To Re-contract or Not To Re-contract

That’s the big question everyone here has been faced with here.  Some were asked earlier, but around the end of the calendar year is the time when all JETs are approached by their CO (contracting organization), and asked if they would like to renew their contract for the next year.  Seems really early right (for most of us we have been here for only a few months)?  Here’s the breakdown though.

On the Japan side of things, they’re going to start filling out budgets for the next year, and part of that would be fitting in the salary for the JET.  So, the earlier they know the better for them.  It gives them the opportunity to get a head start on the paperwork they would need to fill out.  It also lets them know if they are going to need a salary for a new JET or for a renewing JET (you get a slight raise for each year you renew).

The US (home country) side of things is a completely different matter.  It is around the same time that they will be opening the application process for the next wave of JETs.  It seems really early, but when you think about it, you’re filling out a job application that won’t actually start until the following summer.  So, here is what happens on our side that applying JETs don’t know about.  We have 2 options, “No, I’m done and would like to go home” or “Yes!  I want to stay for another year!”  If you want to stay you get another bonus question.  Do you want to stay in the same place, or would you like to put in for a transfer.  Yes, you don’t have to stay in the same place they sent you if you don’t want to.  So after CLAIR gets the list of how many openings they will have for the next school year, we JETs that are staying and would like to move would get the chance to see where is open to move to (this is my guess at least, as I am planning to stay where I am, I don’t know what would have happened if I asked to move).  Once the tallies of who is returning, who is staying, and who is moving is finished, CLAIR will have a final list of where they have openings to send new JETs to.  I would also assume this would include any openings for locations that may have gained an ALT or CIR position as well.  I think this is why so many people make it to the interview process, but so few would get hired.  They won’t know until that time how many positions they will have to fill, so they will interview more than they need.  Harsh, but makes sense right?

 

So how do you know if you want to stay or not?

For me the answer was quite simple.  I went into this job knowing right off the bat that I wanted to stay for more than a year.  I was also fortunate that I lucked out with such friendly co-workers here.  I’ve heard stories at our Prefecture conference about JETs that get frustrated that their JTE (Japanese Teacher of English) don’t get along with them well when it comes to teaching.  There are many teachers that get stuck in the traditional teaching mindset, and are set to teach only what is written in the book.  I lucked out in that most of my JTEs here see me as the English expert, and often ask for my opinion on what is being taught.  They will tell the students that the textbook teaches one thing, but according to Veronica-sensei it is more common to say something else instead.

Being in a bad situation shouldn’t be the reason you say no though.  Keep in mind that unless you feel completely miserable in your work situation, Japanese teachers will often change schools after so many years teaching there, and you can also request to move and hope for a better situation too.  You do have to also keep in mind though, that this wouldn’t be a guarantee for a better situation.  There are also some other things to consider along with this that affect your decision to stay or not.

What is my opinion for reasons not to re-contract?

First and foremost, you feel like you just don’t belong at ALL.  If the culture is just completely weird, or something you feel you will just never get used to then don’t try to force yourself to!  It’s completely OK!  There is nothing wrong in admitting that the situation is something you can’t handle, in fact I would consider it healthy!  Living in another country is an awesome opportunity, and you’ve had your experience with it, but it is by no means easy.  Now, on the other hand, don’t go home just because you miss being able to drive down the road to grab your favorite fast food joint.  Part of living in a new country is realizing that it’s going to be different from what you are used to back home.  If the thought of being away from that, and getting to know life in a new culture is just not for you, then that’s perfectly ok!

You don’t like the work.  Plain and simple.  Now, this doesn’t mean in regards to your co-workers.  I mean, “I really don’t like being around all these little kids and having to go over the same kind of stuff every day.”  There can be quite a bit of repetition in this job.  Especially in Elementary school, where the schools you visit will be at different levels and places in the text book.  If you find that the work you are doing is not appealing then, again, don’t force yourself to do it.  Going back to the teacher situation.  What if you love being here, love learning the culture, still feel like you have things you haven’t accomplished yet, but the work environment is horrible?  Then that will take some serious consideration.  But remember too, you’re not alone!  There is a whole bunch of support groups for you to turn to.  Your PA (Prefecture Advisor) is always there to give you advice on this kind of thing, there is a Peer Support hotline you can call just to vent, and of course your fellow JETs as well!  There are many people you can turn to for advice on your situation.  After getting feedback, thinking it over, and feeling like the work situation still just isn’t worth it then you’ll have found your answer.

You feel like you didn’t earn enough money yet to justify the job.  This should not be a factor at all.  Yes, the money starts off on the small side, and will get slightly bigger the longer you stay, but this should not be the only reason you want to.  Especially if you don’t like the situation you are in at work or in general.

The only one that wants you to stay is everyone else.  If your friends, family, and co-workers are all telling you that you should stay, but you really just don’t feel like you fit in then don’t!  No matter how sad your co-workers will be to see you go, or how much your friends and family get on your case about wishing they had this opportunity, that shouldn’t be the reason you stay.  Like with any other job, if you don’t feel you can give it your best, if this really just isn’t for you, then don’t force yourself!  Remember, it’s not your friends, family, or co-workers that are doing this job, it’s you.  Your own health and sense of mind should come first.  The only person you should be staying for is yourself.  If you feel like your work here has reached its end then by all means, it is ok to say you are done.

 

The long and short of it all is simply that it is a decision that you should spend time considering.  I may sound like a broken record, but that is how important this point is: Don’t force yourself to stay if you don’t feel like you should!  Take some time to consider the situation from various angles.  Don’t be afraid to ask others for advice, but don’t let their opinion be the only one that counts.  Be sure that this is something you want to do, and that will make you happy!