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legolas78
Joined: 23 Jun 2003
Posts: 1
Location: Boston, MA
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 Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2003 5:29 pm Post subject: questions, questions, questions |
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Hi there,
I suppose I'm asking the typical questions here, but in perusing these job posts haven't been able to figure out some really exact answers. Perhaps the answers are relative and dependable, but if anyone has any specific info, let me know...
I'm thinking about applying for the JET program for entry in summer of 04. First, does anyone have any very recent feedback on the program? There seems to be a concentration here on NOVA and the other big corporations, but no extensive commentary, or negative feelings about JET -- any reason why?
A couple big questions that are crucial to my decision:
� Is it possible to transfer money earned in Japan (and through JET) to the United States?
� Is it possible to set up private tutorships and teachings in addition to doing the JET program (as it is my understanding that you do have quite a bit of free time with JET)?
� On the money earned --- obviously we all know its very expensive to live in Japan. Taking into account that I'm a pretty average traveler (like to party and go out a little but not crazy), will I be able to save any money based on a salary of (it appears to be) 250,000-300,000 yen? I'm not talking about getting rich, but ideally I'd like to save enough to live semi-comfortably and be able to travel a bit around Asia after, as well as (ideally) be able to send money home to the States to pay off standard college loans/debts.
Thanks so much for any help! Also, if anyone is contemplating a similar trip/date/program as well, let me know!
Bryan |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2003 7:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Is it possible to transfer money earned in Japan (and through JET) to the United States? |
Of course. Cheapest way is by postal order. Fastest way is by wire transfer (5000 yen per any size order).
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| Is it possible to set up private tutorships and teachings in addition to doing the JET program (as it is my understanding that you do have quite a bit of free time with JET)? |
Yes. Your work hours permit your evenings to be free, so if you want to use them to teach privately, go for it. My thoughts on this are pretty simple, though. Have a business plan first. What will you charge? How will you collect (per lesson or in advance for a month)? What and how will you teach? How much will you charge for transportation? Etc.
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| will I be able to save any money based on a salary of (it appears to be) 250,000-300,000 yen? |
The most common question and the most difficult to answer. Depends on your lifestyle, rent, location, and current debts, but you should be able to have available 70,000 yen per month for savings (or to pay off your debts back home). Email me for a breakdown of expenses so you can see how I arrived at this figure.
[email protected] |
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lajzar
Joined: 09 Feb 2003
Posts: 647
Location: Saitama-ken, Japan
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| Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2003 9:47 pm Post subject: |
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Regarding the free time issue...
Yes, your evenings are free, as Glenski said. However, this lots of free time reputation comes from the belief that many ALTs in Japan are underworked, and although required to be physically present at their schools, may often have little to do. That is the free time you have probably been hearing about. |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2003 1:16 am Post subject: |
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A very good book that has been written about the JET program and will answer many of your questions about JET is "Importing Diversity: Inside Japans JET program" By David L. McConnell, available on Amazon.
You should be able to save money on JET as on average you are paid 50-60,000 yen more per month than teaching at a language school like NOVA, and you may have subsidised cheap accomodation. A lot depends on where you live, what rent you pay and your spending habits, whether you have any student loans to take care of, and what your likely outgoings are going to be re travel, eating out etc. |
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G Cthulhu
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
Posts: 1373
Location: Way, way off course.
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2003 1:41 am Post subject: Re: questions, questions, questions |
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| legolas78 wrote: |
First, does anyone have any very recent feedback on the program? There seems to be a concentration here on NOVA and the other big corporations, but no extensive commentary, or negative feelings about JET -- any reason why?
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Because this site doesn't really cater to the problems and situations JETs face. If you want to try asking your questions over on www.bigdaikon.com you'll get a lot more helpful (and unhelpful - it has a lot of moaners on it) advice and commentary.
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• Is it possible to set up private tutorships and teachings in addition to doing the JET program (as it is my understanding that you do have quite a bit of free time with JET)?
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How much free time you have depends entirely on your placement. Some people have lots, some have none. You may also simply end up somewhere where there just isn't anyone around willing to pay you for whatever you might want to offer outside of work.
One thing that *is* constant is that your employment contract *prohibits* other jobs without the express persmission of your employer.
Very few employers will allow it for the simple reason that it creates huge tax and insurance problems for them, along with the problems of public employees being seen to be working in the private sector. I'm not saying it can't or doesn't happen, but just trying to make sure you realise that the odds are against you being allowed to take on extra work legally. |
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