Japan selects second Wheaton student for teaching program

Senior Paul Benson, an English major from New York City, will teach English in Japan next year with the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program. A fan of Japanese animation and a concentrator in contemporary media and culture, Benson will continue to study the influence of Japanese culture on the video game industry.

''I plan to pursue a graduate degree in video game studies, the academic study of video and computer games,'' Benson explained. ''Specifically, I'm interested in the connection between American and Japanese culture. Learning about Japanese culture and language will be essential to my studies in this field and working in Japan will provide that opportunity.'' Benson studied in Tokyo's Kanda University during his junior year.

A Dean's List student and president of the Akido Club this year, Benson worked as a program counselor at the Horizons for Youth camp in Sharon, Mass., where he developed his interest in education.

''I didn't have direct classroom teaching experience before working at the summer camp, but I developed different methods of mentoring children,'' Benson said. ''I found the best way to interact with children was to establish a group dynamic so that we could work together to accomplish a goal. I created this dynamic by being enthusiastic, patient, personal and empathetic, and always showing respect to the children. These qualities will characterize my approach to teaching in Japan.''

The JET Program was founded with the purpose of increasing mutual understanding between the people of Japan and the people of other nations. It aims to promote globalization in Japan≠s local communities by helping to improve foreign language education and developing international exchange at the community level.