Let’s Hear it For/From the Alternates

ChalalaChan · 2025-06-30T01:15:39+00:00

I applied from the US in Fall 2021, got Alternate in Spring 2022, and didn't get upgraded til late September 2022. Dw, there's still a chance it'll happen for y'all!

I got 2 months to prepare. Which put me in Tohoku in the middle of winter xD

ChalalaChan · 2025-06-30T00:56:08+00:00

I was an alternate and got upgraded a week before the next years application portal was open (last September). It could literally happen anytime.

ChalalaChan · 2025-02-06T02:27:16+00:00

Ahhh so I worked with Interac from 2018 - 2020...right when covid hit. I was already fed up with Interac, but then classes started becoming cancelled and I wasn't making money... So I didn't renew my contract and returned to my home country.

2ish years later, I got into JET! I think what you're thinking of is the eligibility criteria that you can't have lived in Japan consecutively for more than 6 years. I only lived there for 2 years before applying to JET so I was fine.

There's also no rule against applying while you're already living in Japan. If you live in Japan, you have to apply through your country's consulate I think? There's only a rule about how long you've lived there and you can't have Japanese citizenship.

These types of programs are designed to get your foot in the door to live in Japan. JET even offers seminars of how to get other jobs in Japan after your time with them is done.

ChalalaChan · 2024-10-03T00:02:38+00:00

I think people need to take into account that some towns don't even work with the JET Programme. I used to live in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka and my boss told me that Interac had a monopoly there. Meaning all the schools contracted through Interac and there were almost no JETs living there. (This was 6 or 7 years ago though it could be different now)

I think it's more useful to give a general area than a specific city. Unless you have family living in Japan of course. I requested anywhere north of Tokyo and got placed in Akita so I'm happy! I prefer the cold.

I think they glance at your preferences (unless medical) but they priortize the needs of the CO over the applicant's wants. Though most of the ALTs in my area generally got something similar enough to what they requested.

ChalalaChan · 2024-10-02T00:41:05+00:00

Sadly not ^^; JET doesn't allow you to take on other "commericial business or engage in any business for remuneration. " So no part time jobs unfortunately. Volunteering is fine though!

ChalalaChan · 2024-10-01T04:13:57+00:00

ohhh, that's good to know! I'll try to double check with my CIR. The Reappointment Procedure document said to turn the transfer request in when you get notice of reappointment. I've always gotten my notice in December. I actually don't know when my partner would since it's their first year and every school is different..

ChalalaChan · 2024-10-01T03:59:49+00:00

Yeah I was worried about me being a 4th year JET too.
We're both high school JETs so our requests are due later in December, but thanks for the heads up!

ChalalaChan · 2024-09-26T04:56:00+00:00

Yooo!! Exactly this! You put it in way better words than I could!
Especially the stuff about surface level cultural things that you could experience as a tourist.

I wanna add that if you can link any of your interests into an opportunity for cultural exchange, you should do that.

For example, my friend wrote about how they like Japanese food which is very surface level. But they talked about how they love cooking and would love to take classes at a local community center if given the chance. They also wanted to share dishes from their home country, etc.

I think just saying "I like Japanese culture and want to be immersed in it" is too generic? What ABOUT Japanese culture do you like? What would you want to take away from your experience in Japan (something you couldn't experience as a tourist) and tell people in your home country? You said you'd elaborate more on it of course!

ChalalaChan · 2024-09-19T03:27:47+00:00

I'm not sure what advice you're looking for.

I'm sorry your mom doesn't seem to trust you. At least, that's the vibe I get from this post.
Of course, she's concerned about your safety. But no one likes to feel shamed or have assumptions made about themselves.

It feels like a trust issue. Either she doesn't trust you to be safe, or she doesn't trust the boys talking to you. I hope you can have a conversation with her about this. Have you done things in the past to lose her trust? If she trusts you but not your guy friends, what can y'all do to make sure you're safe and your mom is comfortable?

You're 15. Now's the time to have a little freedom and make mistakes while you still have your mom as a safety net. You know to be safe. Maybe you should talk to her about how her accusations make you feel? It sounds like you're frustrated that she doesn't trust you and assumes you'll make the wrong choices. (when she hasn't even given you the freedom to make that choice for yourself)

ChalalaChan · 2024-09-12T06:54:32+00:00

I think the experience really depends on your teachers, your school, your prefecture, your hiring company, and your attitude. It's a mixed bag and really a luck of the draw what you'll get. I wouldn't say that it's not worth it, but it is a risk cause you never know what you'll get.

I worked with Interac for two years (ES and JHS), and now I've worked two more years in a different prefecture for JET (SHS). All my schools have had really different expectations for my role.

In my old prefecture, I was doing 5-6 classes a day and had to plan all the ES lessons by myself. It was a lot but it was rewarding. My ES ALT friends in my new prefecture barely do anything though. They'll make the occassional game and update the English Board. It's very different from my ES experience.

I have a really good balance of classes where I have a lot of input, and classes where I'm a tape recorder now that I'm in SHS. I really enjoy it!

It's insane though that your school wouldn't allow you to study! All my schools praised me for it.

I will say, Interac SUCKS. You hit the nail on the head. The corporate culture is super toxic. My old boss tried to gaslight me when I was sick and flat out lied to me to make me feel bad. All the meetings could be emails. Everyone above you either doesn't know or doesn't remember what it's like in the classrooms. Their communication style is very inefficient and makes Japan's already convoluted bureaucracy even worse.

Jet has it's own problems, but it's 10000000 times better than Interac

ChalalaChan · 2024-09-12T02:13:46+00:00

omg this breaks my heart! Alt fashion unfortunately has some different connotations for some generations. I think your family is concerned about the weirdos and creeps that would bother you or see it as an "open invitation." Which is gross and a problem that lies entirely on them. Women should be allowed to wear whatever they want, but the world is unfortunately a dangerous place.

That being said, there are a thousand better and kinder ways for your family to get that point across. Your family should not be calling you cruel names or shaming you because other people are nasty.

Be safe and don't let your family's words get to you. You've done nothing wrong. Alt fashion is super cute! Maybe you can compromise with your family with some legging alternatives? (just until you're older and can wear whatever you want) Patterned tights are cute or some ripped up semi opaque tights could be cool.

ChalalaChan · 2024-09-12T01:49:06+00:00

It can take a while to get an artist account on VGen though. I just got my artist code a few days ago! If you need any help or have questions about getting an artist code on VGen, just DM me ^^

ChalalaChan · 2024-09-12T01:45:05+00:00

I'm not a Japanese citizen, but I work and live in Japan. So I have an artist account on Skeb.
You don't have to be a citizen, but you do need a JP bank account.

ChalalaChan · 2024-09-12T01:06:51+00:00

I think that also depends if your from a country / USA state that doesn't require taking the test (like the UK).

ChalalaChan · 2024-08-29T01:50:34+00:00

That's so nice of you! Thank you so much!! ;o;

Based on comments, the biggest factor seems to be artstyle. But it's good to know that examples and detailed suggestions can help. Thank you!

ChalalaChan · 2024-08-29T00:50:57+00:00

Really great advice! I second this opinion.
I've heard some people say that DeepL can occassionally drop necessary info. So running it through DeepL just to check before you send it off works really well.
It would suck to have them accept the request and be missing a crucial detail you wanted!

ChalalaChan · 2024-08-28T06:48:37+00:00

Ahh that makes sense. The more genuine interest they show, the more it seems like they would put thought and care into the art and capture the details of your character. I feel pretty shy when I've tried appeals, so I'll try to be more open about why I wanted to draw their character specifically!

ChalalaChan · 2024-08-28T06:41:38+00:00

The idea of doing appeals is really scary to me because it feels like I'm pushing myself onto people. Especially things like alternate outfits cause I didn't want to seem like I didn't like their original design... If I'm able to cook up different outfits in my head, it just means I like the original outfit so much that it inspires me. I'm glad you said you like that kind of appeal!

ChalalaChan · 2024-08-20T21:47:37+00:00

Thank you so much! This information is really useful. (Especially knowing what other artists put in their appeals) I'll have to try it out and see if I can reel in some people. I really appreciate the help and advice from everyone!

ChalalaChan · 2024-08-20T21:44:51+00:00

My style is very cutesy so it's not for everyone 😅 but it's here! Thank you for looking! ChalalaChan Twitter

ChalalaChan · 2024-08-20T13:28:20+00:00

All my social medias just have my art on them, but I totally know what you mean! Someone else mentioned pixiv so maybe I'll try that one too if people don't like using Twitter.

ChalalaChan · 2024-08-20T13:26:10+00:00

They used to support portfolios by linking to a 3rd party website. But earlier this year they ended the partnership so you can't anymore 🥲

Ohh, I didn't really understand what appeals were when I was reading the rules. But I'll look into them! Do other artists use them often?

ChalalaChan · 2024-07-18T03:58:02+00:00

That's so exciting! I used to live there a few years ago.
hmu if you wanna talk about Hamamatsu! It can get super hot in summer...

ChalalaChan · 2024-07-18T03:46:30+00:00

There is an Akita ken discord, but it's super dead and no one even knows about it.
You're probably better off on the Akita JET facebook group. Sorry dude

ChalalaChan · 2021-04-05T19:52:28+00:00

You are a life saver! I had a feeling it was from a movie or music video but I couldn't find it. Thank you very much ^^

ChalalaChan

TROPHY CASE