Did you apply with a Dependent?

[ChottoMonkey]

My wife will be joining me a few weeks after I get to Japan. I agree with Word that while a CO may request a couple or a family, ultimately, the only employee is the JET and the JET should not rely on the CO to take care of things for the rest of the family. Hopefully I can pay enough attention to how the processes work that I won't need to ask for help to get my wife set up once she joins me.

I am curious how having a dependent will factor into the decision process for where placement will be. I requested simply "rural" for placement because we like the idea of living in a smaller community where we can try to be more involved/connected. But then again, I'm just thrilled that we will get to go have an amazing adventure, regardless of where we are placed.

[word]

Hopefully I can pay enough attention to how the processes work that I won't need to ask for help to get my wife set up once she joins me.

You'll be fine! I spoke zero Japanese when I arrived, and I still managed to get MG squared away when she joined me a year later. Got her health insurance, auto insurance, cellphone, and eventually, a dependent visa, then a work visa and a job... all with pathetically minimal Japanese skills!

I am curious how having a dependent will factor into the decision process for where placement will be. I requested simply "rural" for placement because we like the idea of living in a smaller community where we can try to be more involved/connected. But then again, I'm just thrilled that we will get to go have an amazing adventure, regardless of where we are placed.

"Rural" varies wildly, but if you get lucky, you'll be at a school full of open-minded staff who will want to include your family in stuff. MG was invited to enkais and staff trips when she first arrived; even invited to join us in the classroom!

[ume no hana]

so, is it safe to assume that most of the placements would of previously had a family JET?
So, the CO can choose what kind of JET they want, right? single, kids, married no kids etc?

[pnksweater]

Well some places do request families. But COs request a lot of things and there just aren’t enough of the “right” kind of JET to supply them all. My first predecessor was a single woman living in a tiny uber urban apartment. Not kid friendly. Prior to my arrival predecessors were switched around and my next one was a married JET whose spouse worked for another CO. Bigger apartment, good. Crazy commute, bad. I also ran into some problems when trying to put my kid into school, but that’s another story.

TL;DR CLAIR will try to place all short listed JETs the best they can, but not all of us will be placed where we’ve been requested.

[ume no hana]

Well some places do request families. But COs request a lot of things and there just aren’t enough of the “right” kind of JET to supply them all. My first predecessor was a single woman living in a tiny uber urban apartment. Not kid friendly. Prior to my arrival predecessors were switched around and my next one was a married JET whose spouse worked for another CO. Bigger apartment, good. Crazy commute, bad. I also ran into some problems when trying to put my kid into school, but that’s another story.

TL;DR CLAIR will try to place all short listed JETs the best they can, but not all of us will be placed where we’ve been requested.

Thanks for the info! Are any short-listers NOT placed because they have families?

[pnksweater]

Thanks for the info! Are any short-listers NOT placed because they have families?

No. I don’t think that’s an issue. If fewer places request families then there are successful applicants, then some COs that didn’t request families specifically will get a JET with family.

[ume no hana]

Thanks for the info! Are any short-listers NOT placed because they have families?

No. I don’t think that’s an issue. If fewer places request families then there are successful applicants, then some COs that didn’t request families specifically will get a JET with family.

Thank you! Good to know! so, some people will be placed with a CO that has never had a family JET before...