Exchange, teaching program offers opportunity to teach English in Japan

(PHOTO/Brittany DeLong)

Mellissa Takeuchi, Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET) program coordinator from the consulate general of Japan in Atlanta, visited Troy on Thursday in the hopes of recruiting students to apply to teach English in Japan after graduation.

“This program sends college graduates to Japan to teach English in the public school systemss,” Takeuchi said. “We are one of the largest exchange programs in the world and we’re going into our 28th year so we have support all over the country and an alumni network all over the world.”

The JET program was established in 1987 as a way to enhance internationalization in Japan by promoting mutual understanding between the people of Japan and those of other countries.

The U.S. contributes over half of all JET participants currently in Japan.

“We are a very competitive program and right now we’re accepting applications from graduating seniors,” Takeuchi said.

The students will have to graduate before July 1, 2013, and are required to commit a full year to the program to be accepted.

“It is a one-year commitment at least and then you can recontract every year for up to five years total,” Takeuchi said. “We require that you be open-minded, flexible and willing and able to try new things.

“Japan is one of the safest countries in the world.”

Those participating in the program will receive a salary, round trip airfare, benefits and assisted housing during the duration of their stay.

The opportunity to teach English as a second language in Japan, acquire invaluable international exposure and experience and to increase savings are all reasons why students should entertain the idea of the JET program according to Orlando Pacheco, director of Troy University Abroad.

“It is a win-win situation in which American students and the people of Japan have enormous mutual benefits,” Pacheco said.

Craig Anderson, a senior Spanish major from Shalimar, Fla. participated in the Troy study abroad program and traveled to Zaragoza, Spain for a semester.

During that time Anderson was an English tutor and he understands how teaching English can benefit a student for the future.

“This is a great opportunity for students who want to build resumes, gain a global perspective, enjoy the benefits of networking worldwide,” said Anderson. “Or to just have fun.”