Being a final year student at university brings with it much to try and balance. Firstly, in most courses the final year counts the most and at this point it is really time to pull your finger out. At the same time it is your last year and there is the desire to make the most of student life before it all comes to an end. To top it all off comes the realisation of the need to seriously consider what comes after, i.e. some form of graduate job or career. Unless you are one of the rare ones who has a secured a permanent job before finishing university you may be pouring off applications to graduate schemes, hunting for internships or planning a stint travelling in the hope you will come back enlightened as to where the future lies.
So how about an opportunity where you can develop professionally, experience another culture and travel the world all while being paid more than adequately to do so? Sounds pretty perfect and pretty unrealistic; however the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme is just that opportunity. There are many schemes and bodies that offer the opportunity to teach and travel abroad but JET stands out. It is funded by an official governing body, in this case the Japanese Ministry of Education and draws participants from 36 different countries. This air of authenticity is reassuring amidst the companies that act as 'middle men' in placing you with schools. Add to this the exotic location of Japan and a salary of ??26,000; it becomes quite the tantalising prospect. There is neither requirement of Japanese language proficiency nor any teaching qualifications, that's the beauty of it.
Unsurprisingly it is a highly competitive programme and the number of applicants to places (in 2010 around 200 places were awarded in the midst of over a 1000 applications) is ever-growing in the face of the current job market. Applying to the JET programme is no simple task and requires time and effort, not just on your part. Documents needed include two letters of recommendation, a physician's note, official degree transcripts and a 1000 word personal statement expressing your suitability for the role. Applications open in October and close at the end of November so it is important to act quickly and not be the one who missed the boat. There are two positions to apply for: Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) and Coordinator for International Relations (CIR). Each role is based on a one year contract which can be extended for up to five years. For many university graduates an ALT position is the more likely option and there are many more places in this capacity. This involves assisting Japanese English language teachers with English lessons at schools whilst also fostering inter-cultural relations with the wider community. The application form will ask you to list achievements and positions held, it is important at this point to name every society, every sports club and any other extra-curricular pursuits you have been involved in which could show the skills needed to get on that shortlist for interview. It also asks of international or intercultural experience so studying abroad or even having been on holiday to another country is a great way of displaying a world view.
The interviews for the UK JET programme take place in January/February at the Japanese embassy in either London or Edinburgh. Before the interview you take a short grammar test and get a chance to speak to former JETs. Facing a panel of three, two of whom were Japanese diplomats, was daunting at first but I found once I got talking that they were just as excited to hear why I wanted to go to Japan as I was to tell them. I had a good feeling coming out of my interview in the sense that I had been myself. The interview is said to last 20 minutes but in the end felt like no time at all. Following the interview it is a nerve-wracking wait of two months before you find out your fate, final shortlist, alternate or unsuccessful (this year the notifications were delayed due to the tragic events Japan has suffered of late).
Having been accepted as an ALT to begin in August 2011 I can barely contain my excitement at the prospect of going off to teach and live in Japan. The JET programme website states that 'there is no standard JET experience', this is true of my expectations of going out to Japan; I have none! I would encourage any final year or graduate with an appetite for adventure and desire to interact with a new culture to apply. I shall sign off at this point by saying Dewa raishuu, Sayonara!!!
Aaron, GRB Journalist
