Thursday, February 28, 2008

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

I work with a bunch of international exchange students. India, France, Korea, Spain. They come from all over. Saturday's I work with this chick from France, who is...how shall I put this? Very outgoing.

Anyway, she attracts lots of male attention--so usually we're mobbed with people. Saturday was no different. One of the University police officers decided to stop by and have an extended chat. For whatever reason, people love to try and solve my employment problems. Mostly I get the whole, "Have you ever thought about writing?" or "You could write a novel!" response. Gee...really? Really? You know, I never thought about writing before! You're a genius!!!

So yeah, I've yet to meet someone who could give me a very good answer.

Well this Police Officer actually gave me a pretty good idea on Saturday. He told me I should go teach English in another country. I was like "But I don't really speak any other languages..." However, I guess this isn't really that big of a problem. Apparently all you need is a Bachelor's Degree to participate in most of these programs. But where would I go? I'm not too keen on going to some barren, God-forsaken hunk of rock, where everyone speaks a strange language...

He suggested a country he was very interested: Japan. I found out the Japanese government sponsors a program designed to help their fellow countrymen/women become more "international." One of the ways this is done, is by teaching them another language. Apparently it doesn't pay much ($28,000 a year--which is more than I make now), but you do get to go to Japan for a year. I went online and did a little research today, and found out that the application process doesn't start until September.

The possibilities for video blogs alone, is mind boggling. My family was actually in favor of this (which shocked me, because my parents are very anti-travel abroad). What does everyone/anyone think about that?

10 comments:

Jimu said...

my only concern is the 28k a year.

its expensive to live in japan.

Jason said...

Yeah, I agree. That's the biggest thing holding me back on this (other than the whole "Leah" question). I just don't see this as a money making enterprise...

That said, it would look good on an application--and be a valuable life experience.

Jimu said...

I think for it to succeed leah would have to come with you. you get too mopey when she's gone for a weekend or so.

Anonymous said...

My brother teaches English in Japan. Did I ever tell you that? You don't need to know how to speak Japanese, but it is really hard to adjust and know what the you're doing without it. It is pretty expensive to live there, as well. You have the right idea about it not being a money making enterprise.
Did you get your diploma yet? Mine came in the mail today. FINALLY!

Jimu said...

http://www.jetprogramme.org/

some info about a program

Anonymous said...

I know someone who did it before she ended up in International Admissions at UMKC. It's actually a good segway to get into a Study Abroad Admission or International Admissions Job that has a ton of travel. Yeah I can see it being hard though with Leah.
Also, why did you invite me to that Wedding Audition Party? Don't you need guys?

Jason said...

Jimu--yeah, that's the website I was looking at.

Brittany--I knew your bro was in Japan, I just didn't know why. Interesting.

Becky--You are invited because you are going to be one of my "groomspeople" 4 sure!!! My cousin Spencer had a chick be his best man, so it's not (too) strange. (that's if you're cool).

Plus Rock Band with all my crazy dorm/school friends? Come on...

Jason said...

Oh, and yes...I got my diploma today (Leah got hers a few days ago...so they must send them out by program).

Anonymous said...

Maybe Leah should sign up to teach in Japan too and then you could be there together. I think it would be healthy for newlyweds to put themselves in a position where they learned to totally rely on each other and ALL in-laws butt out. :)

Jason said...

Oooo...never thought about that before, Terri. If we did that BOTH sets of folks would be out of reach. I like it...