Tips on how to apply for a J1 Application-Exchange Visitor Program

Many Filipino teachers are putting their futures at risk in order to pursue their own interests. The major reason for resigning is to look for a greener pasture. Furthermore, in this time of pandemic, teachers have a plethora of reports to attend, such as bumping of paper works online and offline, printing and distribution of learning modules to be checked after a while, a plethora of reports to attend, SBM, MEA, SMEA, LIS, APP, and so on. These are additional burdens on the part of teachers. In my opinion, teachers feel like they don’t know their qualifications if they are teachers or not. Perhaps these might be the reasons why some teachers strike the opportunity to teach abroad, because they can see the difference. Teachers in foreign schools just have to focus on their teaching strategies and techniques on their respective classes, and classroom management. Although they find it difficult to manage foreign students because of their culture and behavior issues, the teacher is still grabbing the opportunity.

Working for countries with different cultures is not easy. Teachers have a lot of hard time adjusting due to the different behaviors of students, but they gladly overcome it by encouraging themselves to work just to pay off the many debts. Homesickness for the family arises once they get there, but that is a normal feeling. Family is one of their inspirations to fight their homesickness, set aside all the worries and be brave in facing the many trials they encounter while working.

What is the J-1 Teacher Program and how does it work? The J-1 Teacher Program is a cultural exchange program for non-immigrants that allows foreign teachers to teach at recognized primary and secondary schools in other countries. Teachers may work in a foreign school for up to three years, with the option of an additional one or two years. Applying for a J-1 Visa is not as easy as you think. You have a lot of things to consider to complete all the required documents for you to start. You need to meet the standard demands of the foreign school employer before you apply. Educational achievement is very important and your experience in teaching is very significant. The high salary offered to you will also come with a large amount of responsibility. In addition, the foreign school has higher expectations when it comes to your qualifications. To achieve your goal in of applying for teaching position in foreign countries. The following are the things you need to do.

1. Apply to an agency on the website that promotes cultural exchange-J1 Visa or proceed to direct hiring and see what their teachers need in their schools.
2. Follow their instructions and send an email to them for your application, or fill out the needed documents on the agency’s site.
3. Then, after sending emails or filling in or uploading all the required documents, wait for their response.
4. When the employer or agency responds and wants you to be interviewed, don’t refuse. Allow them to make a schedule for your interview. Please prepare possible questions that they might ask you in your interview.
5. If you pass the interview, wait for another email for another step of the interview until you pass it and get hired.
6.  Credential evaluation will follow.
7. Wait for the schedule for your orientation.
8. Salary offers will be sent in your emails. If you like the offer, grab it.
9. Processing of documents will follow.
10. The Agency will provide you with a guide on how to process your papers.

After passing a lot of interviews with agencies, principals, or administrative officers in school. Process all these documents that are required for you.

1. You render your resignation to your employer. Then wait for the approval of your letter.
2. Email your approved resignation letter to your new employer or the agency that recruited you.
3. Proceed to the online registration and pre-departure orientation seminar for J1 Visa holders. Before you register, make sure that you have all the documents or the basic requirements for registration. Your agency or employer will guide you through emails.
4. There are a lot of things to prepare before you can leave your country. Just follow their instructions on what to do before your departure, and at the time when you arrive in the new country which you will work soonest. – Doki | Helpline PH