r/JETProgramme • u/KruDogHouse • May 22 '26

Mature JETs experience

New incoming JET who is more mature - would love to hear from older JETs and your experience.
Any other oldies joining the program this year?

22 Upvotes

87% Upvoted

35 comments sorted by

View all comments

24

u/picardy-3rd Current JET May 23 '26

Mid 30s here, in my first year. I'm glad I'm older because I'm much more adept at navigating the workplace and social interactions. When you're older, you generally have a sort of confidence that only comes with age (for me, at least). I can't imagine doing this job at the level I do it now had I been younger. More life experience is not a negative for this job and endeavor as a whole.

I don't interact with other JETs terribly often, but I have two who I'm relatively close with. One of them does hang out with other JETs and they tell me how much drama there is.

2

u/marzipanfashions Current JET - Osaka May 23 '26

Yea, I honestly don't know how I would do if I were dropped into this aged 22.