I recently got my JET rejection email, I'm going to apply again this year, but with how insanely competitive the programme is, there's a solid chance I won't make it next year either.
My plan is to teach in Japan for a year or two before settling down with a more long term career back in my home country, and I'm beginning to feel like time is running out. If I were to be accepted in the 2026 cycle, I'd be 27 when I start. I know people start JET even into their 50s, but teaching in Japan isn't going to be my long term goal.
At this point, I just want to be working in Japan next year. But unfortunately, it seems like JET is the only option for those wanting to teach English in Japan that doesn't suck.
If I don't make it into JET next year, should I just give up on trying to work in Japan, or are there any other options that are worth pursuing? The consensus on dispatch companies seems to be that they're terrible and should avoid them at all costs. Is being a dispatch ALT really that bad or is the hate overblown?
I have a Japanese friend who works for EEC, and it seems to be fairly reputable. Would that be an option worth considering as well?
by Gaijin-Giraffe