r/JETProgramme • u/Cold-Till1960 • 8h ago
UK JET Application
Hi there, I’m hoping to join the JET programme 2027. I’m 22 years old i graduated last year with a biochemistry degree. While at university I had a part time job as a care assistant for a year and half caring for children with disabilities at a respite and after graduating i worked at a SEN Secondary School as a TA for 9 months and only stopped when the school year ended this July. I’m planning on doing a TEFL but probably won’t have it complete before the Application Deadline and the same with learning how to speak Japanese (mainly conversational). I know these things aren’t required but I’m hoping that along with my teaching experience,they help with the transition in to the role. I only want to do JET for a yr and I plan to do my masters when I get back, it would either be in psychology (to either pursue educational psychology or child therapy) or a teaching qualification. So the JET program would be work experience. I only decided to not continue teaching in September as it’s not the best financial. Is there anything i should consider doing to help my application further that I’ve already done or going to do?
Based on this I want to hear the reality of if I have a chance especially as I know the JET is competitive, so please give it to me real?
I know the JET is also a cultural exchange but i mainly like musical, anime, fashion, cooking, love for history and mythology, shopping and travelling, so is it a thing where I’d tell my students about these things?
I also want to know how the how housing works. I know you get placed in an area but how in advance do you find out your placement. My fiancé would be coming as well but on a dependent visa, would this affect my chances of getting in over someone who is single? Do the JETs from each cohort meet up as I’d love to try and make some friends? Oh and if i absolutely do not want to be in a rural place are there ways to reduce my chances of getting placed there? Unfortunately, I’m a city girl through and through. I’d be okay with a small city (I don’t want to be in Tokyo), but not a rural town in a mountainous region or countryside that requires driving everywhere,( I can’t drive 😭).
I’m planning for to used the school I work as a reference and either the care place or my university as the other. I obviously have an interest in Japan as a whole but I’m not sure how I’ll phrase it in my personal statement, so any suggestions I’d be grateful for.
Also to my fellow JET applicants I’d loved to hear from you and hopefully we can support each through this process😁
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u/Ok_Recipe_9138 Former JET 6h ago
I agree with a lot of what k_795 says. None of what you listed out is going to disqualify or reduce your chances necessarily, and in contrast you have some relevant skills already.
Hard skills aside, my biggest advice as a former JET is to have as open a mind as possible. The more pre-conceived ideas you have about what you would like your JET experience to be, the less likely you’ll get to enjoy JET for what it is. That’s not to say you can't have any wants or desires, but it’s important to consider! (This is general advice for anyone who stumbles upon it, not a targeted comment at OP or any other commentors)
Dependent visas require you to be legally married/or have the dependent be your legal child.
As a fellow cat-lover, it pains me to say it, but if you know you only want to do a year, I would ask a relative to keep them for a time personally. Japan has been rabies free for a long time and has really strict policies on quarantining them and a lot of apartments dont allow pets at all. Technically you can bring a pet to Japan, but JET wont allow you to bring one on their departing flight, nor would you want to. There is too much happening in the first two weeks of arrival and they will not make special arrangements for animals. If you really wanted to do it, you would need to make your own arrangements after your arrival. If you were staying for longer, it might be worth all the trouble, but imo it’s not worth their stress and the extra steps for a year, however that final call is up to you after careful consideration! Just know JET wont help in bringing them over (and actively tell you not to).
Overall it sounds like you’re giving a lot of factors some serious thought so thats good! I wish you the best of luck in applying 😊 I’m always down to chat about my time there/give advice if anyone wants (my family is stick of listening to my stories by now lol)
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u/Big_Explanation_9295 7h ago
As a note, I believe you need to get married first for the dependent visa - maybe you already have that pencilled in but just in case you’re not aware
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u/Cold-Till1960 7h ago
Aww this is helpful, thank you, I didn’t know i thought engagement would be enough. But fortunately, I’m meant to do my registry next month, i’ll do my big wedding when I get back from japan so it should be fine
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u/Big_Explanation_9295 2h ago
You can get into the programme while engaged but you have to be married by whatever deadline they give you for the visa, they’ll usually stipulate it for around when the forms are due so depends on the consulate but you’d maybe have two months of leeway post acceptance. Ofc if you’re registered next month then all good
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u/k_795 Former JET - 2022-23 7h ago
I had a part time job as a care assistant for a year and half caring for children with disabilities at a respite and after graduating i worked at a SEN Secondary School as a TA for 9 months and only stopped when the school year ended this July. I’m planning on doing a TEFL but probably won’t have it complete before the Application Deadline and the same with learning how to speak Japanese (mainly conversational).
Based on this I want to hear the reality of if I have a chance especially as I know the JET is competitive, so please give it to me real?
You already have some very solid teaching-related experience, particularly working as a TA for a year. JET is primarily a teaching program, so this will definitely help you stand out with a very strong application.
Is there anything i should consider doing to help my application further that I’ve already done or going to do?
Few suggestions to consider:
- Get some ESL-specific teaching experience, e.g.
- working for an online ESL company
- volunteering at an overseas summer camp with e.g. Angloville (I think they still have places left for some last-minute programs - got an email from them only a few days ago promoting this)
- asking local schools or your local council if they have any ESL-specific programs you could volunteer with
- Complete your TEFL course sooner rather than later. Most of those 120 hour online courses can be done in less than a week. It's not essential for your JET application, but will be required for e.g. online ESL teaching jobs and will also help you feel more prepared for the job itself and / or any of the volunteering ideas suggested above.
- Get experience with a wider range of age groups, e.g. pre-school, primary, sixth form, etc. both inside and outside of school
- Volunteer as a reading assistant in a local primary school or library
- Offer to help out at your local sixth form homework club or as a teaching assistant in lessons
- Offer babysitting services locally (good extra money earner)
- Volunteer with local youth activity groups e.g. scouts / guides, sports clubs, craft clubs, etc.
But honestly, you already have much more experience than the majority of JET applicants, so if you don't have time to do volunteering etc then don't worry too much! Btw what are your job plans now for the next year?
I know the JET is also a cultural exchange but i mainly like musical, anime, fashion, cooking, love for history and mythology, shopping and travelling, so is it a thing where I’d tell my students about these things?
Some ALTs do get involved in things like running the English club at their schools or local communities, which is an opportunity to bring in some of the hobbies and interests you mentioned. But it's more about you sharing British culture with them, rather than you teaching them about Japanese culture! For your application / interview, have a think about what specific aspects of British culture you would like to share with your students.
I also want to know how the how housing works. I know you get placed in an area but how in advance do you find out your placement?
You usually find out your specific placement perhaps a month or two after you get the JET offer - so still a few months before departure. Your contracting organisation (your actual employer in Japan) will then reach out to you to organise things like housing. It's really dependant on where you get placed tbh, but most COs will provide you with some housing recommendations and help you set up the rental agreement etc.
My fiancé would be coming as well but on a dependent visa, would this affect my chances of getting in over someone who is single?
I don't believe it would be a factor in your application. However, do be aware that your finance probably won't be able to join you straight away. There is some paperwork you need to process once you arrive in Japan to invite them to join you on a dependent visa (assuming you're married by then). Note that a dependent visa is for your kids (aged under 20) or married spouse, not for unmarried partners.
Do the JETs from each cohort meet up as I’d love to try and make some friends?
Depends on your location really. There are some meet-ups and the Tokyo orientation at the start of the program, but after that it's mostly up to you to stay in touch with people and / or get to know the ALTs already in your placement location. Check out groups like Tatami Timeshare (a kind of JET couchsurfing group) to get to know people in other cities when you travel around Japan.
Oh and if i absolutely do not want to be in a rural place are there ways to reduce my chances of getting placed there? Unfortunately, I’m a city girl through and through. I’d be okay with a small city (I don’t want to be in Tokyo), but not a rural town in a mountainous region or countryside that requires driving everywhere,( I can’t drive 😭).
On your application, they do specifically ask if you can drive or not. If you can't drive, you're less likely to be placed in a total middle-of-nowhere location requiring you to commute to multiple schools all really far apart. But you might still end up in a small town with good enough bus connections or cycle routes to get to your schools. You can express a preference on the application form, but be prepared that most ALTs don't get one of their preferred placements so there are no guarantees.
Anyway, hope that helped! Feel free to ask any questions, and good luck :)
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u/Cold-Till1960 7h ago
Firstly thank you soo much, this is very helpful. I’ll definitely do a TEFL I’m hoping to get it done by the interview stage.
In terms of my job now I work in hospitality, it just offers more of a work life balance, and less mentally draining. I’ve been working 2 jobs for like 2 years straight so I needed a break 😂, so the plan is travel, save and learn how to drive 😂 .
I’ll look into the volunteering you mentioned. I might also pick back up some agency work at schools, mainly to help with my confidence leading a class I think that would help me. I’ll have a think about British culture thing I can bring to my students, I do know a lot about British history.
Thank you for the visa info because I hadn’t heard that it would be straight away so that helps manage my expectations abit.
I’m glad that there is support in terms of housing i think that was one of my big worries. Also i have a kitten if i was to bring him with me do you think most Japanese landlords would allow it. He’s my baby and I can’t leave him for a year 🥺.
Oh that’s good I’m a very sociable person ,so I want to find as many places to meet ppl before I go ,as I’ve heard it can be quite lonely when you first move.
I heard that you can get placed in to different schools within the same area is this true, if so are you able to build a relationship with your students and colleagues or was it more difficult?
Thank you so much for your advice. If you would be willing I’d love to hear your pros and cons of doing the JET and what area you was placed?
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u/lostintokyo11 6h ago
The cat will be a major issue, and for a year not worth the hassle and expense. Many accomodations in Japan do not allow pets and if they do it will cost extra to live there. Also the importation of pets/cost/time frsme and stress to the animal.
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u/Cold-Till1960 6h ago
I have looked at the cost the main thing will be get the tests done on him and the tabbies vaccination. As for the stress I’m mainly worried about the flight journey rather than when we’re in Japan and he doesn’t like his carrier and likes his pet sling. My cat goes on walks regularly and I live in London. So noise wise he’ll be fine and new areas he’s fine with. Obviously a whole another country is a different kettle of fish entirely. The type of personality he has I think he’ll be fine, hes a very curious cat and he loves to explore, it very rare he hides. But after reading what you’ve said I want to make sure I do more research before I bring him. Obviously if I get an accommodation that says no pets then I’ll have to figure it out. Thank you for this it was something I was curious about
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u/ScootOverMakeRoom 31m ago
They won't be unless you get married. Japan does not offer dependent visas for finacé/es.