This is an article written by Matt Nelson in response to Steven Horowitz’s article “JET Programme on the chopping block?” Here, Matt gives ten suggestions on cutting costs and increasing efficiency in the Japanese school system

It’s not hard to see why Thailand is a common vacation destination for many JETs. With friendly people, incredibly cheap travel costs, and deliciously spicy food, it’s a great place to spend an extended national holiday week. Phuket in particular provides an oasis from the heat and humidity in Thailand and is a welcome destination after exploring the steamy streets of Bangkok or Chiang Mai. My friends and I visited the island for five days over Golden Week this year and loved every minute of it. For those considering going, here are my Top Ten tips on traveling to Phuket.

Do you often find yourself sitting bored at your desk bored, avoiding any number of important things? Jikan mottainai? The following 10 activities include ways to stay on schedule, better oneself, and break up the humdrum hours spent “organizing your desk.” If you’re not being productive, then you are wasting your time.

When it comes to out of the way places, nowhere is so far away from everything else as New Zealand. Which is all the more reason to travel there. Vast stretches of natural beauty, friendly people, and a relaxing atmosphere make it an ideal place to spend a winter vacation away from Japan. I took a trip to New Zealand last winter and had an amazing time. And so I present to you a top 10 list of reasons to visit New Zealand.

Winter is settling in and by now chances are you’re spending a good bit of your day shivering. Though it never really gets super cold outside in Hiroshima, the problem is that the indoors never really get very warm, either. So this month I’d like to share some of my suggestions for keeping warm at school and home.

Joe brings us his Top 10 tips for traveling within Japan and abroad.

It’s been almost a year since I climbed to the summit of Mt. Fuji (富士山), an unforgettable journey I made alongside my fellow Hiroshima JETs in early September. To those JETs considering the climb this year, I’d like to offer a little background on the significance of the mountain, as well as some friendly advice about the climb, should you decide to take the challenge (and I hope you do!).

Hiroshima can be a hellishly hot and sweaty place in summer. You know it’s bad when you can feel the sweat trickling down your back just standing there. If you’re looking for relief, here are are my Top Ten ways to beat the heat.