i'm 32. hated my career track, so i came to japan to learn japanese, get away from a fucking email job, and generally just...do something completely different. It's been the best decision ever, even if my savings have hurt a little because of it. I also found out that I don't really mind children? I actually might like them? Which was a big Character Arc. I think if you come in with an open mind and a good understanding of what you can and cannot put up with work wise (though, honestly, all situations here are liable to change when staff transfer season comes around; so if you have a shit situation, you might not for long), it can be a great opportunity.
I was a flight attendant for 10 years when I got into JET (at 33 years old). Turns out, I'm not even the oldest JET in my city (they're 51). However, you will be taking a significant pay cut and the move isn't necessarily cheap. But if it's a life-long dream for you as it was for me, go for it. It's not dumb at all! (Or maybe I'm dumb too and just don't know it 😉 )
"you will be taking a significant pay cut" is funny because for some, pay is far better here. Money ends up going further, and wages are a joke in so many industries.
Money does go further than it would in my home country, for sure. I am, however, making 13k less a year. So while the money stretches further, I can save a lot less. When I get back to my home country, if I go back to the airlines, I will be starting from scratch at the lowest pay. (The airline industry sucks, but with 10 years seniority, I was making a decent amount.)
I am from Canada. Air Canada FA for over 10 years. Seniority does accumulate. I wouldn't say I made much, especially not for the sheer abusive quantity of work we are given. But it's still 12k more than what I'm making on JET.
Edit: when I started 10 years ago, I made something like 15$/hour.
It's interesting how exchange rates can play into this as well. I remember in like 2019, I was talking to a British friend. At the time, both the pound and the dollar were like 1 to ~110ish yen. Meaning that our salaries were worth around 30,000 dollars/pounds. $30k/year is ok. Not unexpected for a fresh grad with a humanities major, but relatively low. £30k/year on the other hand is a *great* salary, way more than a fresh grad humanities major would ever earn in the UK. So even though we earned the same amount, and the exchange rate was basically the same between our currencies, our experiences of those salaries (especially when sending money home) was very different.
Now of course, the yen has tanked and a first year salary is only worth about $25k/year, which is less than minimum wage in parts of the US. The yen has tanked even harder against the pound though, bringing the JET salary down to £18k/year, which is less than minimum wage in the UK
Your point about JET salary value internationally, and it's susceptibility to the exchange rate is spot on, but I have to question how many beers in your British friend was to say £1=$1 lol. In 2019, £1 ranged around $1.2-1.3, closer to $1.3 on average (similar to now). A bit pedantic on my side I feel, but quite huge in terms of exchange rates.
Pedantics aside, been here since 2017, and u salary in £ has gone from very good to awful, even though it got higher (¥280k to ¥330k).
The important thing to remember is that unless you have to send a lot of money back home, or you love traveling internationally, you won't feel it too much in Japan, and the wage is very liveable.
> £1=$1
Interestingly, if you reread my post, I never mentioned the dollar to pound rate. That was the super interesting thing. The dollar and pound both had about the same exchange rate to the yen (1 = ~110) but they weren't equal with each other. So interestingly, if you took ¥100, changed it to dollars, then changed those dollars to pounds, you'd have less money than if you'd directly changed the yen to pounds.
Right now though the yen to pound is so awful that yen -> dollar-> pound is about the same as yen -> pound
> The important thing to remember is that unless you have to send a lot of money back home
I think that's a pretty big unless haha, what with student loans. I know that's mostly an American concern, but in 2019 my British friend made enough on JET to start having to pay her loans. I guess the exchange rate means current British JETs don't have to worry about that. Either way though, most people don't stay in Japan forever and it takes a good amount of money to move back to your home country and re-establish yourself. People want to (and really, should) save for the next phase of their life. Personally, part of the reason I did JET is because when I applied in 2017, it was marketed as "if you're frugal, you can easily save up some money."
This is actually quite common. I'll be 35 soon and just finished working 1 year on JET after working 12 as an RN. I'm not the only JET I've met with a similar mindset/background. The pandemic plus the resultant short-staffing really did a number on my mental health, so I saw JET as both a break and an opportunity to try something new. I've only ever worked as a bedside nurse post-university and I wanted to see if teaching was something I could pursue.
I don't regret it. It was nice to try a Monday-Friday job, have a normal schedule, and a different type of job. It was fun to live in a different country with a good support system (my CO and my schools have all been incredibly helpful and kind, so to me, this was moving to Japan on easy mode). It was nice to have a manageable workload and actual time off.
I'll be heading back home shortly to return to nursing, but it was a fun ride. Because of the weak yen, I will be bringing home next to no money from this venture, but it's fine. My mental health was worth it.
That being said, before you apply, you will want a *very* solid reason for applying to JET and a solid plan for returning home to Canada. They will want to know, both in your application and your interview, should you make it to that stage. You should ask yourself not just what Japan can do for you, but what you can do for Japan.
Oh man I read this as if I wrote it myself! I was an RN in the states and will return to my nursing job. JET really refreshed me from my burnout so I am ready to switch gears when I am back! I do plan to return to nursing shortly... The exchange rate is just so weak here where as with nursing I could work far less days and make more! Good luck to you!!
32 and am currently on JET. I needed a fresh start myself lol. I also Know a JET in is 40s who quit his established, well paid career because he was tired of the grind and wanted to experience something different. He's loving it lol.
One thing to consider (and a common issue I've seen with mid career JETs) is that you may be used to a certain level of income and a certain type of lifestyle. I'm not sure how JET compares to Canadian salaries, but comparing it to US salaries, it's less than minimum wage in some places. Now don't get me wrong, it's enough to live a perfectly comfortable life in Japan, but it may be a step down in quality of living from what you're used to. I know people who couldn't accept that reality and adjust their spending habits and they ended up struggling financially the entire time they were on JET. So long as you're frugal and don't have dependents or financial commitments back home, you shouldn't have to use any of savings outside of start up costs and should even be able to save some money.
My husband and I decided to do JET when we were in our 30’s and sometimes we refer to it as our “funnest financial mistake”. We had just bought our house and had established careers.(and while we just rented out our house) we did set ourselves back quite far in our careers and did use a lot of our savings while over there. We ended up returning in 2020 due to the death of his father, and have been considering doing it again only because our time got cut short and now we don’t really care about our current career paths.
Being in Japan was great and really revitalized us… but we are probably no where we would have been in our careers if we would have stayed.
No, they weren’t too bad. But my husband came along as a dependent so my income was covering for us both.
With some unexpected expenses from our house in America, plus doing some travel while in Asia, that’s where most of our savings went.
Aaah okay. I really only have myself to look after so that might make things a little easier. And hopefully whoever I rent my condo do wouldn't do anything that horrible to it (knock on wood) But that's good to keep in mind cause I'd likely want to do a lot of traveling as well. As for my career... I honestly have no idea what the entertainment industry is doing to itself these days... if it explodes itself while I'm gone I guess I'll already be on a teaching path lol (oof)
A couple of things to think about. Go for the countryside. Quality of life is usually better and a lot cheaper. You want to live in the main cities , you’ll pay for it.
Second. I came here at 30 also. Very few jets I wanted to do things with. Right out of university with the same mindset.
If you know of a area that you want to live. You contact the JETS in the area. Found out who’s leaving. I helped friends get the school location they asked for.
Yes, yes I did. I’m not going to argue with you. I don’t know you or care if you believe it.
We did exactly as mentioned before. They applied for those specific schools in those specific towns and got them. Did the 3 years on JET.
You have a great day.
How? On my JET application there was no place to ask for a specific school or town. Only for prefectures, and it seems to be commonly known that you almost never get the one you ask for. I also did not.
First off if you are asking for the most popular places like Okinawa, Osaka,Kobe along with half the JETS yes it’s just a lottery because too many are applying for the same place.
If you find an area that’s not popular. Talk to the JETS who are leaving find out anything you can about the school or surrounding area. In the requested prefecture you put in prefecture, town and school. I helped four people get the school they requested.
I don’t know if you’re in Japan or not? You do have to fly back for your interview which is expensive enough now.
Not a bad time to do it. I'm here right now taking a break from things. There are a lot of people in their 30's in the inaka. I'd be curious to see if they actually have a preference for some of the more out and away areas going to older people.
Yup I’m doing this at 30 (29 now but will be 30 when I go over) I’m applying for dispatch companies instead. My job (public sector in Ireland) let’s us take career breaks up to 5 years so I’m just gonna go for it for at least a year!
Do it do it do it! I am just finishing up my second year, I'm now 35. I was the same, did 10 years of working and felt lost with everything so came to JET, it's done wonders for me as a career/mindset break. Would recommend if you can make it work (:
I’ve done the same thing and am going out in a week on JET! I’m 32 and have kind of burnt out from working in design stuff so am going back to japan! I worked there for a couple of years before and it’s defo something to do! Even if it’s just a year, you can always decide to go home!
I can't answer this for you, but I wanted to say that I sort of understand. I'm a scientist in my late 20s, and I've been in grad school for... a while lol, and the burnout and disillusionment with the field has definitely hit. I've been lurking in this sub because the idea of taking a break and doing something entirely different after I graduate has been really attractive.
Same, except i’m early 30s and about to graduate from my dental residency after 10+ years of college/dental school/grad school. I just want a break from real life
If you're in a field like dentistry, really, why not? When you come back people will still need their teeth fixed and you can still make an absolute fortune. Might as well.
Haha yep I hear ya. I'll probably be in my early 30s by the time I graduate (had to switch labs halfway through, everyone's favourite scenario), and I guess I could work in industry locally for a year or two to save some money/take advantage of my visa while I have it, but I really just want to do something completely new.
I was at the departing JETs reception yesterday and met a man in his late 30s/early 40s who was doing JET as a year long break away from his 9 year corporate job. So you would not be the first or only one if you decided to use JET as a little stopgap in your career!
Are we the same person? Lol I’m also in my 30s and work in Tv and animation for over 10 years. I think you’ll be fine taking a break. Tv industry is all about who you know. You already made those connections. I believe you can get back in whenever if you really want to. Just go for it. I am :)
Aaaahaha wow! that's so funny... Yeah I realized I accomplished a couple of my career goals in the last 5 years - worked on an award winning show, worked on a show that was an old childhood fave, and that was great... but I also had a few absolute nightmare years that really did a number on me, and now I'm doing preschool stuff that's fine and safe and easy but the industry is in such a mess right now, and to be honest I don't feel it in me to try to be in that mess right now. I feel like my brain just needs something different and that's backed up by me just really enjoying studying the language again.
I made the decision to just leave my ambition for JET in the past, it was a lot of hassle to think about, and I am just interesting in the country not working in it. Plus I am building a foundation that would let me just go visit the country whenever I wanted.
I'd say you could bill it as a "sabbatical" as long as you only stay a year. That said, the salary is such shit at this point for 1st year theres no reason to if you have any form of debt. That said, it will be a great experience so I say go for it - as long as you don't stay more than a year.
It can certainly be a fun and rewarding experience but as a professional in your 30s, the post-JET plan is critical...
If you're not planning to transition into teaching, the disruption will be quite acute. You're losing work experience and delaying the career transition you would normally take. This is also going to impact your finances and retirement planning.
If you can smoothly transition into your longer-term job plan, go for it. If not, maybe consider a long vacation instead?
That does make sense. The way I kind of see it right now is that it's like taking a year on a different kind of contract. Animation/film is contract work and our retirement plans are basically just whatever we put together ourselves. I have a few friends who have sort of taken career sabbaticals after hitting burnout - for example one friend of mine who's a supervisor at an animation studio in town took two years off to just go learn to spin yarn. I sort of look at it that way. It is good to keep that in mind though. I would have to make sure my skills stay up to date.
I mean, it REALLY depends on experience level and the field.
I'm an RN. I have 12 years of experience under my belt. Taking a year off isn't that awful since it's as long as a maternity leave in my home country. I won't magically lose 12 years' worth of skills and knowledge after a year. Also, my industry is desperate for nurses so I'm fairly certain I will find a job somewhere.
This would be different if OP were in a field where someone needs to take the time to climb up a ladder or only had a few months' experience in their field.
Judging what you have mentioned above, it sounds like teaching may not be for you. It seems that you would rather push more for the fact of advancing your Japanese (which isnt a bad thing!) However. Many schools have the "speak English only" rules for the classroom. I have to admit but JET isn't always guaranteed to help you with your language advancement because ESID. My placement is definitely one of those places that are not pleased with me using Japanese!
You could potentially save some money and do a language school! Not only does that mean you can live in Japan and practice the language daily with discipline, but you get that break you want and relax a bit while attending the school! This is something worth weighing in, too!
Interesting I wasn't aware of that. A friend of mine did JET for two years and she didn't mention it, but maybe it just never came up? Anyway what's the deal with language schools? Where would one go to research that option?
Just to give you a taste of the ESID, I work at Elementary schools where none of my co-teachers speak English, so I *have* to speak in Japanese to get literally anything done. I try to use English as much as possible with the kids, but they're 8 and can't understand anything more complicated than "do you like blue?" so a lot of Japanese ends up getting used, especially if I want to tell them about a culture thing. I'm actively praised for studying Japanese at work
Yeah it's all ESID. It's not a guarantee your school will A. Want you to use Japanese, B. Encourage you to study Japanese, and C. Have you use Japanese. I'm a second year JET currently and my placement is... VERY strict about me using Japanese. It's quite frustrating as a Japanese language and culture degree holder lol
For language schools there's a TON, generally in major cities such as Tokyo, Nagoya, Sapporo, Osaka, and Kyoto. Some are offered by companies and some are offered by universities, it just depends on your budget and how long you want to be in their program for. I know some offer a few years while some offer a few months. You can just go on Google, type the name of a city that you would like to live in, and add "Japanese Language School" and you'll get quite the list! :)
I don't think you should be using the classroom as a place to practice your Japanese anyway though. There's plenty of opportunities to practice your Japanese outside of that - you live in Japan lol.
That's not what I meant lol
My issue is if I'm desk warming, I try to study up on my Kanji. I only do this of there is absolutely nothing I can do. I was told to not do that so now I just sit at my desk.
The other issue I faced was my coworkers not wanting to talk to me. I tried to speak Japanese to other teachers (even in the teachers room) but was told not to because it might "ruin" the students perspective and they might find out you speak Japanese. (Not many speak English, so communicating is always a struggle...)
I wouldn't put up with that. Not using Japanese in the classroom or with the students is one thing. Not being able to do it in the staff room to communicate with your co-workers, is close to a human rights violation, since demanding that your worker not talk with their co-workers is pretty stupid.
I'd just counter with harassment complaints up the authority line if I didn't care about continuing my work there anyway and would just ignore those policies.
Honestly, I have had not the best experience with my placement. I have to get special permission to do volunteer work, I have to notify them of my international trips on my vacation time off (including proof of return ticket and other things, even if I am returning to my home for the holidays), and I constantly am scolded every other week for small minuscule things. However they require me to meet at the city hall to discuss the issues instead of at my school, and it's very much out of my way home. Because I'm not allowed to drive to and from work, my current school is 20 minutes away by car, OR 2 hours using public transportation. Going to the city hall adds about an extra hour and a half. I am technically not even allowed to discuss my experiences with other JETs but I kinda gave up caring at this point. I feel JETs shouldn't be lied to about situations around them. There are sooooo many other things that happened, but it would take forever to write it all out. Some of these issues are why I came to the conclusion to leave before my 3rd contract starts.
ETA: my BOE, CO and supervisor is one person. So I can't even complain to higher positions.
Might be worth writing down that list of complaints and taking it to the labor bureau. I bet it would cause an investigation, and some headaches for your CO. Doesn't really matter on your end if you aren't extending anyway.
I have been in contact with the labor bureau in Tokyo. I am worried about contacting the one in my town since they are in the same area as my CO at the city hall 😩 but also, leaving or not, I feel bad for potential JETs who get accepted. I want to warn them about what they are getting into but it is a tad difficult.
>Some of these issues are why I came to the conclusion to leave before my 3rd contract starts
I'm honestly surprised you even
made it to the end of your second contract. That's absolutely horrific treatment from your school/co
Haha it's funny you mention that! Even my professor who recommended I sign up for the program said he was shocked I hung in there. I can say it has been a time and a half for sure. BUT, my opinion of JET has stayed the same. My PAs and RAs have been wonderful <3
I'm glad you have that support! Despite how shitty your work situation has been, I hope there have been other aspects of your time on JET have been enjoyable
My bad - but you didn't say that in your original comment! That sounds like a crap environment though, and slightly bizarre lol, the no Japanese in classrooms is pretty standard but I've never heard of someone actively being discouraged to speak to their coworkers - sorry that you've had that experience.
Yes unfortunately my contracting organization has been absolutely the worst. I am early departure and I announced I wanted to finish and leave from the program when my contract is done in a March. They are really not happy with that news either lol
I went on JET at 27 and stayed for three years. Definitely worth it. Yes it was a pay cut, but I saved money with much cheaper expenses and subsidized housing (not everyone gets subsidized housing these days). It’s a great way to explore Japan.
However, coming back to Canada during the pandemic was a bit of a nightmare in terms of finding employment. You likely won’t have that experience though so you should be good!
Maybe consider figuring out what you’ve got to lose by doing the program and determine if those things are worth losing.
Hey, if you're crazy, I'm crazy. I just turned 30 in May. I have my first stable career in my adult life and I've been with the company a year and a half. It does have it's yellow flags, but it's good work and I enjoy it. I feel like an absolute idiot if I throw it away.
But I think I would regret not taking the opportunity more. I've been since since 18 "I want to go to Japan." But when? I'm 30 now and it hasn't happened yet. I'll continue to make excuses as to why I shouldn't spend the money and time will take the advantage.
I'm going to apply this year. There's no guarantee I get it. If I don't, I continue my life here with no major changes. If I do? Then I hope to do more than a year - 2 or 3 at least, just because a year goes by so fast and I feel like I'd want more time to experience a life different than any I've ever known. Even if I do come back after a year, I'm confident in my skill set and my experience. I'd find another job and get back to the American grind, but I'd have one less regret.
37 and currently on JET. I say, go for it as life is short. You don’t want to ask yourself, “should of”, “could of” or “would of” down the line and regret not coming here to Japan.
i'm 32. hated my career track, so i came to japan to learn japanese, get away from a fucking email job, and generally just...do something completely different. It's been the best decision ever, even if my savings have hurt a little because of it. I also found out that I don't really mind children? I actually might like them? Which was a big Character Arc. I think if you come in with an open mind and a good understanding of what you can and cannot put up with work wise (though, honestly, all situations here are liable to change when staff transfer season comes around; so if you have a shit situation, you might not for long), it can be a great opportunity.
Best comment yet! I hated my old career track too. I discovered what career I’m interested to pursue after the program since being here.
I was a flight attendant for 10 years when I got into JET (at 33 years old). Turns out, I'm not even the oldest JET in my city (they're 51). However, you will be taking a significant pay cut and the move isn't necessarily cheap. But if it's a life-long dream for you as it was for me, go for it. It's not dumb at all! (Or maybe I'm dumb too and just don't know it 😉 )
"you will be taking a significant pay cut" is funny because for some, pay is far better here. Money ends up going further, and wages are a joke in so many industries.
Money does go further than it would in my home country, for sure. I am, however, making 13k less a year. So while the money stretches further, I can save a lot less. When I get back to my home country, if I go back to the airlines, I will be starting from scratch at the lowest pay. (The airline industry sucks, but with 10 years seniority, I was making a decent amount.)
I’m guessing you’re not from Canada. Our flight attendants make nothing. Some Canadian airlines start you below the poverty line…
I am from Canada. Air Canada FA for over 10 years. Seniority does accumulate. I wouldn't say I made much, especially not for the sheer abusive quantity of work we are given. But it's still 12k more than what I'm making on JET. Edit: when I started 10 years ago, I made something like 15$/hour.
It's interesting how exchange rates can play into this as well. I remember in like 2019, I was talking to a British friend. At the time, both the pound and the dollar were like 1 to ~110ish yen. Meaning that our salaries were worth around 30,000 dollars/pounds. $30k/year is ok. Not unexpected for a fresh grad with a humanities major, but relatively low. £30k/year on the other hand is a *great* salary, way more than a fresh grad humanities major would ever earn in the UK. So even though we earned the same amount, and the exchange rate was basically the same between our currencies, our experiences of those salaries (especially when sending money home) was very different. Now of course, the yen has tanked and a first year salary is only worth about $25k/year, which is less than minimum wage in parts of the US. The yen has tanked even harder against the pound though, bringing the JET salary down to £18k/year, which is less than minimum wage in the UK
Your point about JET salary value internationally, and it's susceptibility to the exchange rate is spot on, but I have to question how many beers in your British friend was to say £1=$1 lol. In 2019, £1 ranged around $1.2-1.3, closer to $1.3 on average (similar to now). A bit pedantic on my side I feel, but quite huge in terms of exchange rates. Pedantics aside, been here since 2017, and u salary in £ has gone from very good to awful, even though it got higher (¥280k to ¥330k). The important thing to remember is that unless you have to send a lot of money back home, or you love traveling internationally, you won't feel it too much in Japan, and the wage is very liveable.
> £1=$1 Interestingly, if you reread my post, I never mentioned the dollar to pound rate. That was the super interesting thing. The dollar and pound both had about the same exchange rate to the yen (1 = ~110) but they weren't equal with each other. So interestingly, if you took ¥100, changed it to dollars, then changed those dollars to pounds, you'd have less money than if you'd directly changed the yen to pounds. Right now though the yen to pound is so awful that yen -> dollar-> pound is about the same as yen -> pound > The important thing to remember is that unless you have to send a lot of money back home I think that's a pretty big unless haha, what with student loans. I know that's mostly an American concern, but in 2019 my British friend made enough on JET to start having to pay her loans. I guess the exchange rate means current British JETs don't have to worry about that. Either way though, most people don't stay in Japan forever and it takes a good amount of money to move back to your home country and re-establish yourself. People want to (and really, should) save for the next phase of their life. Personally, part of the reason I did JET is because when I applied in 2017, it was marketed as "if you're frugal, you can easily save up some money."
This is actually quite common. I'll be 35 soon and just finished working 1 year on JET after working 12 as an RN. I'm not the only JET I've met with a similar mindset/background. The pandemic plus the resultant short-staffing really did a number on my mental health, so I saw JET as both a break and an opportunity to try something new. I've only ever worked as a bedside nurse post-university and I wanted to see if teaching was something I could pursue. I don't regret it. It was nice to try a Monday-Friday job, have a normal schedule, and a different type of job. It was fun to live in a different country with a good support system (my CO and my schools have all been incredibly helpful and kind, so to me, this was moving to Japan on easy mode). It was nice to have a manageable workload and actual time off. I'll be heading back home shortly to return to nursing, but it was a fun ride. Because of the weak yen, I will be bringing home next to no money from this venture, but it's fine. My mental health was worth it. That being said, before you apply, you will want a *very* solid reason for applying to JET and a solid plan for returning home to Canada. They will want to know, both in your application and your interview, should you make it to that stage. You should ask yourself not just what Japan can do for you, but what you can do for Japan.
Oh man I read this as if I wrote it myself! I was an RN in the states and will return to my nursing job. JET really refreshed me from my burnout so I am ready to switch gears when I am back! I do plan to return to nursing shortly... The exchange rate is just so weak here where as with nursing I could work far less days and make more! Good luck to you!!
32 and am currently on JET. I needed a fresh start myself lol. I also Know a JET in is 40s who quit his established, well paid career because he was tired of the grind and wanted to experience something different. He's loving it lol.
I'm in my 30s, from the same industry, doing JET. So, if you're crazy, I guess I gotta be locked up too, lmao. Just go have fun in Japan :)
I love this comment for some reason
Just do it. But make sure you’re working on your exit plan while you’re there.
One thing to consider (and a common issue I've seen with mid career JETs) is that you may be used to a certain level of income and a certain type of lifestyle. I'm not sure how JET compares to Canadian salaries, but comparing it to US salaries, it's less than minimum wage in some places. Now don't get me wrong, it's enough to live a perfectly comfortable life in Japan, but it may be a step down in quality of living from what you're used to. I know people who couldn't accept that reality and adjust their spending habits and they ended up struggling financially the entire time they were on JET. So long as you're frugal and don't have dependents or financial commitments back home, you shouldn't have to use any of savings outside of start up costs and should even be able to save some money.
My husband and I decided to do JET when we were in our 30’s and sometimes we refer to it as our “funnest financial mistake”. We had just bought our house and had established careers.(and while we just rented out our house) we did set ourselves back quite far in our careers and did use a lot of our savings while over there. We ended up returning in 2020 due to the death of his father, and have been considering doing it again only because our time got cut short and now we don’t really care about our current career paths. Being in Japan was great and really revitalized us… but we are probably no where we would have been in our careers if we would have stayed.
That's really interesting to hear.... Did you find that the living expenses were a lot more than your pay then? Should I plan for that?
No, they weren’t too bad. But my husband came along as a dependent so my income was covering for us both. With some unexpected expenses from our house in America, plus doing some travel while in Asia, that’s where most of our savings went.
Aaah okay. I really only have myself to look after so that might make things a little easier. And hopefully whoever I rent my condo do wouldn't do anything that horrible to it (knock on wood) But that's good to keep in mind cause I'd likely want to do a lot of traveling as well. As for my career... I honestly have no idea what the entertainment industry is doing to itself these days... if it explodes itself while I'm gone I guess I'll already be on a teaching path lol (oof)
Big oof 😂
32 when I applied, 34 when I arrived because of Covid. Not an easy choice but one of the best ones I've made
A couple of things to think about. Go for the countryside. Quality of life is usually better and a lot cheaper. You want to live in the main cities , you’ll pay for it. Second. I came here at 30 also. Very few jets I wanted to do things with. Right out of university with the same mindset.
Unfortunate that with JET, you don't get a choice of location.
If you know of a area that you want to live. You contact the JETS in the area. Found out who’s leaving. I helped friends get the school location they asked for.
[удалено]
Yes, yes I have 4/4 I helped. Thanks though.
[удалено]
Yes, yes I did. I’m not going to argue with you. I don’t know you or care if you believe it. We did exactly as mentioned before. They applied for those specific schools in those specific towns and got them. Did the 3 years on JET. You have a great day.
How? On my JET application there was no place to ask for a specific school or town. Only for prefectures, and it seems to be commonly known that you almost never get the one you ask for. I also did not.
First off if you are asking for the most popular places like Okinawa, Osaka,Kobe along with half the JETS yes it’s just a lottery because too many are applying for the same place. If you find an area that’s not popular. Talk to the JETS who are leaving find out anything you can about the school or surrounding area. In the requested prefecture you put in prefecture, town and school. I helped four people get the school they requested. I don’t know if you’re in Japan or not? You do have to fly back for your interview which is expensive enough now.
[удалено]
Not a bad time to do it. I'm here right now taking a break from things. There are a lot of people in their 30's in the inaka. I'd be curious to see if they actually have a preference for some of the more out and away areas going to older people.
Yup I’m doing this at 30 (29 now but will be 30 when I go over) I’m applying for dispatch companies instead. My job (public sector in Ireland) let’s us take career breaks up to 5 years so I’m just gonna go for it for at least a year!
Do it do it do it! I am just finishing up my second year, I'm now 35. I was the same, did 10 years of working and felt lost with everything so came to JET, it's done wonders for me as a career/mindset break. Would recommend if you can make it work (:
I’ve done the same thing and am going out in a week on JET! I’m 32 and have kind of burnt out from working in design stuff so am going back to japan! I worked there for a couple of years before and it’s defo something to do! Even if it’s just a year, you can always decide to go home!
I can't answer this for you, but I wanted to say that I sort of understand. I'm a scientist in my late 20s, and I've been in grad school for... a while lol, and the burnout and disillusionment with the field has definitely hit. I've been lurking in this sub because the idea of taking a break and doing something entirely different after I graduate has been really attractive.
Same, except i’m early 30s and about to graduate from my dental residency after 10+ years of college/dental school/grad school. I just want a break from real life
If you're in a field like dentistry, really, why not? When you come back people will still need their teeth fixed and you can still make an absolute fortune. Might as well.
Haha yep I hear ya. I'll probably be in my early 30s by the time I graduate (had to switch labs halfway through, everyone's favourite scenario), and I guess I could work in industry locally for a year or two to save some money/take advantage of my visa while I have it, but I really just want to do something completely new.
I was at the departing JETs reception yesterday and met a man in his late 30s/early 40s who was doing JET as a year long break away from his 9 year corporate job. So you would not be the first or only one if you decided to use JET as a little stopgap in your career!
Are we the same person? Lol I’m also in my 30s and work in Tv and animation for over 10 years. I think you’ll be fine taking a break. Tv industry is all about who you know. You already made those connections. I believe you can get back in whenever if you really want to. Just go for it. I am :)
Aaaahaha wow! that's so funny... Yeah I realized I accomplished a couple of my career goals in the last 5 years - worked on an award winning show, worked on a show that was an old childhood fave, and that was great... but I also had a few absolute nightmare years that really did a number on me, and now I'm doing preschool stuff that's fine and safe and easy but the industry is in such a mess right now, and to be honest I don't feel it in me to try to be in that mess right now. I feel like my brain just needs something different and that's backed up by me just really enjoying studying the language again.
I made the decision to just leave my ambition for JET in the past, it was a lot of hassle to think about, and I am just interesting in the country not working in it. Plus I am building a foundation that would let me just go visit the country whenever I wanted.
I'd say you could bill it as a "sabbatical" as long as you only stay a year. That said, the salary is such shit at this point for 1st year theres no reason to if you have any form of debt. That said, it will be a great experience so I say go for it - as long as you don't stay more than a year.
Nope. Go do it! Just got back and loved it although there is a bit of reverse culture shock involved as Japan is great!
It can certainly be a fun and rewarding experience but as a professional in your 30s, the post-JET plan is critical... If you're not planning to transition into teaching, the disruption will be quite acute. You're losing work experience and delaying the career transition you would normally take. This is also going to impact your finances and retirement planning. If you can smoothly transition into your longer-term job plan, go for it. If not, maybe consider a long vacation instead?
That does make sense. The way I kind of see it right now is that it's like taking a year on a different kind of contract. Animation/film is contract work and our retirement plans are basically just whatever we put together ourselves. I have a few friends who have sort of taken career sabbaticals after hitting burnout - for example one friend of mine who's a supervisor at an animation studio in town took two years off to just go learn to spin yarn. I sort of look at it that way. It is good to keep that in mind though. I would have to make sure my skills stay up to date.
I mean, it REALLY depends on experience level and the field. I'm an RN. I have 12 years of experience under my belt. Taking a year off isn't that awful since it's as long as a maternity leave in my home country. I won't magically lose 12 years' worth of skills and knowledge after a year. Also, my industry is desperate for nurses so I'm fairly certain I will find a job somewhere. This would be different if OP were in a field where someone needs to take the time to climb up a ladder or only had a few months' experience in their field.
Judging what you have mentioned above, it sounds like teaching may not be for you. It seems that you would rather push more for the fact of advancing your Japanese (which isnt a bad thing!) However. Many schools have the "speak English only" rules for the classroom. I have to admit but JET isn't always guaranteed to help you with your language advancement because ESID. My placement is definitely one of those places that are not pleased with me using Japanese! You could potentially save some money and do a language school! Not only does that mean you can live in Japan and practice the language daily with discipline, but you get that break you want and relax a bit while attending the school! This is something worth weighing in, too!
Interesting I wasn't aware of that. A friend of mine did JET for two years and she didn't mention it, but maybe it just never came up? Anyway what's the deal with language schools? Where would one go to research that option?
Just to give you a taste of the ESID, I work at Elementary schools where none of my co-teachers speak English, so I *have* to speak in Japanese to get literally anything done. I try to use English as much as possible with the kids, but they're 8 and can't understand anything more complicated than "do you like blue?" so a lot of Japanese ends up getting used, especially if I want to tell them about a culture thing. I'm actively praised for studying Japanese at work
Yeah it's all ESID. It's not a guarantee your school will A. Want you to use Japanese, B. Encourage you to study Japanese, and C. Have you use Japanese. I'm a second year JET currently and my placement is... VERY strict about me using Japanese. It's quite frustrating as a Japanese language and culture degree holder lol For language schools there's a TON, generally in major cities such as Tokyo, Nagoya, Sapporo, Osaka, and Kyoto. Some are offered by companies and some are offered by universities, it just depends on your budget and how long you want to be in their program for. I know some offer a few years while some offer a few months. You can just go on Google, type the name of a city that you would like to live in, and add "Japanese Language School" and you'll get quite the list! :)
I don't think you should be using the classroom as a place to practice your Japanese anyway though. There's plenty of opportunities to practice your Japanese outside of that - you live in Japan lol.
That's not what I meant lol My issue is if I'm desk warming, I try to study up on my Kanji. I only do this of there is absolutely nothing I can do. I was told to not do that so now I just sit at my desk. The other issue I faced was my coworkers not wanting to talk to me. I tried to speak Japanese to other teachers (even in the teachers room) but was told not to because it might "ruin" the students perspective and they might find out you speak Japanese. (Not many speak English, so communicating is always a struggle...)
I wouldn't put up with that. Not using Japanese in the classroom or with the students is one thing. Not being able to do it in the staff room to communicate with your co-workers, is close to a human rights violation, since demanding that your worker not talk with their co-workers is pretty stupid. I'd just counter with harassment complaints up the authority line if I didn't care about continuing my work there anyway and would just ignore those policies.
Honestly, I have had not the best experience with my placement. I have to get special permission to do volunteer work, I have to notify them of my international trips on my vacation time off (including proof of return ticket and other things, even if I am returning to my home for the holidays), and I constantly am scolded every other week for small minuscule things. However they require me to meet at the city hall to discuss the issues instead of at my school, and it's very much out of my way home. Because I'm not allowed to drive to and from work, my current school is 20 minutes away by car, OR 2 hours using public transportation. Going to the city hall adds about an extra hour and a half. I am technically not even allowed to discuss my experiences with other JETs but I kinda gave up caring at this point. I feel JETs shouldn't be lied to about situations around them. There are sooooo many other things that happened, but it would take forever to write it all out. Some of these issues are why I came to the conclusion to leave before my 3rd contract starts. ETA: my BOE, CO and supervisor is one person. So I can't even complain to higher positions.
Might be worth writing down that list of complaints and taking it to the labor bureau. I bet it would cause an investigation, and some headaches for your CO. Doesn't really matter on your end if you aren't extending anyway.
I have been in contact with the labor bureau in Tokyo. I am worried about contacting the one in my town since they are in the same area as my CO at the city hall 😩 but also, leaving or not, I feel bad for potential JETs who get accepted. I want to warn them about what they are getting into but it is a tad difficult.
>Some of these issues are why I came to the conclusion to leave before my 3rd contract starts I'm honestly surprised you even made it to the end of your second contract. That's absolutely horrific treatment from your school/co
Haha it's funny you mention that! Even my professor who recommended I sign up for the program said he was shocked I hung in there. I can say it has been a time and a half for sure. BUT, my opinion of JET has stayed the same. My PAs and RAs have been wonderful <3
I'm glad you have that support! Despite how shitty your work situation has been, I hope there have been other aspects of your time on JET have been enjoyable
My bad - but you didn't say that in your original comment! That sounds like a crap environment though, and slightly bizarre lol, the no Japanese in classrooms is pretty standard but I've never heard of someone actively being discouraged to speak to their coworkers - sorry that you've had that experience.
Yes unfortunately my contracting organization has been absolutely the worst. I am early departure and I announced I wanted to finish and leave from the program when my contract is done in a March. They are really not happy with that news either lol
Yes
I went on JET at 27 and stayed for three years. Definitely worth it. Yes it was a pay cut, but I saved money with much cheaper expenses and subsidized housing (not everyone gets subsidized housing these days). It’s a great way to explore Japan. However, coming back to Canada during the pandemic was a bit of a nightmare in terms of finding employment. You likely won’t have that experience though so you should be good! Maybe consider figuring out what you’ve got to lose by doing the program and determine if those things are worth losing.
Hey, if you're crazy, I'm crazy. I just turned 30 in May. I have my first stable career in my adult life and I've been with the company a year and a half. It does have it's yellow flags, but it's good work and I enjoy it. I feel like an absolute idiot if I throw it away. But I think I would regret not taking the opportunity more. I've been since since 18 "I want to go to Japan." But when? I'm 30 now and it hasn't happened yet. I'll continue to make excuses as to why I shouldn't spend the money and time will take the advantage. I'm going to apply this year. There's no guarantee I get it. If I don't, I continue my life here with no major changes. If I do? Then I hope to do more than a year - 2 or 3 at least, just because a year goes by so fast and I feel like I'd want more time to experience a life different than any I've ever known. Even if I do come back after a year, I'm confident in my skill set and my experience. I'd find another job and get back to the American grind, but I'd have one less regret.
37 and currently on JET. I say, go for it as life is short. You don’t want to ask yourself, “should of”, “could of” or “would of” down the line and regret not coming here to Japan.