The 2023 JET PH Chronicles
II. What did you do to prepare all the requirements and documents?
III. What hurdles did you have to overcome while gathering and preparing the requirements?
IV. How was it like after you submitted the requirements?
If you are reading this blog, then I have already submitted my application for the 2023 Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme to the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines and (a) have received an email that I passed the first screening process or (b) I did not receive an email, and the Embassy has already posted on their Facebook page that they are already done sending emails to the applicants who will proceed to the second stage of the screening process.
No matter the result, I wrote this blog post for only one reason: to write a journal about how I prepared for the first stage of the screening process and the roller coaster ride I had to endure while gathering all my documents.
My co-teachers and friends from my previous school and I have already considered applying to work abroad. In my case, I have already been thinking about working as an ALT in Japan since 2017. But unexpected circumstances forced me to stay (getting sick in 2017, financial crisis, family matters, etc.). My co-teacher friends were eyeing several countries; however, while preparing my resume, I felt my heart wasn't in it. I felt dread and fear, uncertainty and more fear. It felt like I was doing it not because I wanted to but because of how much money I may save and give to my family back home if I ever get hired. Then 'The Announcement' happened.
The Embassy announced the opening of the JET Assistant Language Teacher position on September 12, 2022. My friend and co-teacher, Christy, immediately messaged me about the news. I felt my heart skip a beat. Just like what I wrote in my Statement of Purpose (first revision), Japan has always been the first on my list of to-go-to countries whenever my international students ask me which country I would like to visit when I get the chance.
Christy sent me the website link of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines. I read the guidelines on the website carefully and found myself hooked on every line. I read the requirements, eligibility, reminders, and frequently asked questions. It is indeed true that when it is something you genuinely, honestly, and sincerely want, you would know. You would know that there is nothing in the world you want more than this thing in front of your eyes that makes your heart beat with excitement and happiness. I continued to go through the downloadables and printed the guidelines and charts. I annotated important parts and set dates and my timeline to gather the necessary requirements. I took the guideline page where the requirements were listed and wrote the date I plan to submit the documents: October 22, 2022.
After reading everything, I watched many videos of former and current JET PH ALTs, who you probably would be familiar with if you are also set on applying and getting into the program. These senpais, Teacher Macs, Joey Sensei, justmedonna, jaravelling, and Love, Lucel, to name a few, have really helped me decide to seriously prepare for my 2023 JET PH Application.
I watched all the senpais' live sessions and filled out the application form with them as they explained each part of it and gave advice on how to fill it out. I scheduled an appointment at PRC Main Office to have a copy of my PRC Identification Card authenticated (this is not required/necessary; A photocopy is enough) and get a Certificate of Passing and NBI Clearance (only if the applicant lists any relevant history in the application). I know from previous appointments that I am with a hit, so I scheduled my appointment on NBI last October 3, 2022, because I know that I will have to wait for at least two weeks for the verification. And just like I thought, I had to return to NBI on October 18. On September 22, 2022, I went to my university to request copies of my Transcript of Records and my Certificate of Graduation. It was scheduled to be released on October 6, 2022.
During these days, my aunt, who I also treat as a second mother, got sick. On September 29, I took care of her at the hospital after she suffered a heart attack and transferred her to a different hospital on October 1. She tested positive for Covid-19, so we cannot go inside the second hospital to care for her. My brother and I stayed outside the hospital and waited whenever doctors requested some medicine or other things they needed to care for her. The day they finally said I can go up to take care of her, I hurriedly went back home to prepare some things I would need inside the hospital and went back to the hospital.
I was waiting outside for the doctor's go signal to go up to the MICU when I received a call from the nurse saying my aunt's heart had stopped, but they were doing their best to revive her. Then, a few minutes after, another call came saying she couldn't be revived anymore. Everything happened so fast. That was October 5, Teacher's Day, when she passed away.
So while I was processing her papers for the death certificate and transfer of the cadaver, I was on my way to drop by the university to pick up my documents for the JET Programme. I waited half a day for them to release my papers. While waiting, I called the municipal emergency hotline to coordinate with the hospital and my brothers about my aunt's cremation. From Pasig, her cadaver would be transferred to Cainta Public Cemetery. I was crying silently in the corner while waiting for my transcript. The people at the university registrar must have seen me crying and thought I was crying because of how slow they were processing my documents. 😅 When they gave me my documents, the girl said, "We are so sorry it took us so long to give you the documents." And I was like, "No, no. It's okay. It's okay." My eyes were still red and puffy from crying, not helping the probable misunderstanding. 😂
After getting the papers, I booked a ride with an Angkas rider to get to where my brothers were. They were waiting for me to arrive before they had my aunt's body cremated. Finally, we went back home together. For a week, I was taking care of the memorial and funeral of my aunt while re-reading and revising my application forms, Statement of Purpose, and Self-report on Medical History. After her burial, I set an appointment with my doctor to have him sign my Statement of Physician. I needed him to say that despite my having a history of Pulmonary Tuberculosis (in 2017), I am definitely fit and healthy to work in Japan as an ALT.
After that, I had my final revision of my Statement of Purpose proofread by my friend. I reviewed all documents and put them in a brown envelope (sans the NBI clearance, I don't need to submit it yet hihi). On October 19, 2022, two days earlier than what I wrote on the guidelines, I went to Robinson's Galleria to get my NBI clearance and then proceeded to SM Megamall to drop off my documents at Air21.
After the courier received the requirements, I felt the burden lift a little, and I could breathe easily again. At last, I am done. I just need to wait for the result. And while waiting, I am going to study Nihongo. I will try my best to learn the basics of the language. This Christmas break, I will prepare for the interview and demonstration teaching. I am curious (and anxious) if I will be short-listed, but I pray and hope to receive the invitation for an interview, exam, and demo teaching.
UPDATE:
First and foremost, I would like to thank the Lord, our God, for hearing my prayers, my family, friends, my part-time co-teachers, my colleagues at the school I am working at, my students, and my co-applicant friends who have been praying with me, cheering for me, and a number of them even took some of their precious time to proofread my documents and requirements, write me letters of recommendation, and boost my confidence up every time I feel like I won't get an email (which happened quite often due to the loooong waiting time haha). Lastly, I am so grateful to our JET PH ALT senpais, who gave us many tips, advice, and reminders to guide us through the first stage of the application process.
So what is it really? Is it A or B?
It is (a) I passed the first screening process. Yay!!! I am shortlisted for Interview, Exam, and Demonstration Teaching!!!
All my prayers, tears, fears, and pleas were heard by the Lord for just now, January 23, 2023; as I refreshed my email so many times I could not count anymore, a '2023 JET Programme- MY LAST NAME, RACHEL' appeared in my inbox. My hands were shaking as I moved the mouse toward the bold line of letters. With bated breath, I clicked it open.
I cried and prayed with my heart full of thanksgiving. I thanked the Lord for His goodness, His mercy, His grace, and His compassion. I thanked Him for hearing my prayers and my call for help. Truly, I cannot do anything without the help and guidance of the Lord. I thanked my family and friends who helped me in praying and asked them to continuously pray for me and my friends (Christy got shortlisted, too!) as we go through the second stage of the screening process.
