When You’re A JET…: A New Blog Series Documenting My Life On The JET Program

How’s it going everyone?

It’s been a few years since I last posted on my blog. I finished my university career and dealt with a global pandemic among other things. Now, I am a JET Program participant, ready to share my experiences with you!

During my Senior Year at Chapman University, I applied for the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program, a cultural exchange program which recruits Japanophiles, such as myself, for schools and government organizations all across Japan. I found this opportunity to be a perfect fit given my interest in Japanese culture, my public speaking experience, and my desire to return to Japan and travel. Plus, Japan’s lower cost of living compared to California allows me to save a lot of money too, or that’s the hope anyway. After reapplying for the 2021 JET Program, I was shortlisted.

Remember when I visited Fukuoka during my study abroad? By shear chance, I ended up back in Fukuoka! Now as a resident and Assistant Language Teacher at a prestigious senior high school, I can show you around the cool sights and sounds of Japan’s most up-and-coming city. I also plan on traveling to South Korea once both Japan and South Korea reopen for tourism. While Japan has fared well during the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re still in the middle of a global pandemic.

You may wonder what it’s like teaching students, grading assignments, and in my case, coaching students for their English debate competitions. Because I value the student’s privacy beyond my contractual obligations, I will NEVER post photos featuring students on the blog. I may write about my experiences, but I will never reference said students as well.

Please stay tuned. I’m working on a post about how to navigate the Japanese medical system, which I will post as soon as I get the chance. Posts will be less frequent compared to my previous blog series, but I will do my best to make them informative and interesting.

Sincerely,

Casey