#jet applications

[readysetgaikokujin]

Hi Sami! Sorry to bother you but I've been following your blog for a while and would appreciate your advice on something JET related. I have a very, very long list of mental health issues but none of them have affected me since my teenage years. I also went through a lot of stuff during this time (like coming out, being sexually assaulted by a family member and a teacher (different people), having my parents divorce, etc). I’ve been openly denied for programs in the past because of my disorders

(2/3) and I’m afraid JET won’t even give me achance even though I’m completely stable and confident in my ability toparticipate. I’ve stayed on the dean’s list majority of my college career, beenoff medication for two years, currently run a college club, have traveledabroad alone, volunteer and work two jobs but I don’t think they will be ableto see that if they also see bipolar disorder, ADHD, depression, “genderidentity disorder”, anxiety, a history of suicide attempts, and other stuff..(3/3) I decided to take the risk and not include any of my mental illness on myself-asessment medicial form. Have you heard of any other JETs doing this? Willthe physician form out me as a “crazy” person? Sorry for how longthis is but I’m super worried this will hold me back from participating insomething I really want to be apart of. Thank you for your time!

First of all, I think it shows true strength to be able to pick yourself up and find yourself again after struggling with internal and external factors preying on your mental health. I know I don’t know you, but let me say that I’m really impressed and inspired that you worked through these issues and have fought to maintain not only emotional stability but academic stability as well!! This is a feat of strength and you deserve to hear that above all else right now.Next, I have to admit that I don’t know much about the mental health portion of the medical forms. My first bout with (un-diagnosed) depression was actually in Japan when I came back from visiting the states last year. As far as putting things on a medical form to be reviewed later, I don’t have any experience. However, I’ll make a conjecture:A physician might list things on your form that you (1) are medicated for, (2) are in therapy currently to deal with, or (3) a third thing that only those trained in matters such as this can answer, since I have a limited perspective on it. I’m very very uncertain about this, though, so anyone else more versed in mental health ( @rinda-rinda​ or @wideislandblues​ ?) please chime in to add to the discussion here if you can!About your worries: if JET doesn’t want you, they’re missing an opportunity because it sounds like you’ve pushed to prove your past doesn’t define you and you have volunteer experience and you sound self-aware enough to deal with the shock of moving to another country and you have travel abroad experience to prove that. I believe you can get into JET, you sound very qualified!

If it helps any, I know of people who came here through JET with medication for bipolar, medication for anxiety, and medication for depression– among other things! They became JETs because of their qualifications to be here, and you should be able to do the same even if something is listed on your physicians form. It might be talked about in the interview– but you know your past does not define you for this job, your qualifications do!Anybody that has any more info or has experience in this area, please reblog if you wouldn’t mind. Anon, I hope I helped some and I’m sorry I couldn’t provide more concrete stuff for you <3

[readysetgaikokujin]

Hi I was thinking about applying to the jet program not for 2016 but for 2017 and really want to look into the program, talk to different people to see if you know it feels right. Have you had a good/challenging experience in japan? During the application process did you prepare a lot or took a chance? I know little to no Japanese other than greetings and introductions but I had alt in 3rd grade come to my school and she changed my life and how I viewed her culture and I want to do the same!

Hey! First up, hope it’s okay to publish this ask– these are really good questions to ask when you’re thinking of applying to JET! It’s also good you recognize that a lot of people are going to have a variety of experiences that are colored not only by their placements but by their personalities and goals.

I feel right doing it, personally. I’ve had a good experience because my teachers are kind and respectful, and they allow me to team-teach effectively (excluding some awkward teachers at visit schools that I don’t have to see but once or twice a month). My background is in Elementary Education so I would’ve been really disappointed in this experience if I wasn’t in the classroom as much as I am.

I figured out quickly, though, that being an assistant teacher isn’t enough of a workload to tide me through the desk days. I started volunteering for things within the prefecture, ALT-led organizations and such. I stay busy and try not to get discouraged, but I know many for whom the constant downtime is a deal-breaker, and that’s a legit thing you should prep yourself for. Most of the time your experience through JET will only be as challenging as you make it.

The application process to me felt like a wild shot in the dark. I interviewed well and got to see their faces and reactions, so that was good. But before that, almost nobody is telling you what is expected of you and if you are denied you get little to no feedback on what to improve upon. Major complaint I have with the application process. If you can get through that stress factor, it will be fine. My advice is to not fall into the trap of worrying together in a gaggle on social media. Find one or two people to vent to during application, and keep yourself busy so you don’t get sick with freaking out.

I think, though, for me it was worth it. Don’t worry about little to no Japanese, I came here knowing only a few phrases and some hiragana/katakana. It was harder to do that in a lot of ways, but also easier because it changed my perspective.

I say, keep asking around, and then take the leap. I love being able to influence my students and teachers a tiny bit every day, and it sounds like that’s your motivation too!

Best of luck :)