Re: Applying to the JET Program - Vlog #1 - Get the Application!

[fallenangelforever]

When should you start applying? I want to do the program after I graduate in 2012 (spring). When can i get the application?

[musicsugarlove]

@fallenangelforever

You can get the application online at the Jet website anytime - using an old one to prepare in advance for when the next application comes out is a great way to start and what I did. Application open dates vary depending on which country you're from - again check the Jet website :)

[Japanthief]

1) what happens if you get to Japan and then suddenly something happens back home that you have to attend to, like a funeral, in the first month? are they sensitive to those situations?

2) have you heard of anything like the above situation happening?

3) how many vacation days do you get (not including Japanese national holidays)?

4) do you decide when you take vacation days?

2)what's been the most disappointing part of JET for you so far?

[musicsugarlove]

@Japanthief Hey!

1) They are sensitive to those situations and I'm sure they wouldn't have a problem with you going home if the need arose.

2) A guy in my prefecture had to go home for this reason and I don't think he had trouble with getting the time at all.

3) You're given 20 days paid leave

4) You do decide when to take this leave but it is recommended to try for school holidays when you're not teaching (if ALT) or during a busy time (if CIR).

5) The most disappointing part .. nothing!

[minitykemike]

I see you had trouble with my name. My name is really simple. Mini Tyke Mike (3 words)--a childhood nickname when I was smallest person on my street growing up. Not "Minity" as you thought. Although I like how you tried to pronounce it.

Thanks for posting answers to my questions.

Do you cook Japanese food for yourself at home?

Can you buy western food at your local supermarket?

[minitykemike]

more questions!!!

1) do you cook for yourself or eat out most of the time?

2) do you find that you have to budget or is your salary good enough not to really worry about it?

[musicsugarlove]

Hi! Thanks for your questions!

I'm uploading a video with answers as I went way over the word limit! Hope it helps.

[minitykemike]

great video. I've got a million questions for you. I'm applying for JET

1. How often do you interact with other foreigners in Japan?

2. Do you get lonely in Japan?

3. How many hours are you working per week?

4. how many hours do you have to be in the school?

5. Will you have money saved at the end of the year?

6. What do you do in your free time?

[jetfromcanada]

I'm an older applicant to the program. Just curious if you noticed many people who got hired who aren't recent university grads.

[musicsugarlove]

Yes I have - I'd definitely recommend watching some of Jason's vlogs, if you haven't already. He was 35 when he started on the Jet Programme.

[henchois]

so are you still living in japan ???

[musicsugarlove]

Hi, yes I am. Haven't posted a video in ages though. I'm going into my 6th month on the Jet programme. I'll post again soon hopefully.

[monkeystu52]

oh dear - i'm worried about the medical record now. mine will be very long- although i am completely healthy now, i did have twitches and fatigue last year.... don't suppose you know if this will make a difference. hope you're having a blast in Japan

[musicsugarlove]

Don't worry yourself! I just got my record printed out for me! I didn't send them 20 pages of medical jargon! I just got it so I could be completely clear on the medication that I've taken in the past. As long as you're completely healthy now I don't think it will matter. Good luck!

[lehappyheart]

Hey there! Where did u go for the interview? Xchurch? Auck? Welly?

Wat was it like in the interview process? :D and what did they ask u? Sorry so many Qs just so excited about it!

[musicsugarlove]

Hello! I was in Ch for the interview. The interview was a lot different. You're put in front of a panel of 4 people all having something to do with the programme and they take turns asking you questions like 'how will you teach the kids about your culture' 'who is the prime minister of Japan at the moment' etc etc just so they can see you're keen, human and have good general knowledge of Japan. Biggest tip is to relax and be yourself. Good luck!!

[achtung26]

You must've got your post by now where you at? PS are you Kiwi?

[musicsugarlove]

Yes I'm kiwi, I'll be in Fukushima Ken.

[jennyoynnej]

i didn't provide a medical record... do you only have to do that for certain reasons/situations or...?

[musicsugarlove]

I'm not sure but I think depending on the country the application process is different. I had to fill out a self assessment medical form but I also got my medical record so I could write down what sort of medication I've taken in the past. I didn't send the actual medical record to them. Just the medical form I filled out. You should be fine. :) Good luck!

[poshko41]

Everyone has to fill out the self assessment medical form, but in the states, you're only required to provide the medical history for certain kinds of conditions. It might be different elsewhere.

[curtaineater]

i'll be honest. i haven't read through the comments on here, so maybe this was already addressed. dont you need to have the recommendations in sealed, signed envelopes?

[musicsugarlove]

Hey, yeah I've read that somewhere as well. I didn't. I've already sent my forms away and about 4 days later got an e-mail from the Embassy here in NZ to let me know that everything they needed was there and in order. So I guess it's not such a big deal here, they could be more strict about it in other countries. Good luck for your application! We could see each other in Tokyo next year :D

[bluebinbag]

Hi! Best of luck! I'm applying as well this year over in Dublin. Prepare for lots of waiting!

[musicsugarlove]

I'm prepared! Good luck to you! Maybe we'll see each other at the Tokyo Orientation :D

[NullnV01d]

Hey there hope you get in!!

I'll probably be applying in 2011 to try and get there for 2012, sounds ages away when you say it like that! In the meantime looking into the working holiday visa for next year to try and get there for 3 months during the summer.

When will you find out how your application faired?

[musicsugarlove]

Hi, thanks for the comment! It's good that you're thinking about it now though, it's a long process but it is easier if you're prepared for it. I sent my application away last week, I'll hopefully find out in January if I got an interview in February. If I get through that I'll find out in May then depart for Japan in August. The working holiday is really cool, I did a 2 month thing at a Japanese skifield and had an amazing time :D

[basch2020]

Wow, you're off the mark fast! Did you make any prefecture preferances? Best of luck to you.

[musicsugarlove]

Yes I did, I picked a couple of places around the Kanto region (Tokyo) and one in Kansai (Osaka) but honestly as long as I'm in Japan I don't really mind where I get placed. Thanks for the comment :)

[myargonauts]

Fantastic! Thanks for taking the time to make this response. Looks like you're on top of the situation. Way to go!

You mentioned that you saw my pic in a JET slideshow. LOL

I used to submit pics to CLAIR for various JET publications and calendars, so maybe they used one of those. Or it could be from a conference where I've given presentations to recontracting JETs. Hope it was a good pic! :D

[musicsugarlove]

It was a good pic, of you and some kids if I remember correctly. It was great to be able to say "I know that guy" - well through youtube anyway!

Thanks again for doing this series!!

[Rictof]

Good luck! I need to wait for my honorable discharge before I can start persuing my degree. It looks overwhelming, but don't give up. Take care, I hope you make it!

[musicsugarlove]

Thanks for your comment! What degree are you planning on doing? How long do you have to wait for your honorable discharge?

[Rictof]

Well since they revamped the G.I.Bill, they are more proactive towards early separation. I'll be in the Navy until May 2010 at the latest, but I may try to push for November 2009. I'm going to try to persue a degree in English. If I can pick Japanese up as a minor, I'll do that too. I started studying the language when I was on deployment last year in Takamatsu. I'll tell you about that experience another time though :) Good luck! That application looks like a phone book from here!

[musicsugarlove]

Good luck with everything! Yeah the application is pretty intense - although from what Jason has said the American application has slightly different criteria to the NZ one. I'm hoping to send mine in by the end of the month. Take care.