MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University’s Hannah Middleton, an animation major, is among three students accepted into the competitive Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program this year, an achievement the Murfreesboro resident said fulfills a long-time dream.

“I was surprised, and then I was so relieved,” Middleton said when she received the news of her acceptance. “I immediately texted my boyfriend, parents, and a few friends. Everyone was really excited for me. They all knew that I applied last year and didn’t get in, so it’s a big deal that I managed to get accepted this time. I still kind of can’t believe it.”

Also with selections are Olivia O’Shell, an English and Japanese double major, and Taylor Redmond, a photography major.

Middleton first learned about the JET Program through a classmate in her first Japanese course at MTSU. The JET Program places recent graduates in schools and organizations across Japan to promote language education and cultural exchange.

But her interest in Japan started well before college.

“I was already interested in Japanese culture, so the idea of getting to live and work in Japan for a whole year immediately appealed to me,” she said. “I grew up loving Japanese food, anime, and J-pop, and I got more into learning about the culture and language in college. It’s always been a dream of mine to at least visit Japan, so living there will take the cultural immersion to a whole new level.”

Middleton said she is especially eager to improve her language skills through daily immersion and experience Japanese culture firsthand.

“I’m very excited to learn Japanese in such an immersive environment,” she said. “I also can’t wait to go to Japanese festivals, museums, and markets. Plus, I get to eat Japanese food every day, and I get to ride on trains. My bucket list for things to do in Japan is very long.”

She also emphasized her interest in building cross-cultural connections in the classroom.

“I want to create a cultural bridge that might not have otherwise existed,” she said. “I want to know how students see America and Americans, and I want to learn about their interests.”

Building her teaching skills

Middleton plans to pursue teaching after returning to the United States, with a focus on art education at the college level. She already has experience teaching art and English, and said the JET Program will strengthen those skills in a new environment.

“I’ll gain valuable experience teaching in the Japanese school system,” she said. “I’ll also learn how to work with students who have a completely different cultural background from me.”

Outside of the classroom, Middleton said she plans to immerse herself in Japan’s art scene, with a particular interest in pottery.

“As an art teacher, I would love to incorporate lessons about American artists alongside English lessons,” she said. “Visual art is a big part of culture. I also rely on my illustration skills to help explain concepts when language is a barrier.”

Middleton added that she aims to keep her classroom engaging and interactive.

“I never want to be a teacher who just lectures,” she said. “I’ll always encourage participation, discussion, and fun in my classroom.”

She also hopes the exchange will be mutually educational, allowing both her and her students to learn about life in Tennessee and rural Japan.

“I think it’s important for people in other countries to learn about parts of America that aren’t glamorized in movies,” she said. “Murfreesboro isn’t a vacation hotspot, but it has its own traditions, music, and crafts. I’m also excited to learn about the parts of Japanese culture that aren’t shown in anime or travel videos.”

For more information about the JET Program, visit JET Program USA.

— Robin E. Lee (robin.e.lee@mtsu.edu)