Aspiring Canadian JETs 2012

[Aestas]

just wondering if any Toronto-area JETs have received word about orientation?

Just got my email about the orientation from Toronto. I'm a little confused by this though: "Kindly Fax or E-mail this form FRIDAY MAY 18, 2012". Does this mean they want it faxed or emailed ONLY on this day, or BY this day? By reading it, it seems like it means only on this day, but I wanted to double check because I find that a little limiting and odd.

[CalgaryPC]

just wondering if any Toronto-area JETs have received word about orientation?

Just got my email about the orientation from Toronto. I'm a little confused by this though: "Kindly Fax or E-mail this form FRIDAY MAY 18, 2012". Does this mean they want it faxed or emailed ONLY on this day, or BY this day? By reading it, it seems like it means only on this day, but I wanted to double check because I find that a little limiting and odd.

I would be willing to bet she just forgot the 'by'. I can't imagine any situation where a PC would NOT want things sent back early.

[HerrKaiser]

just wondering if any Toronto-area JETs have received word about orientation?

I just got the information today. So if you are a short-lister from Toronto, you should have received an email about the orientation I think.

[Smasha]

just wondering if any Toronto-area JETs have received word about orientation?

I just got the information today. So if you are a short-lister from Toronto, you should have received an email about the orientation I think.

why is there no new info for Vancouver?!!!! I won't feel like a true upgrade until I get written confirmation! I hope we hear something soon!

[Yoake]

just wondering if any Toronto-area JETs have received word about orientation?

Just got my email about the orientation from Toronto. I'm a little confused by this though: "Kindly Fax or E-mail this form FRIDAY MAY 18, 2012". Does this mean they want it faxed or emailed ONLY on this day, or BY this day? By reading it, it seems like it means only on this day, but I wanted to double check because I find that a little limiting and odd.

I would be willing to bet she just forgot the 'by'. I can't imagine any situation where a PC would NOT want things sent back early.

I got an email about the orientation too but for legitimate and financial reasons (I'm working and finishing my current contract in Asia), I cannot sign up for sessions before the end of June. As I'm only an alternate and I have already flown back to Canada for the interview; I can't afford another trip back before July. Would my failure to register for and attend the general information session and pre-departure orientation be considered a lack of commitment and thus reduce my chances of upgrade?

[CalgaryPC]

I got an email about the orientation too but for legitimate and financial reasons (I'm working and finishing my current contract in Asia), I cannot sign up for sessions before the end of June. As I'm only an alternate and I have already flown back to Canada for the interview; I can't afford another trip back before July. Would my failure to register for and attend the general information session and pre-departure orientation be considered a lack of commitment and thus reduce my chances of upgrade?

Finishing you r contract in Asia would be a perfectly reasonable reason for not flying back for orientation. Different consulates might assign different levels of ‘mandatory’ to the orientations, but in general the only one that is non-negotiable is the one where they tell you what to do in Tokyo, return your visa etc. (usually right before departure).
Strictly speaking, once your interview results have been submitted, unless something outright disqualifies you, it’s not going to affect your standing.

[flwy]

For people in Toronto and surrounding areas, what are your thoughts about the orientations? Will you be attending all of them or selected ones (assuming you are not out of the country and will not have great trouble in attending)? If there are any current JETs from Toronto reading this thread, any recommendations?

I personally will attending the first general information session, but haven't decided on the other sessions yet. I don't think I will be attending the whole 3-day orientation though. Also, TESOL is listed for Day 1 of the 3-day orientation, but they also have a separate session to it, so I'm trying to figure out if attending the separate session is necessary/useful.

[Keshu]

Hi everyone!

I'm a current JET from Montreal and I just wanna say congrats to the shortlisted and don't give up for the alternates.

I was an alternate myself so I know what it's like. I was upgraded at the end of June 2010 and left at the end of July (1 month to do everything wasn't much). My advice is that do all the paperwork and everything as if you were shortlisted. I'm not sure if it influences the consulate's decision on whom to upgrade or not but if you had the chance to take someone who's paperwork is all done and ready or someone who hasn't handed back anything yet.. who'd you pick? As an alternate, you have less chances of getting your pick of places though... just keep that in mind.

[Yiuel]

I'm a future JET from Montreal, got shortlisted for CIR about a month ago... I'm still waiting to know where I'll be going... Can't wait any longer!!!

(I know where I will not be going, as there's already a Montreal CIR in Yokohama from last year (he's my former classmate and flatmate) and he's planning to stay there.)

[forestsprite]

For people in Toronto and surrounding areas, what are your thoughts about the orientations? Will you be attending all of them or selected ones (assuming you are not out of the country and will not have great trouble in attending)? If there are any current JETs from Toronto reading this thread, any recommendations?

I personally will attending the first general information session, but haven't decided on the other sessions yet. I don't think I will be attending the whole 3-day orientation though. Also, TESOL is listed for Day 1 of the 3-day orientation, but they also have a separate session to it, so I'm trying to figure out if attending the separate session is necessary/useful.

I'm still not sure either. I think the first general info session as well, but other than that I still have to decide. The three-day orientation in June does sound like a lot - I lived in Japan for a year so I'm not too worried about culture shock or learning about etiquette, but maybe a refresher would be good. It's just that I don't live in Toronto, and I would have to book three days off work to go. I might just go the first day as well just for the TESOL and ESL workshops.

[Aestas]

For people in Toronto and surrounding areas, what are your thoughts about the orientations? Will you be attending all of them or selected ones (assuming you are not out of the country and will not have great trouble in attending)? If there are any current JETs from Toronto reading this thread, any recommendations?

I personally will attending the first general information session, but haven't decided on the other sessions yet. I don't think I will be attending the whole 3-day orientation though. Also, TESOL is listed for Day 1 of the 3-day orientation, but they also have a separate session to it, so I'm trying to figure out if attending the separate session is necessary/useful.

I'm still not sure either. I think the first general info session as well, but other than that I still have to decide. The three-day orientation in June does sound like a lot - I lived in Japan for a year so I'm not too worried about culture shock or learning about etiquette, but maybe a refresher would be good. It's just that I don't live in Toronto, and I would have to book three days off work to go. I might just go the first day as well just for the TESOL and ESL workshops.

I was really worried about attending the first general information session because I already have something booked for that day. I was thinking of ways to cancel, and then I noticed there's another one with the same content a little later. That was a big relief. I already have my TEFL, so I'm assuming I don't need to attend that session. Or would anyone still recommend attending that one even with a TEFL? I was also worried about the three day orientation, but noticed it mostly falls on the weekend, so I think I'll be fine concerning work and everything else. I would really like to take the Japanese, but I don't live in Toronto, and it's a bit of a trek to get there, plus I've lived in Japan before and already have some basic Japanese down pat. I think that's me decided, it helped to read other peoples thoughts on everything, thanks!

[Smasha]

Toronto Orientation stuff sounds intense- Vancouver only has a few things. i have had no info about Japanese classes or TOEFL yet, and our orientation stuff is two days in June, and the pre-departure in August.

Anyone else from Vancouver heard anything yet?

[Pamela]

Toronto Orientation stuff sounds intense- Vancouver only has a few things. i have had no info about Japanese classes or TOEFL yet, and our orientation stuff is two days in June, and the pre-departure in August.

Anyone else from Vancouver heard anything yet?

I haven't heard anything from Vancouver since I got accepted. I hope they let us know when things will be happening soon...

[shell]

Toronto Orientation stuff sounds intense- Vancouver only has a few things. i have had no info about Japanese classes or TOEFL yet, and our orientation stuff is two days in June, and the pre-departure in August.

Anyone else from Vancouver heard anything yet?

I haven't heard anything from Vancouver since I got accepted. I hope they let us know when things will be happening soon...

Me three! I need an e-mail and events to feel that this is ACTUALLY going to happen!

[wabalabe]

I hope we start hearing about our placements next week! Btw why does it feel like Vancouver didnt accept much ppl this year, just me thinking this? =/