Currently on year 3, recontracted for year 4. Plan to leave after year 4 ends.
- What motivated you to continue on the programme?
I'm able to save about $13,000US in savings every year on JET. I've done calculations for salaries for jobs related to my major back home, and in very few places am I able to put that much money toward savings, even though my income will be significantly higher. This is because rent in US major cities are also out-the-wazoo expensive.
I'm also close(-ish) to passing N1, and I want that certification before I leave Japan.
I recently joined a formal, Japanese-language haiku club as well, and for my hobbyist pursuits in writing and poetry this will give me added credibility back home.
Japanese food, too. Conbini culture. Japanese TV. Fast internet speeds. The cleanliness of the country. The low crime. Public transit. The list goes on for the smaller things.
- What variables had an influence on your re-contracting (such as your school wanting you to continue)
Schools want me to continue
BOE wants me to continue
The superintendant likes me and will write me a letter of recommendation as an agreement for me to do my 4th year
Good relations with JTEs and other coworkers
The students at my schools are lovely
My house is lovely (oceanfront rental home, get the sunrise in one window and see the sunset out the other every day)
Rent is ¥9,000 per month
Starting in my 4th year I will be the "head ALT", and the "subordinate" ALTs under me (officially in writing and BOE hierarchy, but I don't actually work with them very much) will be 10 next year. I'm hoping that number will look nice on a resume for managerial experience.
- What was the process like (were their meetings first, did you have to provide a motivation)?
In November the BOE sent me my recontract form (just one "yes"/"no" question) and my updated official contract. I submitted it in early January to the BOE in-person and that was that.
- Did JET provide you with another 3-year working visa?
My visa expires in July this year, so not yet. I asked my supervisor, and it's not guaranteed to be 3 years, but I'm guaranteed a visa extension if I fill out a piece of paper and go to a local immigration office at the prefectural capitol building.