\*Disclaimer: I am fully aware that these were all possibilities when signing up to the programme. However, my situation has now changed and I was hoping to be a bit luckier in some aspects of my placement\*.
I received more details are my placement recently and it’s making me debate whether or not this is all worth it. My plan has always been to stay with JET for one year and then go back to my country to continue with my career. I didn’t mind where I was placed but I was really hoping for **one** of the following: not needing to drive, not being in an isolated area, receiving some help in apartment finding/furnishing. None of these things are applicable in my placement.
I know most JETs don’t get this so I shouldn’t complain, but since I’m only staying for one year, I don’t know what to do now. I just feel lost seeing all of the costs written down and thinking about the money spent buying a car and furniture that I will have to give up. I feel like my placement is better suited for someone who wants to stay for longer than me and my brain is telling me to drop out and give my placement to a more-deserving alternate.
7 comments
Do what you gotta do. If it is as expensive as you mentioned, and you only plan on doing one year, is it worth it? Regardless it’s up to you to that make choice!
Good luck on the route you choose!
Leasing a car and furniture rather than buying outright could be an option. If the cost of outright purchasing these things is what’s causing you to reconsider, then leasing would be a good solution.
If it’s the placement in general you’re concerned about, then just think about it properly and do what you think will be best for you.
Sorry your in a tough situation, but try not to worry too much, whatever choice you make its not the end of the world (well hopefully, if it is I will be very angry at you in retrospect).
IMO, the fact that you are questioning it this strongly/feeling so unhappy about it plus your plan to only stay for one year makes me personally think dropping out is probably the better option. I’m of the opinion that doing JET for one year is pretty suboptimal since it takes a while to get settled in, get a hang of things, etc. The second year is so much more rewarding because you are already in the groove and really boosts the experience. Additionally if coming is going to be a significant emotional and financial burden on you (which it sounds like it is) you’ll get even less enjoyment out of the experience. As you mention there are other people (alternates) who are ready and able to fill spots like yours. While its not ideal to drop out now, its much better than dropping out AFTER you arrive because you are miserable. Japan will still be here down the road, whether you come for travel or to work or decide to do the JET program later on (totally doable BTW).
I am curious, did you indicate on your application that you are unwilling to drive? Or did you just hope you wouldn’t be in a position where you had to drive. If its the former you should first contact your consulate and raise the issue with them to see if something can be changed (probably not but you never know). If you didn’t indicate that though you are probably stuck and dropping out is your only option at this point.
JET for one year? Might as well not do at all in my opinion. So much effort moving and settling in only to be having to go back by the time it’s been taken care off.
You should probably drop out, it wouldn’t be worth it considering you’re on the fence about it and specially considering how shady those conditions sound.
It depends on your financial situation right now. If you have big startup costs, you probably won’t recoup them staying one year if you are trying to enjoy your time here. And leaving Japan and starting back up at home costs money, too.
So, if it’s looking like a net monetary loss, it just depends how important that is to you and your life post-JET.
Many of us are also considering similar things as placement info comes in. I think JETs process makes it a bit anxiety provoking and a bit difficult for anyone that is not a fresh college grad. That said, the challenges you mention are not that big a deal. You can get thru them if you WANT to. So I’d say, what scenario brings you the most joy? If it’s staying and not doing JET, that’s cool. If it’s JET for a year, do it! Good luck, no regrets.
I don’t know the specifics of your situation, but unless you’re really dreading the experience as a whole now (it’s not just last-minute jitters about making a big move), then I would advise optimism.
As someone who lives is a somewhat rural setting with very inconvient access to the city (ferry to/from an island), I can say that there’s benefits, even financial ones, to not living in Tokyo or the closest big city. A car can be rough financially, but if you seek out help you can get both that and an apartment without breaking the bank – if you’re not looking for a freshly built apartment inaka housing is very affordable. 0 furniture sucks, but unless you’re completely isolated from other JETs in your prefecture, you can likely get someone else’s old stuff for free or cheap.
Again, I can’t do the math for you, but you absolutely CAN make it wherever you go, and you may find that it would have been expensive to rent in a city or that you would have ended up needing a bunch of money for transit to and from distant schools anyway. If you have 0 money to spare for the first month or two then I would advise against the program as a whole, but otherwise you’ll be fine.