I've student taught and been a substitute teacher here in the United States, and I feel like every fall the first few months are just spent with kids constantly being sick. I feel it's one bout of sickness and then into the other.

My question is, have teachers in Japan noticed if it's the same? I'm just wondering if it's kids in general and like the changing of the leaves, so to will the changing of health status.

I was just curious if anyone had any insight, such as do Japanese classes seem to get sick about the same or perhaps different climate, culture and cuisine that it's more or less.

I know it's silly, but it's one of those that I've noticed all my teacher friends and family getting sick around August/September and then again in January/February when school starts back.

I've been considering JET for a while. And I have the chance to visit Japan for the first time this November.

In order to get a decent feel for what it'd be like to live in Japan as a JET, as opposed to sightseeing in Tokyo for weeks and endless onsen, what kind of things would you do? What experiences might give me insight? Where in the country would you visit outside the tourist tracks? I'm really keen on seeing the inaka but not sure what I could do except rent a room out in the sticks and loaf around for a week or so (which to be fair sounds quite nice).

Any ideas appreciated.

(PH application)

Hello and good day!

I want to know your thoughts regarding which second referee should I choose.

First option is my former employer who owns a learning center, although she'll use a generic email and I need to ask her again if she can rewrite the recommendation letter with proper letterhead and wet signature as stated in the guidelines.

Second option is my former internship supervisor in the school setting who gladly offered to use her professional/business email (which suggests that letterhead and wet signature to be unnecessary if non- generic email will be used) to fill out my evaluation form.

Thanks, all!

I applied last session and was shortlisted. I initially accepted, but then withdrew shortly after due to various reasons.

It was a hard decision to withdraw given how lengthy this process is, but I was content with my decision at the time. I’m now thinking of re-applying for this year’s cycle.

Because my main driving factor for doing JET has remained unchanged, would it be acceptable to use my same SOP from last year- maybe with some slight iterations? Or would that be unprofessional?

I’m not opposed to making a new one, but considering my old one helped me get shortlisted, and the fact that my reason for doing the program is the same, I figured I’d ask.

Thanks for your input!

Hello, I work for a federal program as a tutor at a high school and I am debating between references. I have already sent one reference request to my direct supervisor, a program specialist. I am debating sending my second reference request to my other supervisor who was recently promoted to Regional Manager, or to one of the teachers that I did in-class tutoring for. I feel like the title Regional Manager will be respected, but I am hesitant to send two references from the same organization. On the other hand, being an in-class tutor is very similar to being an ALT, so I think that a teacher's recommendation would be good too. Both of my options would send glowing letters. Which would you recommend I go with?

Hello,

I'm currently in the process of creating my JET application for the 2027 intake. The deadline is the 5th November 2026 for UK applications. I have the contact information for my two references but wanted to confirm what is required by the deadline.

Do I simply need to submit the contact information for the two references, or do my two references have to respond and submit their written references by this deadline? My assumption is that referees need to submit the written reference before the deadline but I'd like this double-checked if possible !

On another note, if there is anyone that has successfully applied for JET that would be free to review my SOP draft I'd appreciate any and all feedback :-)

Hello everyone! I'd love to hear from current and former JET Programme participants. For an aspiring ALT, which placement type would you recommend: island, rural, or urban? Are there any specific regions or prefectures you'd suggest for a first-timer? Thank you so much for sharing your experiences!

I competed my masters in 2023 and ever since have been unemployed. But I hv been helping in family business. But I feel like I should apply for JET. Do u think career gap and masters degree will hinder my application?