Jobs, Internships, and Scholarship Opportunities
The JET Program: The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program
The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme, now in its 20th year, is aimed at promoting grass-roots international exchange between Japan and other nations. In 2006, the Programme welcomed 5,508 participants from 44 countries. The majority of participants on the JET Programme are from English speaking nations, and most of them are in Japan as Assistant Language Teachers.
The JET Programme is a one-year commitment, which may possibly be extended to two, three, or even five years of participation. The application and selection process for the JET Programme is handled by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs through its Embassies and Consulates in participating countries. All JET participants receive a salary of 3.6 million yen a year. This sum is enough to pay regular bills and, if frugal, to do some travelling in Japan or accumulate some savings. Job training seminars as well as housing assistance are provided.
Participants must hold at least a Bachelor’s degree or be qualified to teach at primary/elementary or secondary schools or obtain this qualification by the departure date. For more information, please see the JET website.
Scholarships
From the Alliance for Global Education website, scholarships page
Scholarships for Study Abroad Alliance Scholarships
The Alliance for Global Education has some scholarship aid available to applicants. Students who have been accepted into an Alliance program are eligible to apply for scholarship awards of up to $2000 per student. Awards are based on financial need. Students seeking financial aid should also speak with the study abroad and financial aid offices at their home institutions about taking scholarships and federal aid with them while studying overseas.
The following organizations offer funding for study abroad:
Freeman Asia
First-years, sophomores, or juniors may apply for these scholarships to study abroad in Asia. Awards are $3,000 for a summer term, $5,000 for a semester, and $7,000 for an academic year.
Email: freeman-asia@iie.org
Gilman Scholarship
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to undergraduates who wish to study abroad. Applicants must demonstrate financial need. Recipients are awarded up to $5,000 depending on the length of their program. An additional $3000 is available for students who study critical languages, including Chinese.
Email: gilman@iie.org
NSEP - National Security Education Program
The National Security Education Program (NSEP) is a unique scholarship opportunity for U.S. undergraduates to study abroad. Created in 1991, NSEP awards scholarships to American students for study of world regions critical to U.S. interests (including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America & the Caribbean, and the Middle East). NSEP was designed to provide students with the resources and encouragement they need to acquire skills and experience in countries and areas of the world critical to the future security of our nation.
General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Massachusetts
Residents of Massachusetts may apply for these scholarships to study abroad for a semester, summer, or academic year. Awards are up to $800.
E-mail: jhoward@mountida.edu
Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships
The Rotary Foundation offers a variety of scholarships for undergraduates. Students are encouraged to contact their local Rotary club for more information.
Shop Smart Scholarship
This scholarship is for high school seniors and current undergraduate students. To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must have a 2.0 GPA, be US citizens or permanent residents, and be enrolled in a postsecondary program. To apply for this scholarship, applicants must submit an essay explaining how their college experience has been/will be defined by remarkable frugality, ingenuity, effort, or thrift. In keeping with the "shop smart" theme, there is a bias against high annual tuition costs and student loans.
Asian Women in Business Scholarship
This scholarship is for Asian women and Pacific Islander women who are current undergraduate students. To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must have a 3.0 GPA and demonstrate scholarship, leadership, community service and/or entrepreneurship. They must also be US citizens or permanent residents, have completed at least one semester, and be enrolled full-time at an accredited four-year US undergraduate institution.