Jul 4

JET ROI: “Because of JET…..”

Return on JET-vestment, Uncategorized Add Comment (4)

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JET Return on Investment (ROI) is a new category on JetWit intended to highlight the various economic, diplomatic and other benefits to Japan resulting from its investment in the JET Program.  Why is this important right now?  Because the JET Program and JET Alumni Association may be cut by the Japanese government, as explained in this post by Jim Gannon (Ehime-ken, 1992-94) titled “JET Program on the Chopping Block.”

Because of JET….

  • Many of us have a lifelong connection to Japan.
  • Many Japanese citizens have learned English and been inspired to go to other cross-cultural accomplishments.
  • Many of us have found jobs and careers working for Japanese companies and organizations in Japan and in our home countries.
  • Over 50,000 of more people in the world can speak at least a little Japanese, and many of us are fluent.

If you’re a JET or a JET alum, you know these things because you’ve experienced them.  Now it’s time to share some of those experiences as a way to demonstrate concretely some of the many benefits to Japan of the JET Program.

Please post your own personal “BECAUSE OF JET…..” example in the comments section below, or feel free to e-mail it to jetwit@jetwit.com.  (Please make sure to include your prefecture and years on JET.)  (Feel free to substitute “JETAA” for “JET” if appropriate.)

(Note: Special thanks to our JETAA International officers for coming up with this concept.)


4 comments so far...

  • jetwit Said on July 4th, 2010 at 6:54 pm:

    Because of JET……. I wanted to maintain a connection to Japan and became involved with the JETAA NY chapter. That led me to become editor of the JETAA NY Quarterly Newsletter for 6 years, create the Writers Interpreters Translators (WIT) Group and ultimately create JetWit as a way to share the accomplishments of JET alumni, foster cross-chapter collaboration and help JETs and JET alums find jobs and help each other to move forward with their careers.

    -Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94)

  • Bethany Iyobe Said on July 6th, 2010 at 3:41 pm:

    Because of JET… I have a tenured position at the University of Niigata Prefecture teaching English and working to inspire Japan’s 18 year olds to see beyond their rice field and into the world. I also have a Japanese husband and two children. I have contributed to Japan’s ever decreasing population and our family IS the diversity that Japan will need to be successful in the development of future global citizens and global mindedness. We love our neighbors, our daycare, our city, and carry that with us as we visit the US. My parents from the US have visited Japan over 10 times and my younger brother decided to minor in Japanese in university and became a CIR on the JET program. There is no doubt that BECAUSE OF JET I have developed an appreciation and love for Japan and am now sharing that daily with my family and students.

    – Bethany Iyobe (Niigata-ken, 1995-98)

  • jetwit Said on July 6th, 2010 at 4:41 pm:

    Thanks for the replies so far.
    If you have a chance, also sign our petition to save the JET Program here: http://www.change.org/petitions/view/save_the_jet_program

    And share your thoughts directly with the Japanese government here: https://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/forms/comment_ssl.html

  • Becky Said on July 12th, 2010 at 9:41 am:

    Because of JET . . .

    I now have a personal connection to Japan.
    My students realize there is something more than my 1,000 person town in the world (many of them haven’t left).
    My teachers now know what tacos are.
    I have made friends from all over the world.
    Japanese people realize that vegetables can be eaten raw.
    My students have a clue that English isn’t just a new set of words in katakana.

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