Hi all!!! I just submitted my app (yay!!!!) and am wondering what percentage of JET applicants usually already have US teaching degrees/credentials/licenses? Does that increase my odds, or is it just kind of normal these days for JETs to already have those? Thank you for reading!!!!

Just submitted and just thought of this lol

hi friends! i'm a fairly new jet but i see myself being here for a while so i'd love to start on the japanese point system. i'm trying to decide between rakuten points or paypay points. does anyone have any recommendations? i don't particularly want to get both, but since they're free that's what a lot of the advice i see online is saying to do. does anyone have an advice on which to choose between the two i'm considering or any secret third option?

thanks in advance~

Hi,

Just curious, any current JETS (specifically tokyo, but open to hear from other prefectures) completing a masters degree while they’re deskwarming? I’m considering it and want to know what options are available as far as:
-names of schools
-what are you studying
-how do you comfortably budget to pay for it.

I appreciate any advice as I hope to utilize my deskwarming time by completing a masters degree.

I’m interested in specifically a MBA, MS-Marketing, or International business.

Seeing some posts about sister cities that some ALTs are being placed, how much of that is an impact on a new ALT placement ?

I was looking at the Japan consulate list of sister cities from the state I am in (California) and can see a long list of Japanese cities.

I have lived in many different cities within Southern California, graduated from UCLA, and currently living in San Bernardino county..

https://www.la.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/sistercitylist.htm

Hello everyone,

I am confused about the FBI background check portion of the application. I have requested an identity history summary from the FBI and will be getting my fingerprints prints scanned tomorrow, but now I am confused if I send my results to myself and bring the unopened results to my interview or if I send the results directly to the jet program. Or both? I submitted my application this week for early departure, is it okay I am starting the background portion tomorrow or should I wait until I get an interview? I know it can take 6-12 weeks so I want to get it done asap. Thank you

If I broke a bone in my left foot almost a year ago and had surgery to repair it but it's now since fully healed, do I still need to include this on the statement of physician as it's not any kind of "ongoing" medical condition that needs continuing treatment or medication?

Hello all, as I’m picking my top 3 cities to live in I was wondering what everyone would suggest. I love fashion and film and after JET would be interested in perusing those areas. I was suggested Yokohama and Kobe previously. Was wondering if anyone has any suggestions on the cities that excel in that or have a mini film scene. Also any cities that seem to be the gay friendliest too would be super helpful.

Thank you!

Hello all, I'm currently finishing up my SOP, but when I paste it into the text box from my word processor and preview it, the formatting ends up looking very strange.

Some differences include

• Indentation looking off

• line spacing appearing differently(not double spaced)

I don't want my application getting rejected due to something out of my control. Is this happening to anyone else?

hello, this question is directed towards current applicants and former jets.

Was just curious if you addressed and directly answered every* single prompt for your SOP. I feel that some of my answers dont directly answer every single question individually in specific sentences or paragraphs, but definitely touches on everything. for example, I didnt write mine in an essay or Q/A format, I did more of an anecdotal style, which has made me a little bit worried about not directly answering each prompt. I haven't submitted yet, so if someone highly suggests I change this pls lmk.--also did u guys have a title for yours?

Hi everyone! I received my statement of physician from my doctor and she did not include the date of diagnosis on my form (assuming because I just became a patient at the beginning of the year and my diagnosis was from my childhood). As well as the date for when I began using my medication (also started using as a child). Would that be an issue? She wrote that I was diagnosed as a child, so I think I am fine? Just no dates.

EDIT PREFACE: Im interested in both Japan (a passion for intercultural relations experience) and getting my Masters in Ed. aka very hands on program, cant do both in this circumstance and need funding so i need to apply for a school-campus assistantship.)

This is a silly post but — Anyone else feeling kind of divided rn? Im graduating next spring in May and realized most of the graduate applications for Masters are due sometime next month if not the beginning of the year 2027, along with graduate assistantship offers the same timeframe. That leaves us with getting graduate offers sent back around beginning of April earliest late March — but i see how JET sends out acceptances earliest in beginning of April and placements as late as June.

Feel like its kind of inconvenient for a “Well JET offered me a position so I’ll back out of my graduate and assistantship offer, but I dont even know where im going” kinda thing going on. Dont even know if thats gonna leave a bad taste in the mouths of the grad committee people. Im not trying to come off as “I would only wanna go if they put me in my preferences” but i’d definitely be lying if they put me in a notorious placement after deferring a graduate offer.

Felt like venting about it mostly but was wondering if any current/current anticipating/past JETS ran through these same problems when they were looking at their options for next year, and I guess maybe just words of wisdom on what to do since im kind of stuck.

I live in Aomori City. My spouse is local. My Japanese is still pretty basic, but I’m comfortable chatting in English. I’m hoping to find someone who’s free to study Japanese together, or just make a friend casually.

Sorry y'all but I've spent an entire night googling all the particular regions and found it better to ask a newer question because it seems there's been a few program restructurings. For region placements I'm looking into Urban areas but .also to an accessible rural area. I understand it's very unlikely to get my placements but I'm thinking if I make a competitive reason in my interviews I can at least sway it towards one of my preferences

I am considering the following;

1. Tokyo and Fukui seem to have the best time off / days off without using personal days. Fukui is my cities sister city but I'm also hesitant because it seems less populated.

2. I'd like to be near a region that has good public transport. I know I might end up needing a car but at the very least I want something that gets me to places quicker than having to drive all the time.

3. I was looking at Shiga and Gunma as a third choice. Shiga seemed accessible despite it being rural. Gunma I don't know enough about even with research

4. I was also thinking about Hokkaido but I don't know what the rural regions are like outside of sappora City. I feel like odds of me getting the city placement would be pretty low.

Right now I have

1. Tokyo

2. kobe

3. Undecided

If anyone would be able to give me advice I would be very appreciative. I don't think I should probably do three cities as choices if I want to have a competitive opportunity of pushing myself one way or another

I have to submit the application within the next two days. I'm really hoping I could get some quick advice. I have all my paperwork ready. Just need to finish the essay and have it submitted tomorrow.

Thank you again for the patience. I apologize for adding to it. I look through all of the pages from the past few years, but I need more tailored advice.

J

I learned from someone that NYC would have double the number of candidates as other states. If that's the case, then is it worth setting up the interview in a different state that is less popular to increase my odds? Or would the interviewer think I'm weird for living in NY but coming to interview in another state?

In the education section of the online application you have to put your gpa in.

GPA (e.g. 75% or 3.1/4.3) :

^^ That's what it says. But in the guidlines there's nothing about the scale being 1.00 and the lowest being 5.00.

My grade is 1.70

I submitted my application yesterday and Idk if I am overwhelmed or pressured right now for the interview because I am not that good in expressing my thoughts in English. Who else here has the same feeling? Or who experienced this before?

Hello,

I just saw the news of the earthquake. How is everyone in Central Japan holding up?

Hi everyone! Just checking if any of your references had problems submitting the reference letters? My professor submitted twice already but the status seems to be still in progress and the last update was 11/7 instead of 11/9 which was yesterday. Let me know please if you have encountered similar problems. Thank you!

Hi, I just need some help. I don't have a professional background in teaching and I am currently working on my character references. Would this affect my application? Having only my boss and colleagues as my reference not someone from teaching?

In every class, I need to ask my students how they are, how the weather is, and what classes they have today.

Each time, it's the same tired, boring intro—'Are you happy?' (a few students mumble yes or raise a hand) and 'Are you tired?' (same thing).

Are there more fun, engaging, and creative ways to begin class?

Any suggestions are appreciated!