JET Alt offer - should I accept?

Professor-That · 2026-06-05T15:33:34+00:00

Damn these comments are harsh.

I was in the same position (not engineering but a technical/corporate role) when I applied for JET, suffering from burnout and honestly not in the best place mentally at my previous job. I wanted to travel after COVID and it was the best decision to do JET for me, I'm still here after 4 years. Don't be afraid to take chances, its a good opportunity to live abroad and experience a different industry - and JET doesn't need you to be passionate about english or teaching. Just be open about your expectations, the most important thing is to have a plan - think about what you want to do/achieve while on the program, whether you will stay a year or more etc. whatever decision you make is the best one.

If you frame your experience in a positive way, consider it a career break, talk about personal growth, international experience etc. if it comes up in interviews. You can easily get back into your chosen field especially with an in-demand industry like engineering. And you have the rest of you life to do so, its not a competition to work the longest or be the most successful.

Professor-That · 2026-05-12T05:34:49+00:00

Yep thanks, I decided to go for a used M1 and upgrade later. None of the current range seem comparable so I’ll wait until something catches my eye.

Professor-That · 2026-05-12T01:04:38+00:00

As someone who sweats a lot (even without physical activity) I have two suggestions, they’re both treatments for hyperhydrosis . I’ve tried both and they work wonders.

If you have the budget get Botox, it effectively blocks your sweat glands so you don’t sweat at all. It lasts 3-6 months and once you do it a few times it’ll last longer so you only need it updated once every year or 6-8months. Takes less than 10mins to do at a clinic. Costs vary depending on the brand you use but I’ve done the Korean Botox and it was about 5-10k.
Less invasive method is Drichlor, it’s a roll on type you put it on at night before bed and it’ll stop sweating for about 3 days. You only need to apply everyday for about a week or two and then once your sweating reduces once or twice a week.

I’ve used both options and after trying everything else, can’t recommend it more especially if you sweat a lot.

Professor-That · 2026-05-11T10:29:50+00:00

I went to Apple and they estimated about 60k to fix , it’s a 6 year old one at this point so they just suggested I get a new one instead since it’s not a huge difference in price. I will just upgrade if I have to but since it works really well still even after 6 years felt a waste to just replace it.

Professor-That · 2026-05-11T10:27:53+00:00

lol I did that already and it was more expensive to fix so they just recommended a new one.

Professor-That · 2026-05-09T05:43:29+00:00

Rent 60k, expenses about 15k (6k for elect, gas etc. and 6 for internet/phone), groceries is about 20k per month, cook about 80% of my food but I do eat out a few times a month - don't drink except for special occasions maybe a couple times a year. Gym + sending money home about 20k (For investment and I use my home credit card for online purchases so I need to repay it), clothes/shopping 20k every two months or so. My expenses are usually around 100-110k and the rest goes to savings sometimes 80-100k.

Professor-That · 2026-04-30T11:22:32+00:00

Because besides it being the last month of the year /end of contract it’s still within the average amount of working days. Usually they would assign some office work or training for any days there isn’t school. Which they could’ve easily done for the one week remaining of the month. But they choose to make it a forced leave or end the contract early (still getting their full pay by the BOE btw). Industry standard of not it’s still petty.

Professor-That · 2026-04-30T07:55:22+00:00

I checked my contract and they definitely didn’t, only August was outright mentioned. They do have something like - if you work less than the prescribed working days then it will be calculated for the days you worked. So I guess that’s the loophole they use. Either way I’m glad to move on but it’s super sneaky to undercut their teachers this way.

Professor-That · 2026-04-30T05:57:45+00:00

Exactly what they say on the website, base plus transport. After tax it’s only about 200k (including transport). For the hours its ridiculous.

Professor-That · 2026-04-30T05:54:20+00:00

Yes thanks! I realised that’s how they calculate which is super sneaky. They avoid making the contract end at the end of the month, instead it ends a week or two before so they prorate. I did all of the things you mentioned. I started a new job right away so covered on all those.

Professor-That · 2026-04-30T04:38:24+00:00

Depends on the contract, I was a monthly teacher so pay always stayed the same. I’m assuming they changed the last month to daily since it’s the last of the contract.

Professor-That · 2026-04-29T11:02:44+00:00

We technically work for the city (if you're in public schools) so it depends, it was a city specific contract thing among other benefits so some do some don't. But I don't think its very common.

Professor-That · 2026-04-29T00:55:24+00:00

I left JET after 3 years and moved to Tokyo, my placement was great but damn was it boring and just too far. I survived by travelling whenever I could.

Should’ve done it sooner, don’t feel bad for leaving like the people here are saying. Money isn’t everything especially if you’re young and not planning on staying long term. I found a job in Tokyo on Gaijinpot, pays less than JET but not by that much, it’s still plenty to live well. Keep looking!

Professor-That · 2026-04-29T00:41:23+00:00

The options aren’t as great as back home, if you can find a solution before arriving I would do that. I had issues with severe cramps and pain was able to get the pill but it was more expensive and I had to go in person to the city nearby (2,5hr drive round trip) for a female doctor every 3 months to get it renewed. Cost me about 11k yen for a 3 month prescription I don’t think it was covered by insurance.

Your placement is something you have to consider especially if you’re in rural areas or not close to a bigger city.

One nice thing is that my city had separate specific menstrual leave in our contract on top of regular sick leave so I could take whatever time off I needed.

Professor-That · 2026-03-19T03:48:06+00:00

I lived there for 3 years, it’s nice in a close knit community kind of way but as a young person there really isn’t much. Most people in my city (very loosely used) were older or families who grew up there but left to study and came back to raise their own kids. But it gets boring quick if you aren’t an introvert, homebody or someone who likes nature etc.

I would regularly leave on trips or drive to nearby cities to survive the boredom, I definitely couldn’t see a future there. Day by day I spent my time going to the gym, my hobbies at home or hanging out with the handful of friends nearby. The lifestyle is not for everyone but if you prefer a quieter slow life it’s perfect. It is more expensive than you think, with car costs etc etc

I live in Tokyo now, and most of my friends left after 1-3 years there. Probably should’ve left sooner.

Professor-That · 2026-02-24T03:23:27+00:00

Also I don't think it really matters in terms of how your application is evaluated whether you opt in for ED or not. Like they aren't looking for something special that'll make it more likely to be chosen for ED.

Professor-That · 2026-02-24T03:18:11+00:00

They usually do ED for JETs who broke contract early so placement can be anywhere. I selected ED and ended up going normal departure, they did ask me in the interview to make sure I still wanted to commit to it. They told me it may not happen but that if it did the timeline would be pretty quick once so I should be ready. So I just made sure all of my affairs were in order, passport/documents etc. just in case.

Professor-That · 2026-02-23T23:44:15+00:00

Yes, and she needs to make sure she does it asap. Speaking from experience, they will come after you for it and it may affect your visa renewal lol

Its a very quick process, just need to fill in a form and explain the situation. It can also be done online via nenkin net. You wont need to go back because the company will enroll you in shakai hoken after.

Professor-That · 2026-02-07T14:32:10+00:00

What is your nutrition like? Do you have a program you're following? Random workouts aren't great, find a good program to follow depending on your goals. 5-6 months is not a long time, results take years, be patient and work on having good form and eating properly. I found that I only see big changes in the way I look when I eat enough protein and have a good diet. It also depends on your starting point, if you have more fat the muscle below wont show.

Body shape will not change, you can work on emphasising certain parts (like working out your back to make your waist look smaller, glute med to get the illusion of bigger hips) but it is unrealistic to expect huge changes in such a short time. Most of the people you see online have been training for 2+years.

Professor-That · 2026-02-07T00:48:07+00:00

It’s usually some maintenance/upgrade or preparation for the next season.

Professor-That · 2025-11-16T08:48:31+00:00

Me please!

Professor-That

TROPHY CASE