Nande ya na?!

My friend taught me the cute way to say "nande ya nen" (see title) in Kansai-ben today. It's the equivalent of "you gotta be kidding" or "what the hell". I'm gonna use it all the time! 

Anyway, I'm here to post my own statement of purpose that I wrote to get into JET. (GASP!) Since I'm already comfortably seated in my house in Japan, I don't see the harm in sharing what I wrote. I'm sure I don't have to tell you not to copy it verbatim. The things you should be copying are the words "internationalization", "intercultural exchange", etc. Those are the key words that will get you an interview. If you show that you understand what JET is and show your consulate or embassy that your goals intersect with theirs, you are golden. So, here it is...

--------

When I was one, my parents’ divorce severed my relationship with my Japanese family. To compensate for this early cultural denial, I have endeavored to study every possible facet of Japanese culture including classical Japanese literature that chronicles the evolution of bushidō, modern Japanese linguistics, language, and film. Expanding the cultural scope of my Japanese minor has served as an enriching balance to my English major, which has reinforced my knowledge of Western culture and instilled a desire in me to promote cross-cultural exchange in Japan. Because of my passion for the Japanese culture and my dedication to excellence in attaining my B.A. in English, I believe I am an ideal candidate for the JET Program.

Pursuing a B.A. in English has honed my comprehension of the English language beyond a conventional degree; therefore, I am confident in my ability to explain challenging grammar points in effective and enjoyable ways. As an older sister, I also understand the importance of using hands-on activities in and out of the classroom to stimulate interest in learning and garner cultural appreciation. As an ALT, I will pursue my interests in cooking, photography, and film analysis during after-school activities in order to strengthen my teacher-student relationships and immerse students in American culture. As a member of the Spanish Honor Society, I organized after-school events such as dances and poetry readings to raise awareness about Hispanic culture. My enthusiasm for those projects will translate into the events and lessons I share while in Japan and will facilitate intercultural exchange in and out of a classroom setting.

            I am also very excited about team teaching, because learning about new languages and cultures requires cooperation. Working in retail on the busiest shopping days of the year has strengthened my organizational and interpersonal skills in high-pressure situations, but most importantly, I have learned how to work effectively in a team comprised of various age groups. Throughout the years, I have also sharpened my leadership skills as vice president of my high school law club and as the youngest member of the Riverview Mock Trial team in 2004, which significantly strengthened my public speaking skills and entailed working in a productive, fast-paced environment with the same team for over a year.

The JET Program emphasizes the same values I want to portray when I begin my career, namely, promoting cultural exchange and acceptance between America and Japan; thus, it is the perfect opportunity to immerse myself in Japanese life and observe the culture I want to positively represent through my career. For many years, my passion has been extracurricular learning, specifically, turning video games into educational tools that bridge cultural gaps, dispel harmful stereotypes, and encourage acceptance. Improving this medium will give students a completely interactive experience with foreign languages and immerse them in a limitless assortment of world cultures earlier in life. In my experience, a motivated and passionate teacher who creates a supportive and immersive learning environment can truly inspire her students to delve deeper into the curriculum and even pursue their academic interests in their free time. These elements are fundamental to a successful classroom, and if accepted as an ALT, I will share my youthful energy and excitement for cross-cultural exchange with my students.

            I am a dedicated, intelligent young adult who has always held a desire to learn with the intent to teach. I have made it my goal to create accessible, cultural education opportunities for younger generations of students so that they may appreciate the benefits of internationalization early in life. If accepted into JET, I will use the opportunity to deepen my understanding of Japan through cross-cultural exchange and immersion while interacting with students during after-school activities and in the classroom. Because the JET Program encourages the same intercultural exchange that I wish to convey upon beginning my career, I know that I will be an exemplary participant who will project a positive image of America and its people.

--------

At a two-page limit, they really don't give you a lot of space to talk about yourself, your goals, and how everything wraps up into one big JET ball. You need to plan exactly what information you want to get across and then find the best (and possibly shortest) way to relay that information. It's tough, but after coming to Japan, making tons of amazing friends both Japanese and other JETs, the entire process is worth it. It's hard to believe that all those agonizing months of writing, applying, waiting, interviewing, and waiting some more have already been justified in my short three months here. This truly is the most amazing experience of my life. If you want to get into JET, make sure you work on that SoP nonstop. I worked on mine for about a month until I was satisfied, and even then, I knew that it was still not perfect. (But, I got in.)

If you want it, go for it. I don't mind being your cheerleader.