Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program
About the JET Program:
The JET Program is an employment opportunity allowing young professionals to live and work in cities, towns, and villages throughout Japan. Most participants serve as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) and work in schools; some work as Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs) as interpreters/translators.
To be eligible for the JET program, an applicant must:
- Be a U.S. citizen by the application deadline
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree by the designated date prior to departure
- Be able to adapt to living and working conditions in Japan
- Have excellent standard pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation in the English language
- Be interested in Japan and be willing to deepen their knowledge and appreciation of Japan after their arrival
- Be both mentally and physically healthy
- Have not previously participated in the JET Program for three years as of the year of departure, have not participated in the program for more than five years total, and have not declined a JET Program position in the last year
- Not have lived in Japan for a total of six or more years in the past ten years prior to departure
- ALT applicants: must be interested in the Japanese education system and working actively with children; must already have qualifications as language teachers or be strongly motivated to learn about the teaching of English as a foreign language
- CIR applicants: must have a strong, functional command of the Japanese language (Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level N1 or N2)
Fulbright Scholar Program
Study/Research Awards:
https://us.fulbrightonline.org/about/types-of-awards/study-research
Fulbright Study/Research Awards allow U.S. citizens to design their own projects and work with advisers at foreign universities and institutes of higher education. Fulbright awards are available in approximately 140 countries; each has its own program requirements, so an applicant’s first step is to familiarize themself with the program summary for the desired country.
Fulbright Study/Research Awards in China
Fulbright Study/Research Awards in Japan
English Teaching Assistant Awards:
https://us.fulbrightonline.org/about/types-of-awards/english-teaching-assistant-awards
English Teaching Assistant (ETA) awards place Fulbright grantees in classrooms abroad to provide assistance to local English teachers. ETAs teach English while serving as cultural ambassadors to the US. The age and academic level of the students varies by country, ranging from kindergarten to university level. ETA positions are available in the following Asian countries:
India | Macau | Tajikistan |
Indonesia | Malaysia | Thailand |
Kazakhstan | Mongolia | Vietnam |
Korea | Nepal | |
Kyrgyzstan | Sri Lanka | |
Laos | Taiwan |
Critical Language Enhancement Awards:
https://us.fulbrightonline.org/about/types-of-awards/critical-language-enhancement-award
The Critical Language Enhancement Award (CLEA) provides an opportunity for Fulbright grantees to receive three to six months of intensive language study in conjunction with their Fulbright grant. CLEAs cultivate higher levels of language proficiency prior to and during the grant period and beyond, promoting the Fulbright Program’s goals of cross-cultural exchange and dialogue.
Eligible countries include:
China | India | Jordan | Russia |
Egypt | Indonesia | Morocco |
Eligible languages include:
Arabic (all dialects) | Hindi |
Bahasa Indonesia | Marathi |
Bangla/Bengali | Punjabi |
Mandarin Chinese | Russian |
Gujarati | Urdu |
Applications for Fulbright fellowships are due in October of each year; however, St. Olaf has an internal deadline students must follow. For more information about applying for Fulbright awards, click here.