Alternates 2012

[husky]

Hi everyone, I've been lurking this forum for weeks but I thought I should finally register and post something since I just got the upgrade email! I'm from the Chicago consulate, btw.

Congratulations! I feel better every time somebody gets upgraded after that first two-day rush, since I remember it might happen to me if I'm lucky. Haha.

[Hideaki]

Has anyone heard anything from the D.C. Embassy?

I more than than certain they have a lot of names to go through seeing as they were one of the last interview locations to release their results.

[Heather]

Has anyone heard anything from the D.C. Embassy?

I more than than certain they have a lot of names to go through seeing as they were one of the last interview locations to release their results.

I kinda want to hear from them too-I interviewed at the D.C. embassy. I know that there were short-listers there for sure, but I can't remember if anyone was upgraded from there. Good luck to the both of us!

[specialk21]

Just got an email about the orientation session. Are any alternates actually going to go to theirs? I'm undecided.

I'm a Toronto alternate too and my brother's wedding is the weekend of the 3-day pre-departure orientation so I don't think i'll be able to make it anyway.

[kurenai]

I'm another DC alternate waiting to hear but so far I haven't heard of any upgrades. But our deadline was only last friday so we will probably be the last to know.

[Gekishinken]

Hi everyone, I've been lurking this forum for weeks but I thought I should finally register and post something since I just got the upgrade email! I'm from the Chicago consulate, btw.

There seems to be quite a few upgrades coming from our consulate! Congratulations! If you have Facebook come check out the Facebook group

[butterflychaos]

Hey guys! I'm a little late jumping on the Alternate forum bandwagon, but I wanted to say hello! I tried to catch up on what's been going on here, but it took forever for this forum to even let me sign up (wouldn't send act. code/denied answer to sec. ques./etc) so I wanted to know who else is from the Detroit consulate here? I didn't see a single post for them from about 20 of the pages.

EDIT- So I found the JET page for the Detroit short listed people and I don't have a lot of hope (for such a small consulate, they accepted 34 people according to the 2012 page run by one of the coordinators) but I want to wish everyone else the best of luck! Maybe I'll get called by one of the other consulates or something.

[tkmd]

I wish there was some sort of page for LA shortlisters/alternates. Lol I'd like to know how many people are in each group for the sake of my curiosity.

I would think a lot of people were interviewed by the LA consulate. Lol if i apply again in the future i'll make sure to try and interview a smaller consulate. Maybe that'll ameliorate my odds? :-/

This wait is torture. Back in college, i read dante's divine comedy for one of the Italian lit classes and limbo didn't seem THAT bad. Lol

That was off topic but congrats to all recent upgrades! Im still holding my breath.

[Yoake]

Just got an email about the orientation session. Are any alternates actually going to go to theirs? I'm undecided.

As I have to work in Asia until the end of June, I can't attend any session before then. I'm worried that my chances of upgrade might be reduced if I check NO on the reply form.

[canadiansensei]

Just to clarify, now that I've gone and brought all the Albertans down:
Probably won't be many promotions -within- the Calgary consulate (i.e. to replace people from the same consulate). Those make up most of the early promotions.
The later promotions become increasingly -between- consulates, so there are still lots of opportunities to be promoted to a position vacated by someone from Vancouver/Austin/Sydney/etc. Those just tend to come later.
No need to give up hope.

Your words of encouragement are most appreciated !!!!

One question, if we originally indicated on our application that we either do not feel comfortable diving in Japan or do not have a drivers license, will it significantly affect our ranking on the alternate list? I found Japan’s public transit to be most accommodating in the past. Since I already have my license, I am willing to drive in Japan if it will heavily impact my chances of being upgraded. Please fill me in

It won’t affect your ranking on the alternates list per se. However, if the contracting organization specifically requests someone able to drive, then the next person on the list willing & able to drive may ‘jump the line’.

Public transit in Japan is generally excellent, I agree. However, if you are out in the countryside (as I was), there may only be one bus every couple of hours, and there are still areas that don’t have bus transportation that stops anywhere near the schools. Just because the school is happy to let their students bike for an hour in the rain to get to school that doesn’t mean they want their ALT to do that. Also, if you have to go around to different schools during the day, the bus schedule may be too inconvenient (especially if you’re dragging around all your props, games, etc. for class). So in some situations you do need a car. Obviously this is much less of an issue the more urban the placement.

[
Despite being in this “gloomy-alternate-limbo mode” There are chances for us to be upgraded. We ought to try to be optimistic about our chances of going to Japan or just being content with our present situations and planning other adventures if JET doesn’t fall through. Keeping extremely busy whether it be working, studying, volunteering, exercising etc… it’s really given me a rational outlook with this whole situation.

It’s always good to keep things in perspective. JET is a wonderful experience, but it isn’t the be-all and end-all of life, or even life in Japan. The first time I applied for JET, I had to withdraw part way into the application (issues with my university, not with JET), and I was incredibly frustrated having to sit around for another year because of red tape. When I did get onto JET the next year though, the town I was placed in was perfect, and I wouldn’t have been placed there if I had been accepted the first year I applied.
(I’m sure I’d have enjoyed any placement, but having worked as an ALT in other parts of Japan since then, I can honestly say there are many, many placements I would not have enjoyed as much).

It’s all in how you look at it. Maybe the perfect place for you just isn’t ready quite yet.

I'm glad to see that "driving status" has not prevented some of you from being promoted. Congratulations . A good option may be to look into converting a drivers license after getting settled in Japan.

Life really is whatever you make of it wherever you are Judging on the experiences from previous and current JETS, JET seems to be an awesome opportunity and would ultimately be a dream come true to be accepted though.

I understand how trying the wait would have been & can be especially if you have a fondness for Japan, which I am sure most on here have Everything seems to happen for a reason, each area of Japan has its highlights, patience will have to be the key for now.

[jou_chan]

I just wanted to let everyone know that I just got the call from Susan Gill and was asked to accept an upgrade!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DO NOT give up! You will all be there soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I got a call from Susan Gill, too, and I've been upgraded!!! Now we just need to hear from Queequeg, the remaining Boston alternate on this thread.

Hang in there everybody - I totally thought it wasn't coming, but it did!

Man, poor Susan Gill she must have had a buuuusy day. We should totally have a meetup or something now.
On account of all three of us getting upgraded, obviously DDDDD

I kid you not, I was annoyed about waiting, just got bad news from my college/teaching job; so I tore the battery out of my phone and tossed it across the room so I wouldn't stare at it! I immediately rushed to the phone, but the battery back in, turned it on and there was a voicemail from Boston!
Seriously.

Congratulations everyone upgraded and best of luck everyone still hanging on!!!

We definitely need to meet up - and I know I've been saving a small list of questions for Susan so I don't blow up her inbox with all the questions that I DO have - I've got so many >.<

[jou_chan]

Hi everyone, I've been lurking this forum for weeks but I thought I should finally register and post something since I just got the upgrade email! I'm from the Chicago consulate, btw.

Welcome welcome!

[mobiuschic42]

We definitely need to meet up - and I know I've been saving a small list of questions for Susan so I don't blow up her inbox with all the questions that I DO have - I've got so many >.<

You know what? I'm starting a Boston shortlist/alternates thread so we stop crowding these other threads. viewtopic.php?f=26&t=11432

[IkaSomen]

Just read the thread. Saw someone said something about Alternate Short-list. Is there any difference between Alternate Short-list and Alternate?

[merkypie]

Alternate shortlist and alternate are the same thing.