JET Programme

[bureto]

I did a few searches and didn't see a thread on this subject. There was one topic on teaching in Japan, but nothing specifically about the JET Programme.

I am interested in teaching in Japan after I graduate college. I was wondering if anyone on this site has taught in the JET Programme and would like to share their experience - application process, school system, etc.

Thanks!

[J C]

Hi,
I was in Japan for a couple of years on the JET programme. Different people react differently to time in Japan. It also depends a LOT on where you get placed, who you're working with and whether you get along with the other JETs in your area.
My experience was overwhelmingly positive - I met a great bunch of people (Japanese and JETs), learnt a ton about Japan and the Japanese language. Plus I got to travel around SE Asia in the school holidays and still managed to save a bit of money for travel further afield afterwards.
If you can handle change, are independant, are OK with being away from your friends and family, are willing to bite your lip (be diplomatic) about certain things and make a genuine effort to learn Japanese, then you're pretty well certain to have a good time.
A guy is doing a blog about his JET programme experience (he's actually in the same post I was a few years ago) - lots of bollocks, but some interesting bits too. Check it out here:
http://dan.jaquette.net/blog/archives/2005_07.html
Cheers,
Jonathan

[thomas]

A few more links

=> A thread from the Japan Forum

=> Big Daikon (http://www.jref.com/cgi-bin/jump.cgi?ID=3839)

=> Arudou Debito's essay on JET (http://www.debito.org/JETjohodaikiyo999.html)

=> More links from the Japan Directory (http://www.jref.com/dir/Education/JET_Program/)

[bureto]

Thanks for the replies. I spent a year in Japan already and loved it, which is why I'm eager to go back. I was just wondering how the JET Programme experience was. What it's like working there, how the application process goes, etc.

I met some people teaching English in Okayama (US and Australian) and they all loved it.