JET Program Application Essay

I have been fascinated by Japanese culture ever since I was a little girl. Although my interest originated from anime and manga, my interest has developed significantly over time. It became a personal goal of mine to learn how to speak Japanese as I believed doing so would be the best way to learn more about Japanese culture. Since then, I have earned a minor in Japanese and can now read, write, and speak the Japanese language at an intermediate level. In addition to learning the language, I am also currently involved in the Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony Club at Penn State where I am learning how to perform Japanese tea ceremony under the Omotesenke school. Through this club, I have been able to learn a lot more about Japanese culture and traditions in a way I never thought I would have been able to. Through the JET program, I would be able to further expand my curiosity by immersing myself in Japan and its culture. From my participation in the JET Program, my desire is to develop an approachable presence within the school and community. I would enjoy advising or being involved in an English
I would like to assist in promoting this program throughout different universities and share this opportunity as well as my personal experiences with as many people as I can. Additionally, I would promote the study of Japanese tea ceremony in the United States by joining the Omotesenke Domonkai USA Eastern Region located in New York City. This organization was established to connect those who are learning Japanese tea ceremony in the United States with the head tea master of the main organization in Japan to promote internationalization between the two countries. Japanese Tea Ceremony withholds several aspects of Japanese culture through its philosophies and I believe it is one of the best ways to expand ones knowledge for people who are interested in learning more about Japanese culture and