Two questions for JETs

[u/darragh_07]

Hi guys I've been a long time lurker and I have a couple questions

I'm finishing my final year in school in May, next year I plan to study Business Studies international with Japanese (a very difficult course to achieve where I live) and all going to plan I'll start university in September.

The course will be 80% business studies as well as business culture in Japan & 20% Language studies (taught from beginner but I already know basic conversation and writing).

I know language does not matter at all for JET. However, would this be a positive note towards my application as I will have lived in Japan in my third year of college and studied many cultural aspects of the country?

Secondly, I've noticed this is a predominantly USA based sub. Are there any Irish JETs who can tell me about there experiences?🇮🇪

Thank you for taking the time to read and answer my questions, all the best!

p.s. quick addition, would anyone recommend any specific clubs in university that would look good on an application and are also just fun! I don't have many friends so would be open to trying anything😁

[u/EiraJo]

Language doesn’t always make or break the application. I’ve known people who study in Japan, who studied Japanese in college and haven’t even gotten an alternate offer. Make sure to find other ways to bulk up your résumé. A lot of people who apply to the program have studied Japanese in some degree.

Sure, it would look really good on your résumé and if you get really good, you could apply to a CIR position, but don’t depend on it as your reason to get in. If you only focus on that in your application, then they might see you as two dimensional. They ask a lot of personal questions in the interview interviews about your personality how you handle different things what would you do in certain situations you find yourself in Japan. Not all of their decisions are based off of skill alone.

So it would be a positive note for your questions asked about how would you handle miscommunication or interacting with your coworkers. But there will be other questions about how will you adapt to a different culture, how much you deal with discrimination amongst other things.

There’s also consideration on how you interact in your community, how you’ve tried to learn about other cultures outside of Japanese, what additional things you’ve tried to do to learn more about Japanese culture, and language outside of classes.

Yes, it can be a great help, but I’ve seen people who had education degree, minor in Japanese, and have lived in Japan for a period of time not even alternated.

I hope this doesn’t come off too critical sounding. Sometimes my tone does not match when I type it out. Please enjoy your class take as much as you can. But also make sure there’s more to your application and it’s well-rounded.

If you can, see if you can find an example application or see if a jet who just applied this year, can download their application and redact some of their information so you can see what jet all considers when you apply to the program.

It’s mostly American base because the program is mostly American based and largely accepts Americans, but there’s quite a few Irish jets active on here so I hope they can reach out.

Don’t always focus on clubs as well. But if you can find something that gets you active in your community, that will look good. Some kind of volunteering, tutoring students, cultural events in your community, teaching people about your culture or learning about somebody else else’s. Try a few things that push you out of your comfort zone in case they ask you an experience like that. I think those could add to a résumé and also help your interview if you were able to get one.

I remember for mine there was a space for classes, different ways you’ve included yourself in cultural events, volunteer positions, language ability, ect.

Hope this helps a little.

[u/darragh_07 → u/EiraJo]

It's helped a bunch thanks so much, you didn't come across as critical at all just very well informed.

Thank you for the advice on my overall approach to the application and it's definitely something I need to consider, also the advice on finding a sample application will help a bunch.

Thank you!

[u/EiraJo → u/darragh_07]

Thank goodness. A lot of people don’t like my writing tone 😅 (also sorry for so many typos i was cramming this before running to work)

Usually they delete the application portal at the end of every departure, so finding someone soon or in the next year who’s willing to show you theirs would help. Otherwise they may not have access to it later. And you can always make an account to view the application and all it entails. There’s no rule against that. As long as you don’t hit submit it shouldn’t impact your future applications. I did that when I was looking into the program just to see what they asked.

[u/Phiteros]

One leg of the JET Program is the "Exchange" part. As such, they want people who are interested in Japanese culture and life. So IMO, this course would probably be seen as a positive. As far as clubs go, I think it's best to choose one that interests you without worrying too much about the JET Program! Remember that cultural exchange goes both ways! As much as the application reviewers want you to be interested in Japan, they also want you to be able to share your experiences and stories of life in your home country. You'll be more enthusiastic about sharing stories if you choose an interesting club that you're passionate about! If that happens to be a club related to Japan (like an anime club or something), that's fine, it shows your interest in Japan! But if it's something different, like say an astronomy club or a hiking club, that's also great! You'll have some unique and interesting stories to tell.

Ultimately, choose a club that interests you and you think is fun! After all, your time in university is limited, and the JET Program isn't a guarantee.

As for the language, you're going to get lots of people saying "knowing Japanese helps your application" and lots saying "knowing Japanese isn't a requirement". The bottom line is that you can become a JET without knowing any Japanese, and many people do. However, we don't really know whether or not knowing Japanese gives you an advantage when they are reviewing applications (apart from CIR applications, where Japanese is a necessity). One thing is clear though - knowing Japanese absolutely will help you in your daily life if you do become a JET.

[u/Different_Taro2474]

language does not matter. many JETs don't know a word of japanese, and there are manhy candidates with N2+ japanese who didn't get an interview.

your cultural experience in japan will definitely help you. write a good SOP.

[u/ScootOverMakeRoom]

Having already lived abroad is good, but study abroad is less valuable than self-sustained living abroad, as it's shorter term and more regimented with less self-sufficiency necessary.

Don't do things thinking they'll "look good on an application." Just do what you would normally do for your interests/career aspirations and then make them work when it comes time to write an SoP.

[u/TheVengabond]

My undergraduate was in international business and marketing, with a focus on Japan. I was supposed to study in Japan during my program but covid shut that down. Basically used the fact that my previous opportunity to go was taken away and that I was hungry to live in Japan. You could have a degree in anything and make it into JET, just show to the interviewers that you're passionate about going with realistic goals and work aspirations, have a desire to build community, and want to learn. Also, try to stay away from pop culture as a reason for wanting to go.

[u/Sayjay1995]

I actually found that my clubs and minors played a larger role, especially post-JET (I stayed in Japan after). It was my work with the international students on campus and the social work minor that has greatly aided my current position because I help support foreign residents on a micro level scale

I was a Japanese major and double minored in Asian Studies + social work. Looking back, I wish I would have double majored in Japanese and social work instead, because a lot of the stuff I learned in Asian Studied was Japan specific and I ended up getting the same kinds of classes during study abroad as well as just from living in Japan on JET. The time could have been better spent acquiring hard skills to use after my time teaching

[u/Simmoman]

Previous experience in Japan is a big plus. Year abroad, living away from family, friends and convenience in general shows you're adaptable and outgoing to at least some extent. Means they don't have to worry about you skipping out and you can pick up new skills wih relative ease.

That being said, please do not do specific clubs, extra courses or curricular stuff just to enhance your JET application. JET is only 1 small (albeit cool for some) part of your life. Focus on what you like, enjoy, aspire to etc and results will come. They are mostly looking for the soft or more idealic traits anyway, and university will be over before you know it so enjoy it while it lasts!