Hey guys, I haven't submitted yet. I wanted to know if I have a solid easy. This is my last step because I submit everything. Please and thank you!
- Why you wish to go to Japan as a participant of the JET Program and why you are interested in the position for which you are applying (ALT or CIR).
Growing up, I had a curiosity about anything different than the norm. Specifically, my norm. I grew up on the south side of Chicago, IL, where I learned of this sense of community. From cookouts to school events, it was my home. However, everything was the same, I never saw other people or cultures. Which is ironic given that Chicago is a very diverse and segregated city. I couldn't tell you when, but I wanted to explore. I got to explore that curiosity when I moved from Chicago to Atlanta. For the first time, I had classmates from other cultures and ethnicities I could talk with, it was genuinely inspiring. I remember meeting a girl in elementary school with a hijab and it interested me because of our differences. I asked her about her family and where she was from because our differences should be shared and explored, not hidden or ridiculed. From that point onward, I felt connected and educated on some unlike myself. I see that as a reason for why I'm here today. I want to go to Japan and become an Assisted Language Teacher because life is about growth and passing along knowledge that can help others. I want to be that person. I want to help other people if that curiosity comes their way.
- What effect you hope to have on the Japanese community and internationally as a result of your participation in the JET Program.
I enjoy doing my research on current and past events. I have watched and learned about Japan's customs and how they carry themselves. I noticed that you are respectful to your citizens but also foreigners. As an American, I have also noticed people who don't give the same respect they are given, and it's disappointing because as a result of their misbehavior, non-Japanese residents pay the price. I learned in sociology the phrase "the tragedy of the commons", which refers to everyone ruining it for everyone else. However, this isn't the case for each foreigner that comes to Japan. The impact I want to leave is a positive one. I want to show the world a positive outlook from an American perspective as a black man. Simply put, it's something my mom told me, "You represent how the world sees black people, no matter where you are in the world".
- How your experiences, professional skills, and relevant interests will be useful to you as an ALT or CIR, and will further the objectives of the JET Program.
I have worked in customer service for about 10 years, learning the dos and don'ts of everyday life. I know how to handle situations big and small. I can be forceful when needed, but also gentle. I can speak when it's my turn, but also listen when it's important. My point is that different situations call for perspectives from me. I can't just be the same person all the time I need to be adaptable and versatile. In this business, that's what is important. To be able to understand your fellow men and women and grow together.
- What you hope to gain, both personally and professionally, from your JET experience if you are selected and how participation will assist you in your future career.
I hope to have an understanding and appreciation for Japan and its people. There is so much I want to learn about and experience with the Jet Program. When it comes to the food, culture, people, and environment I want to see it all or how much I can. What I appreciate about all of this is, if given the opportunity this will be my first time out of the United States, and I will finally get my shot at seeing the world. I have a phrase I say that motivates me to do anything, it is "Let Nothing Stop You!" It means no matter what you want to do, let nothing get in your way of that goal. I see Jet as a jumping-off point, I don't know where I might go next but that's for me to figure out and it excites me to know I can do anything.
by Insomnicmallow