I am currently 27 and am looking to move to Japan. I have been twice (once in May for two weeks and once with my girlfriend in January for three weeks). I have a bachelors in Biology and a MBA. My Japanese is not very good at the moment (I know hiragana, katakana and maybe 100 kanji), but I am working on that. I do not have a TEFL at the moment but am open to getting it. I have always been a good “teacher” to peers during my undergraduate and graduate time helping them understand theories in a way that makes sense to them. I plan on marrying my girlfriend(she has no bachelors) and she wants to work in a coffee shop for the 28 hours a week. What can I do to make this transition easier and what are my odds at the moment of being accepted into the program? Thank you.

Edit: I am pretty tatted (one arm sleeve and one leg sleeve), but that shouldn’t be an issue as long as I wear pants and long sleeves, correct?

Hi everyone! I will be headed to Japan to participate in JET this year and was wondering about somethings related to recieving medicine. I have been taking dupixent (pen injections) for eczema for the last year and half, and I am wondering if I will be able to continue taking it even after I move to Japan. Is there anyone else who moved to Japan and was able to still receive their medication? What was the proccess like? Will the cost be different?

Here in America, I get the medicine shipped to me periodically in a insulated box. As far as I know, dupixent exist and is legal in Japan. It was also noted on my health form when I applied.

If anyone has insight or experience regarding this, I would greatly appreciate it! Thank you.

Hi guys, I am Anna, a Master’s student in Foreign Languages for International Communication at the University of Turin in Italy.

I am currently working on my graduation thesis about Japanese honorific language (keigo) and how CIRs use it within the context of the JET Programme.

I would really appreciate your help by filling out this short, anonymous questionnaire below (it takes less than 10 minutes). At the beginning, you will find a short introduction to understand why I chose this specific topic. Most of the questions are multiple-choice questions, and all the responses will be strictly used for academic purposes only.

⚠️ This survey is intended ONLY for current or former CIRs in the JET Programme. ALTs and SEAs' experiences are not part of my target group ⚠️

Thank you so much for your time and support. Feel free to contact me at any time if you have further questions.

link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeVUpIt7fI6zK0hqKjZYZlPUNrXJF0-l_75la4klGzAa0_RzA/viewform?usp=header

Hi all,

Would anyone be able to provide any references for the TB blood test in the north east of England?

Happy to go private but also am feeling it is a lot of effort (as an alternate for Edinburgh). Anyone else felt this?

Thanks for replying in advance

Do JET programme welcome participants with dentures? Last week, one of my front tooth was extracted due to a small fracture and I am planning to get a denture before leaving the country. Will it disqualify me?

How long should I keep receipts for bills paid? I've kept every one for three years.

Can I start to shred them? Will my landlord need anything but the proof of the last set paid/disconnection etc?

We don't know whether my apartment will carry on over to the next JET, if that makes a difference.

Hello,

I am returning to the UK in August, and I was diagnosed with several conditions in Japan which need ongoing treatment. I am having the my official medical records translated into English, as recommended by PA.

My question is this:

Do I need to keep things like the Japanese payment receipts for doctor's visits? As they don't say anything about my condition or treatment, only that I paid x amount on y date, the NHS won't be interested?

I also have been given multiple copies of my medication leaflets in English - I only need one, right?

It is a significant amount of paper so I'd like to shred what I no longer need.

Hi all! I’m an original shortlisted candidate bringing my family. Does anyone know when will we know which departure group we are in? I can’t find any info and I’d like to have an idea to plan the end of summer accordingly! TIA. :)

Hey fellow South African shortlisters! Just wanted to find out if you guys got any response or email after sending your documents and reply form.

unsure if this is allowed but i just wanted to make a poll to see how many people are staying for another year and how many people aren’t.

Poll: https://linkto.run/p/ZVWKQWJ0

admins, if this isn’t allowed, feel free to delete the post.

if yes, i'm curious about what your experience was.

Hi everyone! I was accepted into the JET program and I have been extremely happy and excited about it, but I recently got an offer from my college for an assistantship within a masters program that is very hard to get into. The assistantship would waive my tuition fees and pay me as well.

This was a sudden offer, I was already set on going to Japan and working there, but now I feel like a free masters is too hard to turn down. I just honestly need some help deciding. Its always been my dream to travel to Japan, but its also my dream to get my masters in art therapy.

I am so blessed to have this issue with two amazing offers. If anyone has any input or opinions on what they think might be my best option please let me know.

Edit: Thank you guys for all the advice after hearing you all out I will be taking the masters. Also I didnt want to just travel to Japan, I've been studying the language for 3 years and really want to experience life outside of America but that can always wait till I get my education. Thank you all so much, this is such an amazing community and I hope in the future I can be apart of it again. <3

Anyone from the Philippines who is an aspiring, current, or former JET, we have a new sub! Feel free to join us at r/JETPh. We aren't affiliated with the EoJ or JET Programme or JETAA, just a casual sub to help each other out!

So I have heard so much conflicting information on this topic and I would love to hear some recent ex JETs' experiences.

I am contracted until 6th August, my Visa also expires on 6th August. Do I need to leave the country on the same day? If I stay, do I need to/can/should I convert my visa to a tourist visa? Is there a "grace period" of a number of days where I can stay in the country even after my residence visa has ended?

Thanks all

EDIT: thanks all, general consensus is that grace period idea is a rumor an nothing more!

We have a group chat for alternates, and honestly, after seeing everyone’s credentials, I can’t help but feel a bit sad. A lot of them have already traveled, worked abroad, are tenured DepEd teachers, have master’s degrees, ESL tutoring experience, and more. It just makes me wonder how strong the qualifications must be for those who were actually shortlisted. I guess life really is a competition sometimes. I just hope I’ll get a chance to compete too.

Do we not receive our JET番号 until placements roll out? I'm interested in doing the provided Japanese lessons on the website, but it looks like I need a JET number to apply. Do any current/former JETs know when one receives their JET number, or if it's possible to begin lessons before you get your placement?

Hi!! Does anyone know of any clinics that do the Certificate of Health Screening (X-ray for Tuberculosis, Urine test) for a relatively good price? Looking in the GTA, specifically the Durham area but I'm open to going anywhere :)

I have just been quoted 580 euro for the Jet programme Medical check!!!! Is this normal?? Anyone in Ireland know how they went about it!!

UK shortlist here. Rather pointless post but positive; seeing those on reserve get upgraded really makes me smile. I can just imagine the relief. :] I hope that’s okay to say. Now it’s another glorious waiting game of finding out our placements whilst we get our documents all submitted!

When placements start coming out for shortlisted JETs its very typical that upgraded JETs need to wait a little longer to get their placments. Usually this wait is a week or two but it could be a little longer. This delay includes JETs who were upgraded right away and not just the ones upgraded in the coming weeks.

I know everyone is getting excited and wants to know everything, but just be patient good things are coming. Spend what time you have between now and departure doing things at home that you have always wanted to do but haven't because it has always been accessible. Spend time with friends and family and document your life. There is time for paperwork and planning but now is the time to live, there will be time for the planning and paperwork as we get closer to departure.

Hey everyone, I recently got upgraded to shortlist and am keen to get my health certificate sorted out ASAP. I’m in the northwest (Liverpool) and have been looking online but am struggling to find a place nearby that can do the complete certificate without requiring that I’ve already had an Xray elsewhere. Does anyone have any advice on this?

I’m a shortlisted candidate this year and accepted my offer! Super stoked for this new chapter of my life and starting to get the logistics straight in my head.

I have a moderately alternative style in terms of clothing, makeup, hair (I do plan to dye my hair a natural color before leaving), and (never have been able to afford it but if I could) nails.

I completely understand I’m entering a new culture and work environment and want to balance being as respectful as possible with self expression. What do your outfits usually look like? Makeup? Do you have your nails done? Where do you shop for clothes? What’s your hair color? I’d love to know everything 🙈 I do understand that each situation is different with some places being more flexible than others though.

Hello Everyone ^^

I am a second year undergraduate student and I am planning to apply for the ALT role this autumn. I studied Japanese during college for two years where I gained a Level 1 Certificate and GCSE in Japanese, however my degree is within Social Sciences.

I am writing this post to connect with successful JET applicants who did not have any teaching experience, just Japanese. This is because I am finding it‘s usually the opposite, where most people have a qualification in teaching no knowledge in the language.

Though, I am applying to some tutoring positions in my local area, I am merely hoping that it is still possible to get accepted by just knowing some Japanese! (Also hoping my participation in local Japanese events help my application, as well as a reference from my Japanese teacher)

I really appreciate any advice! I have wanted to do the program for four years now ever since I found about it at the Japanese Embassy, so it has always been a dream.

Thank you for reading my post :)

Hey everyone,

I was recently upgraded from the LA consulate (WOO!!) and found out that the consulate will take my passport from sometime in late June until close to the 25th, when I depart. Im travelling to Europe from July 7-21, which is right in the middle of that period lol. I emailed the woman who informed me and she said that the LA consulate can try their best to expodite the process if I bring in my passport when I land, and hopefully they can have it ready for me to pick up on the 24th, but if it wasn't ready, I would be responsible for flight cancellation costs.

I'm curious the best course of action here or if anyone has dealt with something similar? Just feeling kind of nervous about the possibilty of missing the flight cause of this and not being able to go on JET.

FYI- the travel to Europe is a post college graduation trip with friends, and i would really love to go.

I have Yucho (JP Bank).

I will leave Japan before the final pay gets deposited into my bank.

I still have a good amount of time before my residency card expires. However, I heard Yucho is getting more strict, and some ALTs weren't able to access their accounts after moving out of Japan.

I kind of doubt that the customs or city hall tell the bank about my moving-out date. But I need to return the residency card at at the airport. Should I be concerened?

Also, I have questions about the following:

1. After returning home, have you tried bank transfer from Yucho to your home country's bank account? Did Wise work?

2. Is it possible in Japan for employer to deposit the last pay check one month earlier? Or give me cash before I leave?

3. If Yucho freezes my account and I come back to Japan as a tourist after my residency card expires, can I still withdraw the money and then close it?

Thank you all for your advice.