Job Discussion Forums

[canadacommando]

Hey all. I realize there's about 10 different Korea vs. Japan threads out there, but I have a specific question I need to address...

I'm curious about joining the JET program. Hear they pay alright, and the work is enjoyable. HOWEVER, this would mean abandoning my current Korean job, which is pretty sweet. Here's my current Korean benefits:
-3.5 months paid vacation
-$2,400 CAD/month (which means I eat out every night, drink twice a week, and generally entertain out 3-4 nights a week AND save a grand)
-20 hrs/week of teaching (though I am IN school for 40).

Basically, I live in Seoul, enjoy myself, and bank a little...

IF I DID THE JET PROGRAM, how much of my life would change? (ie. vacation, savings, entertaining, etc.)?

Basically, Im trying to figure if I should do the JET, or just hit Japan up on vacation for a month or so.

Any advice would be appreciated (ESPECIALLY from those that have done both)

Thanks.

CC

[Glenski]

With JET, you get 21 days off, plus national holidays.

You will be paid 300,000 yen/month, after which they will take out for rent, utilities, insurance. At the present time, that's about CDN$3450 before expenses. Figure about 115,000 to 120,000 taken out.

You'll probably be in school for 5 days a week, from 9 to 4. Lots of free time, but you have to be in the school. Moreover, you may get posted to several schools, so you'll have to visit them over the course of the week or month.

Entertaining? You will probably be posted in a rural area. Don't expect much for immediately local stuff. Better to ask someone at www.bigdaikon.com for this.

[Gordon]

Another consideration about JET is that you will have to return to your home country and apply there and then wait for months and months for a possible job. That's OK if you wanted to go home anyway, but not worth it if you want to move from one job into another.

[jj_]

[Glenski]