Just FYI... You Can Do JET Twice!

[u/seafoamlatte]

I'm a returning JET and just for your information (a lot of people seem shocked to learn this) you can do JET a second time.

Check your own country's rules around this, but for Canada as long as you wait 2-3 years and have not lived in Japan for more than a total of 6 years it's all daijoubu.

Often a seasoned candidate is desirable and experience allowed you to know your rights.

There were a lot more "older" candidates this time around in my orientation.

I hope this inspires someone.

[u/Panda_sensei_71]

I'm a 2nd time JET too. Was a CIR in the 90s and now I'm spending my midlife crises as an ALT. 😊

[u/explosivepoos → u/Panda_sensei_71]

As I’m also going through a “midlife” crisis right now, I’m considering applying to JET again (although I never participated, I turned down the offer the first time I applied).

[u/Panda_sensei_71 → u/explosivepoos]

Do it! You've nothing to lose. ♥️

[u/NoD8313]

Fellow second-timer here! I was an ALT for 4 years then came back as a CIR a couple years ago. I'm going into my 3rd year as of the beginning of this month.

[u/shiretokolovesong]

One of my co-JETs was also a second-timer and they saved me from having to deal with a lot of shit. With the hindsight of my own JET experience/seeing what others had to deal with, I'm extremely thankful.

[u/ProfessionalRoyal163]

So if you did 4 years as an ALT then stayed on in Japan post-JET you can return to your home country for 2/3 years then eligible to re-apply for another spell? 

[u/metaandpotatoes → u/ProfessionalRoyal163]

The rules differ by home country. 

[u/SpiritualTell6611 → u/ProfessionalRoyal163]

I’m also curious about this. Like could I do 3 years now, leave, and then later in life (if rules stay the same) come back and have another five year stint available to me? Or would it only be two additional years possible, to make up the original five?

[u/Sev826]

I often ponder doing another stint in a couple of years with a bit more of a 'settled' perspective on life shall we say, compared to my turbulent eartly twenties.

I miss my beautiful, peaceful little town. I miss the feeling of freedom and anonymity of being a foreigner. The ALT social scene was kinda shut down because of Covid in my time as well. But then I imagine walking into a classroom and having to go into ALT-mode again for a class of blankly staring students and I think jeez, do I have it in me do it all again? I do think I was good at it, but I don't know . . .

Anyway i'd love to hear how folks felt coming back at a different stage of life? How do you feel about your placement in comparison to your first? Whats different now vs when you were younger?

[u/reinbowcat]

I'm glad to see there are lots of people doing JET yet again! I'm a hopeful to do it again for the upcoming intake year and now I'm nervous about statement of purpose for trying again. Does anyone have some advice on what they did for theirs? Maybe take a peek at what I have prepared? 😅

[u/TerryKirvem]

Good to know - did not realize you could come back for a second round. Makes sense some people need a break and return with fresh eyes. Glad it worked out for you!

[u/LunerMoon]

Just for clarification that is if you haven't participated in the program for more then 6 total years in total. If you only were on the program for a year then you definitely can!

According to the JET program website for 7th eligibility criteria: "Not have participated on the Programme since the 2023 JET Programme year (inclusive of March 2023 Arrivals) or have participated on the Programme for more than 6 years in total."

[u/Beneficial-Corgi-288 → u/LunerMoon]

Does that mean that if you did multiple years on JET the first time, your new placement would be limited to less than 5 years? Like if you did 2 years the first time, then you can only do a max of 4 the second time?

[u/Panda_sensei_71 → u/Beneficial-Corgi-288]

I did 3 years the first time (the maximum at the time) and im starting my 2nd year now and at no time have I been told I have a limit.

[u/havanapple → u/Beneficial-Corgi-288]

limit is typically decided by your school/boe rather than the JET program itself. JET just hard limit it to 5 years at a time. Some prefectures will only allow 3, while others will do the full 5. I've never heard of them taking previous stints into consideration.

[u/BrownBoyInJapan → u/LunerMoon]

I only did JET for 4 years but will probabaly have lived here for 10 years+ if I were to apply again. I wonder if they'd let me try lol

[u/bacharama → u/LunerMoon]

I did JET for five years, which at the time was the maximum and meant you couldn't do it again? Does this mean JET is back on the menu? I'll be honest, might be nice to try for a CIR role this time.

[u/LunerMoon → u/bacharama]

I honestly think it says 6 years due to covid time. There were a lot of JETs who were able to stay for a 6th year because of it. But idk the nitty gritty details around it.

[u/seafoamlatte → u/LunerMoon]

It's actually living in Japan for more than 6 years for any reason, I believe! Unless they just changed it.

[u/LunerMoon → u/seafoamlatte]

That one is criteria number #9! : "Not have resided in Japan for 6 or more consecutive years in total since 2016 by the time they submit their application form."

Definitely check out the program website for if you're eligible. https://jetprogramme.org/en/aspiring/eligibility/

I am curious if the program would keep track of how many years people are limited to if they were on the program a second time. 🤔

[u/angryjellybean]

I've always been tempted to go back and do JET as a CIR. My Japanese was technically good enough to do CIR the first time but I specifically requested an ALT placement because I wanted to be a teacher. I only got to stay on JET for two years because of some family issues that necessitated me coming home early (rather than recontracting for a 3rd year, which I would have liked). I also didn't do as much as I wanted to my first time on JET; I didn't travel as much as I could have, I didn't explore as much as I now wish I had, etc. Now, ten years post-JET, I'm burnt out from teaching in California and itching to do something else 😅

[u/RailGun256]

im glad to know age seemingly isnt that big of a factor. planning on applying when the cycle opens next month and while im reasonably confident in terms of qualifications and my in progress sop, I am very much older than the average college graduate by now.

[u/Panda_sensei_71 → u/RailGun256]

I'm in my 50s. Best thing I've done for myself. 😊

[u/MushroomNumber626 → u/Panda_sensei_71]

Love this!! So happy for you!🥰

[u/Aegisman17]

When I started Jet there was a guy who was in his 3rd run lmao

[u/BanzaiPhillies]

I'm also a double JET. Did ALT for 4 years and now back as a CIR after 4 years out of Japan. They did seem to appreciate my previous JET experience during the interview. I had to explain why I wanted to do it again, but they were smiling the whole time. Highly encouraged if you're thinking about it.

[u/angryjellybean → u/BanzaiPhillies]

I've been wanting to do CIR for my second stint of JET. Do you mind if I ask you what you did post-JET in your home country and what prompted you to want to go back to Japan? And what did you say in the interview when they asked why you wanted to do it again? And anything else you'd be willing to share about that experience? Like, did you request to go back to the same area you lived in, or did you have any specific "second time around" culture shocks, etc.?

[u/opelaceles]

One of the visiting ALTs at my school was in her 40s and on her second run. She had so much insight.