Nebraska Wesleyan University senior Jamie Reed wants to be a high school English teacher. It’s likely her future students will learn a little about the Japanese language and culture too.
Reed, an English major from Lincoln, will spend next year in Japan. She learned recently that she has been accepted into the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program. The program, now in its 27th year, is aimed at promoting grass-roots international exchange between Japan and other nations. Those accepted teach English in Japanese schools or work in Japanese communities on international exchange activities.
“It will prepare me by allowing me to not only learn about Japan but to also gain diverse teaching experiences,” said Reed. “It will also prepare me to bridge the gap culturally between Japan and the United States.”
Reed first became interested in the Japanese culture while in middle school. She pursued the interest even further at Nebraska Wesleyan and declared minors in both Japanese and Spanish in addition to an endorsement in secondary education.
Reed is no stranger to living abroad. She spent the 2011-2012 academic year studying at the University of Plymouth in England.
“That experience impacted me by helping me to become more independent and grow as a person,” she said. “I felt that I understood more about the world after having lived abroad, and I understand myself more now. It has impacted how I define myself.”