Alternates 2012

[richaado]

I just wanted to say that upgrades are STILL HAPPENING!

I got upgraded today around lunchtime! So happy!

I was already losing hope, and going for my Plan B and Plan C's. So I just wanted to let you guys know that there is still hope for those of you that don't think you will be upgraded anymore.

[IkaSomen]

Congrats and thank you for your encouraging message. After the orientations we alternates were starting to lose all hope, not just hope in general but also the program itself. But really thank you for your time posting a message to encourage us all.

[LeviXIII]

I was also upgraded this morning ^^. I interviewed out of Toronto. Just wanted to let you guys know there is still some activity.

[Albel]

Congratulations on the upgrades! It's a great feeling

[Emidono]

Aaaahh congrats guys! It's awesome to know that people are still getting upgraded!

[IkaSomen]

I was also upgraded this morning ^^. I interviewed out of Toronto. Just wanted to let you guys know there is still some activity.

Congrats! By the way, what do you mean out of Toronto? You interviewed outside of Toronto or you interviewed within Toronto?

[LeviXIII]

Sorry for the confusion Ika. I interviewed in Toronto and was on the waiting list for Toronto.

[IkaSomen]

No problem. I know how excited you are because I would be too if I was upgraded.

[Loerian]

Congrats on the upgrades guys

[Smasha]

WOOO!!! So many upgrades in one day! JET gods, keep them coming!!!!

[Japanland]

Actually, if you are anywhere near Toronto or willing to pay to go there, you can apply to ECC. I applied and got an e-mail that they received my application, though they haven't reviewed it yet for an interview. But since I'm not too terribly far from Toronto I'm willing to make a trip up there for an interview. I just wanted to throw that out there in case anyone on the message board is close enough to Toronto to interview there.

,..
Thanks for the positive message. I applied to ECC like last Monday but I heard nothing from them since then, not even an email telling that they have received my application. Wonder what is the case there? Anyone know about Heart English School? Is the company any good?

My fiancee applied to ECC at the same time I did and he received an e-mail much later than I did. It's one guy doing all the e-mailing, and it sounds like they are pretty personalized when I was reading them, so it may just take a while. It isn't automatic or anything. They invited both of us for an interview so we set that up. And, to make it an even better deal regarding the alternate status with JET, the positions they are hiring for wouldn't start until at least November and maybe later, so if you want to wait a little longer on JET (which I do) you aren't locked into ECC yet. As with all other companies/programs there are pros and cons though, so I would encourage you to do lots of research before you accept a position. ECC works pretty differently from JET and other places, from what I understand.

[IkaSomen]

Actually, if you are anywhere near Toronto or willing to pay to go there, you can apply to ECC. I applied and got an e-mail that they received my application, though they haven't reviewed it yet for an interview. But since I'm not too terribly far from Toronto I'm willing to make a trip up there for an interview. I just wanted to throw that out there in case anyone on the message board is close enough to Toronto to interview there.

,..
Thanks for the positive message. I applied to ECC like last Monday but I heard nothing from them since then, not even an email telling that they have received my application. Wonder what is the case there? Anyone know about Heart English School? Is the company any good?

My fiancee applied to ECC at the same time I did and he received an e-mail much later than I did. It's one guy doing all the e-mailing, and it sounds like they are pretty personalized when I was reading them, so it may just take a while. It isn't automatic or anything. They invited both of us for an interview so we set that up. And, to make it an even better deal regarding the alternate status with JET, the positions they are hiring for wouldn't start until at least November and maybe later, so if you want to wait a little longer on JET (which I do) you aren't locked into ECC yet. As with all other companies/programs there are pros and cons though, so I would encourage you to do lots of research before you accept a position. ECC works pretty differently from JET and other places, from what I understand.

Thanks, I will wait a little longer to see if I receive any thing from ECC. I just received a message saying that Amity "just" received my application when I sent it 2 weeks ago. But hey, all is good. I do have an interview with Heart English School. There is only minimum information about it. Any one know about them and how are they like? Waiting to be upgraded is the most depressing thing in the world because I know my girlfriend is going and I might not be. Not only that I probably won't be going but to thing of being separated is something much more depressing.

[husky]

Actually, if you are anywhere near Toronto or willing to pay to go there, you can apply to ECC. I applied and got an e-mail that they received my application, though they haven't reviewed it yet for an interview. But since I'm not too terribly far from Toronto I'm willing to make a trip up there for an interview. I just wanted to throw that out there in case anyone on the message board is close enough to Toronto to interview there.

,..
Thanks for the positive message. I applied to ECC like last Monday but I heard nothing from them since then, not even an email telling that they have received my application. Wonder what is the case there? Anyone know about Heart English School? Is the company any good?

My fiancee applied to ECC at the same time I did and he received an e-mail much later than I did. It's one guy doing all the e-mailing, and it sounds like they are pretty personalized when I was reading them, so it may just take a while. It isn't automatic or anything. They invited both of us for an interview so we set that up. And, to make it an even better deal regarding the alternate status with JET, the positions they are hiring for wouldn't start until at least November and maybe later, so if you want to wait a little longer on JET (which I do) you aren't locked into ECC yet. As with all other companies/programs there are pros and cons though, so I would encourage you to do lots of research before you accept a position. ECC works pretty differently from JET and other places, from what I understand.

Thanks, I will wait a little longer to see if I receive any thing from ECC. I just received a message saying that Amity "just" received my application when I sent it 2 weeks ago. But hey, all is good. I do have an interview with Heart English School. There is only minimum information about it. Any one know about them and how are they like? Waiting to be upgraded is the most depressing thing in the world because I know my girlfriend is going and I might not be. Not only that I probably won't be going but to thing of being separated is something much more depressing.

I have several friends who have experiences with ECC/Heart/Amity/Interac/etc., and unfortunately it's usually not very good compared to those of my friends who have been working with JET. My friend who went to Japan last year under Heart in particular has had a particularly rough time (according to him, their relationship with the schools they employ him under are fairly shady too), and lately he hasn't been in the best of moods being under them. I have another who has had a decent relationship with Interac, though he mentioned they overworked him frequently (not unusual though if you're going for any of these private companies). I believe I know another who went under Amity and pretty much returned as soon as he could due to a variety of issues, but all of this negative feedback doesn't necessarily mean it happens to everybody.

[ek09]

Just got upgraded here in the UK! Completely in shock! x

[IkaSomen]

I have several friends who have experiences with ECC/Heart/Amity/Interac/etc., and unfortunately it's usually not very good compared to those of my friends who have been working with JET. My friend who went to Japan last year under Heart in particular has had a particularly rough time (according to him, their relationship with the schools they employ him under are fairly shady too), and lately he hasn't been in the best of moods being under them. I have another who has had a decent relationship with Interac, though he mentioned they overworked him frequently (not unusual though if you're going for any of these private companies). I believe I know another who went under Amity and pretty much returned as soon as he could due to a variety of issues, but all of this negative feedback doesn't necessarily mean it happens to everybody.

Thank you for the information about Heart, Amity and Interac. Still thinking if I should go with a private company if they offer me a job or wait for JET/reapply next year. I hate to wait since my girlfriend is leaving in August to Japan with JET.

Congrats to the one who got upgraded.