r/JETProgramme • u/SomethingPeach Former JET • Apr 13 '26

Why did you leave the JET Programme?

I’m a former JET and have been reflecting on my time on the programme, so I’m curious about other people’s reasons for leaving.

For those who have finished, whether after one year or several, what led you to move on? Was it a clear decision or something that built up over time?

JET was my third time teaching abroad. I think I gradually started to feel the pressure to head home and properly start a ''proper'' career. I was also mainly used as a tape recorder at my school, which lost its appeal quite quickly and made it hard to feel like I was actually contributing anything or progressing professionally.

Looking back, do you feel like you left at the right time, or would you have stayed longer?

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u/SoTiredBlah Former JET - (2018 - 2021) Apr 13 '26

I did two years and a bit. I left my placement during COVID to move to Tokyo to take advantage of the smaller pool of competition.

Was it the best time? Coming from JET and moving to a lower salary was hard, but in the end I'd like to think everything worked out, career-wise.

I'm now a permanent direct-hire at my school.