Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Caffeinated]

[drama_addict]

The Pros and Cons of Jet (from my experience working for both JET and EPIK/SMOE)

Pros
*Better Organization. I cannot stress this enough. Coming from Korea where academic schedules are all last minute, and orientation is an absolute mess, you'll be amazed with how everything is run in JET, and Japan in general. In JET, you'll receive your school's annual schedule your first month, allowing you to plan vacations months in advance! Also, scheduled prefectural/municipal meetings and conferences are held throughout the year, so if any issues arise, you'll be able to address it with your Prefectural Advisor, or immediate manager from your local BOE.

*Better Salary. This is subjective and all hinges on your personal spending habits, but JETs make on average 1K USD more/month than what's on offer in Korea. Of course, Japan is expensive.... If you're in a choice location like Saitama Pref. or Hyogo Pref., then you'll most likely be heading into Tokyo or Osaka/Kyoto every weekend and not save a dime. If you're placed in a rural location, you'll likely get bored to tears, but save a mint (and learn a lot of Japanese as well). Also if you've come to pay off Credit Card Bills and Student Loans, don't expect to save too much either (unless again, you're in a rural area).

*Bigger/Cleaner Apts. I've been consistently amazed with the tiny shoebox-sized studio apts teachers get in Korea. In JET, almost every ALT gets a 1LDK (one bedroom, living room, dining room/kitchen). Also, you'll get a REAL bathtub in your bathroom. (This is especially great if you're in Saitama in the winter, when you can have a nice long soak after being on your feet all day...) In the rare case teachers are unhappy with their apts, the JET contract stipulates that the employer MUST provide a housing allowance for the JET if they wish to find their own place.

*Easier Work. On average, JETs don't do any lesson planning whatsoever. The most you'll be is a human tape recorder for your Japanese co teacher. JETs really are ALTs (Assistant English Teachers). You're just there to assist the Japanese teacher with their English lessons. The most common work you'll do is reading passages in front of the class, and having them repeat after you, or marking papers/tests. A lot of ALTs also get "recruited" to help students prepare for annual speech contests, which is basically training Japanese students to sound like a native English speaker as much as possible when they give a memorized speech.

*No Desk Warming. What else needs be said.

*Nicer People To Work With. I'm sure many will disagree with me, but from my experience, Japanese are far more polite than Koreans. They're a pleasure to work with (you'll likely be invited to teacher's houses to have dinner with their families). They'll adore you if you show an effort in learning the language, and they'll be really impressed if you bring small gifts (omiyage) to give to anyone whenever you take a trip somewhere.

*No Bait and Switches. JET is a government run organization, and as such, you'll be an employee of either a prefectural or municipal govt. This means there will be no lying to your face about a position, or giving you one contract only to change it next month and insisting you've agreed to it. Also, you wont have anything out of the blue dumped on you last minute and be told "It's you job! You must understand! It's your responsibilty!"...



Cons

*One Intake/Annum. Applying to JET is a lot like applying to University. It's a very long, drawn out process that takes a good part of nine months from when you apply to when you leave for Japan. If you fail at any stage of the application process, you have to wait until the next intake season begins to apply again.

*Japan Is Expensive. I must admit, grocery shopping in Korea doesn't do nearly the same damage to my wallet it did in Japan. Expect to start viewing fresh fruit fruit and vegetables as a luxury, and eating out as a once-a-month treat. Drinking is expensive, as well as clubbing. This is one aspect where I will admit I prefer Korea over Japan. Also, taxis are nothing like they are in Korea. Be prepared to pay over Y5K (50 USD) to go just a few city blocks...

*Everything is "By The Book". If you think bureaucracies in Korea are bad, be prepared to take a a lot patience to Japan. All government employees in Japan are serious when it comes to following regulations, and this will include your co teachers and school's administration. Don't ever be late, dress professionally (at least the first week for sure), and avoid any cultural faux pas that will reflect poorly on your school (seeing as how your one of their employees.)

*Cash-based Economy. Unless you're in a major city, you wont ever be using credit/debit cards. Japan's is a very cash-based economy. This could be a blessing if you're trying to limit your spending, but sucks in the evenings and on holidays and weekends when ATMs are closed. If you're in a big city, it's no problem, but if you're in a rural area and it's the start of Golden Week and you've only Y5K in your wallet, you are SOL.


This is all only what I can think of sitting at my desk at lunch time... Good Luck and I hope you make it to 日本!

[Mosley]

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=175573