Quote:
Originally Posted by MMM
I am glad I can be of help.
I have never heard of a JET doing a homestay. The problem will be that you will be replacing someone who was in an apartment, so the lease on the apartment will have been extended long before you arrive. I am sure many teachers at the school will be happy to "adopt" you, as in have you over for meals or go out shopping with you. It isn't something I would bother asking about, though. Government organizations want nice flexible people that don't rock the boat.
Long time no see Chachava.
|
Actually, it can be done. I was on JET from 1996-98, in Wakayama-ken (about 1 hour south of Osaka). The AJET organization in my prefecture planned activities all the time... hiking, camping, visiting an orphanage for Christmas, going to local festivals, etc. They set up 3 weekend-long homestays each year, and I attended all 6 of them in my 2 years.
Each prefecture's AJET is different, some far more active than others. Generally (though there are probably some exceptions), the more rural AJET groups tend to be more active than the big city groups... there's more interest among rural JETs to get together and do things on weekends because little towns don't have as much to do as a big city.
As far as requesting an area, I really enjoyed living in the Kansai area. I requested 3 cities in the Kansai area, and although I didn't get them, I was placed in a small city of 55,000 people less than an hour's train ride from either Nara or Osaka, 2 of my choices (Kyoto was the 3rd). It was nice to be out of the busy city, in the countryside a bit, but still close enough that taking a train into Osaka for a Saturday of shopping and fun was simple. Also, the countryside tends to have cheaper rent.
. I love cycling and the idea of being able to cycle year round (if I'm pretty much anywhere but Hokkaido!) is exciting. Trust me, that's not something realistic if you live through frigid Canadian winters!
