The JET is flying near

Hi everyone! I have some good news!

I have received word from JET that I have been selected as an alternate!

This means that I am basically on a back-up list. I have already sent in all my required paper work to JET to let them know that I accept this position and I have sent out for my criminal record (which there is not one).

I have been informed that most of the time, the majority of alternate candidates at some point end up being upgraded to the short-list (going to Japan);however, I can be upgraded anywhere from now until December, as people are needed or others back out. My placement of being upgraded to the short-list is dependent on my position on the alternate list, as they will be going in order(obviously). As of right now, I have no way of knowing where I fall on that list, but it may be revealed at a later date(I hope).

I am happy to have been selected as an alternate! (It is better than having been rejected completely.) Let's all hope that I am upgraded quickly!!!

Well, Happy Easter everyone and I promise to keep you all updated as information is released to me. Thank you for all your support during this (long) process.

Things have been set in motion

I have some Great news! I have passed the application screening and I will be having an interview! According to the website, "If you are selected to interview, the Consulate/Embassy that you requested as your interview location (Chicago) will be contacting you directly to schedule your interview sometime in the coming week."

Yay! Things are finally moving forward once again. I will keep everyone updated.

Love you all!

Danielle

Finally, a step forward.

Ok. I have sent in my application with all required documents to JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Program. I have verified that it has been delivered to them before the deadline and I should hear from them in regards to an interview in February. Now we play the waiting game.

I REALLY hope that I get this opportunity to experience the Japanese culture and I want to Thank all of those of you who have been supporting me through all my trials with this goal in my life. Thank you and I hope to have a positive update soon.

The end of AEON

Well, I had a meeting with AEON on Monday and it did not go as I had planned for they decided that they did not want me for a position at this time. They stated that they could not tell me why I was rejected because they can not divulge how their selection process works. I can reapply to them in 6 months if I wish, but for now I am looking into a few more options.

There are 3 other big companies. GEOS, which does not look promising as their criteria is a little more demanding i.e. I would need to have more money with me than I currently have saved. And it looks as though they are only located in Tokyo. ECC is looking like a possible option, but I need to do more research into the company and JET, which is teaching in public schools by helping the English teacher, but the contract can be different from one location to another and that does not bode well with me.

Mom and I believe that it is possible that since NOVA has gone under, the other competing companies are probably getting more applications, which is causing them to be more picky with who they hire. It is a pain, but I will just have to try harder.

Even though I have had this blow to my ego, I am not giving up! I intend to go to Japan and I will get there!

I will let everyone know how things are going as they unfold! Until then...

Finally, a change in pace!

I have applied to AEON and I got a response stating that they have received my application and they will contact me in about 2 weeks if they want me to come in for an interview!

Everyone wish me luck!!! :)
And for anyone who wants to read the paper that I wrote "Why I Want to Live and Work in Japan", here it is!

Japan, a country not much bigger than the state of California and about as many people living there as half of the United States population, is a highly crowded country, especially since most of the land is uninhabitable. To most people, this would not sound very appealing and it would not be a place that they would even want to go to for vacation. The idea of living there would be even more unbelievable. Despite all these facts, I am one of the few people who truly wish to go to Japan and even live there when I am given the opportunity.

Since I was young, about the age of 8 or 9 years old, I have had an interest in the Japanese culture. Like most Americans, it started with the attraction to Japanese animation, also known as animé. As an artist, the style of the animation and the detailed artistic drawings of the manga’s, or Japanese comics, were highly intriguing to me. My interest in Japan only grew from there and never ceased.

My love for animé transformed into a love for Japan and the Japanese culture. I find it fascinating how such a modern society can still remain so traditional. Tradition in the United States has disappeared from sight with the younger generations. I hope to learn from the Japanese culture and find ways to keep my own traditions alive, while making them practical in my daily life.

Aside from the culture of Japan, there is also the beauty of the country and the vast history that shows through. The mountainous landscape is something that I find both very relaxing and exhilarating at the same time. Many paintings throughout the Eras of Japan contained images of Mount Fuji and the vast spans of waters, the most breathtaking scenes a country can have. The old temples from many years ago that span the landscape are also breathtaking and are part of what makes Japan unique from other countries. I look at the pictures of the land I know that this is a place I can see myself being a part of.

Throughout my life, people have thought that my intense curiosity with Japan and its culture to be odd, but I have never wavered in what I find interest in. I have met a few people with a common interest in Japan as I have, but I do not believe that any one of them is as determined to get there as I am. Most people dream big, but do little to follow those dreams. I have not made a dream for myself. I have made a goal and I intend to achieve that goal. My aim is to teach English in Japan.

I first learned of the opportunities to teach English in Japan while I was in high school. A friend of mine told me of the programs that were available and how one could be eligible to teach English. From that moment, I wanted to teach in Japan and I have been working everyday to reach that goal. I have strived to be where I am today and I am now ready for the next chapter in life; to live and work in Japan.

If at first you don't succeed...

Well, since Nova might be going bankrupt and they are causing their employees to be evicted from their apartments, I am no longer going to be going to Japan with Nova. I don't feel confident in them anymore.

So, I will be applying to AEON, which is another company that teaches English is Japan. I will post updates as they happen. I hope to be posting something soon! Everyone cross your fingers for me!!

Aggravating Circumstances

Well, it looks like things have changed AGAIN! I received a call from Nova on Friday and people in Japan will not be paid on time again. They were supposed to be paid on the 15th, but they won't be paid until the 19th. Nova also notified me that they found out that they have no housing available in the month of November. Now it looks like I won't be leaving until after the New Year.

I am going to do some research on the other companies that are out there and see what that brings me. Nova is not the only company that I can teach through. I told Nova that I will think about what I want to do and that I will get back to them on Monday.

I can't believe this is happening, but maybe there is a reason and it is for the best. Maybe I wasn't meant to go to Japan right now and maybe I wasn't supposed to go with Nova. I'll just keep looking on the bright side and take one day at a time! This will all work out!