Applying to the JET Program -Vlog #4 - picking your location

Thanks for your patience. I hope this new vlog is helpful to all of you in the midst of your application process.

In this vlog I discuss the first few parts of the online application:
Personal data
accompaniment
your school major/minor
do you have a Driver's License
and the main topic - picking a placement location - stating a preference in where you'll be living

I hope to film at least one more vlog this week, so check back later this week.

cheers,
jason

for more on the comic book - Grendel
go to the Dark Horse site:
http://www.darkhorse.com/Search/grendel
or
Matt's site (the artist/writer)
http://www.mattwagnercomics.com/

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• JET
• programme
• program
• ALT
• application
• apply
• Jason
• vlog

[ShowersNeiked]

What Bachelors do you have, or what did you Major in?

[myargonauts]

@ShowersNeiked I have a BA in American History with a minor in Japanese Studies from UCSD

[violinasama]

This might be really tricky, but about the driving thing... I have a driver's licence (Canadian). But for example... Could I .. "lie" about it, and say that I don't have one, to cheat on the place I'll be put ? I mean if you can't drive, are they going to put you in a place that you need to drive for 20 minutes to get to work or just put you there still... ? This is funny question maybe but.. ahaha

[myargonauts]

@violinasama You can check the box that says you can't drive, but it might seem a little strange to your employers when you arrive, realize you do want to be able to drive and then seek help getting a car or Japanese DL. I don't think the info one way or the other hugely influences your placement. Many JETs come over with no intention of driving in Japan and get by just fine biking and taking public transport. I survived with only a scooter my 1st year, but getting a car was a good choice.

[undergroundalcoholsi]

Hey Jason. I'm filling out my JET form and want to be able to get to Tateyama in Chiba easily, as I have a friend there. Do you know what the best locations would be? Somewhere with good transport routes, reasonably close to the town. Or is there even a possibility of being placed in the town itself? I've been looking for lists of JET-participating schools and haven't found any that would suit my request

[myargonauts]

@undergroundalcoholsi hinging your decision to do JET based on a very specific placement request is just a recipe for disappointment. You can certainly pick a city close to where your friend lives, but there is no guarantee, so you should really decide if you want to do JET if you don't get placed there, since the app is a lot of work. Best of luck.

[davidmillarkirk]

Hey Jason. First of all, I would like to thank you for your excellent advice. I am from Ireland and will be applying for the 2012-13 year. I have traveled Japan and my ideal placement would be Nara.

My question is though, if I am selected, regardless of where I am placed, will there be other JET's close to me, or will I be in total isolation? I've noticed quite a few of the Irish JET's for this year have been placed in close proximity. Thanks.

[fepenico]

@myargonauts Fantastic. Gonna apply for the 2012-2013 year, so I'm trying to get a head start =D. Thanks so much.

[myargonauts]

@fepenico I think it's perfectly reasonable - "I once met some exchange students from Tochigi and after they told me about where they live, I wanted to see more for myself" type of reasoning is fine

[fepenico]

Hey, I recently hosted college students from various prefectures but are going to school in Tochigi. Despite it being only 2 weeks, we developed a strong friendship and I hope to see them once again. Would it raise some concerns if I picked their prefectures or Tochigi for this reason? Perhaps it would be better to pick these locations with different reasons? Thanks.