Are there fewer people applying this year?

[Teishou]

Hoho, what? IS THIS WHAT GOOGLE DOES?! ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.

2010 JET Survival Guide

[merkypie]

Hoho, what? IS THIS WHAT GOOGLE DOES?! ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.

2010 JET Survival Guide

Is this real or is this fantasy

[AVN]

My mom's real nervous about me applying. She keeps on telling me not to. Apparently there have been reports of people doing their own testing and coming up with higher contamination reports than what the government has reported. I'm still applying anyways, but now I'm really nervous about it! I personally only know one other person applying. Also, my university did not have an information session; I didn't even know that was a thing.

My university didn't have an information session either, but I graduated last year. I have a friend who is in Hokkaido right now, and most of the information I have gotten about the JET program so far has come from her. She doesn't seem too worried about the radiation, but then again, she isn't close to the power plant. I've looked at radiation updates on wikipedia, but I don't know enough about the subject to be able to understand how safe it is now. My hope is that the radiation will have diminished greatly by the time we go if we get accepted. My family doesn't want me to go either. I'm guessing that fear of radiation and another big earthquakes is the main reason why the number of applicants seems to be decreasing.

I don't think it's specifically due to the quake. I noticed this time last year that the forums were far less active than in the past. I don't know if that's because people aren't using the forums or if the numbers are declining.
I think there is decreased interest in working abroad, due to the economy and the fear of taking time off after school. Also slight decrease in the popularity of Japan, more and more people are learning Korean and taking an interest in their pop-culture. JET's salary is decreasing (ie. becoming less competitive) and thus makes other jobs/countries seem more appealing.
Also don't worry about the quakes (they haven't changed. They were always a risk, even pre-3-11, and they always will be, you want to come to Japan accept it.) or the radiation. The at risk areas are cleared out and you won't be placed in them. They're very careful with warnings and such. The rates are down and the clean up work is on. It's a sad terrible story but it's being dealt with. Sure it's not perfect but I'd say it's a hell of a lot better than other disaster cleanups I've seen around the world.

[spanky]

I'm also wondering this as the Australian economy booming at the moment. Considering that the average graduate salary here is normally around 50,000 USD and the salary of the JET programme is lowering I think it would be less appealing for those Australians concerned about the money...

[megandd]

Hoho, what? IS THIS WHAT GOOGLE DOES?! ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.

2010 JET Survival Guide

Is this real or is this fantasy

@Teishou - Thanks a bunch! I was just about to link it, but you beat me to it! =D

@merkypie - I hope it's real. After reading the whole thing, I started making some serious adjustments to make myself a better candidate. I dropped 50 pounds and became a substitute teacher. I also started going crazy ordering language and writing books off the internet. I'm determined to be ready for this thing! And, if I don't make it this time, I'll be all the more ready next year! Plus, I'm in even more in love with Japan after reading about random tidbits such as garbage sorting and the lack of central heating/cooling in schools. I know; I'm weird. XD

@AVNicholls - I've noticed the increase in interest in Korea. There's a teacher I know who moved there and starting teaching with some program or other after being laid off in the US. Apparently, their program provides free lodging. Things like that are awfully tempting, but my heart is set on Japan. >w< Anyway, it would be interesting to know the number of applicants for each year.

[Namisuke]

The pay decrease could be temporary if BOEs want to keep ALTs on the payroll. It was stated that the pay cut was due partially to the poor economy and that it was a big way to keep out jobs. If people have been keeping track of the news with the JET Programme, they might think that the job could be cut any year. Even though this job is temporary, people like security of knowing how long they could potentially stay on. That would be a concern of mine if I were applying this year. The wage is not super appealing for certified teachers in Canada now, so finding qualified teachers to come on the Programme will likely be more difficult. I have a theory that the Canadian application deadline was extended due to fewer applicants this year, but who knows. I really hope funding goes back up for schools though as kids can really benefit from an ALT (or any extra resourse, really).

[miami_coordinator]

Hoho, what? IS THIS WHAT GOOGLE DOES?! ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.

2010 JET Survival Guide

Is this real or is this fantasy

Yes, I made that one up in 2010. It's compiled from a bunch of other cities' Survival Handbooks, and pretty well all the information in there comes from JET alumni. Keep in mind, some of that information is out of date, and there's definitely some stuff there that's ESID ("Every Situation is Different"). It's not at all official; I wrote and edited it more from the mindset of being a JET alumna rather than a JET Coordinator, so it shouldn't be taken as something officially sanctioned by the Miami consulate or CLAIR. So, keeping all of that in mind, I'm glad if it's useful.

Also, I never finished the edits for 2011, but hopefully it'll happen before the 2012 departures.

Incidentally, if you like the comics, David Namisato (the creator) just published a book with a lot of those as well as some new ones http://www.lifeaftertheboe.com/

[megandd]

Hoho, what? IS THIS WHAT GOOGLE DOES?! ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.

2010 JET Survival Guide

Is this real or is this fantasy

Yes, I made that one up in 2010. It's compiled from a bunch of other cities' Survival Handbooks, and pretty well all the information in there comes from JET alumni. Keep in mind, some of that information is out of date, and there's definitely some stuff there that's ESID ("Every Situation is Different"). It's not at all official; I wrote and edited it more from the mindset of being a JET alumna rather than a JET Coordinator, so it shouldn't be taken as something officially sanctioned by the Miami consulate or CLAIR. So, keeping all of that in mind, I'm glad if it's useful.

Also, I never finished the edits for 2011, but hopefully it'll happen before the 2012 departures.

Incidentally, if you like the comics, David Namisato (the creator) just published a book with a lot of those as well as some new ones http://www.lifeaftertheboe.com/

Thank you so much for that link! I thoroughly enjoyed reading those comics!

I really appreciate the handbooks you make! There are so many things in it that I would have never thought to ask, and it was so nice knowing generally what to expect before I put in my application. I also really enjoy reading the JET journals. The resources you have available for people like me are amazing!

[ChottoMonkey]

Thanks so much for posting that .pdf. Lots of helpful and interesting information!

[Gizmotech]

Hoho, what? IS THIS WHAT GOOGLE DOES?! ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.

2010 JET Survival Guide

Is this real or is this fantasy

Yes, I made that one up in 2010. It's compiled from a bunch of other cities' Survival Handbooks, and pretty well all the information in there comes from JET alumni. Keep in mind, some of that information is out of date, and there's definitely some stuff there that's ESID ("Every Situation is Different"). It's not at all official; I wrote and edited it more from the mindset of being a JET alumna rather than a JET Coordinator, so it shouldn't be taken as something officially sanctioned by the Miami consulate or CLAIR. So, keeping all of that in mind, I'm glad if it's useful.

Also, I never finished the edits for 2011, but hopefully it'll happen before the 2012 departures.

Incidentally, if you like the comics, David Namisato (the creator) just published a book with a lot of those as well as some new ones http://www.lifeaftertheboe.com/

Miami, I think you did a fantastic job with that one. It was one of the more useful resources I read before coming over.

I don't envy you when you have to update the salary section though... That's gonna be a doozy. Ohh and if you're feeling super creative it would be nice to have a section on "how to make a good impression when your pred was a jacka**" (Cuz we all know that guy who left and feel kinda bad for the person that replaced em)

[merkypie]

Hoho, what? IS THIS WHAT GOOGLE DOES?! ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.

2010 JET Survival Guide

Is this real or is this fantasy

Yes, I made that one up in 2010. It's compiled from a bunch of other cities' Survival Handbooks, and pretty well all the information in there comes from JET alumni. Keep in mind, some of that information is out of date, and there's definitely some stuff there that's ESID ("Every Situation is Different"). It's not at all official; I wrote and edited it more from the mindset of being a JET alumna rather than a JET Coordinator, so it shouldn't be taken as something officially sanctioned by the Miami consulate or CLAIR. So, keeping all of that in mind, I'm glad if it's useful.

Also, I never finished the edits for 2011, but hopefully it'll happen before the 2012 departures.

Incidentally, if you like the comics, David Namisato (the creator) just published a book with a lot of those as well as some new ones http://www.lifeaftertheboe.com/

It has so much information in it, I love it! It's a great guide... and good luck with updating it for 2012 Hopefully I'll be lucky enough to have one in my hands/computer 8D

[miami_coordinator]

Miami, I think you did a fantastic job with that one. It was one of the more useful resources I read before coming over.

I don't envy you when you have to update the salary section though... That's gonna be a doozy. Ohh and if you're feeling super creative it would be nice to have a section on "how to make a good impression when your pred was a jacka**" (Cuz we all know that guy who left and feel kinda bad for the person that replaced em)

Thanks ^_^

I actually do have information about the new salary on the JET page that I maintain (it's the one with the FAQ list): http://www.miami.us.emb-japan.go.jp/en/jetprogramapplying.html, so I'll probably just copy that format if/when I have a chance to update it. I'm also hoping to have sections about teaching ESL and cooking (that's what my previous JETs said they wanted to have the most!).

As for replacing awful predecessors... well, that one can be hard, but then so is replacing a super JET. Either way, that first 5-6 months is a definite adjustment period, not only for the JET, but also for the JET's coworkers. New enthusiasm, new skills, and new genkiness that they have to find a way to use while also keeping on schedule.

[Romdeau]

I'm curious, can anyone define what a "casual" applicant is to them and what a non-casual applicant is? Seems like there's a bit of disdain for the "casual" applicants.

[KaitouK]

2010 JET Survival Guide

This. +1 Awesomeness. Would love to see an updated copy of this.

[bryanthorne]

2010 JET Survival Guide

This. +1 Awesomeness. Would love to see an updated copy of this.

Me too. If I get selected this year I'm totally printing out a copy of that bad boy and memorizing it.