I’m Mexican American and military veteran who was stationed in Okinawa. I recently came back from Mexico and noticed a growing population of Japanese people in my mom’s hometown. This intrigued on multiple levels.
Should I say that I’m bilingual in Spanish and wanna share my American and Mexican culture with Japanese peers?
Or should I just say that I foster better relationships with US and Japan based on my time in the US military?
7 comments
Put all of it in there. Im a bilingual Navy vet who was stationed in Yokosuka and that checked all their boxes. My interview was a breeze and I got selected first go around.
Add it both. Its all about showing what you can do for the JET Programme. If you can have a point of difference then it’ll help you.
I definitely added that I was born in a different country and so I can talk about 2 cultures.
I did! I was asked during the interview if I’d share my American or Romanian culture with the students and I said both! They’re both part of my identity and make me who I am today, so I will certainly talk about them both 🙂
How is your time in the military relevant to fostering better relationships? The large military presence in Okinawa is disrespectful to the Okinawan people in general, and there is a difference between Japanese people and Okinawan people that should be acknowledged. But it is a great deal for the mainland Japanese that still see the Okinawan people as inferior.
Add it all MrKrabs. Add it all.
write your SoP and then send it to me on discord Mason J.#8084 i will help you further
As others said add it all but make sure that you have about 3 persons read it, edit it, then rinse and repeat about 5 or so times. By the end of it once you feel that you have something that represents you and what you can add to the programme, there’s your SOP.