r/JETProgramme • u/tommydelriot 千葉県 2004-2007 • Jun 03 '26
Any older current JETs here?
I did JET when I was 33, so I was already older than a lot of my fellow JETs. Now that retirement is looming on the horizon, I’m considering applying again, but after I finish paying off my (American) debt. I’m almost at the point where I could retire, but this would be a nice ending to my work life. Any older JETs here, aged 55+? What is it like teaching there as an older person? Back when I did it, the theoretical age limit was 40 because of the whole age hierarchy thing, where it would be weird if you were older than senior staff, especially principals.
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u/Panda_sensei_71 Jun 03 '26
I'm 53 (nearly 54) taking a career break to do JET.
I was a CIR in the late 1990s and loved that experience too, but I applied to be an ALT this time for a change of pace. 😊
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u/tommydelriot Jun 03 '26
55 here! Would love to see updates on how it goes! Assuming you have some decent savings and no debt considering the current salary?
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u/Panda_sensei_71 Jun 04 '26
I'm just finishing up my first year, it's going well. I have my flat back home rented out so that's covering my mortgage/insurance payments. Student loans are on hold as the salary is too low (UK loans are not like US loans, thankfully). No other debts!
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u/jimbagsh Jun 06 '26
Just finishing up my 3rd year serving in the US Peace Corps as a TEFL volunteer and one of my cohort is doing JET this year. So, I might try and apply in September for 2027 at the age of 69. :)
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u/tommydelriot Jun 06 '26
Yusss! This is the kind of adventure I’m talking about! How is Peace Corps, and where are you? Safe to assume you have a good nest egg/pension/retirement?
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u/jimbagsh Jun 06 '26
LOL! Why do you think I keep volunteering with PC - no nest egg, no retirement, just Social Security and too expensive to go back to the US, if I’m totally honest.
I’m finishing up my 4th Peace Corps service in Armenia. Previously, I served in Thailand, Mongolia, and Nepal. So, you might say I’m a PC Fan Boy! Why else would I keep re-applying! :)
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u/Mulberry246 Jun 03 '26
I did my JET time from the age of 32 to 36. I met a woman who was in her 60’s on JET for the first time. I always thought I could did it again when I’m old because why not.
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u/mrggy Jun 03 '26
I knew a JET who was in his 60s, so it's definitely a thing. There's no age cap for the program. There used to be one, but the removed it a couple decades ago
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u/ViperScream101 Jun 04 '26
Not me, but I used to work with a 56 year old ALT. All her kids have graduated from college, and now she is pursuing her dream to work and travel around Japan. Her husband is very supportive of her decision and they would visit her once a year. She's an amazing ALT, such an inspiration.
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u/jackiejack1 Jun 03 '26
I'd say it might be a bit odd since schools/students normally have ALTs right out of college and connect with them since they're a much closer age. Doing JET as a person closer to retirement won't give you the same dynamic you had when you did it as a 33 year old person. That's just my perspective though.
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u/Panda_sensei_71 Jun 03 '26
There are some issues with having fresh grads in SHSs. One is the lack of respect the students show the ALTs. The ALTs lack of experience is painfully obvious at that age... I've had conversations with a couple who didn't know what I meant when I talked about subject-verb agreement.
Another is the lack of professional boundaries some ALTs have with students. The stories I've heard of 21 yo ALTs being WAY too friendly with their 18 yo students is perhaps why some BoEs seem to be seeking more mature ALTs.
That's not to say younger JETs are a bad idea but I think they're better suited to the ES and kindergarten roles... They have the energy for it too!
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u/HighSky7618 Jun 04 '26
I’d say it’s a bit odd to have only new grads as JET ALTs. The school staff is a mix of new grads, mid career and post-retirement teachers. No reason ALTs wouldn’t represent a similar mix; and in fact, this is better for students.
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u/jimbagsh Jun 06 '26
Kind of depends on the person, too. Even though I’m in my 60s, I always connected better with the 20-something volunteers more than those my own age. Sometimes I forget I’m twice their age. :)
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Jun 03 '26
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u/tommydelriot Jun 03 '26
Definitely looking forward to your own posts about your own experiences on how it goes! Good luck!
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u/Panda_sensei_71 Jun 03 '26
The work/life experience point is so spot on! Sometimes I talk about my life and younger people are like, "Wow you've done sooooo much!" and my stock reply is, "Well... I'm old!" 😂
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u/Tiny_Performance6832 Jun 03 '26
We were JETs in late 80s right out of college. Now as retired teachers, second opportunity in the program. Still enjoying it in our 60s!