JET Program, for BakaCrisis and others
 

BakaCrisis PMed me with some questions about the JET Program, and I asked him if it's ok to start a thread about it so others can read and get or give answers too. He agreed, so here was his PM:

Age: Not sure if there is a minimum age, though you must have a BA, so probably about 21 or 22. Maximum age allowed is 40.

Already in college?: Yes, as long as you graduate before you leave for Japan. Make sure you have all your credits and requirements to graduate on time!

Japanese: You don't need to know any to be an ALT. (I didn't know any when I went) You need to be fairly good if you apply to be a CIR though.

Salary: 3.6 million yen per year, which is tax free in both the US and Japan. That's about $36,000.

What do you get out of it?: Well, it's a great opportunity to live and work in Japan, as well as meet fellow JETS from every English-speaking country around the world. You experience a very different culture, which can widen your perspectives, cause you to grow and mature in both your beliefs and as a person, increase your self-confidence, give you tons of stories to tell your kids and grandkids someday, and possibly give you a decent amount of money to pay off student loans or get a nice start when you return home. Really, living in a foreign country for an extended length of time is a life-changing experience.

Pros and Cons: Well, I listed the pros above. Cons, it can get lonely or homesick at times, you will likely miss your family, friends, favorite foods and activities back home, etc. But you can go back to all that in a few years, in the meantime, enjoy all the new people and places, make the most of your time there! Also, like any job, you'll have good days and bad days, exciting days and boring days. But that's life.

I have tons of personal stories, anything in particular? As for photos, see the link in my sig, or click here: Tommiskey/My Japan - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Awesome ^_^ this gives me much hope to achieve my goal at applying for this JET programme !!! thanks

I just recently got accepted as a CIR, if you have any questions about the application process. It's certainly not a short process - started in September of 2007 and just recently found out I've been accepted, so plan ahead!

I started a topic about JET a good while back.

http://www.japanforum.com/forum/livi...s-alt-cir.html

You can ask questions there too if you'd like, or maybe some have already been answered there.