JET with friends....

[Comazon]

First of all, I'm trying to research the JET program a little (this forum has been GREAT for that). I know JET has something like bringing family along with you, but I have a friend who is also really interested in the JET program. We were hoping that we could be positioned close enough to one another so that sharing a small house (or moderately-sized apartment) wouldn't be out of the question. So here's a couple of questions I have:

1) Is the JET program so competitive that the odds of ACTUALLY being positioned close enough to one another is really slim?

2) Even if it does happen, would you assume that is a good way to cut costs (due to splitting rent, sharing internet, etc.)?

3) Off topic question: I know that living in a rural area is a LOT cheaper than living in an urban area. However, I've also read that Japan is somewhat behind in terms of internet compared to other nations. Therefore, should I be worried that there might not be any internet (especially broadband) if I live in a rural area that JET places me?

Thanks ahead of time!

[Komachi Angel]

It's not really competitive as such - there are a lot of organisations that have open positions for new JET participants.

The problem is that you do not get to choose where you go (more or less) and there are a lot of these positions. So, if nothing was said or noted about it, I imagine the chances of you being anywhere near each other are incredibly low.

There is a chance you can ask to be placed near to each other, but again, I really would advise against any expectations. JET may allow family members to be near each other, but rarely do they accept reasons not considered pressing, as the logistics would be even more difficult than they are right now.

Essentially, if you both get on JET, the contracting organisations you get assigned to will have seen your application and all other related information. I think the best you could do is ask for the same prefecture or city district, and maybe mention it during your interview.

One warning - the JET interview is important to see if applicants are genki and will survive the transition process well. Therefore, it is usually best to come across as capable and bright, and not show that you have any particular dependancies in your going to JET. Reasons for location such as girl or boy friends may give the impression that you are going simply for them, etc. While this may not be the case, it is important to remember.

Good luck, and I do hope you get near to each other if all goes well.

[JusenkyoGuide]

3) Off topic question: I know that living in a rural area is a LOT cheaper than living in an urban area. However, I've also read that Japan is somewhat behind in terms of internet compared to other nations. Therefore, should I be worried that there might not be any internet (especially broadband) if I live in a rural area that JET places me?
Hate to say it, but it depends. Usually, the closer you are to the major population centers (and by that, I mean how close is your prefecture to, say, Tokyo or Osaka), the better off you are.

Having said THAT, NTT and the boradband companies, such as Yahoo, have really been pushing into just about everywhere as of late. The cable companies are also going strong into many areas as well. So unless you're really out in the boondocks, you shouldn't worry about it.

As for placement, Komachi Angel covered it well. Two point though, smaller towns would likely only have a single JET, and may already have a place picked out for you as well.

[Comazon]

Thank you for giving such quick replies (and such good advice ;) )! However that does leave me with one follow-up question.


The problem is that you do not get to choose where you go (more or less) and there are a lot of these positions.

I think I saw on a JET application a while back that you could request where to be placed. I know that this request isn't written in stone or anything, but it sounds to me now like it will have little impact on your eventually placement (if at all). Am I correct with this?

Basically, what do you mean by "more or less" (or if anyone else wants to help me out with this)?

And yet again, thanks ahead of time!

[Rogue_7]

as far as I know for Jet and other similar orginizations (read: eikawas) they listen very politely to where you want to go, then send you where they need you. Now that may be close to where you want to go, it may not be. I requested Nagano City. I got Nagoya. Both are in Chubu, so its not like I requested Hiroshima and got Sapporo or anything, but I would say be a stoic. Hope for the best, expect the worst.

[atomiton]

placement was the one reason i would find it difficult in Jet... my fiancee lives in Osaka... and the likelihood of being near is slim... mind you it's closer than i am now....