Applying for 2013 - very early I know

[Heather2727]

Hello,

I've been scoping out the JET information on the internet and trying to wrap my head around the application and interview process. It all looks amazing and I'm so excited to get stuck in when the application opens. I am fully aware that the application isn't even online yet and won't be until autumn, but I have a few reservations that I was hoping someone could help me out with. That way I can make alternate plans so I don't 'put all my eggs in one basket' so to speak.

I'm worried about my chances of being accepted to the JET program due to:
1) I am a dual national (US/UK). I was born, grew up and lived in the US until I was 17. Then I went to university in Glasgow. I was planning on applying to JET through the UK but I am really worried that they won't see me as 'British' enough. As this is a program about internationalization I assume that they would want people who had more of a 'Britishness' (for lack of a better word) about them in order to give the kids they would be teaching an understanding of their home country. Will it work against me that I am applying through the UK when I would have only lived in the UK for 4 years (and still sound American....can't seem to lose the accent!)?

2) What is this early-departure business? I'm wondering if that may be to my benefit. I am planning on applying for this year and will be in my fourth year of university and if the above is true, and being in a sense more American than British, will hurt me, then is it in my best interest to then go home to the US and apply the following year (2014) for early departure (that way I'm not wasting too much time)? Is this even possible?

3) And lastly, I don't have a driver's licence and don't plan to get one as it apparently costs around £1200 (total for lessons and the test D:). Is this something that will hurt my chances while applying? I would like to be placed in a rural area and I have a bad feeling that without a car this may be an issue.

Thanks so much for you help. Hope this isn't too annoying as I know the current JETs haven't even left their respective countries yet But I'm just worried that JET may not work for me and if it doesn't I want to start researching other ways of being an ALT in Japan (be it through Interac or what have you).

[Trudi]

I don't have a driving license and I got short-listed.
Also, I would have thought the fact that you can represent both America and the UK would have been an advantage.
For the particulars about which country to apply through I would just read all the info on the website very carefully.

Don't look for reasons to put you off-if it's what you want to do then go for it.
Gambatte!

[ssb]

1. If it's about internationalization, wouldn't JET PREFER someone that has a varied, multicultural background?
2. Early departure is just to leave before July/August. Just go ahead and apply normally. The worst that will happen is they'll say no and you can reapply for early departure.
3. As far as I know driving can only affect your placement. Might be wrong though.

[teabot]

i don't think any of those concerns will be an issue. getting accepted is more about whether the application people/interviewers get a sense that you would be a good cultural ambassador.

i'm not sure, but i think this Early Departure stuff just started this year, and i'm not sure if it will be continued again next year. in any case, it wasn't an option when i applied in 2011. my guess is that it has to do with the continuing aftereffects of 3.11, where maybe several 2011 JETs got here and broke contract due to concerns related to that (in addition to the few that inevitably will do so every year), so that there were more vacancies than usual this year warranting an Early Departure option. again, this is completely my speculation with no backup whatsoever, so take it with several grains of salt. i just wouldn't count on it as being a consistently offered option.

[lenamarie0485]

The only problem I read about dual citizenship and JET is that if one of your citizenships is Japan, you must renounce your Japanese citizenship.

[Heather2727]

Thank you all so much. I had been planning on playing up the fact that I was international/had moved to the UK by myself at 17 etc so it's nice to see that it won't necessarily be a detriment. It's not as though I don't know anything about the UK (my degree is in Scottish History) so I should be alright. Thanks for the encouragement!

[sooky]

Thank you all so much. I had been planning on playing up the fact that I was international/had moved to the UK by myself at 17 etc so it's nice to see that it won't necessarily be a detriment. It's not as though I don't know anything about the UK (my degree is in Scottish History) so I should be alright. Thanks for the encouragement!

Hi Heather,

Never too early to plan your application, it's a lot of paper work and the preparation needs a good amount of thought placed into it.

I'm Australian but hold a dual citizen ship, Portuguese...but I'm ethnically Chinese which made me an extremely mixed bag! As for your dual citizenship, JET is very big on 'internationalization' and applicants who have a diverse background. The fact that you've lived for long periods in two different countries can also support your application. Moving to UK independently demonstrates you have an innate ability to adapt to a new culture and way of life.

If you want to apply for JET in UK, you might want to include how you will represent UK. In my application, I used the angle of 'diversity' and that the modern Australian society is composed of people from different origines around the world. Then I made sure to plug in some Australian slang and habits just to showcase that I'm quite the 'skip'.

Don't worry too much about driving, there might be a chance you'll be assigned to a location where riding a bike or public transport is viable modes of transport.

[Heather2727]

I'm Australian but hold a dual citizen ship, Portuguese...but I'm ethnically Chinese which made me an extremely mixed bag! As for your dual citizenship, JET is very big on 'internationalization' and applicants who have a diverse background. The fact that you've lived for long periods in two different countries can also support your application. Moving to UK independently demonstrates you have an innate ability to adapt to a new culture and way of life.

I'm 1/4 Japanese and 3/4 Scottish ethnically (makes for an odd mix that people can't really decipher as I definitely don't look typically Scottish and my Japanese traits aren't really dominant enough for people to recognize hahaha). I was hoping that I could spin it in this 'international and indepenant' angle. I definitely think in my SoP and my interview (luck withholding) that I could impress them with my internationalization and ability to adapt. I'm starting to think it's more of a plus than a minus

If you want to apply for JET in UK, you might want to include how you will represent UK. In my application, I used the angle of 'diversity' and that the modern Australian society is composed of people from different origines around the world. Then I made sure to plug in some Australian slang and habits just to showcase that I'm quite the 'skip'.

I've done my degree in history (but all my courses focus on Scottish history) and for the first two years of University I was taking Scottish Gaelic courses (as that was my degree before I changed to just a history degree) so I can demonstrate a historical and linguistic interest in/knowlege of Scotland. I have lived here for 4 years so I can 'pretend' in a sense to be far more British/Scottish than I really am. Not sure if I should play up this angle or down play this but I think since I have the time I'll try to find that right balance of 'international' yet proud to be British/Scottish and able to impart that on to the people I might meet in Japan.

Don't worry too much about driving, there might be a chance you'll be assigned to a location where riding a bike or public transport is viable modes of transport.

I was desperately hoping for a rural to very rural location which I think I may not be allowed as I have no driving skills. But they tend to just put you where they need you don't they? I know a rural area can be a mixed bag of great and/or terrible experiences but I would really love a rural setting. But really I should just focus on getting in I'd say

But thank you. These replies are really boosting my confidence in my JET application! I'm just really excited to have found out about the JET program and think I can find some really good references as well as I am taking TEFL course and an informal Japanese language course through the uni over the summer. So I'm (probably unwisely) feeling quiet confident!! Fingers crossed!!!

[marchris100]

I'm on the same boat as you! I'm also trying to take an early initiative for the 2013 application, since next year is also my final year of school. I'm mostly just trying to inform myself as much as possible on what I would need and to try to get things done beforehand. I'm also going to do my best to get TEFL certification over the summer. I was also looking up other organizations that get people teaching placement in Japan, but JET really looks like one of the better options. I'm not sure if I should apply to others or just try really hard with JET.

You should definitely use your ethnicity, schooling and countries that you lived in to your advantage! From what I've heard many say, they like diversity, so it can only help. I'm Mexican American myself so I will definitely talk how it plays a part of my life in the SoP and, if I get to it, during the interview to hopefully improve my chances. I also wouldn't imagine that not having a licence will hurt you, as others have said.

I wish you the best of luck, too! If I learn or find anything of interest, I'll let you know Now if only my excitement would die down, I have lots of work to get done...XD

[Heather2727]

Glad to know someone else is in the same boat! I wish the excitement would die down too! I've got my exams just now and can barely concentrate! I'm just making sure I have everything prepared because the interview period for next year, (fingers crossed I make it that far) is smack dab when my dissertation for fourth year is due. So I wan't make sure I am fully prepared so I can handle the stress of both!

Definitely get yourself a TEFL qualification. From what I've seen on the forums and such, they really look for an interest in Japan alongside and interest in teaching. Luckily I have both. I'm hoping to play up my international qualities as well as my ability to live away from home in a new country during uni and especially my own Japanese heritage and my interest in learning more about that. I'm only worried that my application may seem a bit rushed, as I am taking the TEFL course and learning Japanese just this summer (I have an excuse as to why I haven't learned Japanese just yet but still). So it may seem sort of like a last minute thing. But we'll see.

Anyways, minus all those fears I'm just really excited to get the ball rolling and get to Japan (whichever way possible!). Good luck on all your JET stuff this year! Hopefully see you in Japan

[bananallanah]

I was desperately hoping for a rural to very rural location which I think I may not be allowed as I have no driving skills. But they tend to just put you where they need you don't they? I know a rural area can be a mixed bag of great and/or terrible experiences but I would really love a rural setting. But really I should just focus on getting in I'd say

I know this might be potentially hard finacially/time wise, but why don't you start taking driving lessons now or get friends to teach you?
You have more than a year before you would theoretically leave and if you have even your learners licence (or whatever the equivalent is in England) by the time you apply in November at least that's a start? I would say it would greatly increase the chances of you getting a rural placement and if you were to get that placement, from all accounts I've heard it will make life easier AND you gain a new skill for life!
Just a thought. Given your international experience I'd say you're a prime candidate. I have dual citizenship (New Zealand/Ireland) but I didn't even mention it in my application hehe, woops- definitely mention it in yours though!

[Heather]

I agree with the others that having a diverse background is good. It just might affect how you fill out tax paperwork, that's all.

As for the driver's license, don't worry. They just want to know if you feel comfortable about driving in Japan-if you can't or won't, they try to place you somewhere with good commuter's routes.

For early departure in April, you can leave a bit early. You have to submit all of the paperwork with your application (Certificate of Health, FBI Background Check, etc.). You have to be able to leave on shorter notice. From what I understand, only about a dozen JET's get early departure though. If you can do all that, go ahead and apply!

[Heather2727]

With reference to driving, I'm really not sure about whether I am able to get myself a full fledged driver's licence. I'm a bit scared of driving and the cost (alongside saving up for the JET program as well) might be a bit too much. Getting a provisional is easy, I think all you need to do is pass the theory test, but I'm not sure how much good that will do.

If, in theory, I get placed in a city, would I be able to move the next year? So I would complete my contract for that year and then when I renew with JET (and if I am successful with the renewal) can I ask to be moved to a rural location? The reason I'm a bit averse to being in the city is that all I seem to hear are stories about how people don't really get a grip on the language or get as immersed in the culture because it is all too easy to find English speaking 'ex-pats' form various origins doing various jobs. So I'm a bit wary of the idea of moving to Japan through JET only to see a limited and stilted view of Japan through the eyes of a foreigner socializing with only foreigners.

However I am known to overthink and over-plan things so this may just be me letting my imagination get the best of me. And it's really just a bunch of 'ifs' and 'maybes'. I mean if ESID then I could easily get myself immersed in the culture in a big city.

Anywho, thank you everyone for the input. It's all been very helpful

[merkypie]

If, in theory, I get placed in a city, would I be able to move the next year? So I would complete my contract for that year and then when I renew with JET (and if I am successful with the renewal) can I ask to be moved to a rural location? The reason I'm a bit averse to being in the city is that all I seem to hear are stories about how people don't really get a grip on the language or get as immersed in the culture because it is all too easy to find English speaking 'ex-pats' form various origins doing various jobs. So I'm a bit wary of the idea of moving to Japan through JET only to see a limited and stilted view of Japan through the eyes of a foreigner socializing with only foreigners.

Once you get your placement in Japan, that's your placement. You can't change your placement for any reason that isn't significant enough for CLAIR to move you (ie: marriage). You could probably make an attempt, but when you renew your contract you're not renewing with CLAIR, you're renewing it with the Contracting Organization you're working for, whether that be the prefecture or city.

[teabot]

If, in theory, I get placed in a city, would I be able to move the next year? So I would complete my contract for that year and then when I renew with JET (and if I am successful with the renewal) can I ask to be moved to a rural location? The reason I'm a bit averse to being in the city is that all I seem to hear are stories about how people don't really get a grip on the language or get as immersed in the culture because it is all too easy to find English speaking 'ex-pats' form various origins doing various jobs. So I'm a bit wary of the idea of moving to Japan through JET only to see a limited and stilted view of Japan through the eyes of a foreigner socializing with only foreigners.

Once you get your placement in Japan, that's your placement. You can't change your placement for any reason that isn't significant enough for CLAIR to move you (ie: marriage). You could probably make an attempt, but when you renew your contract you're not renewing with CLAIR, you're renewing it with the Contracting Organization you're working for, whether that be the prefecture or city.

actually that's not quite true. around November you can apply to be transferred to a different prefecture. this is something that has to be approved by both your CO and somewhere on a higher level (i can't say whether i know for sure that it's CLAIR or not...) and yes, you do need a reason, but i don't think it's quite as strict as marriage only. one of my coworkers transferred from another prefecture, and he didn't seem to have a major reason like marriage...

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Heather2727, if i can give you any advice, i think you should try not to worry quite so much about everything. you're way early for this sort of stuff, and while it's good to be prepared, you also don't want to be spending massive amounts of time a year in advance worrying and stressing over things that aren't going to be that relevant in the long run.

being a licensed driver is a very minor portion of your application. i know plenty of licensed drivers (such as myself) who live in cities, and JETs without licenses who live in very rural placements.

also you shouldn't be stressing so much about placement when you haven't even started the paper application (much less gotten to the interview and later stages), especially since you have absolutely no control over where you'll be placed. just have faith that assuming you get accepted, your placement will either be a good match for you off the bat or that you'll be able to quickly make adjustments.

i'm sorry if i come off as sounding a bit deflating or negative, but i think it's good to be real about things as well. it's one thing to be enthusiastic about the prospects, but if you're too much so, it can come off as sounding a bit desperate, which you want to avoid by all costs. there is life beyond JET, and the Programme wants to see well-rounded candidates that will make good cultural ambassadors, so the best way to prepare is not to tailor your activities to JET (for example, don't get a TEFL cert for JET if you're not interested in ESL outside of a way to live in Japan for a few years--if you are interested in ESL as a future career, go for it, though!). rather, it's best to emphasize how your pre-existing interests/activities/certifications/etc can be applied to the JET situation and how you can use the JET experience to further your own career goals beyond teaching English in Japan (unless again, that is your calling and the field you want to pursue a career in).