A question about the JET programme... (alums are more than welcome, best answer will be chosen!)?

Question

I'm thinking about going into the JET programme once I graduate college (in two years or so) and I had some questions. My major is Japanese, and there is about a .000000001% chance of me changing it. LOL So I'm pretty confident that I'll be accepted. (I actually spoke briefly to a representative who visited our campus a few months ago and he was really excited that I was studying Japanese.) So I wanted to figure some things out before I apply...
1. For all those that applied, whether or not you were accepted, what was the application process like? I'm especially interested in the interview portion: what sorts of questions were you asked? Were you surprised with any of the questions they posed to you? 
2. What sorts of preparations did you make after you found out you were accepted? How did you decide what to pack/not to pack? Was there anything you packed that you later realized you didn't need or that you didn't pack and realized you needed after you arrived? 
3. How about health care? What kind of health care did you get while you were at your site? 
4. How did you stay in contact with your family and friends back home? Did you have computer access so you could Skype with them or e-mail them, or did you write letters instead? 
That's about all the questions I can think of for now. Also, do you know of any blogs or anything that any JET alums wrote about their experiences in the program? Something like that would be a big help for me. Sorry about all the questions, but I'm a very anxious person by nature and this has been bugging me for a while. I will choose a best answer, so please help me!

Aya · Accepted Answer

Actually, being a Japanese major is in NO WAY a guarantee that you will get in.

You also need to understand that every situation is different. This is pretty much the mantra of JET participants. Just because one person had one type of experience doesn't mean you will have the same experience.

1) It's a long process, with lots of little details that you have to pay attention to. You are expected to provide three sets of all of the paper application materials. The interview varies drastically from person to person, even between people who interview with the same committee out of the same consulate/embassy. There are long lists of possible interview questions on sites like I Think I'm Lost. Questions can be about anything from things on your paper application (which you should know inside and out) to trivia about Japan. Expect to be asked to give a short teaching demonstration if you are applying for an ALT position. Expect the interview to be in Japanese if you are applying for a CIR position.

2) You will be guided through most of the official things, like getting your visa. The best way to figure out what kinds of clothes or other things to bring is to talk to your predecessor (he or she will be required to contact you before you leave for Japan) and researching your placement to the best of your ability. Keep in mind that Americans are only able to bring two suitcases of things, so you'll either have a very limited wardrobe or you will have to make arrangements to mail things.

3) You will have government health insurance. It's a good plan and covers most of your expenses when you have to visit a doctor. If there is something in particular you are concerned about, you should talk to someone in an official position with JET to make sure it would be covered.

4) The same way as any modern people keep in touch -- telephone, email, texting. How you keep in touch is up to your an your family or friends.

If you take some time to Google things you will find plenty of blogs and message boards, including the official JET message boards.

ETA: Um...try "JET program blog." Leave the alumni out of it and/or always include the full phrase "JET Program" (or programme, sometimes you get different results with the British spelling).

Anonymous · Answer

Japanese is not required for the JET programme-English is. 

If you are majoring in Japanese, why not get a real job in Japan?

1. Very simple. Any answer will do. "I love anime!" usually qualifies you for JET.
2. Study Japanese. Bring a few days of clothes. iPod. Shoulda brought my HDTV. Much cheaper to bring one from the USA, than buying in Japan.
3. Good medical. If your Japanese is bad,talk to the many Filipino nurses.
4. Computers are illegal in Japan. lol E-mail, Skype, IM, telephone, etc.Just like anywhere else in the world. I've stopped sending physical mail in the 1990's... are you young enough for JET?

As many young people with no options in life have joined JET for short term, there are countless sites.

Erika · Answer

Guessing the weddding it is at day, no longer at night time: one million. If the marriage ceremony is at midday, you will have to by no means use whatever black. Besides, I feel black is for funerals... there're such a lot of colours to put on in a marriage ceremony!!! two. In a marriage ceremony, you will have to by no means use white get dressed, the one one that are meant to use white is the bride... I might choose get dressed quantity one million. It's no longer wholly white, it has a satisfactory reduce and also you might seem beautiful! Choose a satisfactory pair of sneakers, make up and you are gonna be correct and right!! Look on the "regulations to decorate for a marriage ceremony" Ps1. To choose a get dressed you will have to determine your weight, peak and the colour of your epidermis too... Ps2. Why to not use the opposite attire? two. It appears like a USA flag... it is a marriage ceremony, no longer July 4th. three. It's satisfactory! however the bride is gonna move on white... four. I might use black at night time five. To put on simply if the weeding is at night time 6. To put on simply if the weeding is at ninght

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A question about the JET programme... (alums are more than welcome, best answer will be chosen!)?

3 Answers