THE 2023 JET PROGRAMME PHILIPPINES CHRONICLES: ANNE TO JAPAN TIMELINE

 

Teacher Anne's Timeline: A Life Reset

THE FIRST STEP

• September 1 - Christy told me about the JET Programme. At first, it didn't ring a bell. I asked her what their website was. She sent it to me and I read the information, guidelines, FAQs, and Charts on the website carefully, taking in every detail printed on every page (I printed all of them out haha) and highlighting every part I find important. Later on, I realized that this JET Programme was actually what my churchmate Indie told me about years ago (back in 2017). She was affiliated at that time with Teach for the Philippines if I remember right. I was laughing here because I realized I wrote letter of request instead of recommendation. Probably, because my school kept asking me to write a letter of request about something before that lmao.

  

• September 2 - decided to 100% apply and dedicate my whole being and focus on the JET Programme. I felt excited and happy. I also annotated the table of requirements, making it my checklist so  I know what I have already done and what I  still need to do.

• September 3 - signed up for N5-N4 Nihongo class.
• September 4 - N5-N4 Nihongo class began.

• September 12, 2022 - Embassy of Japan in the Philippines Official Facebook Page announced that the application for the 2023 Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme, Philippines Chapter was finally open; Christy sent me the link of the announcement. 

 

• September 13 - filled out the Application Form. I actually filled out the previous form but when I checked the website again after the announcement, it said we should use the pdf format on the website. So, I filled it out again, this time while watching the video of Joey Sensei. haha

• September 14 - requested several copies of my Transcript of Record (for work abroad, for study abroad, and local) and Certificate of Graduation at my university. I also requested my honorable dismissal because I am planning to take my Master's Degree (linguistics, literature, or maybe TESOL) while in JET (if accepted)

• I actually emailed my school regarding my clearance for the TOR request way before this. I requested it last March 3, 2022, because I  was planning to finally start my Master's. But it had already been months and the clearance's signatures are still not complete. Hello, CED. Kindly check your online transactions, please?

• September 15 - set an appointment for NBI clearance and Certificate of Passing at PRC online; 

• September 15- messaged my boss at Let's Talk, Professor Toru Sasabe, and my former Head Teacher at Highway Hills Integrated School, Mrs. Rose Ortiz, about my intent to apply for the program. I asked if they would and were free to write me a reference letter. 

• September 16 - asked Jaycee (a uni friend) and Kathleen (another uni friend) what places they can recommend to me for my placements. Jaycee said his mom suggested Hokkaido. According to him, it is one of the safest places in Japan and not too prone to natural disasters. 

• September 18 - asked Christy to proofread my application form. She saw I put the wrong code for nationality hahahaha Thank you Christyyyy!  

• September 19 - went to Robinson's Galleria to request NBI clearance; Sir Toru (Let's Talk boss) finally replied to my Skype message (you'd see it in the previous screenshot)



• September 20 - Sir Toru asked me which places I am planning to put as my placement. I told him what my friends recommended and asked for his opinion. I mentioned that I wanted to choose Hyogo Prefecture because of the beautiful sceneries the students of MWU showed me, specifically Himeji Castle and the Sakura Trees. He told me Osaka Prefecture is a good place to live, too. He apparently works there as a professor at one of the city's universities. I put these three in my first draft. But eventually replaced Hokkaido with Nara because I fell in love with the lovely deer. haha And then later on, I watched a video of a JET PH senpai saying the foxes in Hokkaido are so cute (but advised us not to go near them! haha). I thought of changing it again (but didn't because I am not sure if I can handle the cold. lol. But if ever I get placed there, I'd probably enjoy it too. It would be perfect to experience winter there! I followed many Facebook Pages about Japan, and one of them is the Hokkaido Government. The pictures they post are just mesmerizing.

 

• September 21 - went to PRC for Certificate of Passing; had my first Statement of Purpose draft proofread by English Teacher friends.

 

• September 24 - found the 2023 JET PH APPLICANTS Facebook Group after coming across Teacher Macs' vlog on YouTube;  invited Christy to join it, too. haha

• September 25 - asked my brother to proofread my final SoP draft for the last time. 
• October 3 - Changed my laptop wallpaper to Himeji Castle. Haha I just had to motivate my self every day by looking at Himeji every time I turn my laptop on.

• October 6 - picked up my transcript and certificate of graduation.
• October 8, 2023 - attended the live session of the Embassy. They gave the applicants an overview of the program. I also listened to former ALTs share their experiences and noted important Q&A parts of the live session.

  

  

  

• October 9 - Sir Toru sent the reference letter to my email address. He actually sent it to my skype first, but I requested that he resend it to my email because the Embassy required us to screenshot the email that shows the address of the referee. 

  

Anyway, I'd like to add the brochure he attached to the email. We really cannot insert anything else aside from the requirements listed so I will put the brochure of Let's Talk here, just in case a Japanese student from Mukogawa would like to attend or book classes in the Skype Room hehe

• October 10 - Ma'am Ortiz sent the letters of recommendation to my residence. She printed and signed five (5) copies. haha.
• October 12 - had my medical check-up and requested the Statement of the Physician.
• October 18 - picked up my NBI clearance at Robinson's Galleria.
• October 19 - submitted my documents via Air21. 

  

• October 20 - An authorized Embassy of Japan representative received my parcel. 

THE FIRST WAITING GAME

• October 2022 - January 2023 - started preparing for the second stage of the screening process on October 20, 2022, up until the day before the second stage.
• October 20 - watched videos about the second stage preparations and possible topics for the lesson. You can see the video links here.
• October 22 - searched possible questions for interview and examination pointers.
• October 25 - found a template we can use for the lesson from Jaravelling senpai.
• November 1 - wrote the draft for my lesson for the Primary School level. I chose the key structure "How's the weather?".
• November 2 - started planning the Junior High School level lesson. I chose the topic "Nouns". Key Structure: "What is it/Who is s/he" - "It is a/an ________" and "S/he is _________".
• November 3 - plotted the outline of a possible lesson for the Senior High School Level. I chose "Sports" as the topic. Key structure: "My favorite sport is ________".

• November 15 - The deadline for submission was extended to November 29.
• November 19 - searched for more info about JET ALTs and found that the JET Programme Philippines is actually one of the chapters that send a lot of ALT delegates to Japan, considering we are actually non-native speakers, that is quite a feat!

• December 20 - made my Powerpoint Presentation (final decision - JHS Noun Lesson).

• December 27 - enrolled in Udemy Online Japanese Beginner Course. 

• January 2-3 - prepared my traditional instructional materials on Canva. I did not print it out yet.
• January 15 - reviewed my SoP, Application Forms, and Grammar and Writing Rules and saw this Facebook post from a student. I reposted it but set the privacy to only me since I have not really officially announced yet to my FB friends about my application. Only a few people know about it. 

 

THE SECOND STEP

• January 23, 2023 - received the email invitation for the interview and exam.

 

• January 24 - sent the Lesson Plan and Powerpoint Presentation to the JET Philippines email address. 

• January 26 - edited the instructional materials I had to print out for the traditional backup materials. 
• January 28  - put together the Tarpapels I printed out in early January.

   

• January 29 - checked in at the Airbnb we booked. We stayed there for three days and two nights; checked materials, re-read SoP and Application Forms again, and slept early.

   

• January 30, 2023 - had my exam, interview, and demonstration teaching at the JICC.

   

THE WAITING GAME 2.0

• February 2023 - April 2023 - waiting for the second screening results. 
• February 2023 - April 2023 - reviewing and mastering Hiragana and Katakana; Learning useful Japanese expressions. I actually tried to start with Kanji, but found out I kind of have to review first the Hiragana and Katakana a little bit more and learn more conversational expressions.

• March 28 - received an e-mail from the JET PROGRAM at 2:11 in the afternoon. It has several attachments that include my Second Stage result, Reply Form, Alterations Form, Accident Insurance Forms, and a document for some reminders.

I didn't write much under the second waiting game since most of the things I did are related to my job as a DepEd Teacher. You may click the title 'The Waiting Game 2.0' if you are interested in what I was up to. haha 

THE THIRD STEP

• April 2 -  sent my scanned reply form and passport copy to the JET email address. We thought that if we send the reply form early, we will be able to get our placement details sooner. haha. Of course, we are not really sure about that lmao. We are just very much excited to say 'Yes! I accept!' haha I was too excited I didn't realize I typed digital copy instead of copies on my reply e-mail. I created a new email address for JET, too, because my current e-mail just has a lot of spam mail. ><  

• April 2 - We also had our first batch 'Kumustahan Zoom Session'; some batch 23 candidates shared their experiences during the first and second stages of the screening process. Some were first-timers and some were already on their second time applying to the program. Put stickers on some faces because they haven't told anyone yet about their application. What I can tell from this session is the pool of candidates in batch 2023 is really full-packed with skills, charm, and great personalities. It's so surreal to be a part of them. 

• April 3 - same-day delivery of the physical copies of the reply form and passport copy.
• April 4 - applied for an NBI clearance; I couldn't locate where I put the one I got the previous year.

 

• April 6 - appointment with a dentist. At first, I was planning to wait for my godmother to arrive from the States because she has always been my dentist since I was a baby. But she won't be back until late April (if I am not mistaken), so I had to book an appointment at a dental clinic just within the village. I checked the reviews and they're pretty good reviews from the homeowners. For this reason, I decided to try it instead of booking somewhere far from our place. I had a minor oral surgery and my godmother told me not to go back to the clinic anymore. xD So I have to wait for her.
• April 14 - Deadline for the reply form/passport copy submission.
• April 16 - we had our second virtual Kumustahan session with my 2023 Batchmates.

• April 19 - schedule of my NBI clearance release at Robinson's Galleria.
• April 25 - Sir Toru messaged me back and was so ecstatic about me passing the program. 

• April 26 - Got my NBI clearance from Robinson's. I went last April 19, but their system said that they weren't done checking my records yet. They told me to go back the next day. However, my co-teachers and I will go to Bauan, Batangas, so I couldn't drop by. Then, the week after that is already the third periodic exam. 

• April 26 - I woke up early to have my laboratory done at ARDI, Alfonso Clinic. I got the results of my x-ray and urinalysis around 1PM. Then, I Angkas-ed my way to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital to have the results checked by my pulmonary doctor. He asked me to get the APL view of my chest X-ray. However, the result will be available 12nn the next day. 

 

• April 28 - Got my result from the Radiology Department. I was a bit sad because it said that I still have Pulmonary Fibrosis. Meaning the scar (residue from my previous PTB case in 2017) is still visible. But, yes, it is just a scar. So my doctor gave me a certification that it is nothing serious and that I can still work normally, even if I have it. He signed my Certificate of Health which is one of the requirements for the Third Stage. So right now, I am only waiting for the placement info and JET number from the embassy.

• May 1 - went to see my godmother, a dentist, for my dental check-up.
• May 15 - submitted my resignation letter to our school Human Resources personnel after talking with our Principal about my resignation. Ms. Althea gave me the school clearance to accomplish; the last dental visit.

 

• May 16 - requested a Certificate of No Pending Case from NCR Regional Office.
• May 17 - started working on my school clearance. Will probably finish by Monday or Tuesday. Hopefully by Monday.
• May 20 - received the soft copy of the Certificate of No Pending Case from NCR office; still waiting for Placement info and JET Number.
• May 29 - received the Placement Letter from JICC informing me of my JET Number and Placement information. Included are some reminders and notices of our Departure date (July 30th) as well as the conduct of our online pre-departure orientation. 

 

           

         I also joined the Sendai/Miyagi BATCH 2023 LINE Group Chat and met fellow incoming JETs as well as a number of very helpful senpais from the prefecture. Sir Carl from Kitadaito, Okinawa also told me about his batchmate (2021 JET PH) Senpai in Sendai, Sir Julio. I was able to gather a lot of information about Sendai from Sir Julio as well as the senpais I met in the LINE GC. Sir Julio also mentioned how the BoE representative is very detailed so I won't have to worry about things I would need to do to get settled in the city.  So far, here are the things I gathered about living in Sendai and the school system:

 

• May 30 - submitted the hard copies of my NBI Clearance, Insurance Application Form, and Certificate of Health.

• May 31 - Deadline for the submission of remaining Stage 3 requirements: NBI Clearance, Certificate of Health, and Accident Insurance Form.
• June 5 - received the Welcome Letter from the Sendai ALT General Affairs Advisor; Some attached files included the following:

                  After reading the e-mail and all the information in the attachments, I printed the forms I have to date and sign and scanned them. I e-mailed them back, provided the information they needed, and attached the scanned copies of the following forms

• June 6 - I submitted my Apartment Leasing Agreement so my Board of Education (BoE) representative can process the lease for me. I also informed them that I signed up for the free Japanese Course from CLAIR.
• June 19 - Division and Region Clearance (for Certificate of Last Payment and Provident Clearance) done 
• June 20 - Went to 3Star Medical Clinic and Diagnostic Center, Inc., I arrived at 6:30AM. Too early since the clinic opens at 8AM. I got my Medical Certificate in the afternoon, around 2:00PM.

THE FINAL STEP

• June 27 - Processed my VISA. 
• June 29 - my Instructor VISA was released.  
• June 30 - last day of service at Pinagbuhatan High School.
• July 3 - Our ALT General Advisor sent the Sendai ALT handbook, School placements, and Notice of Permission to lease my apartment via e-mail. I replied that I received the documents and am just waiting for the Notice of appointment to process my Overseas Employment Certificate as an Exit Permit.

• July 5 - Our advisor sent the Notice of Appointment. 

• July 6 - she sent another email explaining the school placements. I am going to teach at one Junior High School and will visit three (3) elementary schools. So the file explained how that will go. Aside from this, I will also have a special needs class. But, my predecessor said it is not a regular class so I don't have to worry about it. She sent a separate e-mail about apartment details, specifically utilities and other things I'd need to live comfortably in the city. She mentioned the Sendai ALT Orientation as well and pasted a link to the website we will have to read before our flight.
• July 7 - I registered and signed up at the DMW/POEA e-reg website. I uploaded all documents needed for the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) OEC application Phase 1. I also read the modules for PEOS Certification. I downloaded the PEOS Certificate right after and had it printed.

• July 10 - We received an e-mail from the travel agency handling our flight to Tokyo. She just wants to ask about our details and meal preferences. 

• July 11 - I went to the DMW office Ortigas, Mandaluyong branch (just right across Robinson's Galleria) and brought 1 original copy and 2 sets of photocopies of the original documents. The evaluator checked our Phase 1 documents online, and we were asked to attend the PDOS at the OWWA office. 

• The PDOS lasted about two hours, from 9AM to 11AM. We uploaded our Phase II documents during lunch hour. Some of us brought laptops, but I only used my phone. After the evaluator checked the phase II documents, she asked for the original copies as well as the photocopy of the VISA and Passport. She stamped the contract 'Processed and Registered', gave the documents back to us, and asked us to pay the fees on the 5th floor. The total payment was P7,287. I'll put the breakdown later. After payment, the OEC was ready to be downloaded from our e-registration accounts. 

• July 28 - Finished packing Omiyages. I bought Pilinuts from Bicol, spicy chocolate, Tablea for my BoE advisors, Principal, Vice Principal, Supervisor, and JTEs as well as many various candies and chocolate biscuits and mallows. I was planning to give both the Teachers and students. However, the teachers said I can't give students candies so I have so many of them here at home. I brought some to my sempai's house when we celebrated his birthday.

• July 29 - We had our Send-off dinner at the residence of the Ambassador of Japan in the Philippines. 

• July 30 - our flight to Japan. We also got our Residence Card as soon as we passed through immigration. Several limousines (shuttle bus) were waiting for us. These buses will take us to the Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku. Once we got our hotel keys, I claimed my mobal sim that I ordered back in the Philippines.

• July 31 - Tokyo Orientation Day 1. After the first day, we walked around Shinjuku and bought some stuff. We also ate out since dinner wasn't provided.

• Aug 1 - Tokyo Orientation Day 2. We met our Sendai City Advisors from our Board of Education. They gave us instructions about what we would do the next day on our first day in Sendai and what to expect upon arriving in the city. They also instructed us what to do with the extra luggage we had to send ahead of us so we wouldn't have a hard time traveling and struggle to carry our heavy luggage. After day 2 of the orientation, we went to Shibuya, saw Hachiko, and crossed the Shibuya crossing several times haha.

• Aug 2 - We left Shinjuku as early as 6AM. We took the train to Tokyo and there we took the Shinkansen to Sendai City. It's only a two to three-hour ride from Tokyo to Sendai. We had a ceremony in Sendai to welcome the first batch of Sendai City ALTs. We're 21 New ALTs, but there are only around 7 of us who first arrived. In this ceremony, we were given our notice of appointment. We also met our JTE/Supervisor. We registered at the ward office and got our Juminhyo or Residence Certificate. This has our Names, addresses, and phone numbers as well as our MyNumber (which is similar to SSNs in the US, I think?). We ate out while waiting for the updated Residence Card to be given back to us. My supervisor also helped me set up my bank account, as well as go with me to buy stuff I'd need for my apartment. We went home to inspect the apartment and take pictures of the parts of the apartment we found broken or not in good condition. 

  

This ends my timeline update. I might not be able to share to you many things about my schools or my neighborhood for privacy and security purposes from now on. Japanese people value their privacy so much and in Sendai this is taken very seriously. This is another ESID moment in JET. Some places may allow ALT to take videos of their schools and placements, but in Sendai, it's a big no-no. 

I will probably share with you some places I went to while I'm here as a JET participant. If you are reading this timeline up to this point, you will probably be applying or planning to apply for the next JET Program cycle. Good luck and God bless! just do your best and leave everything up to God. He knows what's best for us~ 

Ganbatte, minna-san!