JET Program

Description
The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program is a competitive employment opportunity that allows young professionals to live and work in cities, towns, and villages throughout Japan. Most participants serve as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) working in public schools (elementary, middle and high schools) supporting Japanese teachers of English. Beyond using their native English ability to improve students’ English fluency, they serve as cultural ambassadors in their local communities. ALTs make up 90% of all JET program participants. Some with high Japanese language proficiency work as Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs) at local government offices promoting internationalization efforts at the community level.

Many students apply for the JET program at the beginning of their last year at NWU, but some apply after they have graduated- NWU supports both applications.

The term of the employment is one to five years. The employment through the JET Program as an ALT or CIR is a full-time paid position. The JET participant’s salary is determined by the number of years of participation on the JET Program. The salary of the first year before tax for each contract year is approximately ¥2,800,000 (2020).

Eligibility

• Be a citizen of the United States by the application deadline.
• Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree or obtain such qualifications by the designated date prior to departure.
• Not have lived in Japan for a total of six (6) or more years in the past ten (10) years
• Have an interest maintaining some type of relations with Japan

Note
The on campus advisors for this JET Program are Dr. Yuko Yamada, yy [at] nebrwesleyan.edu (yy[at]nebrwesleyan[dot]edu) and Dr. Steve Wills, swills [at] nebrwesleyan.edu (swills[at]nebrwesleyan[dot]edu)