Cal State San Bernardino students will be given a unique opportunity to study and work in Japan through the JET Program and Mext Scholarship Program, sponsored by the Japanese government. An information session, led by Grant Minagawa from Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles, will be held Wednesday, April 25, from 2-3 p.m. in the John M. Pfau Library, PL-0013.

The JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Program is aimed at promoting grass-roots international exchange. Participants in the program work in Japan as full-time English teaching assistants or as coordinators for international relations. According to its website, JET has sent more than 60,000 global participants (including nearly 32,000 Americans) to work in schools, boards of education, and government offices throughout Japan since being established in 1987.

“What makes JET unique is that it is the only teaching exchange program managed by the government of Japan,” the website reads. “With more than 40 countries around the world participating in JET, this program offers a unique cultural exchange opportunity to meet people from all around the world, living and working in Japan.”

The MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) Scholarship Program offers scholarships each year to assist foreign students who are interested in enrolling in Japanese universities. The program, which started in 1954, has served more than 102,000 students from approximately 160 countries.

All CSUSB majors are welcome and no Japanese language skills are required to participate.

The information session is sponsored by the CSUSB Department of World Languages and Literatures and Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles.

If you have questions about the information session, contact Makiko Amaya, faculty member in the world languages and literatures department, at mamaya@csusb.edu or (909) 537-7132.

For more information about the JET Program, contact the JET Desk, Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles at jet@ls.mofa.go.jp or call (213) 617-6700, ext. 332.

For questions about the MEXT Scholarship Program, contact the MEXT Scholarships Desk, Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles at mext@ls.mofa.go.jp or call (213) 617-6700, ext. 336.