Appalachian students accepted in Japanese exchange program

By Mallory Sadler

Posted Sep. 1, 2017 at 12:20 p.m.

BOONE, N.C.—Five Appalachian State University students have been chosen to participate in the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) program for 2017-18.

JET is a competitive employment program that gives young professionals a chance to live and work in Japan while representing the United States as cultural ambassadors. Founded in 1987, the program is the only teaching exchange program managed by the Japanese government. Most participants serve as assistant language teachers and work in public and private schools throughout Japan, while some work as coordinators for international relations (CIRs) as interpreters/translators.

Students apply to the program in the fall for the following year. The program receives about 4,500 applications and accepts about 1,000 students, according to the organization’s website.

Participants in the 2017-18 program are Chris Craigo of Bakersville who graduated in 2016 with a degree in English; Aki Regan of Raleigh who graduated in 2017 with a degree in communication-public relations; Janel Moriatry of Kernersville who graduated in 2017 with a degree in marketing; Steven Smyre of Hickory who graduated in 2015 with a degree in global studies; and Patrick Godfrey of Belews Creek who graduated in 2015 with a degree in English.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.