David Meredith graduated from ETSU in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in economics. His senior year, he applied for the Japanese Exchanged Teaching (JET) program and spent three years in Japan helping to teach the Japanese the English language.
This program was founded in 1989 by the Japanese government. Initially, there were only 600 participants from 16 different countries.
For the 2002-2003 year there were 6,000 participants from over 40 countries. Although the demand has increased tenfold, the number of applicants have not.
There are few requirements one must have to be accepted into JET.
“You must be under 40, have a bachelor’s degree (any kind) and you must have a demonstrated interest in Japan,” said Meredith.
People accepted into the JET program receive $30,000, free airline tickets, free visas and orientation.
The program will also make sure participants get wherever they need to go once they land in Japan.
The application is due Dec. 4. Interviews will take place in major cities across the United States. There are three types of programs within the JET program.
Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) makes up 90 percent of JET. ALTs are elementary, junior high and high school Japanese English teacher’s assistants.
Coordinator of International Relations ( CIR) must be at an intermediate or advanced level of Japanese.
They particularly work in government offices and translate. Sports Education Association (SEA) only consists of 30 to 40 people. They must be world-class athletes and non-American.
“SEAs are mostly Nordic and South American,” Meredith said. For the first time, there will be an information and recruitment session on Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. in Room 121 Rogers-Stout Hall.
For more information regarding the JET program, contact Meredith at 929-7565.

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