Road to JET 2021: Timeline

Road to JET 2021: Timeline

October 1, 2020 - Application for 2021 JET Programme was opened for Filipinos. I learned about it through the Facebook Page of the Embassy. I downloaded the application files and other requirements from the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines Website. You can click this LINK to check it out.


I downloaded the following files:

  • Application Form (Word) 
  • Application Guidelines (PDF) 
  • Attachment Chart Sheet of Application (PDF) 
  • Self- Report of Medical Condition (s) (Word) 
  • Statement of Physician (Word) 
The deadline for submission: January 8, 2021.

October - November 2020 - I worked on completing my requirements. Luckily, I have a copy of my Transcript of Records and Certificate of Graduation. It would have been challenging to acquire them as the country is facing COVID 19 pandemic and most schools are closed or has limited manpower. 

November 9, 2020 - I contacted and informed my superiors about my plan and also asked them for the reference letters. Just to be sure, I contacted 4 people to write my reference letters. (Only 2 reference letters are required.)

November 11, 2020 - I finished the 1st draft of my Statement of Purpose (SOP). 

December 8, 2020 - I attended the Live Online Information Session presented by the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines via their Facebook Page. I learned that there were more than 2000 applicants this year. A huge difference compared to the 600+ applicants for the JET Programme Batch 2020.


December 9, 2020 - I did major changes to my SOP draft based on the information that I got from the online information session. 

December 15, 2020 - I showed my SOP  to several friends to get feedback. I then finalized it and the Application Form. 

December 21, 2020 - I submitted my completed requirements to the Japan Information and Culture Center, The Embassy of Japan in the Philippines via the LBC courier company. 

December 22, 2020 - My requirements were received by an authorized representative of the embassy.

January 8, 2021 - The application season for the 2021 JET Programme officially closes. The waiting game begins. I joined the messenger group - PiNOY JET Applicants 2021 and the JET 2021 Applicants to stay updated. 

February 25, 2021 - I received an email from JET Programme informing me that I made the cut for the 1st screening. Additional requirements were also given for the 2nd screening.

2nd Screening Additional requirements:

  • Interview Voucher*
  • Teaching Demo Lesson Plan*
  • Teaching Demo Video*
  • Interview via Microsoft Teams (March 10 - 1:25PM)
*The deadline for these was on March 9.

February 26, 2021 - I joined the messenger group - JET PH 2021 (Second Screening) and became part of the 120+ hopeful applicants who made it to the interview and demo stage. I also joined another messenger group - 3JET composed of only 3 applicants: Dessa, Ivy, and me. Our small group trained with the use of Microsoft Teams and did several mock interviews in preparation for the interview proper. 

March 3, 2021 - I went to PAREF Southridge School to record my teaching demo video. It took me almost around 20 takes to record the video that I felt showcased my teaching skills the most.

March 5, 2021 - I submitted the Interview voucher, teaching demo lesson plan, and the teaching demo video via email.

March 10, 2021 - I got interviewed via Microsoft Teams. They asked me around 10-15 questions mostly revolving around the SOP that I submitted. 

May 5, 2021 - I received an email informing me that I have successfully passed the 2nd screening of the 2021 JET Programme. Additional requirements were given. I learned that of the almost 200 applicants who made it to the 2nd screening only 32 of us made the cut to become Batch 2021 JET ALTs. 

Additional Requirements:

  • Reply Form*
  • Passport photo*
  • Certificate of Health**
  • Criminal Record (NBI)**
  • JET Accident Insurance Form**
* The deadline for these was on May 17
** The deadline for these was on June 30

May 7, 2021 - I submitted the reply form and passport photo via email.

May 31, 2021 - The JET Programme in cooperation with JETTA sent an email inviting the incoming JET 2020 and 2021 ALTs to a free webinar series exclusive to Philippine JET Participants on June 19 with the topic ALT's roles and responsibilities outside the classroom.

June 19, 2021 - I attended the free webinar.  In the afternoon after the webinar, I submitted my Certificate of Health, Criminal Record (NBI), and the JET Accident Insurance Form. 


July 1, 2021 - I received my placement details and JET number. I'm assigned to Hokkaido Prefecture which was my second preference in the application form that I submitted months back.


August 23, 2021 - I received an email about my departure date (October 17, 2021). Attached to the email are additional requirements to submit. Both hard and soft copies were asked to be submitted before (August 31).

Additional Requirements:

  • Pledge Form
  • Supplementary Agreement Form
September 5, 2021 - Submitted my resignation letter to the management of PAREF Southridge School although I have already informed them about this as early as June 2021. 

September 9, 2021 - I received my Welcome Letter from the Hokkaido Board of Education.

September 11, 2021 - Received my ''Notice of Appointment'' and ''Statement of Agreement''. I also learned that I'm assigned to Rumoi High School.


September 12, 2021 - I met my predecessor - Catherine Adcock in the Hokkaido JETs Facebook Groups.

September 15, 2021 - I went to The Embassy of Japan in the Philippines to apply for my working Visa. It was released on September 16. I also read, understood, and accomplished the 8 learning modules of the POEA - PEOS Online. With that, I got my Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar Certificate which I need for my POEA application. 

September 21, 2021 - I emailed DirecthirePhase1Eval@poea.gov.ph to request a schedule of appointment. They responded and scheduled me for an appointment on September 30. They requested me to print the email and also look at the requirements that I need to bring. You can check out the requirements here:


September 22, 2021 - I received an email from JET Programme about the pre-departure orientation on October 9, 2021 (10AM). They also sent the link for the Microsoft Teams that we will use.

September 25, 2021 - Last day of work in PAREF Southridge School.

September 28, 2021 - I received an email from my Prefectural Advisor (PA) Maxwell Stibbard Hawkes, and the Rumoi Block Advisor (BA) Guy Geva. They officially welcomed me as an ALT to Rumoi City. I also received the Rumoi Block Guide which is a very detailed PDF file containing the things that I should know about being an ALT in Rumoi City, Hokkaido. 

October 9, 2021 - We had our last JET pre-departure orientation.



October 17, 2021 - Flight to Japan and start of my 2 week quarantine period.
Location: Rumoi, Hokkaido, Japan

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