Quote:
Originally Posted by SSJup81
Before considering applying, I was worried about my bf too, but we broke up, so he's no longer an issue. If I'd gotten in, and we were still together, I would've felt guilty leaving him behind.
I do keep thinking about what I'd leave though and have second thoughts. Mostly, doubts in myself. "Could I really get by?" is the main thing I keep asking myself, since my Japanese is so awful. I wish I could pick it up as fast as some other people. I must be getting old. 
Anywho, anrakushi good luck to you! I hope you get your letter soon saying you got in. ^_^ |
Like Chisachi said, you can get by. I'm one of those JETS who knew no Japanese, and while I learned some while I was there, I certainly never became fluent. But within a couple days after arriving I was going shopping by myself, and within 6 months, took a 9 day trip through western Japan without any problems (over Christmas break).
It can be surprising just how much you can understand without words, and what other clues you can pick up on. For instance, look in your cupboard and refrigerator, and imagine that none of the packages had any words on them, just the pictures, etc. How many things would you really by unable to tell what they are? I bet most of your canned foods, TV dinners, etc all have pictures on them. And of course numbers are numbers, so you can see prices of most items just fine. And you'll learn hiragana and katakana fairly quickly, which will let you sound out many words.