Kazana
Straight outta Narita
Prospective JET
Posts: 7
CIR Experience: Prospective CIR
Location: Gaikoku
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Post by Kazana on Jul 13, 2021 23:13:49 GMT 9
Hello everyone! I have been lurking here for about 2 years while I have waited for my turn to apply for JET and now that I am going into my last year of university, it is finally time! I am aware that there is a big chance that you will not get the places you request, but I have a question about it anyway. I'm wondering, how are Pref/Des.City CIRs different from City CIRs (as in how they are distinguished here: jetprogramme.org/wp-content/MAIN-PAGE/intro/participating/2019_jetstats_e.pdf). I'm assuming a prefectorial CIR works at the 県庁 and maybe a designated city one at the 市役所 of the capital for the prefecture or something? And as a random question, what were your preferences and where did you end up?  |
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Post by thelatter on Jul 14, 2021 10:14:37 GMT 9
Hello everyone! I have been lurking here for about 2 years while I have waited for my turn to apply for JET and now that I am going into my last year of university, it is finally time! I am aware that there is a big chance that you will not get the places you request, but I have a question about it anyway. I'm wondering, how are Pref/Des.City CIRs different from City CIRs (as in how they are distinguished here: jetprogramme.org/wp-content/MAIN-PAGE/intro/participating/2019_jetstats_e.pdf). I'm assuming a prefectorial CIR works at the 県庁 and maybe a designated city one at the 市役所 of the capital for the prefecture or something? And as a random question, what were your preferences and where did you end up? Prefecture CIRs generally work at the KENCHO like you said, but most municipal CIRs work in specific cities, towns, and villages within a given prefecture. You are not guaranteed a prefecture capital city placement if you are a municipal CIR, in fact you could be sent to a municipality very far away from the capital of the prefecture.
I had put down regions as preferences (Kansai, Kanto, Chubu, etc) and got my first choice of Kansai. Lucky duck.
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Post by miscreative on Jul 14, 2021 11:48:58 GMT 9
designated cities have the same "power" as a prefecture so the cir positions there somewhat function like a prefectural cir. they also, however can function the exact same as a regular municipal cir, the distinction mostly lies in the process/system rather than how the cir lives/works day to day (i say as a designated city cir who didnt get as much out of the kencho/designated cities breakout sessions at the mid year conference as i did out of the international association/municipalities ones. my office is its own thing, separate from the ALTs)
i put Yamanashi (sister city reasons), and Nagoya/Aichi (b/c i studied abroad there and my then SO lived there) but no spots were open the year i came in afaik and i was an alternate so i got stuck with the leftovers hue. it worked out though!
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Post by Leita on Jul 14, 2021 23:41:13 GMT 9
I think I requested Kyoto, that place with the Lake and NOTHING ELSE and Hyogo? I ended up in Iwate, l ol
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のらねこ
Tried natto; not a fan
ストレスが地球をダメにする♪
Posts: 64 
CIR Experience: Incoming CIR
Gender (Pronouns): she/her/hers
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Post by のらねこ on Jul 15, 2021 8:00:37 GMT 9
I was placed not too far from my requests, so I got very lucky this year! (see below) In my case, I requested Osaka and Kyoto and was given Nara (prefectural) I explained that my SO is in Osaka and I want to be near enough to him and his family for visits. |
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Post by Dee on Jul 15, 2021 13:29:20 GMT 9
Hello everyone! I have been lurking here for about 2 years while I have waited for my turn to apply for JET and now that I am going into my last year of university, it is finally time! I am aware that there is a big chance that you will not get the places you request, but I have a question about it anyway. I'm wondering, how are Pref/Des.City CIRs different from City CIRs (as in how they are distinguished here: jetprogramme.org/wp-content/MAIN-PAGE/intro/participating/2019_jetstats_e.pdf). I'm assuming a prefectorial CIR works at the 県庁 and maybe a designated city one at the 市役所 of the capital for the prefecture or something? And as a random question, what were your preferences and where did you end up? There are also quite a few inaka CIRs, like myself, and we tend to work at town halls or for BOEs. I requested Hokkaido or Tohoku because I wanted a cooler climate, and I was very happy to be placed in a small town in Hokkaido. ^^ |
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Post by Aya Raincoat on Jul 16, 2021 10:45:05 GMT 9
Hello everyone! I have been lurking here for about 2 years while I have waited for my turn to apply for JET and now that I am going into my last year of university, it is finally time! I am aware that there is a big chance that you will not get the places you request, but I have a question about it anyway. I'm wondering, how are Pref/Des.City CIRs different from City CIRs (as in how they are distinguished here: jetprogramme.org/wp-content/MAIN-PAGE/intro/participating/2019_jetstats_e.pdf). I'm assuming a prefectorial CIR works at the 県庁 and maybe a designated city one at the 市役所 of the capital for the prefecture or something? And as a random question, what were your preferences and where did you end up? As mentioned above, I think it's more accurate to say prefectural CIRs and Des. City/municipal CIRs. Most CIRs work at the Kencho or city hall, but in some cases, they're placed in other spots like art centres, cultural centres, etc.
Job-wise, from what I've observed so far, municipal CIRs are more likely to do everyday interpretation for residents, do eikaiwa and visit preschools. Prefectural CIRs are often PAs, don't do as much interpretation, do less eikaiwa, and are more likely to visit elementary to high schools. Obviously there are many exceptions.
My preferences were usamatropolis (designated city), Kansai and anywhere, and I ended up in Kansai even if I was an upgraded alternate! It's good to know how many positions there are in each place when choosing your preferences (and to have the inside info from here about who's leaving XD). I knew I had little chance to get usamatropolis since there's only one spot haha.
On that note, I will be leaving next year, so the one English prefectural CIR position in that place with the Lake and NOTHING ELSE will open XD
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Post by 𝑜𝓇𝒾𝒽𝒾𝓂𝑒 on Jul 20, 2021 0:41:58 GMT 9
My preferences were Aichi, Nagoya City, and Shizuoka
Admittedly I was also an alternate so I just got a place the initial person chosen rejected, but I got Oita (a city within Oita though, not prefectural)
My position stopped existing when I left though, so now afaik for English speakers, there are only positions in Oita City for CIRs in that prefecture (though I think they did add one at Oita City's 市役所 so they're not all 県庁)
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Kazana
Straight outta Narita
Prospective JET
Posts: 7
CIR Experience: Prospective CIR
Location: Gaikoku
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Post by Kazana on Jul 26, 2021 1:31:35 GMT 9
Thanks for your answers everyone!
I am hoping to be able to get placed in Kyushu (if I get accepted ofc xD)
I know my second and third preferences will be Nagasaki and Kagoshima but I am torn between putting Fukuoka-shi or Fukuoka-ken as my first choice. According to the statistics, Fukuoka-shi has no CIRs (or even ALTs for that matter) which seems really strange because there is no way there aren't any there. Fukuoka-ken has 11 including 7 Pref/Des.City ones. I'm not sure if I should just put Fukuoka-shi down anyway just because I would rather be in the Kencho or something there.
In the end, it's probably not going to even matter much tho xD
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Post by miscreative on Jul 26, 2021 9:21:26 GMT 9
afaik placement requests are just location, not actual position so say for example you put Niigata City, you could mean either the ken or city office as both are in Niigata City
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Post by Aya Raincoat on Jul 26, 2021 9:52:04 GMT 9
Thanks for your answers everyone! I am hoping to be able to get placed in Kyushu (if I get accepted ofc xD) I know my second and third preferences will be Nagasaki and Kagoshima but I am torn between putting Fukuoka-shi or Fukuoka-ken as my first choice. According to the statistics, Fukuoka-shi has no CIRs (or even ALTs for that matter) which seems really strange because there is no way there aren't any there. Fukuoka-ken has 11 including 7 Pref/Des.City ones. I'm not sure if I should just put Fukuoka-shi down anyway just because I would rather be in the Kencho or something there. In the end, it's probably not going to even matter much tho xD It's likely that any previous CIR or ALT went home and no-one came to replace them. I don't know if they dropped JET completely because of that, but probably not for CIR (?) If you want to be at the kencho, you need to put down the prefecture and not the city, though.
That being said, you're right that, in the end, those choices aren't sure bets XD
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Post by no yark shark on Jul 28, 2021 15:21:46 GMT 9
Maybe this is just the image I have, but I feel like designated city CIRs are not as likely to do things like resident consultation because 1) designated cities have ward offices 2) they are usually large and the ward offices are spread out again, it's ESID but as a (direct-hire in a former JET placement) designated city CIR, I am mainly doing translations or native checks for various departments in the city, giving English or cultural instruction to city employees, and giving the mayor "English lessons" (mostly pronunciation) when they have to make speeches in English. I don't do any external interpreting b/c my city has the budget/companies to hire. I feel like kencho/des. city placements may also have less opportunities/more restrictions related to doing cultural events for residents, but it depends because I think miscreative does some of that stuff. I feel like I heard that Fukuoka tried to change its CIR position to direct-hire, but then maybe re-joined JET? but I may be thinking of somewhere else. |
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Post by thelatter on Jul 28, 2021 15:52:24 GMT 9
Maybe this is just the image I have, but I feel like designated city CIRs are not as likely to do things like resident consultation because 1) designated cities have ward offices 2) they are usually large and the ward offices are spread out again, it's ESID but as a (direct-hire in a former JET placement) designated city CIR, I am mainly doing translations or native checks for various departments in the city, giving English or cultural instruction to city employees, and giving the mayor "English lessons" (mostly pronunciation) when they have to make speeches in English. I don't do any external interpreting b/c my city has the budget/companies to hire. I feel like kencho/des. city placements may also have less opportunities/more restrictions related to doing cultural events for residents, but it depends because I think miscreative does some of that stuff. I feel like I heard that Fukuoka tried to change its CIR position to direct-hire, but then maybe re-joined JET? but I may be thinking of somewhere else.That's some tea. |
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Post by Aqua on Jul 28, 2021 16:01:36 GMT 9
Maybe this is just the image I have, but I feel like designated city CIRs are not as likely to do things like resident consultation because 1) designated cities have ward offices 2) they are usually large and the ward offices are spread out again, it's ESID but as a (direct-hire in a former JET placement) designated city CIR, I am mainly doing translations or native checks for various departments in the city, giving English or cultural instruction to city employees, and giving the mayor "English lessons" (mostly pronunciation) when they have to make speeches in English. I don't do any external interpreting b/c my city has the budget/companies to hire. I feel like kencho/des. city placements may also have less opportunities/more restrictions related to doing cultural events for residents, but it depends because I think miscreative does some of that stuff. I feel like I heard that Fukuoka tried to change its CIR position to direct-hire, but then maybe re-joined JET? but I may be thinking of somewhere else. Isn't there a CIR position in Fukuoka that's like... in a ceramics museum or something? I can't remember exactly what the position was but it was a really unusual one. |
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Post by miscreative on Jul 29, 2021 10:38:40 GMT 9
Maybe this is just the image I have, but I feel like designated city CIRs are not as likely to do things like resident consultation because 1) designated cities have ward offices 2) they are usually large and the ward offices are spread out again, it's ESID but as a (direct-hire in a former JET placement) designated city CIR, I am mainly doing translations or native checks for various departments in the city, giving English or cultural instruction to city employees, and giving the mayor "English lessons" (mostly pronunciation) when they have to make speeches in English. I don't do any external interpreting b/c my city has the budget/companies to hire. I feel like kencho/des. city placements may also have less opportunities/more restrictions related to doing cultural events for residents, but it depends because I think miscreative does some of that stuff. I feel like I heard that Fukuoka tried to change its CIR position to direct-hire, but then maybe re-joined JET? but I may be thinking of somewhere else. correct. kinda. i regularly do cultural events/lectures throughout the year but that is because i am also at the international association (overseen by my division at the city office) which is almost exclusively where my events are done unless i get a request through my main office. i also rarely do MADGUCH because as you said, that is up to the ward offices tho i am rarely called in for the big sessions to interpret. the rest of the consultations for that person are done using simple japanese, having them bring someone, or using translating software |
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tetraland
Straight outta Narita
Posts: 20
CIR Experience: Former CIR
Location: Tokyo
Gender (Pronouns): she/her/hers
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Post by tetraland on Jul 29, 2021 10:48:49 GMT 9
Maybe this is just the image I have, but I feel like designated city CIRs are not as likely to do things like resident consultation because 1) designated cities have ward offices 2) they are usually large and the ward offices are spread out again, it's ESID but as a (direct-hire in a former JET placement) designated city CIR, I am mainly doing translations or native checks for various departments in the city, giving English or cultural instruction to city employees, and giving the mayor "English lessons" (mostly pronunciation) when they have to make speeches in English. I don't do any external interpreting b/c my city has the budget/companies to hire. I feel like kencho/des. city placements may also have less opportunities/more restrictions related to doing cultural events for residents, but it depends because I think miscreative does some of that stuff. I feel like I heard that Fukuoka tried to change its CIR position to direct-hire, but then maybe re-joined JET? but I may be thinking of somewhere else. Isn't there a CIR position in Fukuoka that's like... in a ceramics museum or something? I can't remember exactly what the position was but it was a really unusual one. it me - i'm a prefectural CIR working in a museum. there are actually three of us here at the museum (english, chinese, korean), and then a handful of prefectural CIRs who actually work in kencho. (hisashiburi, Aqua!!!) |
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Kazana
Straight outta Narita
Prospective JET
Posts: 7
CIR Experience: Prospective CIR
Location: Gaikoku
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Post by Kazana on Jul 29, 2021 23:43:33 GMT 9
Oh that's really interesting! What sort of things do you do in the museum?
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tetraland
Straight outta Narita
Posts: 20
CIR Experience: Former CIR
Location: Tokyo
Gender (Pronouns): she/her/hers
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Post by tetraland on Jul 30, 2021 11:31:05 GMT 9
Oh that's really interesting! What sort of things do you do in the museum? we have one main event that we are in charge of planning every year, and also help out with any international relations-related TAIOU with other museum bodies in our respective languages. since The Plague struck we have also been working on making multilingual subs for a bunch of digital content that the museum has been pushing out. i can send you the link via DMs if you want! (unrelated but i also saw that you were interested in being placed in kyushu - while i'm sure you already know that placements are in reality very much based on luck, feel free to hmu if you have any questions about living in kyushu, etc.!) |
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Kazana
Straight outta Narita
Prospective JET
Posts: 7
CIR Experience: Prospective CIR
Location: Gaikoku
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Post by Kazana on Jul 30, 2021 17:37:07 GMT 9
Thank you! I'll send you a message |
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