Japan here I come?

It all began in the late fall when I threw together my application for the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET), a program sponsored by the Japanese government which places college graduates in middle schools and high schools (and sometimes elementary schools) across Japan. Then came winter, and along with it, the first phase of waiting.

JETs come from all over the world, mostly English speaking and mostly the United States, but over its now more than 20 year history, it has grown and expanded to other languages. Most JETs apply to become Assistant Language Teachers, working with a Japanese teacher of English and, at least according to the program's goals, promoting internationalization among the local population.

After I applied, I waited nearly a month to find out that I made it to the interview round. I interviewed in Portland in February. Nearly two months later -- today -- I got word that I made the final cut. That means I'm basically on the way to Japan in August, but some hangups could cause problems.

Such as not actually graduating in June. As of now, it appears that I will be able to graduate. I wouldn't be taking 19 credits if there wasn't a good reason. Also, they require successful applicants to get a FBI criminal background check. Not that I'm worried about anything. I'm clean, as far as I know. (Do they check Facebook?)

Getting word via e-mail today brought a big sigh of relief, but also another round of waiting. Now I wait for the 10-week term to finish, but it won't be over before hundreds of pages of reading, dozens of pages of writing and four days a week of 9 a.m. poli sci classes.

And assuming all does go well and I'm off to Japan, we don't yet know where in Japan I would go. Could be anywhere, really. A lot of JETs end up in very, very rural areas. Some find themselves in mid-sized cities, some are certainly near the major cities.

I'll continue posting about my JET experience, but so far, I have little to tell. I may post later about the interview and application processes, as they can be complicated. If you happen to have stumbled across this blog and want to know more about the JET or are thinking about applying, let me know via comment or e-mail and I'll offer any advice I can or better yet point you to some great resources on the Web already.

So right. Japan. For at least a year, maybe three, maybe more. But what was I doing? Oh right. School. Damn.