tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940197.post1434651609485153093..comments2024-03-25T21:14:49.666-04:00Comments on Joel Swagman (Reviews / TESOL): Oita City / 大分市Joel Swagmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14948746083822200906noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940197.post-73325254570728140182014-07-20T03:42:41.117-04:002014-07-20T03:42:41.117-04:00Hmmm....You know, after re-reading this post, I do...Hmmm....You know, after re-reading this post, I do have to agree with anonymous that this IS pretty long-winded and wind-baggy. Criticism accepted I suppose.Joel Swagmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14948746083822200906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940197.post-87722802283438962562011-01-04T19:45:54.056-05:002011-01-04T19:45:54.056-05:00Dear Anonymous,
I'm a little puzzled as to whe...Dear Anonymous,<br />I'm a little puzzled as to where all this hostility is coming from. Personally I think you're overacting.<br /><br />However, on the chance that I've legitimately offended the people living in Oita city, allow me to offer the following.<br /><br />It was not my intention in writing this post to cause offense to anyone living in Oita city. <br /><br />The poor man's Fukuoka comment was based on the perspective of those of us who lived in the Oita countryside. When we wanted a weekend out in the big city, there was usually the choice between Oita and Fukuoka. Oita city has it's charms, to be sure, but it terms of big city excitement it can't really compete with Fukuoka. But that's just for those of us coming in for the weekend. I'm sure people living in Oita city have a much more complex relationship.<br /><br />Also, those of us who lived in the countryside had to, of necessity, travel a lot in order to have any sort of a social life at all. We also travelled a lot because there wasn't always a lot to do in our town. Back in my day (2001-2004) I knew several JETs in Oita city who, by their own admission,rarely travelled outside of Oita city because they had an active social life right inside the city. If you and your friends get out of the city a lot, and you take offense to my comment, I apologize.<br /><br />If I have further offended you, sir, you have but to bring the offense to my attention, and I will endeavor to make amendsJoel Swagmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14948746083822200906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940197.post-43962419300343237032010-12-29T19:44:15.559-05:002010-12-29T19:44:15.559-05:00Joel, it isn't that people in Oita don't g...Joel, it isn't that people in Oita don't get out, or make tiny circles...it's just that you aren't invited.<br />Oita, a poor man's version of Fukuoka, as seen through the eyes of a blind ex-ELT wind-bag who visits Oasis and makes broad sweeping judgments on what he doesn't know.<br /><br />And hopefully, never will. <br />Your ELT contract was canceled after 3 years and not renewed. What does that say? It says you were not very talented. And your long-winded non-interpretation of Oita pretty much proves it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940197.post-31863275038940584532010-10-26T06:23:17.483-04:002010-10-26T06:23:17.483-04:00The countryside in Oita prefecture is amazingly be...The countryside in Oita prefecture is amazingly beautiful. I’d recommend buying a cheap used car when you get there (you should be able to afford one on a CIR salary easily enough). An hour’s drive out of the city in any direction and you’ll see absolutely stunning scenery. (The public transportation isn’t great in Oita prefecture, so to get to the good views you’ll want a car.)<br /><br /> Although sadly, in my experience not many people living in Oita city bother to leave the city much. I guess people just kind of fall into a routine inside the city, and develop their own circle of friends inside the city. <br /> But if you can be motivated to get off your ass and do some sightseeing on the weekends, the countryside in Kyushu is worth seeing.<br /><br /> Anyway, hope this helps. Sorry it was so rambling and unfocused. If you give me more specific questions maybe I can focus my answers more.Joel Swagmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14948746083822200906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940197.post-56665302262036417502010-10-26T06:22:35.277-04:002010-10-26T06:22:35.277-04:00Regarding your questions about Oita City:
It’s h...Regarding your questions about Oita City:<br /><br /> It’s hard for me to really advise you on whether or not Oita City is a good fit for you, because a lot of it will depend on your expectations, and your personality.<br /><br /> Since you’ve already been to Oita City (and it looks like you’ve read my blog post on it as well) I probably not going to be able to tell you much you already don’t know. But I’ll jot down a few observations anyway.<br /><br /> As you probably already know, CIRs get distributed to a wide variety of areas. Some of them get into the big mega citys, but for some reason, the JET program also has a fondness for putting a lot of them in the middle of nowhere--out in really small villages up in the mountains, or on small islands. <br /><br /> (In fact there are at least 3 CIR positions I can think of in Oita prefecture that are really truly out in the middle of nowhere—Himeshima Island, Oyama Town, and Tsukumi Town. But we’re talking about Oita city, and not Oita prefecture, right? Because obviously there is a big difference.)<br /><br /> I don’t know if you’re looking for the exciting big city experience, or the small town “authentic” Japan experience. <br /> <br /> Oita city, being a medium sized city in a largely rural prefecture, is in between the two extremes. It’s really neither here nor there. You get a bit of both worlds. <br /><br /> For example, there is some nightlife in Oita city. A few bars. The standard expat hang-outs. I think at least one dance club (although I’ve heard rumors that they’ve shut down.) There’s a few movie theaters, and a couple shopping complexes. It’s nothing like Tokyo or Osaka, but on the other hand it’s nothing like the countryside either.<br /><br /> There’s enough expatriates there that you can have a good social life, but at the same time the expat crowd is a small tight nit community, and pretty much everyone knows everyone else.<br /><br /> You’ll get a bit of attention there for being a foreigner. It won’t be the same level of amazement as in the countryside, but people won’t completely brush you off either as in the bigger cities.<br /><br /> As for the Japanese people—there are a fair amount of young people walking the streets, but nothing like the youth culture you’d see in Tokyo or Fukuoka. At any rate, as CIR postings go it could be a lot, lot worse.<br /><br /> You’ll find access to some English books easily enough, although there will be a limited selection. <br /><br /> In summary, it’s a medium sized city, and has an experience that is halfway between a small town and a big city. <br /> It’s worth remembering at this point that many JETs (most JETs perhaps) get placed in really small towns that are outside of the usual tourist path. So believe me, it can get a lot, lot worse. <br /> Unless of course you’re looking for more of a countryside experience. In which case it can get a lot lot better, I guess.<br /><br /> I’ve never known anyone who spent a year in Oita city, and absolutely hated it. Most people like it well enough once they get used to it. On the other hand, I’ve never known anyone who was absolutely raving about how wonderful it is. It’s that kind of place.<br /><br /> Like a lot of Japanese cities, the urban planning in Oita city leaves a lot to be desired, and the city is kind of designed as one big concrete dump. It’s quite blah and depressing in a way. But the people there are quiet friendly (both the expat crowd and the local Japanese) and you should settle in all right and make a lot of friends.Joel Swagmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14948746083822200906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940197.post-67445838376313010312010-10-25T21:53:04.151-04:002010-10-25T21:53:04.151-04:00HELP! I just put Oita down as my second choice for...HELP! I just put Oita down as my second choice for a CIR position, only been to the city once and wasn't terribly crazy about it. Please impart some wisdom, advice. goodmangreen17@hotmail.comFrederickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00355839101928779927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940197.post-34820080331514111792008-08-08T09:47:00.000-04:002008-08-08T09:47:00.000-04:00Wow, it seems a lot has happened. I noticed your ...Wow, it seems a lot has happened. I noticed your blog was inaccessible for a short while but I never read "The Break-Up" post and I just now read the comments to get the gist of what was going on at the time... and from the sound of this post your job situation is changing, too. <BR/><BR/>I don't have to go into either of my jobs starting Sunday because of Obon Week, so if you're coming down this way again lemme know!<BR/><BR/>I don't know if you'll be exploring Oita City again anytime soon but I recommend the shrine in Nishi-Oita just before you get on the BetsuDai Kokudo. It's surrounded by trees and doesn't feel like you're in Oita City.<BR/><BR/>Even though I don't leave comments all the time I do check in! Good job keeping up with the posting... can't say I've been so good about it myself!inertbathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11566665128447317164noreply@blogger.com