so whether you have n3/failed n2 or n1 it’s totes daijoubs! I applied to jet after graduation (I didn’t know we could apply during our fourth year so I waited for the next application) and I was very rusty with the 語. I still haven’t passed n1 but I’ve definitely improved since coming here just by being exposed to Japanese everyday. Coming here with a translation degree is helpful especially if you end up in a placement which requires a lot of translation work because you’ll already know what to do~ It’s a very stressful and exciting time indeed but try to focus and enjoy the present (especially the cheese and the meat if you eat them). There are only a few Irish cirs so we’re pretty close so when you get here rest assured you’ve got people to support you. Also, *looks to the camera* this forum is a really great place to find hulemdos and support so stick around amirite Miscreative and ことしも魚ろしく ? Yep! We have a pretty good alumni network too. |
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Post by Leilo on May 12, 2019 14:19:33 GMT 9
Merry-Gaijin I don't believe anyone answered your question about having a side job or translating on the side yet. It's technically not allowed for JETs to have a side job or a second income. It's also generally illegal for Japanese public servants to have side jobs (I'm pretty sure).
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Merry-Gaijin
Straight outta Narita
Posts: 5
CIR Experience: Incoming CIR
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Post by Merry-Gaijin on May 12, 2019 20:27:55 GMT 9
Leilo that's actually quite interesting. I guess it's like when I studied there and I had to go and get my visa altered when I got a part-time job - and abide by the no more than 27 hours a week rule. I think to be safe I'll try find another way to get the translation experience if my job ends up being more teaching-based. Maybe volunteer to translate a student magazine for a journalism club or something (Though, of course, I'll check that very carefully in my contract when I get it) Thank you for the answer! 
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Post by Leilo on May 13, 2019 8:51:51 GMT 9
Leilo that's actually quite interesting. I guess it's like when I studied there and I had to go and get my visa altered when I got a part-time job - and abide by the no more than 27 hours a week rule. I think to be safe I'll try find another way to get the translation experience if my job ends up being more teaching-based. Maybe volunteer to translate a student magazine for a journalism club or something (Though, of course, I'll check that very carefully in my contract when I get it) Thank you for the answer! :) No problem! Personally my position doesn't have any school visits, but I don't get asked to do translation very often. There are plenty of things that should be translated here though, so I offer to translate things myself and that's where most of my translations come from. I think it's good to do some KOKORO NO JUNBI, in case you get a position that wasn't your ideal (i.e. glorified ALT in your case?) however, I'd guess that most CIRs have positions that involves at least some translation. Random example in my situation: We sent a document out to about 100 restaurants around town saying that I could do English PR or some translation for them. When I speak to the restaurants etc. in person they'll say "oh sure great I'd like to make an English menu". However, not many requests come, which I think is because we don't have much English speaking tourists or residents in the first place, so they probably don't feel a need or presure to have an English menu.
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Post by applecider on May 13, 2019 9:02:16 GMT 9
Merry-Gaijin Hello! I'd say I'm one of the CIRs who primarily ended up doing "teaching" (I say it loosely though), although the other half of my work involves planning local events. I don't get so much straight up translation/interpretation. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2019 9:05:56 GMT 9
Hi! Only just discovered that this forum is a thing. Short-listed CIR going insane with waiting to hear about placements here, nice to meet ya  I was wondering if many of you have a position that could be considered more of a 'glorified ALT'? - I'd absolutely still be happy with a position like that (Everything is experience!) but, since I'm newly graduated with a degree in translation I'd ideally love to be able to get some translation experience. On that note, have any of you done any freelance translation work while in Japan? - Did your CO have any problems with you having a "side job"?
(If any of you out there are leaving and know your successor is Irish, hit me up *wink wink nudge nudge* *JK I know you guys aren't actually allowed to let us know yet, I wouldn't want to get you into trouble) Congrats! I think the one thing that almost ALL cir's do at one point or another is translation. You should be getting what you want there!
For me, I do have to do some English teaching, but it is quite rare. At most 5-7 times a year. Most of my job is trying to look busy as I try to stretch out my translation requests, which have no deadline most of the times, so that I don't complete all my work too early and have nothing to do.
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Post by Miscreative on May 13, 2019 11:00:38 GMT 9
I am indeed from upside down UCD! Hello fellow upside down UCD-er You're probably the perfect person to ask since we studied at the same place - How did you find your Japanese level matched up with the required work at the start? I'm a little nervous that my Japanese level isn't quite good enough yet (I MAY have failed the N2 when I tried for it in December). I know I'll improve pretty quickly and I think my spoken language is much better than my written, I'm just preparing to feel a little swamped at the start. Everyone “s00ks @ japanese” before they start jet so don’t worry about it! There’s only so much you can learn from school and the rest you learn through immersion, so you’ll be grand! There are plenty of cirs who don’t have any level of jlpt so whether you have n3/failed n2 or n1 it’s totes daijoubs! I applied to jet after graduation (I didn’t know we could apply during our fourth year so I waited for the next application) and I was very rusty with the 語. I still haven’t passed n1 but I’ve definitely improved since coming here just by being exposed to Japanese everyday. Coming here with a translation degree is helpful especially if you end up in a placement which requires a lot of translation work because you’ll already know what to do~ It’s a very stressful and exciting time indeed but try to focus and enjoy the present (especially the cheese and the meat if you eat them). There are only a few Irish cirs so we’re pretty close so when you get here rest assured you’ve got people to support you. Also, *looks to the camera* this forum is a really great place to find hulemdos and support so stick around amirite Miscreative and ことしも魚ろしく ? (why was i tagged? is something wrong?? did i do something wrong?? was i supposed to see this earlier?? i am sorry for being an absent parent recently TnT please forgive me!!) the forum is a great place (with lots of mysteries ) there is a huge range of current and former CIRs still active and our positions (former and current) range wide enough that more often than not, if you have a problem or question, someone has experience and can help. re: sucking at japanese, I am a fourth year and still suck! but the important thing is that i have enough to get by (and even that took me until my 2nd year i swear). i am sure this point has already been iterated but impostor syndrome is the name of the game. and remember, you wouldnt have been chosen if they didnt think you were good enough. have a look around the forums, it is a treasure trove of information and bants that are sure to keep you entertained. if you are confused, ask! (one of the best places to ask would be the off topic thread imo but where is appropriate is fine hue) |
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Post by Psychic Pug on May 13, 2019 11:05:22 GMT 9
Everyone “s00ks @ japanese” before they start jet so don’t worry about it! There’s only so much you can learn from school and the rest you learn through immersion, so you’ll be grand! There are plenty of cirs who don’t have any level of jlpt so whether you have n3/failed n2 or n1 it’s totes daijoubs! I applied to jet after graduation (I didn’t know we could apply during our fourth year so I waited for the next application) and I was very rusty with the 語. I still haven’t passed n1 but I’ve definitely improved since coming here just by being exposed to Japanese everyday. Coming here with a translation degree is helpful especially if you end up in a placement which requires a lot of translation work because you’ll already know what to do~ It’s a very stressful and exciting time indeed but try to focus and enjoy the present (especially the cheese and the meat if you eat them). There are only a few Irish cirs so we’re pretty close so when you get here rest assured you’ve got people to support you. Also, *looks to the camera* this forum is a really great place to find hulemdos and support so stick around amirite Miscreative and ことしも魚ろしく ?
the forum is a great place (with lots of mysteries ) there is a huge range of current and former CIRs still active and our positions (former and current) range wide enough that more often than not, if you have a problem or question, someone has experience and can help. re: sucking at japanese, I am a fourth year and still suck! but the important thing is that i have enough to get by (and even that took me until my 2nd year i swear). i am sure this point has already been iterated but impostor syndrome is the name of the game. and remember, you wouldnt have been chosen if they didnt think you were good enough. have a look around the forums, it is a treasure trove of information and bants that are sure to keep you entertained. if you are confused, ask! (one of the best places to ask would be the off topic thread imo but where is appropriate is fine hue) I was being kiss ash-y to the Eternal Overlords with my *looks to the camera* bit. |
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Post by Dee on May 13, 2019 13:37:03 GMT 9
Hi Merry-Gaijin, congrats on getting shortlisted and welcome to the forums! I'm a soon to be 3rd year, and my CIR position is half teaching and half other. I teach at my town's kindergarten in the mornings, so I spend half of my day running around with 3-5 yr olds teaching them English vocabulary. It's actually a more fun than I thought it would be! I spend my afternoons at town hall working on culture events, cooking classes, and translation work for my town's geopark. Even thought I'm not working at my desk all day, I still feel like I've gotten a lot of good translation experience under my belt. Feel free to check out my blog! |
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Post by Dee on May 13, 2019 15:05:00 GMT 9
-Double post-
Btw, I was just looking over my old JET emails and noticed that I received my notice of placement on May 16th (Tues) 2 years ago. I am a US Jet, just fyi. Hope you all get your placements this week!!
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hemena
Straight outta Narita
Posts: 14
Gender (Pronouns): she/her/hers
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Post by hemena on May 16, 2019 18:53:49 GMT 9
Just came back here to let everyone know that while I didn't get any e-mail about an upgrade to short-list so far, I just landed an internship at a German company in Japan. So to all the people struggling on the alternate list in the future, don't be frustrated, you might just find something else!  Good luck to everyone with their placements and their upcoming work as a CIR! |
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Post by Simplecat on May 17, 2019 10:39:02 GMT 9
Was just notified today of my placement! Somehow I got 東京都小平市(こだいら). I'm pretty shocked because I thought there weren't any CIR in Tokyo? It's a little farther out, towards Hachioji but still. I'm pretty surprised.
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Post by ❄icepath❄ on May 17, 2019 11:04:22 GMT 9
Oooh welcome to Tokyo!
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Post by michiru on May 17, 2019 12:08:26 GMT 9
Seems like most U.S. placements are coming out today. I got 高知県黒潮町。Looks like I'll be way out in the inaka!
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Post by thelatter on May 17, 2019 12:12:50 GMT 9
I'm getting butterflies looking at these placements and I've already been here for almost 3 years. So excited for y'all  |
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Post by zztop on May 17, 2019 13:06:09 GMT 9
Ooooh congrats everyone! so exciting!! They've def been increasing CIRs in Tokyo in recent years, I know of at least 4-5 or so, so you won't be the only one~ I got my placement exactly one year ago today! T_T so crazy |
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Post by Dee on May 17, 2019 13:30:35 GMT 9
Congrats on getting your placements!!
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Post by Aya Raincoat on May 17, 2019 13:55:35 GMT 9
Congrats on your placements!
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Post by Miscreative on May 17, 2019 14:42:54 GMT 9
I am realizing how many people we have in SHIKOK
Congrats on your placements! (come oooon Niigata come oooon NIIGATA)
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Post by 𝑜𝓇𝒾𝒽𝒾𝓂𝑒 on May 17, 2019 16:20:32 GMT 9
I don't even know where the closest place is to me that's getting new CIRs, pretty sure there're none coming into Oita City, definitely none coming here, not sure about other places in Oita prefecture but think maybe just one Korean one and one Chinese one.
But congrats everyone on your placements~
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Post by dr. pussy popper on May 17, 2019 16:40:00 GMT 9
;u; NATSUKASIIIII
i remember opening my placement and actually knowing where it was and the SENSE OF RELIEF lmao
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Post by long johnson on May 17, 2019 16:59:15 GMT 9
oh man I remember getting my placement toward the end of may in 2012
I think I cried tears of joy because:
1) it was my #1 request (okinawa)
2) I was already IN okinawa for summer break, so I had time to prep and get things in order for my move locally (meet my pred, look for a car, etc.) before JET even started
(I realize this is very unusual hue)
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Post by Aya Raincoat on May 17, 2019 18:21:26 GMT 9
I remember being told my placement about a week after being upgraded and first reading "Saga", hue. Then I googled it and realized that it was 1- the place with the lake and 2- right next to Kyoto. My second choice was Kansai, so I was really happy!
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Post by Psychic Pug on May 17, 2019 19:06:49 GMT 9
I remember feeling very antsy so I messaged my hulemdo from RYUUGAKU who was also an alt. She said “oh hey so my hulemdo from uni is a cir maybe I can ask her some stuff about cirs?”. I said yeah and she got back to me with surprising news. She said they’re expecting an Irish cir and what a coincidence if it was me. It was me.
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acouplefruits
Straight outta Narita
Posts: 21
CIR Experience: 1st year
Location: Sudachi Land
Gender (Pronouns): she/her/hers
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Post by acouplefruits on May 18, 2019 0:01:41 GMT 9
Got my placement, I'll be in 徳島県 and I'm assuming it's 県庁 based on the info in the email. I've never been to those parts so I'm excited to see something new!
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currycat
Straight outta Narita
Posts: 3 
CIR Experience: 1st year
Location: Sudachi Land
Gender (Pronouns): she/her/hers
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Post by currycat on May 18, 2019 7:31:17 GMT 9
Got my placement, I'll be in 徳島県 and I'm assuming it's 県庁 based on the info in the email. I've never been to those parts so I'm excited to see something new! I received a placement for 徳島県 as well! (No specific city or anything yet.) I never had the chance to visit SHIKOK when I was in Japan before so I'm pretty excited. The only thing I'm worried about is it seems that there are some pretty rural places in SHIKOK and I don't have a drivers license. Any past/current Sudachi Land Jets know if this will be an issue? |
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Post by long johnson on May 18, 2019 8:52:28 GMT 9
paging 🍅™️! you have new Sudachi Land folks incoming! |
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nikujaga
Straight outta Narita
Posts: 3
CIR Experience: Prospective CIR
Gender (Pronouns): he/him/his
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Post by nikujaga on May 18, 2019 10:25:24 GMT 9
My placement is miyagi-ken ishinomaki-shi!!
It's been a full day but I'm still having trouble accepting this is real. Miyagi was my first choice and ishinomaki was the exact city I had in mind when I picked it. I have a bunch of hulemdos living there and wrote about the city's recovery from the tsunami for a research project in one of my Japanese classes. It's probably just dumb luck but I'm thoroughly spooked because I never mentioned it anywhere in my application.
And now I'm 100x more excited for August!
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