Senior RaeLee Hightower has accepted a job to teach English in Japan through the Japanese Exchange and Teaching program (JET).
RaeLee Hightower, photo provided
Hightower is from Tulsa, Okla. Prior to attending Bluffton University, she went to Hesston (Kan.) College.
“[The JET program] carefully selects people on a yearly basis to go and live in Japan while teaching English the Japanese public school system,” said Hightower.
Hightower found out about the JET program from one of her college professors.
“I’ve been fascinated by Japanese culture since I was little, and I’ve always loved traveling and experiencing new places, so when I learned that there was a way to combine what I love into a job opportunity, I worked hard toward achieving that goal,” said Hightower.
The process to apply for the JET program has many parts and takes several months to find out if one is accepted.
“The process of applying to the JET Program is quite extensive,” said Hightower. “First, I filled out a long application online back in November, then I mailed the hard copy of that application along with other documents like my college transcripts and passport photocopy to the Japanese consulate in [Washington,] D.C.”
In January, Hightower had a face-to-face interview at the Japanese consulate in Detroit.
“It wasn’t until late March that I received a confirmation about my admittance into the JET Program,” said Hightower. “I was overjoyed.”
For one to be able to apply for the JET program two things are required.
The Hiroshima Castle, which Hightower visited on her last trip to Japan. Photo courtesy of RaeLee Hightower.
“To be considered for the JET Program, a person must have some sort of bachelor-level college degree and want to work with children, as well as have an open-minded, flexible and optimistic attitude toward experiencing new cultures,” said Hightower. “Okay, the first part is a must, the rest is highly recommended.”
Hightower’s major is in English with minors in writing and TESOL, also known as teachers of English to speakers of other languages.
This will not be the first time Hightower has been in Japan. Last May, she did her three-week cross-cultural experience there through Hesston College.
Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavillion Temple) in Kyoto, Japan. Hightower took the photo on her last trip to Japan in May 2017. Photo courtesy of RaeLee Hightower.
“I miss a lot of things about Japan—the friendliness of the people, the boss public transportation system, the food, the beautiful mountains and so much more,” said Hightower. “I know it’s going to be a difficult transition, but I just want to try living there and taking in the culture as authentically as possible.”
If one is going to live abroad, learning the language is a must. To help prepare for living abroad, Hightower plans on learning more Japanese.
“Language is going to be a social barrier to me for a while, but I’m trying to learn as best I can before I go over,” said Hightower. “Workbooks and podcasts are my friends; I even found a local Japanese tutor who has been kind enough to aid me in my studies as well.”
Hightower will leave for Japan Aug. 4.
Aside from preparing for her move to Japan, Hightower is focusing on finishing her last semester in college.
