I decided to finally start
blogging about my experiences so far with the JET (Japanese Exchange Teaching)
Program. Initially, I planned on blogging before and after the interview
process, but without even being sure or not if I would be accepted to the program,
I decided to hold off until if/when I was accepted.
A bit of history of how I
gained interest in Japan and the JET Program:
It's always been difficult to explain to people how I've become interested in the country Japan. I remember even as a kid, being excited to watch the U.S. play Japan in the Little League World Series and always thought it was cool the Japanese kids would introduce themselves in English. Seeing how structured their teams were always made me more curious of what made them act the way they do. I've always been someone who is fascinated with differences between things and being exposed to Japanese people would often make me make me ask the question why. Ranging from the food to the mannerisms and culture, Japan has always seemed to catch my attention and interest.
Our high school had a foreign exchange student from Japan named Koji and it was fun show him around and try to give new experiences to him. I always wondered how someone from another country performed better than anyone else in the class, in their second language. Perhaps it was the little electronic dictionary he used (back in 2005..) but more likely it was something else.
It's always been difficult to explain to people how I've become interested in the country Japan. I remember even as a kid, being excited to watch the U.S. play Japan in the Little League World Series and always thought it was cool the Japanese kids would introduce themselves in English. Seeing how structured their teams were always made me more curious of what made them act the way they do. I've always been someone who is fascinated with differences between things and being exposed to Japanese people would often make me make me ask the question why. Ranging from the food to the mannerisms and culture, Japan has always seemed to catch my attention and interest.
Our high school had a foreign exchange student from Japan named Koji and it was fun show him around and try to give new experiences to him. I always wondered how someone from another country performed better than anyone else in the class, in their second language. Perhaps it was the little electronic dictionary he used (back in 2005..) but more likely it was something else.
Freshman year at the University of Minnesota, I became friends with a couple Japanese exchange students. Shuji lived a few doors down the hall and we would often go around and explore with our friend Ichiro who lived a floor above us. It was fun seeing Minnesota from their perspectives and they were always grateful to experience new things and I enjoyed learning from them.
Shuji's at the time girlfriend, was in the process of applying for the JET Program and recommended it to me. Not knowing much about the JET Program at the time, just kept it in the back of my mind.
Shuji's at the time girlfriend, was in the process of applying for the JET Program and recommended it to me. Not knowing much about the JET Program at the time, just kept it in the back of my mind.
After my freshman year of
college, I was able to spend 2 months in Japan first staying with Shuji in
Kawasaki and visiting Ichiro, followed by traveling to
Kyushu to work with Professor Hayashi Naoyuki at the Kyushu Graduate Institute
of Health before doing a 1-month volunteer program in Oita called Kodomo-Mura (Kids Village). Sentences can't describe the experiences I had and my interest in Japan continued to grow. Without having any
language experience with Japanese prior to going to Japan for the first time, I
was inspired to learn the language upon returning home in Minnesota.
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| Home-stay with Shuji and his family in Kawasaki |
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| At an Izakaya with Shuji and Ichiro |
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| With Hayashi Naoyuki and grad students at Kyushu Univ. |
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| Summer Camp Kodomo Mura in Oita, Kyushu |
By some bizarre chance, luck, or fate, upon arriving
back in Minnesota for school, I was placed working in a Japanese class 5 days a
week assisting a blind student while working for Disability Services. Naturally, this led me to pick up on some of
the language and learning hiragana/katakana/some kanji so I could better assist the
student I was working with. During this year, I found myself spending more time studying Japanese for the fun of it than studying for actual classes I was enrolled in. Although I knew taking Japanese class the following year on my own would prolong graduation, I was I decided to go ahead and take the class.
After my junior year of
college in 2010, my friend Charlie from the University of Minnesota and I decided to do a volunteer program called USA
Summer Camp in Japan. I stayed with a friend whom I met the year prior at
the U of M (Kody) in Shirokane for 2 weeks prior to the camp started. Partcipated in the USA Summer Camp
working 9 different 3-day camps at various surrounding prefectures of Tokyo. In
between camps we were placed in homestays which was very fun. Both of my
host-families (Kosugi, Hasunuma) were beyond nice and I hope to be able to
visit them upon returning to Japan again. I also became close friends with
other staff members of the USA Summer Camp and hope to reunite with some of
them back in Japan who are now working there. At the USA Summer camp, I stayed with my friend Nana and her
family in Chiba for two weeks. It was very fun spending time with her and her
family and I also hope to see them again too.
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| USA Summer Camp Counselors- Gotenba, Shizuoka |
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| Lake Saiko, Yamanashi |
Upon returning home after the second time in Japan, I went on to take two more years of the language and several elective credits to minor in Asian Languages and Literature as well as passing 3/4 sections of the Language Proficiency Exam in Japanese (missed writing..).
JET Process (Application)
I decided to apply to the JET Program while I was in Hawaii staying with Aunt Sharon and Uncle Paul. It was October and I had lots of free time to work on the application. It was a little tricky filling out the application and coordinating references being so far away from Minnesota but with the help of family, things went pretty smoothly. The JET Application has definitely been the most thorough application I've ever filled out. There were lots of details and instructions to follow but I'm sure that weeds out the people who are both unwilling/unable to follow directions. After triple and quadruple checking my application and the many supporting documents, I biked up to the bank in Kapolei and sent off my application packet to the Consulate of Japan in Chicago. Now it was time to wait.
(Interview) Consulate of Japan, Chicago Feb
IF we were selected for an interview, it would take place in Chicago at the Consulate of Japan. Coincidently, Uncle Mike who lives in Chicago, wanted me to take care of his dog Dugan while he went to Mexico for 2 weeks right around the time I would be interviewing (if I was selected).
Prior to leaving to Chicago, we had not been notified if we were selected or not for an interview so it was kind of nerve racking packing a suit and not knowing if I would be using it or not for the interview. Fortunately, I received an email notification in Chicago that I was in fact selected for the interview and had a couple weeks to prepare for it. With my only job being walking/running/playing with Dugan, I had lots of time to practice. Grandma Judy who also lives in Chicago now, and I even went down to the location of the Consulate of Japan and scoped out where I would be going for the interview. Uncle Mike and Uncle Mark returned from Mexico and the interview was just a couple days away. Uncle Mike would often ask me example interview questions but it always felt too awkward to answer.
The interview had finally arrived. After the lengthy application process and waiting to find out if I had been selected for an interview, then finally waiting for the interview, it was here! Got all dolled up in the suit Uncle Mike got for a graduation present for me in which I had only wore once before (at Tav's wedding), he helped me style my hair in which Grandma's hairstylist downtown had recently cut. Uncle Mike gave me one of his dress jackets and a portfolio for the interview with my resumes him and Uncle Mark had help me with. We stopped at Grandma's house on Grace St. to say "Hi" real quick on our way downtown. When I got back to Uncle's black mercedes (adding details so I can remember everything!) he was playing Dynamite by Taio Cruz a song in which Uncle Mike had said he would listen to before his meetings to pump him up.
Butt warmers on and all, we drove down Lake Shore Dr. towards downtown with this song blasting. I remember trying to hold back tears from how supported I felt through this whole process from my family and thinking of the culminated support I've received from Uncle Mike (paying for grades in high-school, touring any colleges I wanted to, random gift-cards to Starbucks, attending my graduations, and most importantly always believing in me and encouraging me) which all led to this moment of us driving downtown to the Consulate of Japan to interview for a position as an Assistant Language Teacher in Japan for one year.
Riding on cloud nine I got out of Uncle's car and headed out to the building where the Consulate of Japan was. It was probably 15 minutes before the interview so I decided to hang out in the first floor lobby for a bit so I wasn't awkwardly early. Waiting until about 10 minutes before the interview, I took the elevator up to the Consulate of Japan. Once getting off the elevator I was greeted by an X-JET participant and saw several other interviewees quietly waiting. They had not been talking to each other yet, so started to make conversation with them. It was exciting and motivating hearing about their experiences with Japan but it was also a bit strange as we were all interviewing for the same position with limited spots. Met another candidate Mackenzie whom felt was a bit more genuine then the other candidates I was talking to. Assured him I would see him in Tokyo prior to our interview.
(Actual Interview)
Walked into a small blocked off area upon a panel of two Japanese people and one American woman. Went and shook their hands and offered the guy in the middle who seemed to take the lead an application which he politely declined. Went and sat in a solo chair about 10 feet from the three people on the panel and after some small talk about the weather, the interview began. The questions seemed pretty general.."Why Japan?", "Why the JET program?".. but I remember being asked about a difficult situation that happened while teaching in Japan in which I proceeded to talk about a time at USA Summer Camp when the kids were going wild in the onsen (hot spring) with the American Counselors trying to calm things down. During my response, I was half laughing remembering that crazy time and half laughing from being embarrassed of telling this story to a panel of people that were interviewing me but played it off and ended with something a little more general. Other questions I remember: 3 things that would represent the state, 3 things that would represent the USA, what will I do if I don't get JET. Surprisingly, while I was talking about my experience with the TRiO program at the U of M, the guy in the middle said he also worked with TRiO students and it felt good to be able to connect on that. They asked for me to introduce myself in Japanese and had me read a Japanese text out loud to them followed by retention questions. After a few more questions I was kind of booted out of the interview without having time to ask questions and found myself with the other interviewees in the waiting room again. We talked for a bit together and saw other candidates that were still waiting to interview. Being relieved that the interview was over and feeling semi-confident about it asked if any other candidates wanted to go out for coffee.
Went out for coffee with Mackenzie and it was kind of funny riding the Chicago L (train) together. It reminded me of riding the trains in Japan. We found out later we have both been accepted to the program and will see each other in Tokyo for the orientation!
After the interview, went out to eat with Uncle Mike and Grandma in Chicago and it felt really good to have the interview done with. Now it was just time to wait again for the results.
(Shortlist notification) April
Received an email about a month later notifying that I was selected as a short-list participant meaning I was accepted to the program and was awaiting placement.
(Placement notification) End of May
Within the last week I was notified that my placement in Japan is Kure City in Hiroshima which on the main island of Japan, Honshu. At first, I was a bit surprised because of how far south Hiroshima is (about the same latitude as southern states in the US Arizona/Texas), after requesting colder areas like Nagano/Hokkaido but now I am really looking forward to living in Kure. It was a bit childish to get wound up about being placed in a spot I wasn't expecting and it's silly to complain in anything in my life at this moment.
I have already been doing a little research into races in/near Hiroshima. It will be so excited to be there and explore everyday. Already see myself getting into the cycle again of impatiently awaiting for something and thankfully I am able to step back a bit and realize it's time to start enjoying the present (something the JET application taught me after waiting for the application, application results, interview selection, interview results, acceptance, placement notification..). Time to start enjoying the now!
It's crazy to think there is just over a month until I will leave Minnesota for a year. It is sad to know I won't be around next year for the annual holidays with family and the weekly, monthly, and annual traditions with friends however I'm sure I will appreciate them even more when I return.
Now 36 days until departure.
JET Process (Application)
I decided to apply to the JET Program while I was in Hawaii staying with Aunt Sharon and Uncle Paul. It was October and I had lots of free time to work on the application. It was a little tricky filling out the application and coordinating references being so far away from Minnesota but with the help of family, things went pretty smoothly. The JET Application has definitely been the most thorough application I've ever filled out. There were lots of details and instructions to follow but I'm sure that weeds out the people who are both unwilling/unable to follow directions. After triple and quadruple checking my application and the many supporting documents, I biked up to the bank in Kapolei and sent off my application packet to the Consulate of Japan in Chicago. Now it was time to wait.
(Interview) Consulate of Japan, Chicago Feb
IF we were selected for an interview, it would take place in Chicago at the Consulate of Japan. Coincidently, Uncle Mike who lives in Chicago, wanted me to take care of his dog Dugan while he went to Mexico for 2 weeks right around the time I would be interviewing (if I was selected).
Prior to leaving to Chicago, we had not been notified if we were selected or not for an interview so it was kind of nerve racking packing a suit and not knowing if I would be using it or not for the interview. Fortunately, I received an email notification in Chicago that I was in fact selected for the interview and had a couple weeks to prepare for it. With my only job being walking/running/playing with Dugan, I had lots of time to practice. Grandma Judy who also lives in Chicago now, and I even went down to the location of the Consulate of Japan and scoped out where I would be going for the interview. Uncle Mike and Uncle Mark returned from Mexico and the interview was just a couple days away. Uncle Mike would often ask me example interview questions but it always felt too awkward to answer.
The interview had finally arrived. After the lengthy application process and waiting to find out if I had been selected for an interview, then finally waiting for the interview, it was here! Got all dolled up in the suit Uncle Mike got for a graduation present for me in which I had only wore once before (at Tav's wedding), he helped me style my hair in which Grandma's hairstylist downtown had recently cut. Uncle Mike gave me one of his dress jackets and a portfolio for the interview with my resumes him and Uncle Mark had help me with. We stopped at Grandma's house on Grace St. to say "Hi" real quick on our way downtown. When I got back to Uncle's black mercedes (adding details so I can remember everything!) he was playing Dynamite by Taio Cruz a song in which Uncle Mike had said he would listen to before his meetings to pump him up.
Butt warmers on and all, we drove down Lake Shore Dr. towards downtown with this song blasting. I remember trying to hold back tears from how supported I felt through this whole process from my family and thinking of the culminated support I've received from Uncle Mike (paying for grades in high-school, touring any colleges I wanted to, random gift-cards to Starbucks, attending my graduations, and most importantly always believing in me and encouraging me) which all led to this moment of us driving downtown to the Consulate of Japan to interview for a position as an Assistant Language Teacher in Japan for one year.
Riding on cloud nine I got out of Uncle's car and headed out to the building where the Consulate of Japan was. It was probably 15 minutes before the interview so I decided to hang out in the first floor lobby for a bit so I wasn't awkwardly early. Waiting until about 10 minutes before the interview, I took the elevator up to the Consulate of Japan. Once getting off the elevator I was greeted by an X-JET participant and saw several other interviewees quietly waiting. They had not been talking to each other yet, so started to make conversation with them. It was exciting and motivating hearing about their experiences with Japan but it was also a bit strange as we were all interviewing for the same position with limited spots. Met another candidate Mackenzie whom felt was a bit more genuine then the other candidates I was talking to. Assured him I would see him in Tokyo prior to our interview.
(Actual Interview)
Walked into a small blocked off area upon a panel of two Japanese people and one American woman. Went and shook their hands and offered the guy in the middle who seemed to take the lead an application which he politely declined. Went and sat in a solo chair about 10 feet from the three people on the panel and after some small talk about the weather, the interview began. The questions seemed pretty general.."Why Japan?", "Why the JET program?".. but I remember being asked about a difficult situation that happened while teaching in Japan in which I proceeded to talk about a time at USA Summer Camp when the kids were going wild in the onsen (hot spring) with the American Counselors trying to calm things down. During my response, I was half laughing remembering that crazy time and half laughing from being embarrassed of telling this story to a panel of people that were interviewing me but played it off and ended with something a little more general. Other questions I remember: 3 things that would represent the state, 3 things that would represent the USA, what will I do if I don't get JET. Surprisingly, while I was talking about my experience with the TRiO program at the U of M, the guy in the middle said he also worked with TRiO students and it felt good to be able to connect on that. They asked for me to introduce myself in Japanese and had me read a Japanese text out loud to them followed by retention questions. After a few more questions I was kind of booted out of the interview without having time to ask questions and found myself with the other interviewees in the waiting room again. We talked for a bit together and saw other candidates that were still waiting to interview. Being relieved that the interview was over and feeling semi-confident about it asked if any other candidates wanted to go out for coffee.
Went out for coffee with Mackenzie and it was kind of funny riding the Chicago L (train) together. It reminded me of riding the trains in Japan. We found out later we have both been accepted to the program and will see each other in Tokyo for the orientation!
After the interview, went out to eat with Uncle Mike and Grandma in Chicago and it felt really good to have the interview done with. Now it was just time to wait again for the results.
(Shortlist notification) April
Received an email about a month later notifying that I was selected as a short-list participant meaning I was accepted to the program and was awaiting placement.
(Placement notification) End of May
Within the last week I was notified that my placement in Japan is Kure City in Hiroshima which on the main island of Japan, Honshu. At first, I was a bit surprised because of how far south Hiroshima is (about the same latitude as southern states in the US Arizona/Texas), after requesting colder areas like Nagano/Hokkaido but now I am really looking forward to living in Kure. It was a bit childish to get wound up about being placed in a spot I wasn't expecting and it's silly to complain in anything in my life at this moment.
I have already been doing a little research into races in/near Hiroshima. It will be so excited to be there and explore everyday. Already see myself getting into the cycle again of impatiently awaiting for something and thankfully I am able to step back a bit and realize it's time to start enjoying the present (something the JET application taught me after waiting for the application, application results, interview selection, interview results, acceptance, placement notification..). Time to start enjoying the now!
It's crazy to think there is just over a month until I will leave Minnesota for a year. It is sad to know I won't be around next year for the annual holidays with family and the weekly, monthly, and annual traditions with friends however I'm sure I will appreciate them even more when I return.
Now 36 days until departure.
Hey! Randomly came across your blog while searching Kure and JET. Interesting read!
ReplyDeleteI'm also placed in Kure City from this July on JET. I'm from Ireland so I'll be in group A.
Hey Jordan, I really appreciate this blog and your detailed writing about 'why Japan' and the whole process of getting to where you want to be. Interestingly, I am sitting on a bed in Japan and reading your blog from Tokyo. Nels and I are both in Japan right now, and we are going to Hiroshima to WWOOFing for a week! I am so thrilled and glad to hear that you will be in Hiroshima. Would you be interested in meeting up? We are heading to Hiroshima on the 16th, and we will be at our first host until the 24th. After that, we are heading to Shizuoka (Chubu area) which I have no idea where it is. Let us know, and we will figure something out. P.s. if you are interested in our experience, we started a blog for this trip, which you can follow at www.s4ltandp3pper.com
ReplyDeleteBest wishes from Tokyo, Japan, and very good job for getting in the JET program, your passion deserves every moment of it!
Xiaolu~