Aspiring Canadian JETs 2012

[Smasha]

I dunno, I thought the DVD was fairly interesting. I found the hosts a little creepy, they were very formal and it came across as too much so at times. The segments themselves were great in my opinion. You got a chance to see what some of the kids were like and some of the scenarios could look like. I think that it was great to have in the interview pre-room as it gave people something to take their mind of the impending interview. Also, I think it is easy to criticize something, but if you're selected as a JET and you were to watch the entire DVD I am willing to bet that you would be thanking them multiple times for putting it together. I am positive that any JET watching it would likely take a lot a way from it, have a few questions answered or just feel more prepared having seen it.

no such luck for me!!!!! like i sad, the set up of our interviews was different, so no reception room, other jets to talk to, or anything like that

Yeah, in Vancouver they just had a reception area where you'd sign in, from there they sent you to the location of your interview room and you'd sit on a chair beside the door waiting for them to call you in. No one to really talk to during the waiting time LOL.

But for the video, I'm guessing it's the same one that was shown to us during an information session we had on campus once? Perhaps it's different?

I interviewed in Vancouver as well! Weird set-up, but the reception staff were nice.

I didn't go to an on-campus session, because I graduated last April, and didn't know about JET till October. So no video for me, but I am sure I didn't miss much

[nhold227]

But for the video, I'm guessing it's the same one that was shown to us during an information session we had on campus once? Perhaps it's different?

Yep, in Toronto it was indeed the same video I saw at an info session on my campus.

[Businesstime]

I'm rooting for all of you!

Currently finishing up my first year in Tokushima prefecture on Shikoku, and I hope to get into the local AJET chapter to help show the new people around in August! They better be mostly Canadians *shakes fist in a general westerly direction*! I interviewed in Vancouver, and for all of you in B.C., Steve Chevalier is an AMAZING resource at the Consulate. I'm sure you all know of him. Questions and concerns, feel free to ask! (Especially if you get placed in Tokushima, which is an AWESOME place to live, by the way.)

Over and out, and wishing you all the best of luck.

[Smasha]

I'm rooting for all of you!

Currently finishing up my first year in Tokushima prefecture on Shikoku, and I hope to get into the local AJET chapter to help show the new people around in August! They better be mostly Canadians *shakes fist in a general westerly direction*! I interviewed in Vancouver, and for all of you in B.C., Steve Chevalier is an AMAZING resource at the Consulate. I'm sure you all know of him. Questions and concerns, feel free to ask! (Especially if you get placed in Tokushima, which is an AWESOME place to live, by the way.)

Over and out, and wishing you all the best of luck.

Thanks!!! I hope you get in to AJET, it would be cool to share your knowledge and experience with all the Noobs. Are you planning on renewing your contract? If you did, could you get placed in a different area, or would you stay where you are for convenience sake? I would love to know why Shikoku is awesome. Good weather, lots of stuff to do?

[Gizmotech]

Are you planning on renewing your contract? If you did, could you get placed in a different area, or would you stay where you are for convenience sake? I would love to know why Shikoku is awesome. Good weather, lots of stuff to do?

Short of something rather spectacular happening (ie, getting married to someone in another prefecture, job being cut, etc...) you cannot move from the place that has contracted you. Once you are done with CLAIR and the embassies stuff, you are really a contractual employee of a local government educational body (either city or prefecture). This is part of the JET Lottery, you get to go where you've been told you're going


[This is one of the major drawbacks to JET and consequently a major perk to places like Interac for instance where you can apply to transfer to different areas]

[michelleamy]

Hello! Longtime lurker appearing for the first time, here.

Has anyone in Canada received notification of an Early Departure? Specifically, anyone from Vancouver? I received notification just yesterday (and am thrilled!) but it's been so quiet on the forums that I really wonder how many others will be going with me...

[Smasha]

Hello! Longtime lurker appearing for the first time, here.

Has anyone in Canada received notification of an Early Departure? Specifically, anyone from Vancouver? I received notification just yesterday (and am thrilled!) but it's been so quiet on the forums that I really wonder how many others will be going with me...

OOOh, that's exciting, congrats!!!! I applied in Vancouver too, but not for early departure, and I don't know of anyone from Vancouver who did. I also heard that there are only a handful of ED per each consulate, so you are probable one of the small few. Nonetheless, have fun!!! When do you leave?

[KoeiS]

Hello! Longtime lurker appearing for the first time, here.

Has anyone in Canada received notification of an Early Departure? Specifically, anyone from Vancouver? I received notification just yesterday (and am thrilled!) but it's been so quiet on the forums that I really wonder how many others will be going with me...

CONGRATS!!! !!! There are only a handful of ED and probably not very many in Vancouver! I didn't apply to ED either so still waiting with fingers and toes crossed for April but just wanted to congratulate you. Do you know where you'll be placed yet?

[Spencer]

Congrats!!!!!

Wish I had applied for ED....
but I didnt....
Almost did.... but didnt..... youll be leaving when we are finding out
Good luck there

[KoeiS]

I'm rooting for all of you!

Currently finishing up my first year in Tokushima prefecture on Shikoku, and I hope to get into the local AJET chapter to help show the new people around in August! They better be mostly Canadians *shakes fist in a general westerly direction*! I interviewed in Vancouver, and for all of you in B.C., Steve Chevalier is an AMAZING resource at the Consulate. I'm sure you all know of him. Questions and concerns, feel free to ask! (Especially if you get placed in Tokushima, which is an AWESOME place to live, by the way.)

Over and out, and wishing you all the best of luck.

Would you happen to know the number of openings this year and total placements in Tokushima? I definitely wouldn't mind this prefecture! If only I had discovered it earlier...

[AVN]

Hello! Longtime lurker appearing for the first time, here.

Has anyone in Canada received notification of an Early Departure? Specifically, anyone from Vancouver? I received notification just yesterday (and am thrilled!) but it's been so quiet on the forums that I really wonder how many others will be going with me...

Congratulations!
Be sure to let us know where you're placed you might be near another one of us Canadians and we can help you settle in. Also any questions, feel free to ask.

[OttawaPC]

I'm rooting for all of you!

Currently finishing up my first year in Tokushima prefecture on Shikoku, and I hope to get into the local AJET chapter to help show the new people around in August! They better be mostly Canadians *shakes fist in a general westerly direction*! I interviewed in Vancouver, and for all of you in B.C., Steve Chevalier is an AMAZING resource at the Consulate. I'm sure you all know of him. Questions and concerns, feel free to ask! (Especially if you get placed in Tokushima, which is an AWESOME place to live, by the way.)

Over and out, and wishing you all the best of luck.

Would you happen to know the number of openings this year and total placements in Tokushima? I definitely wouldn't mind this prefecture! If only I had discovered it earlier...

Last year there were 80 JETs in Tokushima, 5 were Canadians (no news on how many openings for this year).

[OttawaPC]

Hello! Longtime lurker appearing for the first time, here.

Has anyone in Canada received notification of an Early Departure? Specifically, anyone from Vancouver? I received notification just yesterday (and am thrilled!) but it's been so quiet on the forums that I really wonder how many others will be going with me...

Congratulations!

[Brevan]

Has anyone in Canada (Vancouver) received notification of an Early Departure?

Congratulations! I also applied for Early Departure in Vancouver, but haven't heard anything. Hopefully today I'll get lucky.

Do you mind sharing some information about your application with everyone? I understand that one BOE's ideal JET isn't the same as another's, but since you've already been accepted, it would be encouraging to see what kind of application made it through. I think these questions don't reveal too much personal information, and could be answered with yes/no:

1) Were you willing to drive in Japan?
2) Did you request placement in your hometown's Sister City?
3) Lots of volunteer or work experience?
4) Lots of sports or hobbies?
5) Lots of experience teaching?
6) Lots of experience working with children?
7) Lots of Japanese Culture experience?
8) Lots of Foreign Culture experience? (for those unfamiliar with Vancouver, 47% of the population are visible minorities, so this part of the application is pretty easy for us)
9) What is your level of Japanese comprehension (5 was native fluency in the application)?

<edit> Revised question 2 </edit>

[Smasha]

Has anyone in Canada (Vancouver) received notification of an Early Departure?

Congratulations! I also applied for Early Departure in Vancouver, but haven't heard anything. Hopefully today I'll get lucky.

Do you mind sharing some information about your application with everyone? I understand that one BOE's ideal JET isn't the same as another's, but since you've already been accepted, it would be encouraging to see what kind of application made it through. I think these questions don't reveal too much personal information, and could be answered with yes/no:

1) Were you willing to drive in Japan?
2) Did you request Yokohama (Vancouver's sister city in Japan) placement?
3) Lots of volunteer or work experience?
4) Lots of sports or hobbies?
5) Lots of experience teaching?
6) Lots of experience working with children?
7) Lots of Japanese Culture experience?
Lots of Foreign Culture experience? (for those unfamiliar with Vancouver, 47% of the population are visible minorities, so this part of the application is pretty easy for us)
9) What is your level of Japanese comprehension (5 was native fluency in the application)?

Good idea, Brevan, but you must also keep in mind that not all Vancouver applicants are from Vancouver(like me, but I have lived in that wonderful city for 5 years), so the "sister city" question might not apply to everyone. For example, I live in Victoria, and its sister city is Morioka, which I did not request nor was I asked about it.