Hello all, 2024 applicant here and starting my SOP today, but have a few questions I hope you all can help with!
1- The length is 1000 words or two pages correct? I’ve read online both answers so would like clarification.
2- how did you start yours? In writing I know the introduction/ hook is one of the most important aspects but have been struggling to figure one out for myself.
Lastly 3- since I’ll be focusing on my interest in Japanese culture is there any advice you could give me? I have a rough outline of how my interest started, how I researched it on my own time, and now even teach it in my history classes when I don’t need to. Also would bringing up their sports culture be a good topic and how I wish to try and coach a sport while there since I am currently a coach now, or start an American Football club at the school if I make it to try and to make it a bit more popular overseas?
Sorry about the long post and such but I would like feedback, and once my SOP is written I’ll be asking for more advice soon! Thanks in advance and good luck to everyone else writing theirs and applying this fall!
4 comments
1. It needs to follow the length set by your country’s application. It isn’t a set amount of words. A lot of countries have an online portal; it must fit in the formatted two pages
2. This is something entirely unique and personal to you. You need to draw from your *own experiences and motivations*; no one here can help you tell the story of *you*. The more “advice” you follow, the more generic your essay will be.
3. Know the objectives of the program above all else. It’s not meant to be exclusively a teaching job (even if that’s what your position pretty much is).
I found the Tofugu guide really helpful for structuring mine. Their website has a lot of good, general info on the application process.
They’ll use your SOP in the interview. Make sure anything you say in it is substantial enough to be talked about there.
There’s no point saying ‘I like x culture’ or whatever, if you can’t then be like ‘this particular thing or person is really neat’ followed by something interesting!
Also yes, you are allowed to use and mention Anime!
1 – when you submit it, there is usually a place to copy/paste it into and it will be formatted. Each country is different so I can’t tell you 1000 words or 2 pages.
2 – I didn’t have a “hook” per se. Mine was about my teaching experience. It’s up to you. If you want a hook, go for it. If not, that’s ok too.
3 – DON’T BE A WEEB. I mentioned how I was first introduced/first became interested in Japan THRU anime but I didn’t focus on it. (I *think* the interviewers understand how famous anime is. I could be wrong tho.) Then I went into my personal interests outside of Japan and how they would help me or be something I could show to the community.
​
EDIT: I think there may have been a period where people were trying to use the JET program to go to Japan due to anime *infatuation* rather than just being interested in anime… if that makes sense. That’s why you see a lot of people saying “don’t mention anime.”