CONWAY, Ark. (April 10,
2018) – Four Hendrix College seniors have been accepted as Assistant Language
Teachers (ALTs) in the highly selective Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET)
Program:
- Alexandria
DerGazarian, a studio art major from Little Rock, Ark.
- Lena
Pham, an anthropology major/Asian studies minor from Fort Smith, Ark.
- Pete
Wills, a biology major/psychology minor from Memphis, Tenn.
- Laela
Zaidi, a religious studies major from Joplin, Mo.
The JET Program seeks to
promote intercultural exchange and understanding by providing participants the
opportunity to live and work in a Japanese community and represent the United
States as cultural ambassadors. It is highly selective, with 4,000 to 5,000
applicants competing for approximately 1,000 positions in communities
throughout Japan.
“JET is a special program
that provides participants with ample opportunities to not only learn how to
teach English as a Foreign Language, but also to immerse themselves in Japanese
culture – learn the language, get involved in community activities and
organizations, and make lifelong friendships with fellow teachers,
administrators and members of the community,” said Gwen Stockwell, director of
ESOL and International Student Services for Hendrix. “As a former JET myself, I
will never forget the warm hospitality of the Japanese people and the amazing
experiences I had on JET that paved the way for my current career teaching ESOL
(English for Speakers of Other Languages) and working in the field of
international education. I hope these students have the same kinds of
experiences.”
JET participants begin with
one-year contracts, which may be extended for up to five years. The program is
sponsored by the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations
(CLAIR), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Ministry of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), and the Ministry of Internal
Affairs and Communications (MIC).
About
the JET Program
The JET Program is a
competitive employment opportunity that allows young professionals to live and
work in cities, towns, and villages throughout Japan. Most participants serve
as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) and work in public and private schools throughout
Japan; some work as Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs) as
interpreters/translators. Since the JET Program was founded in 1987, more than
61,000 global participants (including nearly 32,000 Americans) have worked in
schools, boards of education, and government offices throughout Japan.
About
Hendrix College
A private liberal arts
college in Conway, Arkansas, Hendrix College consistently earns recognition as
one of the country’s leading liberal arts institutions, and is featured in Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That
Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges. Its academic quality and
rigor, innovation, and value have established Hendrix as a fixture in numerous
college guides, lists, and rankings. Founded in 1876, Hendrix has been
affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. To learn more, visit www.hendrix.edu.