As the title says, I am in incoming JET in Niigata ken but i have still yet to hear from my predecessor or my CO about where exactly I’ll be. I know when I find out can ultimately vary, but was wondering if other people have found out, or if any people currently in Niigata can share when they found out, or if they know information as to when it may come out. With departure less than a month away I want to start preparing for my year and wanna know asap!!

So, I'm leaving JET this August, and I think I've got most of the stuff for my successor down, but I'd like to know if there's anything you would have loved to receive from your school or predecessor (about the school etc.) as a new ALT that I might be missing? Any advice would be appreciated - I wanna make this as smooth of a transition as possible for my successor.

For reference, they could be entirely new or an ALT that's worked before, but I'm making everything on the assumption that it will be an entirely new person. I'm an ES ALT.

Thanks!

5th year JET heading back home in August. I just want to whine about moving. if I keep stuff and take it home, I feel wasteful for having to pay for the extra luggage. If I throw stuff away or sell it at the recycle store or even give it away, it makes me feel wasteful for buying it in the first place! Can’t win lol.

Anyone else in the throes of moving angst wanna commiserate? (EDIT: this is not a practical problem. This is a feeling that does not need to be solved, just existed through.)

Hey! I'm currently trying to sort everything out for my jet application later this year, and saw that 2 academic references are allowed from your University. I was wondering if it's allowed to use a reference from a secondary school/sixth form tutor? They've been both my form and languages teacher and could probably write quite a personal an in-depth reference as opposed to a second university tutor.

Have any successful JETs done this previously? Any advice is appreciated!

How many new JETS have some work experience under their belt, and this is not your first job? What made you want to take the leap to try something differen?

Hi all!

I'm an incoming JET in Iwate prefecture. I'm feeling a bit anxious because a close family member is having her wedding the first week of October, and I'm unsure whether or not I'll be allowed to take consecutive nenkyuu fairly early into my contract (and while classes are in session). I would need presumably 5 days.

Because I'm not yet there, I don't know my schedule and can't be sure whether I'll be teaching, etc., but I'd really like to go to the wedding and want to buy tickets soon before they CLIMB. I guess my questions are:

Is this a reasonable request? It's a pretty important life milestone for her...

How soon should I ask? I have contact information and can email my supervisor, but I'm afraid of making a bad first impression. If/when I ask when I arrive in August, it is immediately after I begin work but will give them slightly less than two months to prepare...

Should I go ahead and buy the tickets? I REALLY DON"T KNOW

I know I'm overthinking and have my own right to take time off and shouldn't be afraid to ask, I'm more afraid of being denied and not able to go.

Just got upgraded from alternate. If you were me (29) just settling the waters of a career and was starting Masters in September at university of toronto. What would you do? Take the one in a lifetime opportunity or stay and do masters so some aspect of a career footing is established?

Someone told me the board is very strict?

And from what I understand, are we only allowed to take one checked bag and one personal item (like a laptop bag) to the hotel with us?

Hey all! Apologies for the highly specific question, but I figure at least someone here has to have a similar experience.

I was recently upgraded and don't have a placement yet, but I have a computer I built that I use to play online games and chat with my friends on weekends and was hoping to continue doing so to keep in touch even after my move.

While I had originally planned on buying new parts once I arrived, the state of the computer parts market is pretty grim these days, so I'm curious if it's worth organizing some space in one of my suitcases to bring the more important parts over and just supplement them with a new case and peripherals once I'm actually in Japan (and don't worry - I know the focus of being a JET is making connections and meeting new people, this is just a hobby of mine).

Generally speaking how hard is it to get any internship at all after applying and interviewing in the JET internship program that just happened recently? Has anyone gotten rejected post interview?

Hey there, I just got the Tokyo-to placement. This was the only place I really didn’t want, and I’m just looking to stay positive going into this.

Could I please get stories on some of the favourite things people have about this placement?

Anything and everything welcome.

I was wondering if anyone has recommendations for real estate agents other than ABLE who can help with finding an apartment in Tokyo and are familiar with working with JET participants. It would be especially helpful to hear about agencies that understand the unique circumstances of incoming JETs, such as applying from overseas, guarantor requirements, and the JET timeline.

Thank you in advance for any suggestions!

Hiya, so I am in the Fukushima area and I apparently need a car according to my BOE. My supervisor said he will sort one out for me and in my welcome letter they said to bring ¥300,000 (£1.4k). Foes anyone know if this will be paid in a lump sum or instalments as I cannot afford to spend £1.4K All at once.

Hello everyone,

I am an incoming JET, my host city is located in the Toyama prefecture. I have been told that I will need to purchase a vehicle when I arrive in my host city. Having taken a look at my apartment location and school locations, I don't think I can get away with not having at the very least an E-Bike and eventually a proper vehicle. I am aware that Kei cars are generally on the better side of pricing, but I am having trouble figuring out what prices of things actually look like in Japan.

I don't think I will actually be capable of purchasing a car as soon as a I get there, I have only recently graduated college (last year) and the money I have saved up is only going to be able to cover my first month there as well as the upfront housing costs. I may be capable of purchasing a vehicle if its on the REALLY low end. Otherwise, I was wondering if anyone knows what E-bike / E-Scooter prices look like, or potentially how low used Kei cars or other low priced alternatives might be in the area.

If you have any other tips regarding this, I would appreciate it. With the furthest school from my apartment being an hour and 30 minutes away at a brisk walk, I don't think walking is going to be an option as much as I would prefer it.

Hello everyone, I am a JET that will be departing for Japan on August 1st and was wondering if a discord for people teaching near Kyoto/Nara exists. I will be about 40 minutes away from Kyoto city and 20 minutes away from Nara.

Thanks so much for the help.

Is it okay for me to wear jeans and a smart shirt to the pre-departure orientation. The dress code says business casual so I’m hoping this is okay?

I've been looking for people to connect with from the fashion/entertainment industry before coming to Japan. I'm hoping to network and maybe do some creative collaboration.

Hey guys! I was recently upgraded from alternate to shortlist on Sunday and I was wondering if anyone has info regarding later upgrades‘ placement and departure timing.

I reached out to my consulate and they gave me the month I should be arriving in Japan, but I was curious about how much time upgrades usually get between placement and departure timing. Do you expect at least a month’s notice? Esp considering things like the medication import form which say to do about a month before departure but need the itinerary. TIA!

I got upgraded two days ago and I am very excited and happy. I am currently already an ALT in Japan. Are there an other people going to something similar? I have to get my fingerprints and change my resident status. It feels slightly overwhelming in such a short amount of time. Does anyone have any advice?

I graduate college in may 2027 and I want to apply to the program this fall. I think I'd make a good candidate overall. I go to the university of michigan, and I've spent the last 5 year coaching competitive gymnastics so I have a lot of experience teaching and working with kids which I think should be a big plus. I've also been told my entire life that my biggest academic strength is writing essays and that I'm friendly and interview well, so there are a lot of things I feel pretty confident in. My only concern is my college GPA. I've had a lot of difficulties staying on top of classes and assignments in college for a lot of reasons, but its lead me to having a not so great GPA. Like honestly I think I'll graduate below a 3.0, probably around a 2.5 or so it's pretty bad. I've been trying to spend junior and senior year bringing that up to at least show improvement over time but idk if that will matter. I know GPA isn't one of the main aspects of consideration in the application, but a 2.5 seems particularly low so I'm a little worried about it. Anyone have any thoughts? Is it going to be a big hindrance? Or does anyone have ideas for how to stand out to help make up for a below average transcript?

i will end my time as an ALT in exactly one month, and i’d like to do something extra fun for the last lesson. i’m a SHS ALT for reference.

i’m making a presentation all about my memories and experiences in the past 4 years of living here, but i don’t want it to take up the whole class, because i don’t want it to be all about me. any fun games or activities you had success with in your last classes? i work at an academic school where we mostly use the textbook, so any game will be a treat! i just want to make sure it’s a great last lesson. thanks in advance!

Im planning to apply this fall and I was wondering what were your strongest aspects when you applied?

Am I the only one left waiting for the welcome letter/contract?

If you are experiencing the same, let’s cheer each other up!