JET 2018: Part 1 - To be, or not to be, an ALT

[@yasirgamieldien]

Watched the whole video...really. Really good introspection. With that kind of thinking I'm sure that you will always make the best decision. Shit, and the weather there looks good, I'm chilling in piles of snow haha but it's a great novelty for us Capetonians

[@flipi12]

Yasir Gamieldien its been much better than I expected (: thanks hey, hope you feel good on your path too. I wanna try okinawa still, so you guys should go again ^^

[@fatimah1889]

And you are helping fellow South African JET applicants! really. There is literally only 2 people who have information regarding the program from an SA perspective. So thank you! I've applied for 2018 and been granted an interview, which is this week.. so I'm kind of stressed. Would you have any pointers?

[@flipi12]

FATEMAH oo congratulations and thank you as well (: hmm from my experience the biggest points are - have enthusiasm for the program, because it won't always be sunshine and roses and you need that underlying enthusiasm for its purpose to help you through. Also be honest about yourself. Self awareness shows maturity and also gives the impression you're more realistic about your expectations. For instance they asked me how I'd deal with a very difficult class. I said it's not part of the experiences I've had but I'd work with the teachers of the school to find our way through such difficulties. And I'm aware that very likely I would find a difficult class sometimes. Also - being able to be on your own is a good point coz you might be placed far out from a city and not get much interaction with foreigners. So that should be k for you and you should think of hobbies and routines that can help you adjust and enjoy such a change in your life. And smile (: you're already what they want, they just want to check if your real life impressions suits their idea from your application

[@fatimah1889]

Thank you for the reply, I really appreciate it:) haha that is what scares me. I have way to much enthusiasm for it which results in me stumbling over words and forgetting how to speak completely. suchFunButAnyhowTryIShall. All the best for the rest of the year and next:)

[@flipi12]

FATEMAH thank you - good luck for your interview also. The wait periods are long sorry haha. Lemme know if you have more questions. Or anyone else, happy to help and we have a 'semi' network of some south African ALT's across Japan also.

[@CrimsonMenace1]

Hey, I'm planning on applying for JET myself, out of curiosity, what do JETs do after their 5 years- and are unable to renew their contract? Is there some institution that collaborates with JET to retain those individuals? Thanks in advance PS Great stuff mate, keep it up :)

[@flipi12]

Hey Crimson, thank you. So JET allows you 5 years max, however, you are free to apply again with a year gap as far as I know. This does mean being back in your home country though. As for leaving JETs, there are job fair style conferences each year as part of the year end activities. This is to help potential employers and leaving JETs connect, although it's far from the only way to find a job in Japan agter JET. And as for 'retaining', part of the programmes aims is to use returning JETs as ambassadors for Japan in their home counties. There are alumni chapters in each country as well and they stay connected to their local embassy as well to various degrees. How's that, making sense?

[@CrimsonMenace1]

Thanks for the response, and yes it does (help). There are a few points you could help me clarify. So, you mentioned that they (alumni) are able to re-apply after a year gap. So, does that mean that every 5 years, JETs have to go through this process? Also, would that mean that for your 6th year (after your break), you'd be getting paid on the level of a 1st year JET (don't know if that example landed)? As for the job fairs, what level of Japanese proficiency are they looking for? Thanks for the timely response

[@flipi12]

@@CrimsonMenace1 check the nitty gritty with your local embassy, but basically after 5 years you're out. If you want to apply again, you need to wait one year and redo the entire process from your home country like you did the fist time. You will rejoin as a first year again. JET has no progression in itself, although in some instances people find employment in their local area if their Japanese is good enough and there is a need for a foreigner to fill some networking / activity and events based position for example.

[@CrimsonMenace1]

Alright thanks for all of the help. I'll definitely do that. Anyway, please enjoy the rest of your day :)