Seriously? 250,000 yen?

[hunterofpeace]

I don't like the idea of financially disadvantaged people not being given the opportunity either but there is nothing saying that you have to be fresh out of university to apply either. It might do a lot of prospective ALTs good to live out of home and work in a professional environment *before* trying to do the same thing in a different country. It would make them better ambassadors and they would be more worldly. You don't need a *good* or *decent* job to save up 300,000yen, you just need to be disciplined which is probably another virtue prospective participants should have. I struggled through all these things and everyone else should be able to as well. Our financial problems should not be Japan's problem.

I also disagree with (and am slightly offended by) this. I worked as a server while putting myself through both college and grad school. I worked extremely hard, long hours 5 nights a week to scrape by. With my car payments, rent, utilities, and student loans I barely had enough each month but I put what I did have in savings. I don't even have the recommended 200,000 yen. Are you insinuating that I am simply not disciplined enough, and I shouldn't be allowed this employment opportunity? Kain has solved the world's poverty crisis, you gaiz. Poor people just need MOAR DISCIPRINNNE.

[Jenita]

I'd say leave the criteria for application to JET - from what I've seen from people I've been in contact with in the UK, those of us who are graduating this year are in the minority anyway (and at this juncture I'd also like to point out I worked full-time for a year before I went to university). Clearly JET feel that any lack of experience in a professional/business environment is outweighed by other qualities these applicants have.

[EhimeDave]

Bad economy aside. Japanese society will consider a JET applicant with 250,000 yen in savings to be far more disciplined than someone without savings.

Every single time.

[michelleamy]

Going back to the topic of traveller's cheques...

I just wanted to say that they were a huge hassle for me. I am placed in a small city, so the bank my go-between took me to on the first day couldn't change them. Instead, I had to wait a month until I had a compensatory day off to travel to the closest sizable city (Himeji) and go to a bigger bank. I couldn't do this after school, on holidays or weekends because banks are only open during regular working hours. Because of this situation, I almost ran out of money even though my costs are super low and I had $1000 in traveller's cheques sitting around!

If you're going to bring traveller's cheques, you better change them in Tokyo during your lunch break!

[OdysseyOfNoises]

Do not take travellers' cheques to Japan, period. This comes from bitter personal experience. When I first arrived in Otsu I had to spend 6 hours at a bank getting them changed, after a lot of wrangling. Not worth the hassle, and in hindsight I should've known better given how cash-based Japan can be as a society.

[Kain of the Wired]

I also disagree with (and am slightly offended by) this. I worked as a server while putting myself through both college and grad school. I worked extremely hard, long hours 5 nights a week to scrape by. With my car payments, rent, utilities, and student loans I barely had enough each month but I put what I did have in savings. I don't even have the recommended 200,000 yen. Are you insinuating that I am simply not disciplined enough, and I shouldn't be allowed this employment opportunity? Kain has solved the world's poverty crisis, you gaiz. Poor people just need MOAR DISCIPRINNNE.

You sound highly offended but that was not my intention, nor is proposing a solution to world poverty. Everyone has the right to apply for and accept any job BUT that right does not extend to showing up in Japan and subsequently demanding a loan from your new employer (or neighbours). I used "demanding" there because once you are here there is very little choice for your CO - they can't just send you home again. People in Japan save for a long time if they want something and loans are not common. I understand that many people have a rough times at uni and I can empathise with that (I did too) but everyone has the option to work for another year (or more) before applying and saving an appropriate amount of money.
There are a lot of generous people here, and that is fantastic, but you can't expect help from that quarter with any certainty.

[hunterofpeace]

I also disagree with (and am slightly offended by) this. I worked as a server while putting myself through both college and grad school. I worked extremely hard, long hours 5 nights a week to scrape by. With my car payments, rent, utilities, and student loans I barely had enough each month but I put what I did have in savings. I don't even have the recommended 200,000 yen. Are you insinuating that I am simply not disciplined enough, and I shouldn't be allowed this employment opportunity? Kain has solved the world's poverty crisis, you gaiz. Poor people just need MOAR DISCIPRINNNE.

You sound highly offended but that was not my intention, nor is proposing a solution to world poverty. Everyone has the right to apply for and accept any job BUT that right does not extend to showing up in Japan and subsequently demanding a loan from your new employer (or neighbours). I used "demanding" there because once you are here there is very little choice for your CO - they can't just send you home again. People in Japan save for a long time if they want something and loans are not common. I understand that many people have a rough times at uni and I can empathise with that (I did too) but everyone has the option to work for another year (or more) before applying and saving an appropriate amount of money.
There are a lot of generous people here, and that is fantastic, but you can't expect help from that quarter with any certainty.

Not highly, slightly. I do not take issue with your entire statement. I do agree that it is best to be as prepared as possible. I really doubt that anyone just shows up and demands to be taken care of. What I do take issue with is this... "You don't need a *good* or *decent* job to save up 300,000yen, you just need to be disciplined which is probably another virtue prospective participants should have." It implies that it is possible (with enough discipline of course) to save that much money if you don't have a decent job. We may have different understandings of what equates a "decent" job. If your yearly income is below the poverty level, you might find it harder to scrape up that amount, especially if your financial responsibilities are high. You also stated that applicants should have to prove that they have that much to be considered for the job. This significantly reduces the chances of otherwise qualified employees of even being considered for hire simply because they do not have the good fortune of their wealthier peers. Let me communicate that I understand your point. I don't think that JETs should be a burden on their CO. Nor should anyone expect to receive handouts. I just don't think the issue is discipline which, from the above statement, is what it sounded like to me.

Also, not every area is as expensive as yours. Requiring at least 300,000 yen for an inaka placement would be overkill. Some people don't even use 100,000. It just seems like an extreme solution that would cause more issues than it solves.

Also also, in my area at least, COs are making the switch *towards* JET and away from corporations. I don't think the decline in JET in recent years has to do with the standards of the program. If anything, standards are much tougher now than ever. I think the demand for foreign ALTs in general may be on the decline.

Again, I'm not really offended. That was a poor choice of words. I guess it's just an issue I see from a different perspective.

[jpsensei]

Geez, some people have it easy. In Okinawa, the average set-up cost is much higher than that. We don't have subsidized rent in most cases and need a car/parking space. Unless you are moving into your predecessor's apartment, there is a high likelihood of the place being virtually empty and you most likely will have to pay for the key money and other fees.

Some people need to realize moving out within your own country would cost a few grands too. There are things called credit cards and family you can borrow from. Sure, some people don't have to pay for anything, but we were told to bring 250,000 yen at the beginning.

Sure, other programs may pay for housing and other things, but nobody forced you to go to Japan. There are third-world countries that will pay a pretty penny for you to live there.

I think for most of us, the problem is just having to fork out so much cash upon arrival, because our salary will make it relatively easy to pay for everything once we are settled. I am kinda glad I raised my VISA limit for that reason

Three weeks left to go and I have basically 0 money left to spend/have fun with friends. Who cares though? It may be a lot of money, but it sure as hell beats wasting another year here being a substitute teacher while looking for a real job.

[Musashi]

Geez, some people have it easy. In Okinawa, the average set-up cost is much higher than that. We don't have subsidized rent in most cases and need a car/parking space. Unless you are moving into your predecessor's apartment, there is a high likelihood of the place being virtually empty and you most likely will have to pay for the key money and other fees.

Some people need to realize moving out within your own country would cost a few grands too. There are things called credit cards and family you can borrow from. Sure, some people don't have to pay for anything, but we were told to bring 250,000 yen at the beginning.

Sure, other programs may pay for housing and other things, but nobody forced you to go to Japan. There are third-world countries that will pay a pretty penny for you to live there.

I think for most of us, the problem is just having to fork out so much cash upon arrival, because our salary will make it relatively easy to pay for everything once we are settled. I am kinda glad I raised my VISA limit for that reason

Three weeks left to go and I have basically 0 money left to spend/have fun with friends. Who cares though? It may be a lot of money, but it sure as hell beats wasting another year here being a substitute teacher while looking for a real job.

I completely disagree with this statement. I seriously think it's shameful if a B. O. E requires you to pay more than rent.

Key money is a sham, and an ALT should only be required to pay damage deposit of half the rent.

Taking all your money on bogus fees is so beyond unfair it's not even funny. If they're gonna do that they should just set you up in Leo palace until you want to find a new place.

No one forced us to go to Japan but they also shouldn't hit you with steep bills when you arrive too. I personally just got home and am renting a big studio apartment. I pay $700/mo damage deposit was $345 and signed a 6mo lease. If a B. O. E requested more than a damage deposit of half rent i would kindly tell them i didn't budget for that and ask if they could deduct it off 2 or 3 pays.

[oddsocks]

... but it sure as hell beats wasting another year here being a substitute teacher while looking for a real job.

Hello friend. I am in the same situation and could not agree more.

[go.5]

this might not raise you all the money you need, but have you considered flea markets/garage sales? it should get you at least *some* of it.

I'm going to try to clear some of the stuff in my current room because they've been lying around for far too long, and I don't want to let them bum for another year while I'm gone.

[GingerForJesus]

I don't graduate for another year and a half to two years (depending on if I specialize in anything) and I can promise you I'm saving as we speak. If I get into JET, I'll have my money ready to go, and if I don't then that means I have a little savings to fall back on while I find a job! I think it IS unrealistic for you to just come up with 3,000 dollars on the spot. However, the second you decide to apply for JET I think you should start saving. That way there's no surprises and no scary period of brokenness when you get to Japan and run out of money. I understand the money is difficult to come up with but ultimately, I'd rather be waaay over budget in a foreign country than waaay under.

[castikat]

Some of the posts about this are really ridiculous. Obviously everyone should know the costs involved with this job when applying but it's really easy to sit there without concerns for money because you already have it and judge people for being "undisciplined" or "unprepared." A lot of us don't have money and never did. My situation ended up being extremely lucky because I got in contact with my pred and he ended up being a really great person who is leaving the apartment fully furnished for free so that the only cost I have is one month's rent (about 50,000), cell phone, and then utilities/food/etc until my first paycheck (three weeks after arrival). But if the situation had been different and I needed like $5000 or something, I wouldn't have been able to make that much money no matter how disciplined I was at saving. You can't assume that everyone can just live rent free and work all summer and save all that money. That's not real life. In my own situation, I worked all through college but that money went towards tuition, books, cost of living, etc. Then when I graduated, I lost my job because it was through the university. I couldn't have gotten another job while in University because I was busy trying to graduate and afterwards, I couldn't get a job (especially for only a couple of months) because 1) I live in a town racked with unemployment where it is nearly impossible to get a job. I have friends who have been trying to get jobs for years while doing college and have been unsuccessful. 2) I don't have a car so I can't seek employment out of town. Would I have liked to earn the money I needed myself so I don't have to rely on others? Obviously. It wasn't an option. So here's some real-life, nonjudgmental advice for people having trouble coming up with the money:

1) Ask your friends and family for help, either with gifts of money, loans, or co-signing for a loan from the bank.
2) Get a loan from the bank.
3) As others have said, sell what you can.
4) If all else fails, get yourself the best visa or mastercard credit card that you can with the highest limit you can get. You can use this to buy yen from Wells Fargo (and perhaps other services) and then pay it off later when you start getting your paychecks.

Best of luck to everyone to get their finances ready

[Musashi]

That's my opinion too. Most new alt's are new graduates which means no money. Back in the day JET used to be awesome and pick up the tab. (if you only plan on staying a year key money and furnishing a place is not feasible)

Anyhow things are changing in Japan fiscally so they are trying to dump more costs on alt's. To be honest I got by with $500 cash and my visa. I think the boe paid us upfront. (because we started near payday). So money shouldn't be an issue unless you have a "bad" boe (money wise).

[Lemming]

ESID...

I came with around 150,000 yen, and I ended up not only not having to pay key money or anything, but not paying rent at all. Litterally, the only real initial expense I had was my phone, which I decided to go all out and get a 32gb iPhone, so it was a little under 60,000. You have to buy the phone straight up if you're going with a Softbank phone, unless you're willing to wait 90 days to get your phone. If you don't want to wait 90 days, you've gotta pay the whole thing. You get a discount on your rate then, though, so it's not bad over the time you have your contract.