BEFORE DEPARTING YOUR COUNTRY

What to do?

Research where you will be placed! Google Maps these days is good in identifying shops and places of interest in English, if you don't have a predecessor to talk to. Identify the size of the stores in your area, and what sorts of cuisines you are able to eat on the go so you can buy your comforting essentials in advance.

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Take this opportunity to get to know your supervisor. Once you arrive here in Iwate, you will realize exactly how busy your supervisor is. But in the email exchanges with your supervisor, take this opportunity to find out how your supervisor functions, how many schools (ALTs) or what type of work you will primarily will be doing (CIRs).

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Specifically for Iwate, and other northern Japan regions, preparing snowboots and winter clothes in advance is advantageous. Arrival usually happens in either Spring or Summer here in Japan, but there have been outliers of which people have arrived in the middle of the snow season. Hence, it would be a good idea to have snowboots and winter clothes prior to your arrival.

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Last but not least, wrap up any loose knots back and home and say your farewells! You won't be away from your loved ones forever, but you will be spending a large amount of time away from them so make sure you keep your support network at home as secure as the support network you will be going into!