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JET Program -
02-05-2009, 05:44 AM
I was wondering who knew of the program. I know a few of you may have participated- I want to hear some stories! Good and bad/wages/housing, etc.
I'm going to college for Public Communications and English, and after graduation I plan on applying. I'd like to know about the interview/application process if anyone has any info. 
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02-05-2009, 07:27 AM
I am also in your same position. I am interested in some of the responses you receive... sorry for commandeering your topic lol.
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02-05-2009, 07:53 AM
I was on JET from 1996-98. The application process is quite long... you send in your application in late Nov/early Dec, if you get an interview that takes place in Feb, then if you are selected there are orientation meetings etc and you fly out in late July/early Aug. They take care of your airfare there and back, your visa, training in Tokyo and more in your prefecture, and will help you find a place to live... some schools will actually pay for all your housing, others will partially subsidize it, and others will just find the place and you pay for it yourself. (I and most others tend to have the latter arrangement). The pay is 3.6 million yen per year, which at current exchange rates is roughly $40,000, and that's tax free in both Japan and the US. You sign up for a minimum of 1 year and renew a year at a time, up to 5 years now (used to be 3 max). You team teach in Japanese public schools with Japanese teachers, and you don't need to know any Japanese to apply (I didn't know any when I went). JET has a great support network and voluntary events/activities set up by the AJET chapters.
If you have any questions beyond the info blurb above, let me know, or go to the official JET forums here: JET Programme :: Index
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02-05-2009, 08:17 AM
Thanks for the speedy reply, samurai!
It's not so much the technicals I want to know, considering I've done a great deal of research.. I just wanted to hear some personal little stories regarding the quality of the program, and how difficult teaching Japanese kids can be. So you're saying the majority of people end up paying all their own rent? Or did I misunderstand?... And, if so, how much was your rent? I know each situation differs, and living arrangements vary, but did you have enough money to pay rent and save up (aswell as doing the occasional sight-seeing)? EDIT: Does knowing moderate Japanese help? I've taken it in High School and plan on taking it for all of College... I'm not sure why, but I don't want that to hurt my chances! I have a feeling they want English-only people, mainly so the students/teachers can practice out their English with someone who doesn't know Japanese. Any ideas?
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02-05-2009, 08:43 AM
Quote:
Yes, knowing Japanese is helpful. Not knowing the language was an annoyance for me, and while I eventually picked up some basic words and phrases, and it forced the kids and teachers to practice their English with me, it was still frustrating sometimes. It will likely help, not hurt your chances of being accepted, unless during your interview you say something like "I just want to go to Japan to improve my Japanese ability"... that will happen naturally just by living there, but in school remember that you're an English teacher.
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02-05-2009, 05:07 PM
Thanks, that answers alot. Sounds like a great opportunity.
By the time I go there I will be married, and I know the JET program accepts families with and without children, giving them a dependant visa. Will this hurt my chances? Did you go alone, or with a significant other?
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02-05-2009, 06:15 PM
Quote:
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