I'm feeling pretty tired from these past few days....well, actually the past week. I really should be going to bed now, but I feel the need to just stop and talk about yesterday.
I was invited by my friend, Cara, who is a JET in Komono-cho, to help carry the women's shrine at the Souhei Matsuri. I knew I wanted to go to the festival, because 1) I hadn't gotten to go to any festivals since arriving in Japan yet, and 2) The festival takes place up in the mountains, and having seen pictures of the area, it looked gorgeous... So, I figured that if I was going to go anyway, I might as well get involved and be an active part of the festivities. This ended up being a good decision, despite how much my shoulder hurts now from helping carry the shrine. The pain was totally worth it. I had a blast. But...I'm getting ahead of myself a little...
Earlier that day, we made plans to meet up in Yokkaichi to get lunch and do a little shopping. I headed there by train from Suzuka, which takes about 40 minutes. During the ride, the train went over a little bridge across the bay. At that moment, I remembered the first time I ever crossed that bridge from the other side about 2 months ago. It was after the Tokyo Orientation, with the other Mie JETs, and I was headed to Suzuka. Memories came flooding back, and I could vividly recall how I felt then and I got chills. I remember thinking how I couldn't believe I was here. I remember feeling a mixture of nervousness, hopefulness, and amazement. This place was (and still is) an adventure. I was so scared...but excited. Filled with adrenaline.
After crossing that bridge again yesterday, and thinking about how things have changed just within the past 2 months, it made me smile. I found myself in a great mood, thinking about how I went from having no idea where in the world I was, to being able to (roughly) navigate the train system well enough to make it to a neighboring city by myself now. I went from being almost completely dependent, to almost completely independent in a matter of weeks. You kind of have to when you move across the world, away from family and friends...away from the world you grew up in.
I seem to get into the habit of beating myself up about all the things I've done wrong since I've come here, and not enough on the things I've done right. I got the job, right? I've made it this far, right? I should be proud of myself for following my dreams and achieving them. I've wanted to come to Japan for as long as I can remember.....before I even knew exactly where Japan was on a map. Now, here I am. I'm still in disbelief.
I had such an amazing time yesterday in Yokkaichi and Komono. The hilly, mountainous terrain, mixed with the little rocky creeks, reminded me a lot of home. As we carried the shrine down the winding mountain road, passing little shops and hotels as we wished for their prosperity, I was tired, but happy. I got chills again.
This is why I'm here -- for the chance to have experiences just like this one. My time here has only just begun, and I can't wait to experience more :)
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Saturday, September 29, 2012
So much to learn
I've learned a lot since coming here, but I still have a long way to go....
One of the best ways to learn is to experience things for yourself, right? So here I am, on this crazy journey of living by myself in a foreign country. Sometimes, I think I'm insane to have come here, out of my comfort zone and into the unknown. There are also times that I think applying for JET was the best decision I've ever made.
I was hired as an assistant English teacher -- the native English speaker in the classroom. While I've been able to answer some grammatical questions my coworkers and students have asked, I don't feel like I've been very helpful in my position yet. I often feel as if I'm just in everybody's way, bumbling around aimlessly. This job is kind of a strange one, if you think about it. Here I am, trying to master a new language, adjust to a new culture, making my apartment feel like home, being away from friends and family, having a job completely different from my previous one, and learning the way each of the 14 teachers I work with want me to teach, despite having no real prior teaching experience and not being able to understand 95% of what people are trying to say to me.....
I feel a lot more like a student than a teacher.
There are a decent number of foreign students at my current school who have recently moved here to Japan with their families from countries such as Brazil, Indonesia, etc. Most of them can't speak Japanese very well, so they meet up every day with part-time teachers/city hall workers that can speak enough of their fluent language to answer questions they have about their homework assignments, as the instructions are usually all in Japanese. Tuesday, I talked with a few girls, in English, about effective ways to study Japanese and laughed about awkward experiences we've had adjusting to the culture. Thursday, I got to meet with a few students who were going over some Japanese grammar. I went through and did some of the Japanese study worksheets they had been doing, and they laughed as I struggled through it, not because of the questions, but because of misunderstanding the instructions.
I feel like I bonded with those foreign students and, now they wave to me as I walk past them, with smiles on their faces because they know that, even though I'm technically a teacher, we have a lot in common. We're fighting to understand this wild, new world around us and find our places in it.
Speaking of having a lot to learn.....here are some things I've learned so far:
1) In the summer (and even into the fall), you must wear a tank top or some sort of layer underneath your shirt to soak up/mask sweat. Otherwise, you will get sweat stains. I didn't know it was possible to sweat this much. Don't think you are exempt from this. I thought I'd be ok, since I hardly ever sweated back home. I was wrong. It was embarrassing.
2) Carrying around a small hand towel or some Kleenex/napkins in your pocket, purse, or backpack is always a good idea. Many public restrooms don't have paper towels and you may want to dry your hands. Some restrooms don't have toilet paper (I haven't run into that problem yet, thankfully). In the summer, you may want to wipe off some of that sweat. Some restaurants give you little to no napkins with your meal. The benefits of having a towel/napkins are endless. It is very common in the summer to see Japanese people walk around town with a towel around their neck.
3) When you go to the grocery store, the cashiers will usually not give you any sort of bag for your groceries. At my local grocery store, you may purchase a plastic bag for 5 yen. This is obviously not something you want to have to do every single time, so investing in a reusable shopping tote, preferably something insulated, is a good idea. I usually just load up my backpack.
4) If you leave any sort of food scraps around, especially anything with sugar or grease, there is a good chance you will visited by a cockroach. The chance is greater if you are on the ground floor of your apartment complex or if you're in a rural area.
5) Be extremely careful when walking and/or riding your bike in Japan. Roads can be very narrow and drivers don't always look both ways. By the way, that sidewalk you're riding on is actually a road.....surprise!
6) You can pay your bills at your local convenience store, which is very....convenient!
7) If you are like me, and prefer white meat chicken over dark, karaage is probably not for you. Instead, go for chikin katsu (chicken cutlet). Also, KFC's crispy chicken strips are white meat. Yay!
8) In Japan, it isn't dangerous to eat raw eggs. Japanese people do this quite often, actually. Apparently, the eggs here are good quality and are kept clean, so it's not a big deal.... I'm personally still weirded out by this, though.
9) Ramen itself is considered a Chinese food, not a Japanese food. However, there are flavors and types of ramen that were created in Japan, such as miso ramen (and cup ramen :-P).
10) If you put in sugar in your tea, especially green tea, you'll probably get some weird looks.
I'm sure there are even more things on top of this that I just can't remember right now.
Oh, Japan... <3
I hope everyone is doing well! :) See you later.
One of the best ways to learn is to experience things for yourself, right? So here I am, on this crazy journey of living by myself in a foreign country. Sometimes, I think I'm insane to have come here, out of my comfort zone and into the unknown. There are also times that I think applying for JET was the best decision I've ever made.
I was hired as an assistant English teacher -- the native English speaker in the classroom. While I've been able to answer some grammatical questions my coworkers and students have asked, I don't feel like I've been very helpful in my position yet. I often feel as if I'm just in everybody's way, bumbling around aimlessly. This job is kind of a strange one, if you think about it. Here I am, trying to master a new language, adjust to a new culture, making my apartment feel like home, being away from friends and family, having a job completely different from my previous one, and learning the way each of the 14 teachers I work with want me to teach, despite having no real prior teaching experience and not being able to understand 95% of what people are trying to say to me.....
I feel a lot more like a student than a teacher.
There are a decent number of foreign students at my current school who have recently moved here to Japan with their families from countries such as Brazil, Indonesia, etc. Most of them can't speak Japanese very well, so they meet up every day with part-time teachers/city hall workers that can speak enough of their fluent language to answer questions they have about their homework assignments, as the instructions are usually all in Japanese. Tuesday, I talked with a few girls, in English, about effective ways to study Japanese and laughed about awkward experiences we've had adjusting to the culture. Thursday, I got to meet with a few students who were going over some Japanese grammar. I went through and did some of the Japanese study worksheets they had been doing, and they laughed as I struggled through it, not because of the questions, but because of misunderstanding the instructions.
I feel like I bonded with those foreign students and, now they wave to me as I walk past them, with smiles on their faces because they know that, even though I'm technically a teacher, we have a lot in common. We're fighting to understand this wild, new world around us and find our places in it.
Speaking of having a lot to learn.....here are some things I've learned so far:
1) In the summer (and even into the fall), you must wear a tank top or some sort of layer underneath your shirt to soak up/mask sweat. Otherwise, you will get sweat stains. I didn't know it was possible to sweat this much. Don't think you are exempt from this. I thought I'd be ok, since I hardly ever sweated back home. I was wrong. It was embarrassing.
2) Carrying around a small hand towel or some Kleenex/napkins in your pocket, purse, or backpack is always a good idea. Many public restrooms don't have paper towels and you may want to dry your hands. Some restrooms don't have toilet paper (I haven't run into that problem yet, thankfully). In the summer, you may want to wipe off some of that sweat. Some restaurants give you little to no napkins with your meal. The benefits of having a towel/napkins are endless. It is very common in the summer to see Japanese people walk around town with a towel around their neck.
3) When you go to the grocery store, the cashiers will usually not give you any sort of bag for your groceries. At my local grocery store, you may purchase a plastic bag for 5 yen. This is obviously not something you want to have to do every single time, so investing in a reusable shopping tote, preferably something insulated, is a good idea. I usually just load up my backpack.
4) If you leave any sort of food scraps around, especially anything with sugar or grease, there is a good chance you will visited by a cockroach. The chance is greater if you are on the ground floor of your apartment complex or if you're in a rural area.
5) Be extremely careful when walking and/or riding your bike in Japan. Roads can be very narrow and drivers don't always look both ways. By the way, that sidewalk you're riding on is actually a road.....surprise!
6) You can pay your bills at your local convenience store, which is very....convenient!
7) If you are like me, and prefer white meat chicken over dark, karaage is probably not for you. Instead, go for chikin katsu (chicken cutlet). Also, KFC's crispy chicken strips are white meat. Yay!
8) In Japan, it isn't dangerous to eat raw eggs. Japanese people do this quite often, actually. Apparently, the eggs here are good quality and are kept clean, so it's not a big deal.... I'm personally still weirded out by this, though.
9) Ramen itself is considered a Chinese food, not a Japanese food. However, there are flavors and types of ramen that were created in Japan, such as miso ramen (and cup ramen :-P).
10) If you put in sugar in your tea, especially green tea, you'll probably get some weird looks.
I'm sure there are even more things on top of this that I just can't remember right now.
Oh, Japan... <3
I hope everyone is doing well! :) See you later.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Busy busy
Hey, everyone! It has been a while since I last posted and a lot has happened since then.
I started teaching and have now finished all my self introduction lessons. I'm getting to know my fellow teachers and students and I feel like I'm starting to get used to this whole ALT thing. There are times it can be hectic, but most of the time, the job is "ok students, repeat after kayla sensei", and I read passages from the text book. I have gotten to play games with some of my classes, which have been really fun, but there are a lot of required monotonous tasks I must help with in order to prepare students for tests. I understand that this is necessary; learning a new language requires some repetition. However, fun activities are really what help keep students' attention and allow them to really connect and relate with the subject. I'm hoping that, once the JTEs (Japanese teachers of English) and I get used to working with one another, I can be given some freedom to do activities every now and then.
I have gotten to do a good amount of traveling recently, too! Since my last entry in mid-August, I have been to Shima, Ise, Tsu, and Kuwana in the Mie prefecture, as well as Osaka (Universal Studios and shopping/exploring in the Shinsaibashi and Namba areas). When we went to Osaka, we stayed in a Capsule Hotel, which was a rather interesting experience. I always imagined that sleeping in a 'capsule' would make me feel a little claustrophobic, but it was actually kind of comfortable :) It was also very cheap to stay there (about 2300yen!) Osaka was amazing, and I hope to go back very soon. It only took about 1 1/2 hours to get there by a limited express train, so taking weekend trips there is very feasible. The next place I'm hoping to check out is Nagoya, as it is only about an hour away by the express train.
Tomorrow and Friday, I don't have any classes, because they are doing midterm exams. I think I'll be using that time to study Japanese and do some research on games I can play with the students. Also, I really need to clean up my apartment and buy some shelves! I'm getting pretty close to making this place feel like home, but it's still a little too cluttered. I'm starting to get used to what shops I can go to to buy certain things and where they are located in relation to my apartment. When I'm at the City Hall and look out the window, it makes me realize that Suzuka isn't really that big. However, when you travel by walking, biking, and train only, it can make a small city seem like a never-ending maze.
Hope everyone is having a good day! I'll see you guys again soon.
I started teaching and have now finished all my self introduction lessons. I'm getting to know my fellow teachers and students and I feel like I'm starting to get used to this whole ALT thing. There are times it can be hectic, but most of the time, the job is "ok students, repeat after kayla sensei", and I read passages from the text book. I have gotten to play games with some of my classes, which have been really fun, but there are a lot of required monotonous tasks I must help with in order to prepare students for tests. I understand that this is necessary; learning a new language requires some repetition. However, fun activities are really what help keep students' attention and allow them to really connect and relate with the subject. I'm hoping that, once the JTEs (Japanese teachers of English) and I get used to working with one another, I can be given some freedom to do activities every now and then.
I have gotten to do a good amount of traveling recently, too! Since my last entry in mid-August, I have been to Shima, Ise, Tsu, and Kuwana in the Mie prefecture, as well as Osaka (Universal Studios and shopping/exploring in the Shinsaibashi and Namba areas). When we went to Osaka, we stayed in a Capsule Hotel, which was a rather interesting experience. I always imagined that sleeping in a 'capsule' would make me feel a little claustrophobic, but it was actually kind of comfortable :) It was also very cheap to stay there (about 2300yen!) Osaka was amazing, and I hope to go back very soon. It only took about 1 1/2 hours to get there by a limited express train, so taking weekend trips there is very feasible. The next place I'm hoping to check out is Nagoya, as it is only about an hour away by the express train.
 |
| Entrance of Universal Studios Japan!!! |
Tomorrow and Friday, I don't have any classes, because they are doing midterm exams. I think I'll be using that time to study Japanese and do some research on games I can play with the students. Also, I really need to clean up my apartment and buy some shelves! I'm getting pretty close to making this place feel like home, but it's still a little too cluttered. I'm starting to get used to what shops I can go to to buy certain things and where they are located in relation to my apartment. When I'm at the City Hall and look out the window, it makes me realize that Suzuka isn't really that big. However, when you travel by walking, biking, and train only, it can make a small city seem like a never-ending maze.
Hope everyone is having a good day! I'll see you guys again soon.
Monday, August 13, 2012
My First Week in Japan
As you may have guessed, I am now in Japan, where I have been since last Sunday. These past few days have been amazing, but my time here didn't start off so wonderful.....
When I first arrived in Japan, I was an absolute mess. Jet lag hit me like a ton of bricks and I felt physically and emotionally worn out. I wasn't sleeping right, I couldn't eat without feeling nauseous and I was very dehydrated. Tokyo Orientation was all a blur and I had to skip multiple panels just to go lay in my room and sleep. I would lay down and it would feel like everything was spinning. I got to explore Shinjuku a little bit, but not nearly as much as I would have liked. I was just too exhausted to be adventurous. I don't know if I had ever felt so strange before in my life...
However, once I arrived in Suzuka-shi, Mie-ken, my new home, and got settled into my apartment, I slowly started feeling more like myself again. Now, I am feeling great and have gotten my appetite back. I'm really loving exploring my neighborhood and trying all the different foods, especially the pastries :) There are a few shops very close to me that have a large variety of things. I bought a nice new bike that I've been taking everywhere and I'm in love with it.
I can't say anything about the job yet, as I don't begin teaching until September, but right now it's really easy and kind of boring. I have to report to the City Hall every weekday from 8:30 to 4:30, but we get a full hour for lunch, and all we have to do is sit at a desk and we occasionally are asked to help with minor tasks. Mostly, though, us 4 municipal Suzuka ALTs just talk amongst ourselves and this awesome Japanese guy who loves to hang out with us. It's pretty laid back, but I know it won't stay this way. In just a few weeks, work will become a lot more hectic, as I get used to a completely different schedule and a much more demanding work load.
So far, so good! Stay tuned!
When I first arrived in Japan, I was an absolute mess. Jet lag hit me like a ton of bricks and I felt physically and emotionally worn out. I wasn't sleeping right, I couldn't eat without feeling nauseous and I was very dehydrated. Tokyo Orientation was all a blur and I had to skip multiple panels just to go lay in my room and sleep. I would lay down and it would feel like everything was spinning. I got to explore Shinjuku a little bit, but not nearly as much as I would have liked. I was just too exhausted to be adventurous. I don't know if I had ever felt so strange before in my life...
However, once I arrived in Suzuka-shi, Mie-ken, my new home, and got settled into my apartment, I slowly started feeling more like myself again. Now, I am feeling great and have gotten my appetite back. I'm really loving exploring my neighborhood and trying all the different foods, especially the pastries :) There are a few shops very close to me that have a large variety of things. I bought a nice new bike that I've been taking everywhere and I'm in love with it.
I can't say anything about the job yet, as I don't begin teaching until September, but right now it's really easy and kind of boring. I have to report to the City Hall every weekday from 8:30 to 4:30, but we get a full hour for lunch, and all we have to do is sit at a desk and we occasionally are asked to help with minor tasks. Mostly, though, us 4 municipal Suzuka ALTs just talk amongst ourselves and this awesome Japanese guy who loves to hang out with us. It's pretty laid back, but I know it won't stay this way. In just a few weeks, work will become a lot more hectic, as I get used to a completely different schedule and a much more demanding work load.
So far, so good! Stay tuned!
Saturday, July 14, 2012
It's getting close...
7 days until the farewell/early birthday party at my house, where I'll get to see a lot of friends and family for a final time before I leave
14 days until the last day of my current job (where I've worked at for 7 YEARS). I'll miss some of my coworkers, but I am very happy to be moving on to something new!
And, last but certainly not least, 21 days until I accomplish one of the biggest items on my bucket list -- JAPAN.
These past few weeks have been super busy with work, running errands, and trying to hang out with friends as much as humanly possible. Two of my best friends are moving to Baltimore today, which is a good 7 hours away, and I already miss them :( . One of my other friends who can't attend the party got to hang out last weekend and I have no idea when I'll get to see her again. There is just a lot of goodbyes going on recently and it's making the whole "moving to Japan" thing super real. Like, this is a thing I am actually doing. People are saying goodbye to me, and it's not the "I'll see you again in a couple of weeks for dinner" type of goodbye. It's the "I have no idea when I'll see you again. It will probably be a couple of years or something. We'll have to Skype every now and then..." type of goodbye. It's so strange.
As far as preparations go, there's a lot left to do. Still got to call Visa about using my card overseas. Still got to get vaccines, if I'm going to get any at all (I'll probably just update my tetanus. I live life on the edge..). Still got to go to the dentist, if I still want to do that (probably not). Got to finish packing, but I've already got quite a bit of that done, actually. I have to get a mailer box and send off some bulky winter clothes to Japan ahead of me. Gotta print off some pictures that I took of my house and family that I can show students. Aaaaaand....I think that's about it. I think.
Life has been moving pretty fast. I kept telling myself I would have plenty of time to get all this stuff done, but...not really. 21 days = 3 weeks, and I have to tell myself not to start freaking out. I'm excited, don't get me wrong, but stress has been getting the better of me lately. I think I'll going to go run off this nervous energy and start making a detailed to-do list for next week....
14 days until the last day of my current job (where I've worked at for 7 YEARS). I'll miss some of my coworkers, but I am very happy to be moving on to something new!
And, last but certainly not least, 21 days until I accomplish one of the biggest items on my bucket list -- JAPAN.
These past few weeks have been super busy with work, running errands, and trying to hang out with friends as much as humanly possible. Two of my best friends are moving to Baltimore today, which is a good 7 hours away, and I already miss them :( . One of my other friends who can't attend the party got to hang out last weekend and I have no idea when I'll get to see her again. There is just a lot of goodbyes going on recently and it's making the whole "moving to Japan" thing super real. Like, this is a thing I am actually doing. People are saying goodbye to me, and it's not the "I'll see you again in a couple of weeks for dinner" type of goodbye. It's the "I have no idea when I'll see you again. It will probably be a couple of years or something. We'll have to Skype every now and then..." type of goodbye. It's so strange.
As far as preparations go, there's a lot left to do. Still got to call Visa about using my card overseas. Still got to get vaccines, if I'm going to get any at all (I'll probably just update my tetanus. I live life on the edge..). Still got to go to the dentist, if I still want to do that (probably not). Got to finish packing, but I've already got quite a bit of that done, actually. I have to get a mailer box and send off some bulky winter clothes to Japan ahead of me. Gotta print off some pictures that I took of my house and family that I can show students. Aaaaaand....I think that's about it. I think.
Life has been moving pretty fast. I kept telling myself I would have plenty of time to get all this stuff done, but...not really. 21 days = 3 weeks, and I have to tell myself not to start freaking out. I'm excited, don't get me wrong, but stress has been getting the better of me lately. I think I'll going to go run off this nervous energy and start making a detailed to-do list for next week....
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Yay! It's an Update!
So I have finally got the e-mail with loads of important documents (contract, guidebook, apartment details, etc.)! Here is what I know:
1) I'll be living near the downtown area of Suzuka.
2) My apartment is considered spacious in comparison to other JET apartments
3) It will be equipped with a western style toilet(THANK GOD) and a dryer. If I'm getting any other furnishings, I don't know yet.
4) I'll be alternating between two middle schools every two weeks. I may also visit some elementary schools and have occasional office hours at the City Hall.
5) I will only have to pay about 70,000 yen for apartment starting costs, which is pretty freaking awesome. I was expecting to have to pay at least 100,000 yen.
What I don't know is whether or not I have a predecessor. I know I don't have a JET pred, but I assume I do have one from the other ALT company. However, I do not know if this person is expected to contact me or not. It would be cool to know if any other furnishings would be left in the apartment for me and other little details.
I am really happy that I'm going to be in the main part of the city, close to lots of things to do and places to eat :) Not to mention, most of the other ALTs in the city live in this same area. If you're reading this and you're a Mie prefecture JET too (or if you're a JET anywhere remotely nearby), let me know! I want to meet everyone I can.
1) I'll be living near the downtown area of Suzuka.
2) My apartment is considered spacious in comparison to other JET apartments
3) It will be equipped with a western style toilet(THANK GOD) and a dryer. If I'm getting any other furnishings, I don't know yet.
4) I'll be alternating between two middle schools every two weeks. I may also visit some elementary schools and have occasional office hours at the City Hall.
5) I will only have to pay about 70,000 yen for apartment starting costs, which is pretty freaking awesome. I was expecting to have to pay at least 100,000 yen.
What I don't know is whether or not I have a predecessor. I know I don't have a JET pred, but I assume I do have one from the other ALT company. However, I do not know if this person is expected to contact me or not. It would be cool to know if any other furnishings would be left in the apartment for me and other little details.
I am really happy that I'm going to be in the main part of the city, close to lots of things to do and places to eat :) Not to mention, most of the other ALTs in the city live in this same area. If you're reading this and you're a Mie prefecture JET too (or if you're a JET anywhere remotely nearby), let me know! I want to meet everyone I can.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
....Hi
Just dropping by to say hey, pretty much. Nothing has really happened since my last post, but I'm expecting to hearing some new news soonish. Just letting you guys know I'm still alive! haha
We did get some info on the flight to Japan for us DC Consulate people, actually. We'll be flying through American Airlines: DC to Chicago, Chicago to Tokyo. Yep. Chicago to Tokyo is a 14 HOUR flight. That will be fun, right? heh.
It seems like I've been getting emails from Japan every Monday for the past couple of weeks, so if that trend continues, I'll wake up tomorrow morning with an update from my BoE! We shall see....
We did get some info on the flight to Japan for us DC Consulate people, actually. We'll be flying through American Airlines: DC to Chicago, Chicago to Tokyo. Yep. Chicago to Tokyo is a 14 HOUR flight. That will be fun, right? heh.
It seems like I've been getting emails from Japan every Monday for the past couple of weeks, so if that trend continues, I'll wake up tomorrow morning with an update from my BoE! We shall see....
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Preparing for the Move
Not too much has happened since my last post. I still haven't heard anything from my predecessor yet. There is a pretty good chance I may not have one, because it sounds like nobody in Suzuka has taught at a middle school before and I think that's what I'll be teaching... I have heard from the BoE (board of education), though. It was just a hello and welcome e-mail, so I'm still waiting to hear exactly what schools I'll be teaching at and where my apartment will be.
I'm also still waiting to hear if my background check has made it through or not. I get my next credit card bill next week, so if the charge from the FBI isn't on there, I'll probably get a little worried. Thankfully, the JET office seems very understanding that things can happen and are willing to work with us to help solve problems that arise. I think the DC office said they would send out e-mails on the 15th to all the people they have yet to recieve the background checks from so that we know to call the FBI to see what's up.
As far as other preparations go, I've bought a new camera -- Sony Cybershot, 12 MP with HD video capabilities and it can take panoramic photos, which is pretty cool. Also, the battery charger is two-prong and compatible with Japanese frequencies and all that jazz. Then, I bought a Samsonite roller luggage set from ebags.com( http://www.ebags.com/product/samsonite/winfield-2-3-piece-luggage-set/234482?couponid=28766504&sourceID=DEALTIME ) It's a little more money than I wanted to spend on luggage, but this set is perfect for my needs. Also, it fits airport regulations perfectly and they are very lightweight for being so heavy duty. I'm using the smallest of the 3 cases as a carry on. I've heard that if you don't spend a decent amount of money on luggage, it will probably fall apart as much as it can get thrown around by airport security, so I don't regret buying these.
Today, I'm going to try making some phone calls. I say "try", because I really don't like calling and talking to people I don't know on the phone. I need to call banks and see who can convert my dollars into yen, because my bank won't do it. I've heard that there's no easy/cheap place to convert money in the Mie prefecture, so I'm going to go ahead and convert all my money here. Also, I need to make some doctor's appointments...yuck. Gotta get a new pair of glasses before I leave too...
Safe to say, I have my work cut out for me... but I get to go to Japan and have an awesome job and stuff, so it's all worth it in the end :)
I'm also still waiting to hear if my background check has made it through or not. I get my next credit card bill next week, so if the charge from the FBI isn't on there, I'll probably get a little worried. Thankfully, the JET office seems very understanding that things can happen and are willing to work with us to help solve problems that arise. I think the DC office said they would send out e-mails on the 15th to all the people they have yet to recieve the background checks from so that we know to call the FBI to see what's up.
As far as other preparations go, I've bought a new camera -- Sony Cybershot, 12 MP with HD video capabilities and it can take panoramic photos, which is pretty cool. Also, the battery charger is two-prong and compatible with Japanese frequencies and all that jazz. Then, I bought a Samsonite roller luggage set from ebags.com( http://www.ebags.com/product/samsonite/winfield-2-3-piece-luggage-set/234482?couponid=28766504&sourceID=DEALTIME ) It's a little more money than I wanted to spend on luggage, but this set is perfect for my needs. Also, it fits airport regulations perfectly and they are very lightweight for being so heavy duty. I'm using the smallest of the 3 cases as a carry on. I've heard that if you don't spend a decent amount of money on luggage, it will probably fall apart as much as it can get thrown around by airport security, so I don't regret buying these.
Today, I'm going to try making some phone calls. I say "try", because I really don't like calling and talking to people I don't know on the phone. I need to call banks and see who can convert my dollars into yen, because my bank won't do it. I've heard that there's no easy/cheap place to convert money in the Mie prefecture, so I'm going to go ahead and convert all my money here. Also, I need to make some doctor's appointments...yuck. Gotta get a new pair of glasses before I leave too...
Safe to say, I have my work cut out for me... but I get to go to Japan and have an awesome job and stuff, so it's all worth it in the end :)
Thursday, May 31, 2012
My Placement!
Last week, I was sent the email with my placement for JET and I think I'm really going to like it.
I got Suzuka City, in Mie Prefecture! Woot!
To give you an idea of where that is exactly, let's look at a handy dandy map.
As you can see by the teeny tiny map in the bottom right hand corner, it's pretty close to major cities and it's on Japan's main island (Honshu). While the Mie Prefecture is, as a whole, considered a rural prefecture, Suzuka is one of the more urban parts of the area. I'm pretty happy that I'll be so close to the water, considering I'm no where near the ocean at home.
Also, the other JETs in Mie seem to be really friendly and have already been extremely helpful on the MieJets.org forum.
While I'm still nervous about the big move, I'm also very excited. I don't think it's quite hit me yet that I'm actually leaving home. I don't think it will until I'm headed to DC for the Predeparture Orientation....
Regardless, I'm feeling fairly optimistic about everything at the moment. I'm ready for adventure :)
I got Suzuka City, in Mie Prefecture! Woot!
To give you an idea of where that is exactly, let's look at a handy dandy map.
Also, the other JETs in Mie seem to be really friendly and have already been extremely helpful on the MieJets.org forum.
While I'm still nervous about the big move, I'm also very excited. I don't think it's quite hit me yet that I'm actually leaving home. I don't think it will until I'm headed to DC for the Predeparture Orientation....
Regardless, I'm feeling fairly optimistic about everything at the moment. I'm ready for adventure :)
Monday, May 28, 2012
So you've been shortlisted! ....Now what?
First off, to those of you who have been shortlisted for the JET Program: CONGRATS! The application and interview process can be rough and this isn't an easy job to get into. All that waiting can make a person want to pull out their hair....but you've MADE IT.
I happened to notice my job results email while in the car, on the way home from a long, tiring day at work. I thought, "Hmm. It's been a few hours since I've had the chance to check my email on my phone....let's see.........oh my god. I see the word "congratulations". It has to be good!!!! AhHHHHHHH". After I got over the inital shock of this news, I calmed myself down enough to call and text family and friends, then, of course, updated my facebook status :-P
The next day, the reality of everything set in. I read over the email again, and made note of all the additional documents that had to be submitted. I sadly realised that my work here was not yet done.... Here's the list of things you'll have to mail in after getting shortlisted or alternated for JET:
1) Reply Form: This is a 2 page document. You answer some basic questions, attach two passport sized photos and a copy of your passport.
2) FBI Background Check: First, you fill out this form: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/background-checks/applicant-information-form ... then, you mail that, along with fingerprints(rolled impressions of all 10 fingers), and check/money order/credit card form, to the FBI (FBI CJIS Division – Record Request, 1000 Custer Hollow Road, Clarksburg, WV 26306). If you need the credit card form, you can find it here: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/background-checks/credit-card-payment-form
3) IRS Proof of Residency Forms (Form 6166): Here is the form 8802 you'll need to fill out to request From 6166 - http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8802.pdf . Make sure you follow whatever instructions you are given from your consulate in your acceptance letter/email. You can find additional information about these forms here: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i8802.pdf
4) Medical Form: You must have a medical doctor fill out this form and make sure they answer every question. I've heard countless stories of people having to go back to their doctor, because something was missing. It includes a urine test, eye test, color blindness test, TB test (or chest xray), vitals (blood pressure and heart rate), and some medical history questions. If the question doesn't apply to you, have the doctor write "N/A".
5) Proof of graduation: This applies only if you haven't already submitted it with your original application.
In most cases, you'll be asked to submit the reply form, medical form, and copies of your background check request within 3-4 weeks of your acceptance email. Considering it could take some time to get in to see a doctor, get fingerprints, etc, it's a good idea to get started on these things as quickly as possible. Also, the background check takes anywhere from 6-12 weeks to be done, so sending that out quickly is important; the JET office usually wants it by late June.
After you get all that sent, you can sit back and relax for a little while, until you get your placement email, which is usually sent in late May/early June. Then, a few weeks after that you'll get some additional info from your BoE (board of education), a contract, and your predecessor's info, so you can ask them questions.
I'll be posting again sometime in the next few days to talk about where I've been placed and what I'm currently doing to prepare for departure!
I happened to notice my job results email while in the car, on the way home from a long, tiring day at work. I thought, "Hmm. It's been a few hours since I've had the chance to check my email on my phone....let's see.........oh my god. I see the word "congratulations". It has to be good!!!! AhHHHHHHH". After I got over the inital shock of this news, I calmed myself down enough to call and text family and friends, then, of course, updated my facebook status :-P
The next day, the reality of everything set in. I read over the email again, and made note of all the additional documents that had to be submitted. I sadly realised that my work here was not yet done.... Here's the list of things you'll have to mail in after getting shortlisted or alternated for JET:
1) Reply Form: This is a 2 page document. You answer some basic questions, attach two passport sized photos and a copy of your passport.
2) FBI Background Check: First, you fill out this form: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/background-checks/applicant-information-form ... then, you mail that, along with fingerprints(rolled impressions of all 10 fingers), and check/money order/credit card form, to the FBI (FBI CJIS Division – Record Request, 1000 Custer Hollow Road, Clarksburg, WV 26306). If you need the credit card form, you can find it here: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/background-checks/credit-card-payment-form
3) IRS Proof of Residency Forms (Form 6166): Here is the form 8802 you'll need to fill out to request From 6166 - http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8802.pdf . Make sure you follow whatever instructions you are given from your consulate in your acceptance letter/email. You can find additional information about these forms here: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i8802.pdf
4) Medical Form: You must have a medical doctor fill out this form and make sure they answer every question. I've heard countless stories of people having to go back to their doctor, because something was missing. It includes a urine test, eye test, color blindness test, TB test (or chest xray), vitals (blood pressure and heart rate), and some medical history questions. If the question doesn't apply to you, have the doctor write "N/A".
5) Proof of graduation: This applies only if you haven't already submitted it with your original application.
In most cases, you'll be asked to submit the reply form, medical form, and copies of your background check request within 3-4 weeks of your acceptance email. Considering it could take some time to get in to see a doctor, get fingerprints, etc, it's a good idea to get started on these things as quickly as possible. Also, the background check takes anywhere from 6-12 weeks to be done, so sending that out quickly is important; the JET office usually wants it by late June.
After you get all that sent, you can sit back and relax for a little while, until you get your placement email, which is usually sent in late May/early June. Then, a few weeks after that you'll get some additional info from your BoE (board of education), a contract, and your predecessor's info, so you can ask them questions.
I'll be posting again sometime in the next few days to talk about where I've been placed and what I'm currently doing to prepare for departure!
Thursday, May 24, 2012
My Interview Adventure
Upon hearing that I got the interview, I was, of course, very excited. I was also worried about how I was going to get there and back, what hotel I was going to stay in, etc. etc.....
I live in western West Virginia, a good 5 hours away from Washington, DC, and I don't drive. Thankfully, my friends, Justin and Jackson, agreed to drive me there (for which I cannot thank them enough), therefore I didn't have to worry about taking the train or plane, which would have cost me a pretty penny. We also made a fun weekend trip of it (but that's a whole other story haha).
We arrived in DC around midnight the night before my interview, very tired and disoriented. We stayed at the Courtyard Marriott on Connecticut Ave. NW, which is conveniently located about 10 minutes walking distance from the Embassy of Japan (where the interviews are held). On weekends, which includes Thursday night to Sunday night, it costs $120 a night. That is pretty cheap in comparison to other area hotels, not to mention it's a really nice hotel! I definitely recommend it.
No matter how hard I tried, I just could not sleep very well because I was so nervous. My interview time was at 10:35AM. I got up around 8AM, took a shower, ate some breakfast with my friends, then walked to the Embassy. I ended up getting there around 9:50AM, which was earlier than I had planned on arriving, but I decided to go ahead and walk in anyway. A guard checked my ID, then opened a gate to let me in. Then, I went through a metal detector, and met with a woman and showed my ID again. She signed me in and showed me to the waiting room, where there was a video playing and a JET alum, who was answering people's questions.
I was glad to have arrived as early as I did, because once I walked into the waiting room, it seemed like time just FLEW by. I watched parts of the video, while chatting with a few of the other JET hopefuls and asked the alum a couple of questions. Before I knew it, a guy called my name and I followed him out of the room. He introduced himself as we walked back to the interview room, which was around the corner and down a long, very narrow hallway. I found out he was a JET alum and that he would be one of the people on my interview panel. He commented that I didn't look nervous, which made me laugh, because I was feeling quite the opposite.
As I walked in the interview room, the two other people on my interview panel stood up to welcome me. I walked over to them, and we shook hands as we introduced ourselves to one another. (I've heard other JETs mention that some interview panel people don't want to shake hands, or they tell you to be seated as you walk in, therefore there is no chance for hand shaking. I say, go with the flow. Just do whatever seems natural at the time.) After introductions, they told me to have a seat and then we got started with the questions immediately.
Here are the questions I was asked:
1) What age group would you most like to teach?
2) How would you deal with homesickness?
3) How do you think Japan views the US, positively and negatively?
4) What would you say if a student asked, "Does everybody in the US have a gun?"
5) What extra-curricular/community related things would you like to get involved in?
6) What difficulties do you anticipate having adjusting to Japanese culture?
7) What qualities make up a good teacher and what qualities make a bad teacher?
8) Have you been keeping up with any current Japanese news?
9) How does JET relate to your future goals?
10) We saw in your essay that you've studied music and have had some experience in music education. Say your supervisor asked you to teach a music related lesson in class. What songs would you teach? How would you turn those songs into a lesson?
11) On your application, you answered that you have some experience with the Japanese language. Could you answer a few questions in Japanese for us? This won't effect whether or not you are hired, but we just want to gauge your ability. (I talked for about 3-4 minutes in Japanese with the native Japanese guy on my interview panel. He started basic, and gradually got more difficult. If I said I didn't understand, he would rephrase the question for me, then I would understand enough to come up with a decent answer)
12) Do you have any questions for us?
....and that was pretty much it! I felt like some of my answers were stupid, but I just kept a smile on my face and did my best to look confident and speak loudly and clearly at all times. I wore a solid black sleeveless dress with a dark gray blazer and black mary-jane-like flats and nude colored pantyhose.
Here is some general advice I have when preparing for your JET Program interview:
1) Give yourself PLENTY of time to get to your interview. Google maps may say that it's a 20 minute drive from your house to your interview, but you could easily run into traffic, turning that 20 minute drive into an hour long drive. Just don't risk it. Be prepared for anything inconvenient that could possibily happen to happen on that day.
2) If you are walking to the interview site, keep an umbrella in your bag. It might also be a good idea to have a water bottle (many tend to get dry mouth when nervous) and, for ladies, an extra pair of hose/tights.
3) Make ABSOLUTELY SURE that you have all the materials that are required. You'll need to bring a form of photo ID (passport or drivers license) and your interview voucher, which is form that will be attached to an email you recieve from your consulate that you'll need to fill out and attach a recent passport sized photo onto. You will not be allowed to enter without these two things.
4) Wear something professional and modest. Ladies, if we can see your cleavage when you bend over, don't wear it. Avoid bold, bright, distracting prints.
5) Smile :)
My next post will be: "You've been accepted into the JET Program!....Now what?" :-P
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Playing the Waiting Game
The waiting period between turning in the application until finding out if you got the interview can be really stressful. Then, if you get the interview, you'll have even more waiting to endure between after the interview up until the time you find out if you got the job.
Based on my own personal experience, as well as some comments from the Official JET Forums, here is a list of things you can do to help get through these long periods of waiting and be prepared.
1) Continue on with life as usual and stay busy. A watched pot never boils, and all that jazz. Plan some extra get togethers with friends. I had to make myself get out of the house more often, instead of letting myself sit in front of my laptop, continually refreshing the JET forums for any new news (Yes, I am guilty of this...) Do things to help keep your mind off the fact that you are waiting for job results.
2) Exercise. This is something that I wish I would have started sooner. Exercising really helps in relieving tension and stress. I find that running is especially helpful. Sometimes, something as simple as walking a lap around my local park relaxes my mind, particularly when walking with a friend. Blast upbeat, peppy music or work out on the treadmill in front of the TV while watching your favorite show.
3) Research.
- If you're waiting to find out if you got an interview, use this time to find out where the interviews will be held, and find an affordable hotel close by if you live an hour or more away. Interview results are usually released just 2-3 weeks before the interviews are held, so it is good to already have a hotel in mind and be able to reserve a room the second you find out. Make sure you own a nice business suit or, for the ladies, a nice blouse and dress pants/skirt/dress. Also, do some research on possible interview questions. Don't go too overboard, though, because the questions they ask are often tailored specifically to your application. It is important to have good, solid answers to these basic questions: 1) Why did you choose the JET Program?, and 2) Why Japan?
Read over your statement of purpose and think about what questions they may ask you from that.
- If you're waiting to find out job results after having interviewed, it is best to avoid the internet as much as possible. Seriously. Check your email every now and then as it nears April, but don't let yourself dwell on it.
In my next post, I will be talking about my interview experience in Washington, DC.
Based on my own personal experience, as well as some comments from the Official JET Forums, here is a list of things you can do to help get through these long periods of waiting and be prepared.
1) Continue on with life as usual and stay busy. A watched pot never boils, and all that jazz. Plan some extra get togethers with friends. I had to make myself get out of the house more often, instead of letting myself sit in front of my laptop, continually refreshing the JET forums for any new news (Yes, I am guilty of this...) Do things to help keep your mind off the fact that you are waiting for job results.
2) Exercise. This is something that I wish I would have started sooner. Exercising really helps in relieving tension and stress. I find that running is especially helpful. Sometimes, something as simple as walking a lap around my local park relaxes my mind, particularly when walking with a friend. Blast upbeat, peppy music or work out on the treadmill in front of the TV while watching your favorite show.
3) Research.
- If you're waiting to find out if you got an interview, use this time to find out where the interviews will be held, and find an affordable hotel close by if you live an hour or more away. Interview results are usually released just 2-3 weeks before the interviews are held, so it is good to already have a hotel in mind and be able to reserve a room the second you find out. Make sure you own a nice business suit or, for the ladies, a nice blouse and dress pants/skirt/dress. Also, do some research on possible interview questions. Don't go too overboard, though, because the questions they ask are often tailored specifically to your application. It is important to have good, solid answers to these basic questions: 1) Why did you choose the JET Program?, and 2) Why Japan?
Read over your statement of purpose and think about what questions they may ask you from that.
- If you're waiting to find out job results after having interviewed, it is best to avoid the internet as much as possible. Seriously. Check your email every now and then as it nears April, but don't let yourself dwell on it.
In my next post, I will be talking about my interview experience in Washington, DC.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Oh yeah! By the way....
....I got shortlisted for the JET Program! I changed my profile off to the side to mention it, but I never talked about it in a blog post. I've known since mid-April. Oops...haha.
I'm definitely excited, but also nervous for this next big step in my life. As they say, 'No risk, no reward', but I would be lying if I didn't say I was feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes, I find myself thinking "What have you gotten yourself into now?!" I'm the kind of person who likes to gradually introduce change into my life, not jump right into something that includes a lot of change all at once. I feel like it's a kinda big risk to take, especially for me.
I have been wanting to go to Japan for a really long time now, and I am still in awe that this amazing opportunity has come my way and that I actually got accepted for this job. I never would have thought that this sort of thing could have ever happened to me, partially because I didn't think I'd ever have the balls to do it (lol). I will hopefully be able to keep up with posting on this blog, as well as doing the occasional vlog, while in Japan.
In the next vlog, I will be discussing the longest and hardest part about applying for the JET Program --- Waiting! ...Ugh. How should you be spending that time waiting for results? How SHOULDN'T you be spending that time waiting for results? These answers and more shall be revealed soon...ish :)
I'm definitely excited, but also nervous for this next big step in my life. As they say, 'No risk, no reward', but I would be lying if I didn't say I was feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes, I find myself thinking "What have you gotten yourself into now?!" I'm the kind of person who likes to gradually introduce change into my life, not jump right into something that includes a lot of change all at once. I feel like it's a kinda big risk to take, especially for me.
I have been wanting to go to Japan for a really long time now, and I am still in awe that this amazing opportunity has come my way and that I actually got accepted for this job. I never would have thought that this sort of thing could have ever happened to me, partially because I didn't think I'd ever have the balls to do it (lol). I will hopefully be able to keep up with posting on this blog, as well as doing the occasional vlog, while in Japan.
In the next vlog, I will be discussing the longest and hardest part about applying for the JET Program --- Waiting! ...Ugh. How should you be spending that time waiting for results? How SHOULDN'T you be spending that time waiting for results? These answers and more shall be revealed soon...ish :)
Saturday, May 12, 2012
The Application Packet
In the last entry, I talked about the State of Purpose essay, which is really the most complex part. All the remaining parts of the application are fairly straight forward, in my opinion. However, that doesn't mean that you should take any one part of it lightly. Read the instructions on the JET website very carefully and make sure every bit of paperwork that is required for your particular situation is there and organized in the specific way they tell you to do so.
Read everything the official website says here: http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/JET/application_documents.html *EDIT*: JET has a new website - https://jetprogramusa.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/2016-checklist-mailing-information2.pdf
*Also, as of the 2016 application period, photocopies are no longer needed*
Let's do a run through of each part, just for some further clarification:
1) Main application form (1 original, 2 photocopies): This is a PDF that will become available to you closer to time of the application packet deadline. Last year, it was posted on the official U.S. JET page late October, to give you an idea of when it may be posted this year. This is the part of the application in which you'll answer basic questions like your address, the location you want to interview through, if you want to bring family with you to Japan, if you will have a drivers license, etc. You'll also be asked some more in-depth questions, like the top 3 prefectures you'd like to work in (and also, urban, suburban, or rural), and what teaching and/or intercultural experiences you've had. Make sure you not only double, but triple check this form after you finish filling it out. Make sure every question is answered, because if they see any question blank, they may think you just missed it completely. If it doesn't apply to you, put N/A.
2) Authorization and Release Form (1 original, 2 photocopies): This will appear when you go to print out your main application form PDF. Sign it.
3) Self-Assessment Medical Form (1 original, 2 photocopies): This is a 1-2 page document that will be posted on the official JET site, as well. Answer the questions truthfully, because if it's discovered you have a condition later on and you didn't tell them, you risk losing your position with JET.
4) Physician's Form: You only have to fill this out if you answered "yes" to questions 3, 4, or 5 on the self-assessment form. I didn't have to do this part, so I'm not sure what all this document includes, but the form will also be on the official site for those who need it.
5) Results of FBI Background Check: You do not have to do this right now, unless you are planning on applying for early departure. If you are applying for normal departure, you will have to do this later if accepted for the job. Normal Departure People: DO NOT start this early, because in most cases, the background check needs to have been done within the past few months to be accepted. I know it sucks to be forced to rush around after the fact, but you just have to wait.
6) Certificate of Health: This is another document that is not required right now, unless you are applying for early departure.
7) Statement of Purpose (3 photocopies), which I already covered.
8) Transcripts of all University/College Courses (1 original, 2 photocopies): In my experience, I went to my school's main office and they told me I had to fill out a form and then mail it in to them. I had to pay $5 per official copy. I just got 1, then made 2 photocopies, as the instructions say, so it only cost me $5. It only took 1 week for me to recieve the transcript in the mail, but I still live in the city I went to school. I have heard of transcripts taking up to 3 weeks, so this is definitely something you want to think about taking care of a little early, especially if you need to request them for multiple schools . Also, when you make photocopies, make sure you turn up the brightness on the copier accordingly, so that it can be easily read.
9) Proof of Study Abroad: This wasn't applicable to me, so I don't know anything about it. Read everything the site says and if you have any questions, the JET Official Forums is a cool place to go to get the answers you need.
10) Proof of Graduation/Expected Graduation Date: In my case, my degree name and the date I graduated was included on the first page of my official transcript, so I did not have to submit a seperate document to satisfy this requirement. Read what the JET site says carefully, and you shouldn't have any problems.
11) Proof of Teacher's Certificate/TESL/TEFL: Was not applicable to me
12) Proof of U.S. Citizenship (3 photocopies): I sent 3 photocopies of my birth certificate, because I didn't have my passport yet at the time. (Side note: Proof of passport isn't required until you have been accepted for the job in April, so if you don't have one yet, I would start the process in January/February to make sure you have it in time just in case).
13) Reference Letters (1 original, 2 copies each): Definitely make sure you read the instructions for this one, as they are kind of complicated. Make sure you read over these instructions with the two people you decide to have write the letters for you. They need to include the originals, as well as make 2 copies of both the form AND their signed letter of reference, then put that in one envelope and make sure the envelope itself is also signed on the outside, perferably on the back, near the seal. For this reason, you need to make sure that the people you ask to be your reference will have good things to say about you, have known you for a long time, but are also professional and responsible people. I used my Japanese college profs.
14) Self-addressed, stamped envelope: Simple and straight forward. They will send back a receipt confirming they have recieved your application using this envelope. Don't forget the stamp :)
As you've probably already figured out by now, this is A LOT of paperwork. It's all very bulky. Make sure you get a good, sturdy document mailer....however, I had to get a big mailing envelope with bubble wrap insides to send it all in, because the document mailers I found were not wide enough! I got some thin cardboard inserts from the restaurant I work in and used those to each side of my papers, then wrote on the outside of the package "DO NOT FOLD".
Triple check everything. Make sure the documents that should be paper clipped are paper clipped. Make sure you have the required number of copies. The in-depth mailing instructions are here: http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/JET/pdfs/2012%20Checklist%20and%20Mailing%20Info.pdf
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask in the comments!
Read everything the official website says here: http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/JET/application_documents.html *EDIT*: JET has a new website - https://jetprogramusa.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/2016-checklist-mailing-information2.pdf
*Also, as of the 2016 application period, photocopies are no longer needed*
Let's do a run through of each part, just for some further clarification:
1) Main application form (1 original, 2 photocopies): This is a PDF that will become available to you closer to time of the application packet deadline. Last year, it was posted on the official U.S. JET page late October, to give you an idea of when it may be posted this year. This is the part of the application in which you'll answer basic questions like your address, the location you want to interview through, if you want to bring family with you to Japan, if you will have a drivers license, etc. You'll also be asked some more in-depth questions, like the top 3 prefectures you'd like to work in (and also, urban, suburban, or rural), and what teaching and/or intercultural experiences you've had. Make sure you not only double, but triple check this form after you finish filling it out. Make sure every question is answered, because if they see any question blank, they may think you just missed it completely. If it doesn't apply to you, put N/A.
2) Authorization and Release Form (1 original, 2 photocopies): This will appear when you go to print out your main application form PDF. Sign it.
3) Self-Assessment Medical Form (1 original, 2 photocopies): This is a 1-2 page document that will be posted on the official JET site, as well. Answer the questions truthfully, because if it's discovered you have a condition later on and you didn't tell them, you risk losing your position with JET.
4) Physician's Form: You only have to fill this out if you answered "yes" to questions 3, 4, or 5 on the self-assessment form. I didn't have to do this part, so I'm not sure what all this document includes, but the form will also be on the official site for those who need it.
5) Results of FBI Background Check: You do not have to do this right now, unless you are planning on applying for early departure. If you are applying for normal departure, you will have to do this later if accepted for the job. Normal Departure People: DO NOT start this early, because in most cases, the background check needs to have been done within the past few months to be accepted. I know it sucks to be forced to rush around after the fact, but you just have to wait.
6) Certificate of Health: This is another document that is not required right now, unless you are applying for early departure.
7) Statement of Purpose (3 photocopies), which I already covered.
8) Transcripts of all University/College Courses (1 original, 2 photocopies): In my experience, I went to my school's main office and they told me I had to fill out a form and then mail it in to them. I had to pay $5 per official copy. I just got 1, then made 2 photocopies, as the instructions say, so it only cost me $5. It only took 1 week for me to recieve the transcript in the mail, but I still live in the city I went to school. I have heard of transcripts taking up to 3 weeks, so this is definitely something you want to think about taking care of a little early, especially if you need to request them for multiple schools . Also, when you make photocopies, make sure you turn up the brightness on the copier accordingly, so that it can be easily read.
9) Proof of Study Abroad: This wasn't applicable to me, so I don't know anything about it. Read everything the site says and if you have any questions, the JET Official Forums is a cool place to go to get the answers you need.
10) Proof of Graduation/Expected Graduation Date: In my case, my degree name and the date I graduated was included on the first page of my official transcript, so I did not have to submit a seperate document to satisfy this requirement. Read what the JET site says carefully, and you shouldn't have any problems.
11) Proof of Teacher's Certificate/TESL/TEFL: Was not applicable to me
12) Proof of U.S. Citizenship (3 photocopies): I sent 3 photocopies of my birth certificate, because I didn't have my passport yet at the time. (Side note: Proof of passport isn't required until you have been accepted for the job in April, so if you don't have one yet, I would start the process in January/February to make sure you have it in time just in case).
13) Reference Letters (1 original, 2 copies each): Definitely make sure you read the instructions for this one, as they are kind of complicated. Make sure you read over these instructions with the two people you decide to have write the letters for you. They need to include the originals, as well as make 2 copies of both the form AND their signed letter of reference, then put that in one envelope and make sure the envelope itself is also signed on the outside, perferably on the back, near the seal. For this reason, you need to make sure that the people you ask to be your reference will have good things to say about you, have known you for a long time, but are also professional and responsible people. I used my Japanese college profs.
14) Self-addressed, stamped envelope: Simple and straight forward. They will send back a receipt confirming they have recieved your application using this envelope. Don't forget the stamp :)
As you've probably already figured out by now, this is A LOT of paperwork. It's all very bulky. Make sure you get a good, sturdy document mailer....however, I had to get a big mailing envelope with bubble wrap insides to send it all in, because the document mailers I found were not wide enough! I got some thin cardboard inserts from the restaurant I work in and used those to each side of my papers, then wrote on the outside of the package "DO NOT FOLD".
Triple check everything. Make sure the documents that should be paper clipped are paper clipped. Make sure you have the required number of copies. The in-depth mailing instructions are here: http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/JET/pdfs/2012%20Checklist%20and%20Mailing%20Info.pdf
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask in the comments!
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Statement of Purpose essay
The Statement of Purpose essay, which is required in your JET Program application package, is arguably the most important part. Before I get into what I wrote, take a look at what it says on the official JET Program website about the requirements for this essay:
This is an essay, in English, of not more than two 8½" x 11" (or A4) pages, typewritten in 12 point font and double-spaced with one-inch margins. Please note that anything beyond the required two pages will not be read.Please type your name and page number (1of 2, 2 of 2) on each page. Be sure to include two copies of your statement in your application package. You should incorporate all of the following points in your essay.
Relevant Experience: Describe applicable experiences, professional skills, relevant interests and personal qualities, and how you feel these will be useful to you as an ALT or CIR.
Motivation for Participation: State why you wish to go to Japan and participate in the JET Program and why you are interested in the position for which you are applying. Also address what you hope to gain, both personally and professionally, and what effect you hope to have on the Japanese community and internationally as a result of your participation in the JET Program.
Considering you only have two pages, it is important to make sure all the points listed above are mentioned somewhere in your essay -- avoid fillers, get straight to the point.You have to make yourself look good, but at the same time, you don't want to talk about yourself too much (By this, I mean: Make you sure you address things you can do for the company, not just the things the company can do for you). The main focus should NOT be "I want to go to Japan really badly, because I love the culture." It's okay to mention it briefly, especially in answering the "why do you wish to go to Japan?" point of the essay, but then move on.
Also, I would avoid going into detail about interest in anime, manga, or computer/video games in your essay. This point is somewhat controversial, but I know a person who didn't get to the interview stage that mentioned his love for Japanese video games and computers in his essay. He took that out of his essay when he re-applied the following year, then he got the interview. It may have been a coincidence, but I think that mentioning these things could lead the application committee to think you're shy, anti-social, or just want to go to Japan for your own interests and not for a love of teaching and multi-culturalism, whether that's actually true or not. When I took my rough essay to my Japanese prof to look over, she told me to take out the mention of anime, because it gives the wrong impression. I guess it's just important to remember that, first and foremost, this is a formal essay for a job.
It might also be a good idea to check out the page on the JET website that describes that responsibilites of a JET ALT and the qualities they find appealing (On the USA page, it's under the tab on the side that says "Job Descriptions"). I used this to decide what qualities and experience I have that I can focus on the most in my essay to match what they are looking for in an employee.
Allllllright. So....here is my final essay that I submitted with my application. I hope that it helps all of you planning on applying for 2013! Ganbatte :) If you have any further questions, just leave a comment! My next post will be coming in a couple of weeks.
Statement of Purpose
If accepted for the ALT position with the JET Program, I would strive to create a positive, upbeat environment that excites Japanese students about learning English. I believe that creativity is a powerful tool in the classroom to stimulate interest and motivation. Therefore, I hope to utilize my knowledge of American music education by teaching language and culture through song. I am convinced that my collegiate experiences, interest in Japanese language and culture, and desire to teach make me an ideal candidate.
In May 2011, I graduated from Marshall University with a Bachelor of Arts in Japanese and a minor in music. Through the Marshall University Japan Club, I enjoyed meeting and working with Japanese foriegn exchange students. Being a member of the Marshall University Chorus for four years and secretary of the Marshall University Collegiate Music Educators Association for two years, I gained valuable leadership skills and enjoyed collaborating with peers. I both attended and helped organize educational clinics at state conferences. Also, as part of an education course, I observed and assisted in music classes at Meadows Elementary School. One of my responsibilities was writing and teaching choreography for an upcoming concert. Through these experiences, I came to the realization that I would like to teach.
During my last semester of college, I met with a Japanese graduate student once a week to help him with his English. The student was rather shy, which made communication challenging. However, we made progress and it gave me a desire to help others like him in the future. I believe that working as an ALT would be a great way to gain classroom experience, so that I may be better equipped to assist those having difficulties with the English language. My goal is to obtain a Master's Degree in Teaching English as a Second Language upon returning home and share the multi-cultural experiences gained through this position with students in the United States.
I am also interested in living and working in Japan to learn more about the country's rich culture. I have a strong desire to continue my Japanese studies and I would love the opportunity to do so in Japan. For my undergraduate Capstone Project, I wrote a comparitive study of elementary music education in Japan and the United States. If given the opportunity to work for JET, I would appreciate the chance to learn more about Japanese music and the education system firsthand.
I am a dedicated, hard-working employee, which is evidenced through having been employed with Frostop Drive-In for over six years. When faced with a difficult situation in the workplace, I find a way to solve the problem instead of giving up. I believe this is an important quality for someone working as an ALT, because I realize living and working in a different country could be challenging. I take my commitments seriously and always give my best effort.
I believe that cultural exchange is important in this increasingly globalized world. If given the opportunity, I would seek to teach students about the English language in a manner that would inspire them to persue multicultural careers. I am convinced that my knowledge and skills, combined with my passion for Japanese language and culture, make me a unique candidate for the JET Program. Working as ALT for the JET Program would not only assist me in obtaining my goals, but also deepen my understanding of the world around me and help me grow as a person.
This is an essay, in English, of not more than two 8½" x 11" (or A4) pages, typewritten in 12 point font and double-spaced with one-inch margins. Please note that anything beyond the required two pages will not be read.Please type your name and page number (1of 2, 2 of 2) on each page. Be sure to include two copies of your statement in your application package. You should incorporate all of the following points in your essay.
Relevant Experience: Describe applicable experiences, professional skills, relevant interests and personal qualities, and how you feel these will be useful to you as an ALT or CIR.
Motivation for Participation: State why you wish to go to Japan and participate in the JET Program and why you are interested in the position for which you are applying. Also address what you hope to gain, both personally and professionally, and what effect you hope to have on the Japanese community and internationally as a result of your participation in the JET Program.
Considering you only have two pages, it is important to make sure all the points listed above are mentioned somewhere in your essay -- avoid fillers, get straight to the point.You have to make yourself look good, but at the same time, you don't want to talk about yourself too much (By this, I mean: Make you sure you address things you can do for the company, not just the things the company can do for you). The main focus should NOT be "I want to go to Japan really badly, because I love the culture." It's okay to mention it briefly, especially in answering the "why do you wish to go to Japan?" point of the essay, but then move on.
Also, I would avoid going into detail about interest in anime, manga, or computer/video games in your essay. This point is somewhat controversial, but I know a person who didn't get to the interview stage that mentioned his love for Japanese video games and computers in his essay. He took that out of his essay when he re-applied the following year, then he got the interview. It may have been a coincidence, but I think that mentioning these things could lead the application committee to think you're shy, anti-social, or just want to go to Japan for your own interests and not for a love of teaching and multi-culturalism, whether that's actually true or not. When I took my rough essay to my Japanese prof to look over, she told me to take out the mention of anime, because it gives the wrong impression. I guess it's just important to remember that, first and foremost, this is a formal essay for a job.
It might also be a good idea to check out the page on the JET website that describes that responsibilites of a JET ALT and the qualities they find appealing (On the USA page, it's under the tab on the side that says "Job Descriptions"). I used this to decide what qualities and experience I have that I can focus on the most in my essay to match what they are looking for in an employee.
Allllllright. So....here is my final essay that I submitted with my application. I hope that it helps all of you planning on applying for 2013! Ganbatte :) If you have any further questions, just leave a comment! My next post will be coming in a couple of weeks.
Statement of Purpose
If accepted for the ALT position with the JET Program, I would strive to create a positive, upbeat environment that excites Japanese students about learning English. I believe that creativity is a powerful tool in the classroom to stimulate interest and motivation. Therefore, I hope to utilize my knowledge of American music education by teaching language and culture through song. I am convinced that my collegiate experiences, interest in Japanese language and culture, and desire to teach make me an ideal candidate.
In May 2011, I graduated from Marshall University with a Bachelor of Arts in Japanese and a minor in music. Through the Marshall University Japan Club, I enjoyed meeting and working with Japanese foriegn exchange students. Being a member of the Marshall University Chorus for four years and secretary of the Marshall University Collegiate Music Educators Association for two years, I gained valuable leadership skills and enjoyed collaborating with peers. I both attended and helped organize educational clinics at state conferences. Also, as part of an education course, I observed and assisted in music classes at Meadows Elementary School. One of my responsibilities was writing and teaching choreography for an upcoming concert. Through these experiences, I came to the realization that I would like to teach.
During my last semester of college, I met with a Japanese graduate student once a week to help him with his English. The student was rather shy, which made communication challenging. However, we made progress and it gave me a desire to help others like him in the future. I believe that working as an ALT would be a great way to gain classroom experience, so that I may be better equipped to assist those having difficulties with the English language. My goal is to obtain a Master's Degree in Teaching English as a Second Language upon returning home and share the multi-cultural experiences gained through this position with students in the United States.
I am also interested in living and working in Japan to learn more about the country's rich culture. I have a strong desire to continue my Japanese studies and I would love the opportunity to do so in Japan. For my undergraduate Capstone Project, I wrote a comparitive study of elementary music education in Japan and the United States. If given the opportunity to work for JET, I would appreciate the chance to learn more about Japanese music and the education system firsthand.
I am a dedicated, hard-working employee, which is evidenced through having been employed with Frostop Drive-In for over six years. When faced with a difficult situation in the workplace, I find a way to solve the problem instead of giving up. I believe this is an important quality for someone working as an ALT, because I realize living and working in a different country could be challenging. I take my commitments seriously and always give my best effort.
I believe that cultural exchange is important in this increasingly globalized world. If given the opportunity, I would seek to teach students about the English language in a manner that would inspire them to persue multicultural careers. I am convinced that my knowledge and skills, combined with my passion for Japanese language and culture, make me a unique candidate for the JET Program. Working as ALT for the JET Program would not only assist me in obtaining my goals, but also deepen my understanding of the world around me and help me grow as a person.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Building up your resume
I know that at the end of my last post I said that I would begin talking specifically about the application process, but, considering there is PLENTY of time for all that, I thought it would be important to first talk about how to build up your resume before you actually dive into it.
When I say 'build up your resume', I don't mean it literally. You will not have to make a typical business resume for this job like you would most other jobs. However, you will be required to fill out an online application form, on which there will be places to list your past experiences and such. This being said, you should be using this time to do things that would strengthen your application. It would kind of suck to go to fill out your application and have to leave a whole bunch of blanks, right?
So what kind of experiences does JET consider valuable? Here is a list of things that pop up on the application that you should consider:
1) Extracurricular activites: This includes any club or organization you were in/are in at anytime during college. I would try to have at least one thing I could list in this category, because it shows that you are outgoing and like getting involved in something you are passionate about. On my application, I listed University Chorus, a music education organization, and Japanese club.
2) Leadership experience: Have you held a position in any other the clubs you've been in? There is a place specifically for it on the application. I'm sure that not putting anything here wouldn't make or break you getting the interview, but it would probably help in showing them that your peers trust you (and like you) enough to vote you in charge.
3) Teaching background: This section asks for any classroom or tutoring experience you may have. I believe this also extends to any work you've done with children, including camp counseling or volunteer work. Also, you can include any education/teacher training classes you happened to take in college. On my application, the only thing I had to put here was a child and adolescent development course I took. In other words, don't freak out if you've had no teaching experience. If you can, try to get some during the summer. If not, that's okay too. Even with my almost non-existant teaching background, I still got an interview.
4) International/Intercultural experience: This is where you can list any event/activity/volunteering work that you've done either with multicultural students in your home country (intercultural) or that took place in another country (international). Ideas for things to include in this section: helping at multicultural festivals, charity events, school trips, study abroad, or housing foreign exhange students.On my application, I mentioned that I helped organize an Art for Japan charity event on my college campus, as I worked with the Japanese students and teachers at my school to make that possible. Of course, anything you can put in this section would be a big plus. It shows that you've been exposed to other cultures, which means you are probably open-minded and interested in the world around you. Study abroad especially looks good, because that means you've probably had to deal with homesickness at some point, and that you now know how to get through it.
5) Employment history: Of all the sections on the application, this should be the least of your worries. I say that, because most people who apply for JET are those who are either still in college or just graduated, therefore they are people who still have crappy minimum wage jobs. All you do is list the job(s) you've had, how long you had them, and what your position is/what you do.As long as you haven't been fired a whole bunch, or anything like that, you have nothing to fear. If you have had any leadership experience within your job, even if it's just working at a fast food restaurant, it would be nice to include. Other than that, don't fret about it.
6) Japan related study: Any class you've taken in college that has anything to do with Japan can go here. Courses pertaining to Japanese religion, culture, film, politics, language, etc. is a nice touch to your application. I think this section really helps in proving that you're genuinely interested in Japan. Sure, you don't have to be a Japanese major or minor for the job, but a desire to learn more about the country is essential. If you are still currently in college and have yet to take any Japanese/Asian studies courses, I highly suggest you do so now.
7) Japanese language ability: You will be asked to rank your proficiency in the Japanese language. Do not stress out about this. Many people who are hired by JET have zero experience in Japanese, so just be honest. This is just to help them to figure out the best area to place you in if you are hired. Some schools request an ALT with at least a basic knowledge of Japanese, some don't. Either way, this will not effect whether or not you are hired. If you have prior experience, brush up on your Japanese and try to decide where you'd rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 5 in the categories of speaking, listening, reading, and writing. If not, learning how to say simple things like "Good morning!" (ohayou gozaimasu!) or "Thank you!" (arigatou) wouldn't hurt. **Keep in mind that if you say you have any knowledge of Japanese, you will be asked about it during your interview. About 3-4 minutes of my interview was in Japanese and I put 2 (intermediate rating).**
Now that I've thrown this huge chunk of information at you...you should take note of what relevent experiences you've had so far that could be useful and then take a look at what experiences are available to you in the near future that you could add to it. Especially if you're reading these blogs as I am writing them, you have plenty of time to do things to beef up your application.
On my next blog, I will write about the first thing you should get started on for your application: the Statement of Purpose essay.
When I say 'build up your resume', I don't mean it literally. You will not have to make a typical business resume for this job like you would most other jobs. However, you will be required to fill out an online application form, on which there will be places to list your past experiences and such. This being said, you should be using this time to do things that would strengthen your application. It would kind of suck to go to fill out your application and have to leave a whole bunch of blanks, right?
So what kind of experiences does JET consider valuable? Here is a list of things that pop up on the application that you should consider:
1) Extracurricular activites: This includes any club or organization you were in/are in at anytime during college. I would try to have at least one thing I could list in this category, because it shows that you are outgoing and like getting involved in something you are passionate about. On my application, I listed University Chorus, a music education organization, and Japanese club.
2) Leadership experience: Have you held a position in any other the clubs you've been in? There is a place specifically for it on the application. I'm sure that not putting anything here wouldn't make or break you getting the interview, but it would probably help in showing them that your peers trust you (and like you) enough to vote you in charge.
3) Teaching background: This section asks for any classroom or tutoring experience you may have. I believe this also extends to any work you've done with children, including camp counseling or volunteer work. Also, you can include any education/teacher training classes you happened to take in college. On my application, the only thing I had to put here was a child and adolescent development course I took. In other words, don't freak out if you've had no teaching experience. If you can, try to get some during the summer. If not, that's okay too. Even with my almost non-existant teaching background, I still got an interview.
4) International/Intercultural experience: This is where you can list any event/activity/volunteering work that you've done either with multicultural students in your home country (intercultural) or that took place in another country (international). Ideas for things to include in this section: helping at multicultural festivals, charity events, school trips, study abroad, or housing foreign exhange students.On my application, I mentioned that I helped organize an Art for Japan charity event on my college campus, as I worked with the Japanese students and teachers at my school to make that possible. Of course, anything you can put in this section would be a big plus. It shows that you've been exposed to other cultures, which means you are probably open-minded and interested in the world around you. Study abroad especially looks good, because that means you've probably had to deal with homesickness at some point, and that you now know how to get through it.
5) Employment history: Of all the sections on the application, this should be the least of your worries. I say that, because most people who apply for JET are those who are either still in college or just graduated, therefore they are people who still have crappy minimum wage jobs. All you do is list the job(s) you've had, how long you had them, and what your position is/what you do.As long as you haven't been fired a whole bunch, or anything like that, you have nothing to fear. If you have had any leadership experience within your job, even if it's just working at a fast food restaurant, it would be nice to include. Other than that, don't fret about it.
6) Japan related study: Any class you've taken in college that has anything to do with Japan can go here. Courses pertaining to Japanese religion, culture, film, politics, language, etc. is a nice touch to your application. I think this section really helps in proving that you're genuinely interested in Japan. Sure, you don't have to be a Japanese major or minor for the job, but a desire to learn more about the country is essential. If you are still currently in college and have yet to take any Japanese/Asian studies courses, I highly suggest you do so now.
7) Japanese language ability: You will be asked to rank your proficiency in the Japanese language. Do not stress out about this. Many people who are hired by JET have zero experience in Japanese, so just be honest. This is just to help them to figure out the best area to place you in if you are hired. Some schools request an ALT with at least a basic knowledge of Japanese, some don't. Either way, this will not effect whether or not you are hired. If you have prior experience, brush up on your Japanese and try to decide where you'd rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 5 in the categories of speaking, listening, reading, and writing. If not, learning how to say simple things like "Good morning!" (ohayou gozaimasu!) or "Thank you!" (arigatou) wouldn't hurt. **Keep in mind that if you say you have any knowledge of Japanese, you will be asked about it during your interview. About 3-4 minutes of my interview was in Japanese and I put 2 (intermediate rating).**
Now that I've thrown this huge chunk of information at you...you should take note of what relevent experiences you've had so far that could be useful and then take a look at what experiences are available to you in the near future that you could add to it. Especially if you're reading these blogs as I am writing them, you have plenty of time to do things to beef up your application.
On my next blog, I will write about the first thing you should get started on for your application: the Statement of Purpose essay.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Is the JET Program for me?
Well, the first thing you should do is read about the purpose of JET and the jobs that this program offers. Here is their official website: http://www.jetprogramme.org/e/aspiring/countries.html
JET Program stands for Japan Exchange and Teaching Program. You will also see the British spelling of it often -- JET Programme.
All you have to do is click on the country you reside in, and it will take you to JET's homepage for that country. The position I'm going to be primarily talking about on this blog is ALT, or Assistant Language Teacher, which is a job teaching English to native Japanese people, elementary to high school. The ALT position is the most popular, as the most slots are available for it each year, and no Japanese language skills are required. The other positions with the JET Program are CIR and SEA, which you can read about more on the website if you're interested. Keep in mind that the CIR position does require you to be proficient in Japanese. Japanese skills aren't required for the SEA position, however, very few positions are available. They usually only hire 1-2 SEAs from each participating country a year.
One thing you may notice while looking through the website is that there is a rather strict application timeline. Also, the application process takes almost a year to go through. You'll want to start collecting items for the application around September. The main application will become available in either October or November, then you submit the application at the end of November/early December. Interviews are held at the end of January - February, you find out if you got the job in April, you send even more documents, then you attend a predeparture orientation and leave for Japan end of July/early August. In other words, if you wanted to apply to teach in 2012, you're already too late. The process begins this fall for jobs starting August 2013. Yeah. Lots of waiting. (Edit: There is the option of applying for early departure, in which you could possibly start the job in April. You have to submit certain documents earlier than you normally would, so read more about it on the website if you're interested. I applied for normal departure, so I don't know all the details about this option.)
If the waiting is something you are willing to endure, you should check out the requirements to apply. You absolutely must have a bachelor's degree for any position with the JET Program. It can be in any subject; your degree does not have to be related to Japanese or teaching. This means that if you're planning to begin the application process this fall (2012), you must have your Bachelor's degree by Spring 2013 (before you would move to Japan in July/August 2013). I graduated May 2011 and am applying for this year, so I haven't had to worry about this aspect myself. There is more info about this on the website.
Also, you should read on the website about other qualifications before deciding to apply. On the USA website (and I believe the other countries' websites are set up similarly), if you click on the ALT tab off to the side, it lists the duties of the job, as well as the eligibility criteria. You must be adaptable, genuinely interested in Japan, be physically and mentally healthy, be a citizen of the country you are applying from, and be able to speak English loudly and clearly. Once again, Japanese skills are not required, but you must have a willingness to learn at least the basics of the language while living/working in Japan.
I would also suggest that you take a look at the Terms and Conditions. Keep in mind that all jobs with the JET Program are for a minimum of one year. If you leave before your contract is up, they will not pay for your way back home. If you're doing the job well, they may allow you to renew your contract for up to 5 years. The job typically consists of 8:30am - 5:15pm workdays, Monday through Friday, but, as you'll see A LOT as you continue to research about JET, every situation is different. Some days, you may need to stick around for extra-curricular activites or additional paperwork. Pretty much what they are saying is -- be flexible.
The salary has recently gone down, however it is still good enough pay to support yourself, and perhaps a spouse, while living in Japan. It is currently ¥3,360,000 a year for first year JETs (before taxes), and you get a little bit of a raise if you stay for additional year. 3,360,000 yen is equivalent to about $41,660. Keep in mind that cost of living could be expensive in Japan if you are placed in an urban area, or depending on how many luxuries you decide to indulge in, such as cell phones, internet, cable, etc. I've heard having a cell phone in Japan can be quite expensive.
If you've read all this and you're still interested, congratulations! You're a brave soul! Haha. Seriously, though, it's not a scary as many people make it out to be :)
In the next post, I will talk specifically about how to go about beginning the application process.
JET Program stands for Japan Exchange and Teaching Program. You will also see the British spelling of it often -- JET Programme.
All you have to do is click on the country you reside in, and it will take you to JET's homepage for that country. The position I'm going to be primarily talking about on this blog is ALT, or Assistant Language Teacher, which is a job teaching English to native Japanese people, elementary to high school. The ALT position is the most popular, as the most slots are available for it each year, and no Japanese language skills are required. The other positions with the JET Program are CIR and SEA, which you can read about more on the website if you're interested. Keep in mind that the CIR position does require you to be proficient in Japanese. Japanese skills aren't required for the SEA position, however, very few positions are available. They usually only hire 1-2 SEAs from each participating country a year.
One thing you may notice while looking through the website is that there is a rather strict application timeline. Also, the application process takes almost a year to go through. You'll want to start collecting items for the application around September. The main application will become available in either October or November, then you submit the application at the end of November/early December. Interviews are held at the end of January - February, you find out if you got the job in April, you send even more documents, then you attend a predeparture orientation and leave for Japan end of July/early August. In other words, if you wanted to apply to teach in 2012, you're already too late. The process begins this fall for jobs starting August 2013. Yeah. Lots of waiting. (Edit: There is the option of applying for early departure, in which you could possibly start the job in April. You have to submit certain documents earlier than you normally would, so read more about it on the website if you're interested. I applied for normal departure, so I don't know all the details about this option.)
If the waiting is something you are willing to endure, you should check out the requirements to apply. You absolutely must have a bachelor's degree for any position with the JET Program. It can be in any subject; your degree does not have to be related to Japanese or teaching. This means that if you're planning to begin the application process this fall (2012), you must have your Bachelor's degree by Spring 2013 (before you would move to Japan in July/August 2013). I graduated May 2011 and am applying for this year, so I haven't had to worry about this aspect myself. There is more info about this on the website.
Also, you should read on the website about other qualifications before deciding to apply. On the USA website (and I believe the other countries' websites are set up similarly), if you click on the ALT tab off to the side, it lists the duties of the job, as well as the eligibility criteria. You must be adaptable, genuinely interested in Japan, be physically and mentally healthy, be a citizen of the country you are applying from, and be able to speak English loudly and clearly. Once again, Japanese skills are not required, but you must have a willingness to learn at least the basics of the language while living/working in Japan.
I would also suggest that you take a look at the Terms and Conditions. Keep in mind that all jobs with the JET Program are for a minimum of one year. If you leave before your contract is up, they will not pay for your way back home. If you're doing the job well, they may allow you to renew your contract for up to 5 years. The job typically consists of 8:30am - 5:15pm workdays, Monday through Friday, but, as you'll see A LOT as you continue to research about JET, every situation is different. Some days, you may need to stick around for extra-curricular activites or additional paperwork. Pretty much what they are saying is -- be flexible.
The salary has recently gone down, however it is still good enough pay to support yourself, and perhaps a spouse, while living in Japan. It is currently ¥3,360,000 a year for first year JETs (before taxes), and you get a little bit of a raise if you stay for additional year. 3,360,000 yen is equivalent to about $41,660. Keep in mind that cost of living could be expensive in Japan if you are placed in an urban area, or depending on how many luxuries you decide to indulge in, such as cell phones, internet, cable, etc. I've heard having a cell phone in Japan can be quite expensive.
If you've read all this and you're still interested, congratulations! You're a brave soul! Haha. Seriously, though, it's not a scary as many people make it out to be :)
In the next post, I will talk specifically about how to go about beginning the application process.
Monday, February 27, 2012
So I created a blog...why?
Hello, this is Kayla. I'm starting this blog to specifically talk about my experiences with applying for the JET Program. I haven't been accepted for the job -- I just interviewed a few days ago and am now waiting for the results to be released. It looks like it will be sometime in April.
In order to try and keep myself sane, and also to help those of you who are considering applying to the JET Program in the future, I have created this blog. If anybody has any questions about any aspect of the application, just let me know. Otherwise, I will be going step-by-step on how to apply, and tips for how to survive the waiting process. After all, the hardest part of applying for JET is the waiting and there certainly is A LOT of it.
If I get the job, I will continue to post on here, hopefully with some helpful tips about how to survive living and working in Japan. If not, this blog may or may not continue, depending on if I decided to reapply for 2013. Regardless, I hope these posts will be helpful to the other JET hopefuls out there :) ganbarre!
In order to try and keep myself sane, and also to help those of you who are considering applying to the JET Program in the future, I have created this blog. If anybody has any questions about any aspect of the application, just let me know. Otherwise, I will be going step-by-step on how to apply, and tips for how to survive the waiting process. After all, the hardest part of applying for JET is the waiting and there certainly is A LOT of it.
If I get the job, I will continue to post on here, hopefully with some helpful tips about how to survive living and working in Japan. If not, this blog may or may not continue, depending on if I decided to reapply for 2013. Regardless, I hope these posts will be helpful to the other JET hopefuls out there :) ganbarre!
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