I first heard of the JET Program when I was in high school from fellow students who knew I was
interested in Japanese culture. Between my father’s martial arts school in our home when I was a child,
my exposure to Japanese music and entertainment, and my recent interest in Japanese novels, I can not
remember a time in my life when I was not exploring some aspect of Japan. As I learned more about JET,
I realized how participation in this program would also aide in my future career choice of becoming a
teacher. I have always held a desire to teach, and I believed then, as I do now, that JET will provide not
only a unique opportunity to experience Japanese culture and language firsthand, but also a chance to
guide students on their difficult yet rewarding experience of learning a new language and culture. This
fusion of my two passions into one program solidified my interest in JET and I knew that I would have to
prepare myself to be able to give as much to the program as I would receive. From then on, I have taken
every opportunity to involve myself in teaching activities and to experience as much of the Japanese
culture as I can.
My high school senior year was a special one as I was granted the honor of becoming a language
exchange partner for my school’s four Japanese exchange students. Not only did they teach me about
student life in Japan and some basic Japanese phrases, but through my task of explaining English
colloquialisms to them, my awareness of word-choice heightened and I began to realize what the phrase
“living language” really means. Through my experience with them, I believe we all learned more about
English than a textbook could have ever taught us.
During my senior year, I was also enrolled in the Childcare Occupations class offered on campus through
a county program. This program taught me basic teaching techniques, activities, and troubleshooting as
well as providing hands-on experience as an aide in a preschool daycare and a second-grade classroom. I
will never forget the second-grader, Ryan, who was at risk of being held back due to his frustrations in
reading. Upon realizing Ryan was struggling due to a lack of specialized attention, I obtained permission
from the teacher to focus on him. Together, Ryan and I worked together to overcome his difficulties and
build confidence in his strengths. By the end of the year, Ryan’s reading ability had reached that of his
classmates and I discovered how much of an impact a teacher can make in the life of a child.
The strengths I have honed in preparation for my future career as an elementary school teacher have
also provided me with the attributes of an ideal candidate for the Assistant Language Teacher position.
Through my education in anthropology and the multi-cultural makeup of Southern California, I have
obtained tools which aid me in accepting and understanding unique attributes of cultures, languages,
and individuals. My various experiences in leadership roles have instilled in me the importance of
utilizing patience, self-control, hard work, tact, punctuality, flexibility, enthusiasm, and an energetic
disposition in all that I set out to do. I believe that through these and other life experiences, I will be able
to bring a strong work ethic, a readiness to share experiences and knowledge, and a determination to do
my best even in the toughest of struggles. JET can provide me with many unique experiences which I can
utilize as a teacher in the future as well as to inspire my friends, family, and future students to broaden
their cultural horizons. In exchange, I believe I can bring a strong and creative personality that is willing
to do whatever it takes to fulfill my duties as a teacher, neighbor, cultural ambassador, and friend. As I
recognize the benefits of the JET program, I also recognize the responsibilities it entails and I have trust
in my dedication to them and the program as a whole. I will strive to do my best in all that I do, open
myself to new experiences and methods, and above all treasure the rewarding experience of helping
others.
