JET Program reviews

Because you are not employed by the JET program but rather a local government office in Japan, everyone's living benefits are different. One person may pay $800 in rent while another employee pays zero. Stipends might be different amounts. One employee may get extra vacation time. It all depends where you're actually placed. If you have experience the mandatory orientations can be painfully simplified and redundant. There is no opportunity for advancement, and you will probably need to fight to prove your worth at first. The English education system is a bit screwed up, but they are working on fixing it.

Prepare to be the gaijin monkey for multiple schools and to have a genki expression while you're doing it. Also, make sure you fit into their stereotypes of your country and pretend to play dumb at any Japanese culture or language. Depending on the teacher's view of you, they can make your life a nightmare. You are a puppet to them in this job. It gets degrading and old fast. If you have something to do outside of work to make up for the work content than it's bearable, but if you're in the boonies where there's nothing to do and not a single other person in your age range prepare for doom. No advancement. Lackluster, minimal training. Not great for your resume unless you want to keep teaching.