Aspiring JETs Singapore edition 2012

[Japancolors]

did my checkup at Raffles Hospital, took about 2 hours and $50. on the bright side, it turned out that my doctor was from my dance class years ago, so it was nice to be able to tell one more person "yes, I'm going to Japan to be an English teacher."

Oh yes, I know what you mean! Happy for you!

[herbiggestsecret]

hi guys,

not to rain on anyone's parade, but does anyone else have parents who are vehemently opposing you embarking on the JET programme due to radiation (location, in food etc.) scares? if you did, how did you talk your parents around? sigh

[go.5]

hi guys,

not to rain on anyone's parade, but does anyone else have parents who are vehemently opposing you embarking on the JET programme due to radiation (location, in food etc.) scares? if you did, how did you talk your parents around? sigh

YESSS!!!

tell them you're an adult and you understand the risks. maybe you can share with them your preferences and explain to them why you chose such and such location because it's lower risk etc. (if that's the case of course xD). JET is a great opportunity for us all! I hope you can work it out with them successfully.

[Japancolors]

hi guys,

not to rain on anyone's parade, but does anyone else have parents who are vehemently opposing you embarking on the JET programme due to radiation (location, in food etc.) scares? if you did, how did you talk your parents around? sigh

Yes, my mum too, initially. I told her I understand the risks and would not endanger myself and that she need not worry about me.

Actually, my mum used to be more restrictive than that, since I applied to JET last year. She told me that if I ever go overseas to work, she will not acknowledge me as her son. There were even times when we had cold war for one or two months without any substantial conversation. But for this one year, I have been telling her that teaching in Japan is what I have been dreaming to do and I hope she will allow me to fulfill my dreams. I hope that she would be proud of me.

I finally managed to convince her that I want to go and do not want to lose such a good opportunity, but I will definitely be back in a few years' time to take care of her when she needs me by her side (she's already 64 y.o. this year). Now, my mum supports me in every decision I make for JET. I believe with her support, I can go with a greater peace of mind.

herbiggestsecret, my opinion is that our parents are concerned and worried for us having to stay in an unfamiliar place for an extended period of time. They are not in any way restricting the choices we hope to make. Hence I suggest you sit down with them calmly, tell them your reasons of wanting to go on JET, ask them about their concerns, and see how you can address their concerns. Write them down and act on them, to assure your parents that you meant what you said.

Best of luck pal. Let me know how it goes.

[kurikuri]

hi guys,

not to rain on anyone's parade, but does anyone else have parents who are vehemently opposing you embarking on the JET programme due to radiation (location, in food etc.) scares? if you did, how did you talk your parents around? sigh

My mum's okay with it, but my dad is still hoping I won't go. I'll be going home to have a good talk with them tomorrow before I decide. For personal reasons, it's also a very difficult choice to make because I'm hoping to start a family in the distant future, and I've been doing a lot of research ( scientific of course, the media has a terrible tendency to blow things out of proportion, and I would expect the government to be conservative) on radiation and its effects.

Most of Japan has indisputably normal radiation levels (with many places lower than Singapore), except for the areas around the plant, and it is honestly very very unlikely that someone will get posted somewhere with high radiation levels. I don't want to rattle on about the technicalities of it, but if you want sources I used for my research, reply or something and I'll see if I can email them.

To summarise, any place with around 220nSV/h will cause the same level of exposure as an average flight attendant annually, which is what I consider to be my personal threshold( 100% plus chop safe). Within 80km, the levels seem about safe too, around the same levels as a plant worker in a normally functioning plant. Just don't go near the 30km evacuation radius.

Information about radiation levels at different localities can be obtained from here: http://jciv.iidj.net/map/

As for food, radioactive contamination of food is usually through Iodine-131 intake, which enters the food chain. However, its half-life is only 8 days; so, by now, most traces of it should be gone. The radiation still present is mostly caused by the cesium isotopes, from what I understand. The government is also doing careful screening of food, but there are certain kinds of food that are still a little iffy. The details are on various websites, and a simple google search should tell you what to look out for when it comes to food.

Disclaimer: Take everything with a pinch of salt, I'm certainly not an expert in this area and may certainly be mistaken, but this is the information I am basing my decision on. Personally, I would say, don't worry, until you get placement, most places are fine (at least, that's what I'm trying to tell myself ).

[rinforest]

Playing the devil's advocate here, I think everyone should also consider your personal response in the event that you are placed in Fukushima or Sendai or anywhere in the Tohoku region. Even if your family has accepted your choice now (under the impression that you will be placed far away from the region), will they change their minds if you are placed there? As for yourself, will it change your decision to go?

[Japancolors]

Playing the devil's advocate here, I think everyone should also consider your personal response in the event that you are placed in Fukushima or Sendai or anywhere in the Tohoku region. Even if your family has accepted your choice now (under the impression that you will be placed far away from the region), will they change their minds if you are placed there? As for yourself, will it change your decision to go?

I will still go. I would love to do my part for the areas that I have once visited and which have given me much when I visited them.

[herbiggestsecret]

thanks for the replies everybody!
i'm planning to speak to my mother tomorrow, and hopefully she'll relent. perhaps we will come to a consensus, fingers crossed!
meanwhile, let us know your decision after your discussion, kurikuri (:
i hope it works out for all of us in the end.

[trea]

Hi all, sorry a question. So I thought I'd get my documents done because I'm still being hopeful.
Does anyone know how long exactly it takes to actually have both the CoC and CoH on hand after applying for them? (I know the Police site says 10 working days but thought I'd ask )

[Japancolors]

Hi all, sorry a question. So I thought I'd get my documents done because I'm still being hopeful.
Does anyone know how long exactly it takes to actually have both the CoC and CoH on hand after applying for them? (I know the Police site says 10 working days but thought I'd ask )

CoC is about 2 weeks, if I'm not wrong. As for CoH, I was able to collect it after a week I think. May be different depending on where you go to.

[trea]

Hi all, sorry a question. So I thought I'd get my documents done because I'm still being hopeful.
Does anyone know how long exactly it takes to actually have both the CoC and CoH on hand after applying for them? (I know the Police site says 10 working days but thought I'd ask )

CoC is about 2 weeks, if I'm not wrong. As for CoH, I was able to collect it after a week I think. May be different depending on where you go to.

Thankss

[kurikuri]

thanks for the replies everybody!
i'm planning to speak to my mother tomorrow, and hopefully she'll relent. perhaps we will come to a consensus, fingers crossed!
meanwhile, let us know your decision after your discussion, kurikuri (:
i hope it works out for all of us in the end.

I have spoken to my parents and they're cool with it now (with the assurance I will not go anywhere too near the plant). Besides, I think it is a safe assumption that no one will be sent within 30km of the plant (the dangerous spots), given that it's a no entry zone. Personally, I am okay about entering a disaster zone, It's just the radiation I'm concerned about.

herbiggestsecret: I told my dad that Singapore is really one of the safest places in the world and no matter where I go overseas, It's not going to be as safe as Singapore. I can't let fear prevent me from fulfilling my dream. All I can do is take calculated risks and precautions; so that in the event that something happens I will be as ready for it as I can be. This seemed to placate him Do update us about your discussion too.

[lepton]

Hi!

Just wanted to cheer on the Alternates. I was an alternate and am now on the programme. The wait is indeed daunting and the best out of the situation is to hear something in early May and in time to depart with the rest. But the fact of life is that there will be some of you out there who might have to wait out longer than that, so hang in there. A word of advice though, to perhaps set yourself a deadline. After which if you do not hear from the embassy, to activate your contingency plan. Some call it a miracle, some call it conincidence, I got the call on the morning of the exact date which I set myself.

Looking forward to hear some of you guys upgraded.

Thanks lepton! Just wanna ask: What was the deadline you set for yourself?

Hi onigiri_chan,

I think the deadline set is highly customised to each individual's situation. It depends on what other options are available or any other personal considerations. For me, it was dependent on my current work. As I was due for a re-posting at my current organisation then, I had to set the clockwork moving by a certain date and that was it.

My suspicion is that there is still a fair number of people out there who are still concerned about getting placed anywhere in the Tohoku region. If that is the case, be prepared that upgrades may occur fairly late given that people would have to take time to do their own risk assessment as to whether they would like to embark on the programme given their placement. That said, I think a very real question you would also have to ask yourself is if you will accept a placement in the commonly so-called affected region, as well as the comfort level of your family and loved ones. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying there is a major concern in the region (by the way, I am placed in Tohoku), it is just that each individual has their own comfort level.

Let's be honest, no one can tell for sure about radiation effects and the effects do take a long time before it 'manifests'. In fact, when friends ask me if they should come to Japan (along the line of radiation concern), I always tell them I do not have the answer, and at the end of the day, it is the comfort level. The unknown, unseen and unheard often lends us to be emotional. So yah, it is about personal comfort level.

[Japancolors]

I just want to say that I found this blog most useful at this moment, as I wonder what will be coming next. At least, it gives us information on JET and what it is like teaching in Japan, while we wait for our placement results.

http://qqsandbox.blogspot.com/

[tslei]

Hi!

Just wanted to cheer on the Alternates. I was an alternate and am now on the programme. The wait is indeed daunting and the best out of the situation is to hear something in early May and in time to depart with the rest. But the fact of life is that there will be some of you out there who might have to wait out longer than that, so hang in there. A word of advice though, to perhaps set yourself a deadline. After which if you do not hear from the embassy, to activate your contingency plan. Some call it a miracle, some call it conincidence, I got the call on the morning of the exact date which I set myself.

Looking forward to hear some of you guys upgraded.

Hi everyone, I've been a lurker since last year, but pleased to join u in this JET forum. Like japancolors, I was an Alternate 2011 JET too, and now excited to be shortlisted for 2012. Yoroshiku ne~

Just wanna share with Alternates here, that if u are to re-apply again next year, you might want to consider a path I'd chosen. Last year i was pretty disappointed when I first received the news (of my non-selection). And I was lucky to chance upon another opportunity. The Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Programme (SSEAYP), also organised by the Japanese Government. The opportuity fell on my lap so I told myself, why not? 53 days is a short duration compared to working and living in Japan for at least a yr, but the programme promised cultural exchange in the ASEAN region like no other. What's more, I've heard that applicants should try to 'upgrade' themselves (eg: take up Japanese classes, new hobby, gain teaching exp) before giving JET a 2nd try, so I thought I might as well add on to my personal cultural expereiences. And I'm glad i did! =)

*****
What exactly is SSEAYP?
To me, it's an amazing journey for 53 days! ^_____^ If u check out sseayp.sg, u'll see that the SSEAYP alumni has lots of stories to tell. Like the photos u see.. it's all about our endeavors and memories of an amazing exchange program.

SSEAYP aims to foster friendship and greater understanding among youths from ASEAN and Japan and is in its 39th year now. It also seeks to broaden their international outlook. A series of activities are lined up for the selected participants. This year’s SSEAYP will take Participating Youths to Japan and five of the ASEAN countries, namely Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam. To qualify for SSEAYP, youth applicant must be a Singapore citizen between 18-30 years old and possess qualities to be shortlisted by National Youth Council.

For more info, check out: https://www.facebook.com/notes/sseaypsg ... 7221254075 and the NYC website. You can also connect with the members through these channels: 1) Facebook: http://fb.me/sseayp.sg 2)Twitter: @sseaypSG 3) Tumblr: http://www.sseaypsg.tumblr.com 4) Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/sseaypsg. The SSEAYP Application is Open for the 39th Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Programme (SSEAYP) 2012 till 26 April 2012. Application form can be downloaded at http://www.nyc.pa.gov.sg/index.php?opti ... &Itemid=41.

*****

Perhaps 2nd time applicants give a good impression as it shows how determined u are to get onto the JET programme. I believed in that. And so I proved that I did something while waiting to try for JET another year. True that I was super lucky to be able to go on a long exchange programme which not everyone could spare that 53days away from work + sch, but well I (still) can't believe I made it to JET now! (So did another senior which went the SSEAYP then JET way) So Gambatte! Alright enough of my ranting on SSEAYP. Haha. My friends call me SSEAYP-a-holic, but I know i'll soon be JET-a-holic

Lastly: Admin-wise, I'm glad to join this forum to learn and share info with everybody. Just went to Police Cantonmant to apply for CoC today, ready for collection in exactly 2 weeks (10 working days?) For Health check, I've heeded some of the advice here and gotten it cleared within a day. Neighbourhood clinic + xray @ polyclinic. Looks like i can send in the reply form now.

Hoping to interact more with ppl on the forum. Cheers!

Tslei