I’m a fourth year JET who’s breaking contract. I know this is a controversial topic on this subreddit, which mostly seems to be aspiring JETs, so the disclaimer: Everyone knows my circumstances and it’s all professionally fine. Some lucky alternate or early arrival will get my placement in April.
So, former JETs who broke contract: Any personal experiences you want to share? Is there anything you wish you’d known? Any advice you can give?
I’m a bit concerned about the pension refund (as everyone is when they leave), and paying the rest of my residence tax. But those are things decades of JETs have managed fine so not too stressed.
Mostly I’m just curious about other people’s experiences, so please share.
4 comments
It wasn’t bad for me. I broke contract due to personal reasons related to Covid. My JTEs cried but they all helped me with a lot, including the moving out process. They were left without an ALT until September of 2022 though.
I broke contract just before covid. Nothing negative happened but I had all my ducks in a row. I made a months worth of lessons. Found a new tenant for my apartment. Paid all due taxes myself. I left nothing to be desired.
10/10 would break contract again.
Advice:
Feel zero guilt, you are not as important as some people (other ALTs, JTEs, BOE staff, principals etc) might try to con you into thinking. The world will keep on turning.
If you’re staying in Japan, the more savings the better since depending on your (hopefully already decided) new job you gotta think about things like apartment key money etc that you might not have before. If your new salary is lower than your JET one you’re still gonna pay the taxes you did on the JET salary, so enjoy poverty til the year turns over.
That’s about it really. It’s just quitting a job.
Does anyone know if breaking contract early disqualifies you from going to the career fair for JETs or being considered as ‘JET Alumni’?