For those that don't know, I've applied for the JET programme which would allow me to teach English as a foreign language to Japanese kids. I applied for this back in September, got an interview in February and today I received my result.

Alternate/reserve shortlist.

What this is is an enormous "maybe". The letter tells me that, essentially, I can be contacted any time between now and the second week of December and asked to go to Japan on short notice. I'm not complaining, I'm relieved it's not a rejection, but at the same time it's just added a massive waiting time with absolutely no definite timeline. I thought I was annoyed when they said "April" for the results, "up to 8 months" (by which point I have to have reapplied) is just mad.

Oh well, fingers crossed for the coming months.