So, right. I'm an ALT with the JET Program, one of many young, Japan-bound college grads cluttering up the blogosphere. In three weeks, I leave for Komatsu, the second-largest city in Ishikawa Prefecture for what I'm hoping will be the Best Job Ever. I get to help teach high school students my mother tongue!
Getting accepted into the JET Program was a suprise for me. I wasn't a Japanese major in college--I majored in Political Science and International Studies and studied away in South Africa-- and I've never been one of the better communicators in my Japanese classes. I do, however, love teaching. I worked as a peer writing tutor at my college for three years, acting as the informal ESL specialist. JET actually appealed to me because I liked this job so much!
The application process should start in early October of one's senior year in college/university. There's a whole slew of application questions, transcripts, medical forms, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement involved at this stage. I remember setting aside an afternoon to get everywhere for copies, recs, the physical, transcripts, etc was very helpful. I also recall that the sheer amount of office juggling was a little enfuriating. Anyway, in January you hear back whether or not you got an interview. Most of the people from my college who applied (10) got an interview. The interview itself (mid February) made me very nervous. With the help of my partner's internet findings, I convinced myself that the interviewers would ask only the most offensive personal questions and the most random ones about American culture. They didn't, and I actually had a fun, professional conversation with my interviewers. I found out in early April that I made the shortlist and in May that I would be placed in Ishikawa-ken. I've been scurrying about filling out more forms ever since!
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