The Preparation
Now that I knew that I had gotten in, it was time to complete all of the paperwork that I now needed to do: get fingerprinted for a background check, submit said background check, go and get a physical and chest x-rays, apply for some IRS forms, etc.

It should be of note that once you get accepted to the program, you must reply with a confirmation of intent to participate. At this time you have not actually been placed, so you are esentially blindly saying that you’ll go wherever they feel like putting you. I assume this is for various logistical reasons, but also so people with really shitty places don’t pull out, creating more hassle for JET. Either way, there was no way I was going to turn the offer down.

About a month or so later I received another email that finally had my placement email and my contracting organization email. It was about time.

During this time it mainly consisted of me finishing up all of my college classes, graduating, and working through the summer up until the departure date of late July. After looking through my possessions I decided on what I wanted to take, what I wanted to sell, and want I wanted to keep (but not bring with me).

The stuff I wanted to keep but not bring with me went up to Michigan to store at my parents’ house. The clothes I didn’t want were either given to friends or Goodwill and the more expensive electronics and such with resale value were sold, mainly to friends. One of which has yet to pay me the promised price.

I narrowed down what I would take to what could fit in one checked bag, my backpack, and additionally, my 36″ unicycle. After making one final trip up to Michigan to see the parents, I said goodbye to most anyone on campus and headed down to the Amtrak station, where I said goodbye to the woman. As usual, the Amtrak train was a few hours late. I comforted myself with the knowledge that once I got to Japan, late trains would be a thing of the past. This would later come to be proved false.

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