Quote:
Originally Posted by MMM
I don't think the pay rate for a JET has changed since the beginning of the program. Now, with the strong yen, it is a very nice pay. The budget for the JET teacher is set in advance, so there is no room for negotiation in terms of payrate (unless something has changed recently). Why would they? there are tons of people who will happily take your place at the original pay.
One things JETs learn quickly is that they are the smallest fish in a very big pond. Westerners often have great ideas on how to fix things, improve systems, make them better, etc. In your position as a JET that is rocking the boat, making trouble, being a loudmouth. I am not saying you are an English-speaking robot, but outside of the confines of your classroom a lot of work-related decisions are made for you. Even the most seemingly innocuous question will require approval of the prefectural board of education. It's a massive bureaucracy...but a good social studies lesson.
Everyone I know goes home after JET. You have to. What happens afterward, I am not sure.
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Thanks for addressing those questions.
I love that you talked about the "strong Yen." In my case, the Yen is actually very weak, compared to the Canadian dollar. That's good for getting set up, but bad if I want to move my savings out of the country at the end.
If you're an American, then you'll know what I'm talking about. The Canadian dollar reached parity with the American dollar just recently and for the first time in 30 years! What sucks is that prices are still higher here than in the US, remember those "$25 US, $32 Canada" prices on the back of books
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A lot of people are actually going across the border to do big ticket shopping. You can save hundreds of dollars at times and spend less on consumption taxes (here in Ontario, the sales tax is about 14%).