Every year someone asks if they are “too old” for the JET Program
Whether you are 21 or 41, your age doesn’t really mean a thing to your teachers, faculty, or students. Being a “mature” Assistant Language Teacher can reflect positively on most, as everyone can depend on you.
From my experience, about 70% of JET ALTs are in their early to mid-20s while the remaining 30% are in their late 20s, 30s, and up.
I started the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program at 26 and finished when I was 30. I was lucky enough to have a big group of JETs in my city, people in my age range, but everywhere is different.
Not all JETs are in their 20s and just graduated from college. One of my best friends is returning to JET, in the summer of 2022, at the age of 35. Yes, they are doing JET, again! Even though my friend will be a much older JET, I am still jealous because the program is so fun at whatever age you are.
Many of my closest JET friends were much older than me on the program, some in their late 30s when I was just starting the program. Age doesn’t matter as much when you and your colleagues share the same interests in being abroad.
If you meet all the 2023 JET Programme requirements, go ahead and apply!
Honestly, you have nothing to lose when applying to the program, unless you have a job you are unable to leave, family, pets, etc…
That is the biggest hurdle for most older applicants is taking the year off and moving their entire life abroad if they have to. Some older applicants see it as an opportunity to start a new life abroad and establish themselves in Japan. If plan on only a year, have somewhere to store all your stuff or rent storage.
Be Realistic with Yourself and Expectations
Consider everything you will have to go through if you are accepted to the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program.
Paperwork, flying, and moving are easy (except for Pets and Spousal/children visas); however, you will most likely be placed somewhere random in Japan.
If you have no experience with Japanese culture and the language, you are going to have a tough time compared with someone younger and more carefree.
Adapting to life can be hard for the others you bring with you as well… Your significant other might not want to go and live in Japan.
If you are flying solo and are adaptable, then congratulations. You will have less to deal with and JET will work for you.
What Happens After You Finish?
However long you decide to stay in JET/Japan, you should always have a backup of what you intend to do afterward.
Most JET ALTs plan on continuing their old jobs or going for higher education such as graduate school. A few JETs will become fluent in Japanese and establish themselves working in large companies, mainly in Tokyo.
No matter your age, always plan as if it is your last year with long-term goals. Finishing JET with no future aspirations can be a real problem for your mental health and finances. As an older JET, you should have some aspirations to look forward to rather than nothing at all!
As for me, I saved up money over my four years, so I had the money for graduate school. I save around 1 million yen a year, so I could afford it. It worked out for me and was well worth the trouble. Saving money on JET isn’t hard if you don’t have loans…
Best to plan ahead and enjoy the age gap if you are older!
