JET Program Vlog #13 - Traveling outside Japan

[Blackwidina]

I only started watching your Vlogs today, and I've got to say, you've pretty much sold me on the idea of JET. It seems like it's got a pretty tight-knit support group of people for any problems or concerns someone might have. Thank you very much for your vlogs!

[myargonauts]

welcome - I'm glad you're finding the vids helpful

[koeme]

can you bring your own fan to the classroom, or are you changing classes so much that it would be a bother?

[myargonauts]

like an electronic fan? No, you couldn't bring that to each class, but you could bring a small, hand-held fan.

[wianti]

I was a JET member in 1991 and worked for AEON in 1996. I loved in Japan and remember my experiences vividly and fondly. I lived in Fukuoka both times. I hope to return again in the near future.  I was there in 2005 and it was nostalgic. I loved the people and culture.

[GiggleB00ts]

I am a robot. I begin every sentence with 'I'. I have no emotion.

[BandaiRae]

Is there a time during the year that you can go home to the US for a few weeks and return to Japan? I have a friend who was an ALT a few years ago but I don't know if he was a JET or not. My point is, he came home to the US in August for almost a month before returning. I don't recall if he went for 1 or 2 years (I'm thinking it was 1 year).

[myargonauts]

the longest break you get is from late July to the end of August - about 5 weeks with no classes. But you have to use your paid time off days (nenkyu) to take vacation during this time. Many JETs do take a long holiday during the summer break.

[OhMySavy]

In an earlier video you said people don't get assigned to Tokyo; do people get assigned to Kyoto or Osaka?

[myargonauts]

People get placed in towns very close to Osaka and Kyoto - some JETs even get placed within an hour or two from Tokyo - but nobody get placed IN those big cities.

[OhMySavy]

D: Whyyyy?

I mean, You would think there would be more positions for JETs in big cities like that.

[myargonauts]

cuz big cities have plenty of foreigners already - they don't need us. But who would live in the inaka unless you were placed there - not many, and that's where the kids need some exposure to us aliens.

[OhMySavy]

Ah, I get it. Well, I don't really mind where I'm placed. Hokkaido would be interesting.

[SlowStabs]

This dosent go with this video, but I just thought of it. me and my sister both wanna do JET. Can we apply together. And then hopfuly be assigned MAYBE same school or atleast same living area?

[myargonauts]

good luck!

You could both request the same prefecture/city on your application. I've never known siblings that were JETs at the same time - only one who was a JET after their older sibling was a JET and went home.

[Vonoska]

god damn it. i sweat so much there too.

[AnonaNicole]

Oh my goodness,the JET program is soo put together. I'm going home for Christmas in a little over a week and I didn't know u could just get a re-entry permit like that.

Being a private hired ALT, you kinda have to go it alone at times. Thanks.

[42317]

Ha! Nobody even told me about that re-entry permission and that I could get it without need. I thought I had to get a new permit whenever I had to leave and come back... good to know, thanks.

[saltyfrog75]

I run a travel website and I always recommend for people to scan their passports and then keep that digital copy in their on-line e-mail account, in addition to leaving behind photocopies. I figure it is good to cover all your bases. :)

[jenifaui]

Thank you for your vlogs! I've been trying to find info about traveling outside of Japan on my own, and I was getting really frustrated. You've just answered about 20 of my questions.

[Dominilucy]

Hello Jason!

Thank you very much for the Vlog, it was very helpful. I recently attended a AJETNY thing and it was very awesome, but I have to tell you your blogs have been soooo helpful. I also met someone who was a Jet in shimane and it reminded me of you.. Haha Hopefully when I get down to Japan I will get to meet you. However, you have really helped make this process easier. Until your next Vlog.. Ja!

[myargonauts]

thanks! I really appreciate all your comments and support. :D

[ToniShinobi]

Hey Jason, thanks so much for the vlogs! They are very helpful. I've also been wondering about how teaching goes there. I've heard stories about JET's only being there to say words for the students in it's natural pronunciation, but did you ever have to make up your own lesson plans? I don't know if I would be able to do that. How did you feel when you first stepped in the class to teach?

Looking forward to more vlogs! I'll be in Japan (either JET or another eikaiwa program) in 2009.

Tony

[myargonauts]

Hey Tony - I'll be blogging more about teaching once the new JETs arrive in August. but yeah, I get to plan my own lessons sometimes. My first few months of teaching were somewhat anxious, but I'd taught before, so not so bad.

[wesker325]

Hey Jason. I am a current university student in Canada, I haven't graduated yet but I am seriously thinking of applying to the JET programme once I do. If it's okay can you make a vlog when you are actually teaching a class so we can see how teaching there goes. Also, I do have a question on what do the Japanese think of like Chinese because I'm Chinese and I am kind of hearing some stories that Japanese don't like Chinese that much and there's a prejudice. Well I hope you reply and thanks :D.

[myargonauts]

The experience of Asian-American JETs is very different from mine in many ways. I can't really comment on racism - I haven't felt any since I've been here, other than very subtle things. We do have Chinese CIRs from China here in Shimane and they seem to enjoy their time here. The few JETs of Asian descent I've been friends with have also enjoyed their time and have always been treated more as "Americans" or "Australians" than as their ethnicity.

[WhiteMatrix2006]

This was a very informative video Jason. Nicely done. I've heard of JETs waiting to get the re-entry permit and having a hard time finding the place and getting the forms done and so forth. It's good that you guys take the new JETs to the place to get it done right then and there cause it is a good idea to get it done quickly.

-Billy-

[Plant42productions]

Jason, I was wondering if you know anything about the situation for married JETs? My boyfriend and I will be getting married soon, and the little information that was on the JET website wasn't very helpful. Thanks for another awesome Vlog!!!

[WhiteMatrix2006]

I've been wondering the same thing because my girlfriend and I will be getting married right after I graduate from college. I know they don't pay for your spouse to go over there which is why it's recommended that you go there for 1 to 2 months by yourself and get situated in and then send for your spouse. Other than that, I don't know anything.

[mafurock33]

This is some very useful information! Thanks!

[lleverfreell]

Hi Jason, thanks so much for doing these vlogs! I watched all of them and found them very useful. One question though - could you possibly do a vlog on the JET application process (e.g. filling out the application, the interview, etc.), for prospective JETs like myself? I know it's been a couple of years since you applied, but if you have any pointers/advice, I'd greatly appreciate it! =D

[myargonauts]

Yeah - I plan on doing a series for prospective JETs in the fall, after the new JETs have arrived in Japan.

[nyannyan123456]

I just got my international lisence today.

jason i was wondering if you driven a manual drive karuma over there. I think it going to be really strange to shift with my left hand. Plus driving on the left side of car and road.

gomen na sai for being off topic

[myargonauts]

no worries. I haven't driven a stick over here; my car is an automatic. That would be a weird adjustment.

[frostkaiser]

Another awesome and informative vlog. Thanks!

[myargonauts]

you're welcome! :)