Why did you choose this program?
I chose the JET Program because friends and classmates had heard good things about the program. I felt like my chances of getting accepted and having the opportunity to explore and do more with Japan after my experiences as a study abroad student in high school and university in Japan was a good next step.
What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?
The Japanese government operates the JET Program. It is a long drawn-out application process that takes months to complete all the steps, but there is a lot of useful information about the whole process that they mail to you to explain it. There are also a lot of JET Alumni with chapters all over who often assist with orientation and answering questions for potential new applicants to the program.
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?
I would recommend looking into as much information about the location you will be going to in Japan on the JET Program because every situation is different. Try to find out as much as you can about the specific region or city you will be placed in. Also, prepare some pictures or souvenirs from you hometown or country to share with people as a good icebreaker to introduce yourself to people when you arrive.
What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?
Every situation is different. But in my case, I had about 12 classes per week to teach and prepare for ranging from kindergarten up to the 9th grade. I would be at work from 9 - 5 Monday - Friday and was sometimes required to work on weekends when there were special events at the school or in the community.
Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?
Eating exotic food that I wasn't comfortable with was my biggest fear. Trying to stomach and attempt to eat foods that back home I would never imagine even trying to eat. Trying to keep an open mind, and attempt to experience at least eating the cuisine once, opened my eyes and stomach to some foods that I enjoy now but never would have even tried to eat before.