Sitting around outside the Japanese embassy in Houston waiting for my interview, I thought to myself, “The first thing I’ll do if I get accepted to JET, other than calling everyone I know is buy tons of omiyage or souvineers for everyone in Japan~!” Yeah right! I received the acceptance email at 5:03pm on April 3rd, 2008, and was thrilled, but then slightly overwhelmed. The first thing that happens is you get swamped with about 5 different documents you need to submit, several of which need to be completed within the next 2 weeks. There’s the…
-reply form (due 4/18 )
-physical (due 4/18 )
-IRS form 8802 to get form 6616 (to avoid double taxation by the US and Japanese gov’t - mail off asap)
-FBI fingerprints (mail off asap)
-proof of graduation (mail off as soon as you receive it)
There were victory dances, yes, but it wasn’t the glorious image I had in my head. There was lots of running around, scheduling doctor’s appointments, when to get inked up for fingerprints, etc, as well as the disappointment that two good friends and excellent JET candidates were only given ‘alternate’ positions. I’m confident they’ll find other work in Japan if a JET position doesn’t open up for them though. There’s plenty to go around.
Anyways, I’ve turned everything except the last document in early and am now anxiously awaiting graduation.
Filed under: Info
My name is Jeanne Beck and I’m creating this blog because starting this July I will be living in Japan via Japan Exchange and Teaching Program, or JET Program. I’m very excited about living and teaching and Japan and want to keep everyone at home informed with how things are going. Thanks for viewing! Expect more posts around summer time. 
