First, let me say that while I'm writing this, I'm not yet in Japan or on the JET Program. With that out of the way, I suppose an introduction is in order.
As you can tell, my name is Jordan. I just recently graduated from the University of California, Davis having double majored in political science and psychology. It was a great experience and I am completely blessed to have had the opportunity and financial backing to go to such a great school. Sometime during my junior year in Davis, I found out about the JET Program (aka The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program) and decided to apply for the 2010 application cycle.
The easiest way for me to describe the JET Program to you is to have someone else do it for me! So... according to the United State's official JET Program website:
The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program seeks to help enhance internationalization in Japan by promoting mutual understanding between Japan and other nations. The program also aims to improve foreign language education in Japan and to encourage international exchange at the local level by fostering ties between Japanese youth and foreign youth.
The objectives of the program are being achieved by offering JET Program participants the opportunity to serve in local government offices as well as public and private elementary schools, junior high and senior high schools [in Japan].
The program is conducted by local authorities and other organizations of Japan in cooperation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations.
The program started in 1987 with the cooperation of the governments of the participating countries. As of July 2010, there were 4334 participants in the program from 36 countries.
As the JET Program has achieved an excellent reputation over the last 24 years, it is of great importance that this high level of respectability be maintained. Participants are invited to Japan as representatives of their countries. Therefore, they are expected to be responsible in all of their activities, especially those concerning the promotion of mutual understanding between nations. It is desirable that participants be adaptable and have a positive interest in Japan.
Since the interview, quite a bit has happened. As everyone is already well aware, the 9.0 earthquake which destroyed the coastal areas of northeastern Japan struck on March 11th. It truly is sad to hear the death toll continually rising, but I think that if any country can handle such an awful catastrophe, it is Japan. Another important change in recent days is that I just secured a job at the company where my mother and sister work. It pays pretty respectably and it is nice to have money once again after so many years of being a poor college student.
What I am really waiting for though, is the JET Program results to be announced. According to the timeline given to me at the consulate in San Francisco after my interview, it was originally planned for results to be announced in early-mid April. And as you can tell, that time is right about now! In fact, I expect results to come in by the end of next week at the latest! As those of you who know me already know, I'm quite nervous and also very excited to hear the final results. I hope I get in!
In actuality, this blog is a bit of a gamble right now - I only intend to keep up with it if I make it in the program. So, I suppose if you are reading this, it means that I made in it to the program! If I don't, well... let's just say this blog will slowly disappear into nothingness.
So yeah, that's about it for right now. I will definitely be back later to post a new blog when results are announced and the brutal waiting is finally over!
See you next time
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