JETPREP TAIWAN
VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE
Curious how an educational experience in Taiwan can help prepare you for JET?
Meet the program team, explore the planned school, cultural, and social-emotional learning experiences, and ask your questions about the journey.
Friday, October 23, 2026
4:30–6:00 PM Pacific Time.
JETPrep Taiwan
Education &
Cultural Immersion
Presented by Positive Global Learning & Know My World
More than travel—experience education, culture, community, and social-emotional learning through an immersive journey in Taiwan.
Designed for prospective JET Programme applicants and globally minded future educators, this small-group experience brings you into Taiwanese schools, communities, and cultural spaces to explore what it means to teach, communicate, and build relationships across cultures.
Through school visits, conversations with educators and students, applied social-emotional learning, cultural experiences, and guided reflection, you’ll gain greater confidence working with young people from different backgrounds—and meaningful experiences you can draw upon in future JET applications and interviews.
• School visits and firsthand insight into education in Taiwan
• Social-emotional learning for inclusive, connected classrooms
• Cultural immersion and meaningful community engagement
• Guided reflection and preparation for future JET applications and interviews
January 9–16, 2027
Taipei & Northern Taiwan
Intentionally small cohort | 3–10 participants
Deadline to enroll: December 1
An intentionally small cohort designed for meaningful learning, connection, and individualized support.
✨ Program at a Glance
An intentionally small educational and cultural immersion designed to help prospective JET applicants gain firsthand experience working with young people across cultures, explore education in Taiwan, and build greater confidence for future applications, interviews, and international opportunities.
Planned Dates: January 9–16, 2027
Location: Taipei & Northern Taiwan
Program Investment: $1,987 USD
International airfare not included
INCLUDES
• Guided pre-departure and cross-cultural teaching preparation
• Shared accommodations throughout the program
• Transportation associated with scheduled program activities
• Daily breakfast and select shared meals
• Scheduled school, cultural, and community experiences
• Social-emotional learning and cultural-intelligence workshops
• Guided reflection and individualized mentorship
• Automatic access to JETPrep’s Application Lab, Interview Accelerator, ALT Essentials, and Preparing for Departure courses
CORE EXPERIENCE
• Welcome gathering and cohort orientation in Taipei
• Visits to Taiwanese schools and learning environments
• Conversations with local educators and students
• Opportunities to plan or facilitate activities with young people
• Applied ESL, social-emotional learning, and cultural-intelligence development
• Cultural exchange with an Atayal Indigenous community
• Hands-on language, art, food, and cultural experiences
• Exploration of Taipei, Jiufen, and the natural landscapes of northern Taiwan
• Guided reflection connecting the experience to future JET applications, interviews, and classroom practice
• A supportive community of prospective JET applicants and globally minded participants
🌱 Why We Created JETPrep Taiwan
Many prospective JET applicants are excited by the possibility of living and working abroad, yet have had few opportunities to experience international education firsthand.
They may be wondering:
What is it actually like to connect with young people across cultures?
How do you communicate when language, expectations, and learning styles differ?
How can you turn an interest in JET into meaningful experience you can draw upon in a future application or interview?
JETPrep Taiwan was created to help bridge that gap.
Through school visits, engagement with students and educators, social-emotional learning, cultural-intelligence development, community experiences, and guided reflection, participants begin building the awareness and confidence needed to work thoughtfully across cultures.
Taiwan and Japan have distinct cultures and educational systems. Experiencing education in Taiwan offers a valuable opportunity to step into an unfamiliar environment, examine your assumptions, practice adapting, and discover how you build relationships when you are no longer operating within what feels familiar.
Our partnership with Know My World brings together international education, social-emotional learning, cultural exchange, and deep local relationships in Taiwan. Together, we have created an experience that allows participants to learn not only about another culture, but also about themselves as future educators, cultural ambassadors, and members of an international community.
The goal is not simply to help you talk about international education.
It is to give you meaningful experiences, relationships, and reflections that help you understand what teaching and connecting across cultures asks of you—and what you may be able to contribute.
🌏 Why This Experience Is Different
This is not a sightseeing tour or a traditional teacher-training course. It is a guided learning experience built around education, social-emotional learning, cultural immersion, community connection, reflection, and personal growth.
Many travel experiences help you see Taiwan.
JETPrep Taiwan helps you engage with an unfamiliar educational and cultural environment while developing skills and experiences you can carry into future classrooms, JET applications, interviews, and international opportunities.
Through school visits, conversations with educators, engagement with young people, cultural experiences, and guided reflection, you’ll move beyond imagining what it might be like to teach abroad and begin exploring how you communicate, adapt, connect, and contribute across cultures.
REAL EDUCATIONAL ENGAGEMENT
Visit Taiwanese schools and learning environments, connect with educators and students, and gain firsthand insight into how education, relationships, and community intersect.
SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING & CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE
Explore practical approaches for creating belonging, encouraging participation, and supporting student engagement while practicing how to observe, communicate, and adapt across cultural differences.
MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Learn alongside local educators, students, artists, community members, and fellow participants through shared experiences and authentic cultural exchange.
CULTURE BEYOND TOURISM
Experience Taiwan through language, food, art, Indigenous culture, local traditions, neighborhoods, and everyday community life—not simply through its most familiar attractions.
REFLECTION & INTERVIEW-READY STORIES
Recognize what you learned, identify moments of challenge and growth, and develop meaningful examples you can communicate thoughtfully in future JET applications and interviews.
SUPPORT BEYOND THE PROGRAM
Your preparation begins before departure and continues after you return through JETPrep resources, reflection opportunities, application support, and connection with the Positive Global Learning community.
AN INTENTIONALLY SMALL COHORT
Travel, learn, practice, and reflect within a supportive small group while receiving individualized guidance and mentorship throughout the experience.
🤝 Meet Your Guides &
Partners in Taiwan
JETPrep Taiwan is the result of a partnership between Positive Global Learning and Know My World, bringing together experience in international education, social-emotional learning, cultural exchange, JET preparation, and community-based learning.
Rather than simply visiting Taiwan, participants will learn alongside local educators, students, artists, cultural facilitators, and community members through experiences designed to build curiosity, adaptability, cultural understanding, and confidence working with young people across cultures.
Meet the people and organizations guiding the experience:
Marti Deyo, Ph.D.
Founder & Executive Director, Positive Global Learning
Former Aomori JET Participant (2004–2009)
Marti Deyo is an international educator and the founder of Positive Global Learning, a nonprofit dedicated to creating transformational learning experiences through education, travel, reflection, and meaningful cross-cultural connection.
Drawing upon her own JET journey and career in international education, Marti will help participants connect their experiences in Taiwan to future JET applications, interviews, classroom practice, and international opportunities.
Genevieve Murphy
Co-Founder & Director, Know My World
Taiwan Resident & Educator
Former Aomori JET Participant (2007–2010)
Genevieve Murphy is an educator, social-emotional learning facilitator, and international-program leader who has lived and worked in Taiwan for many years.
Through her deep local knowledge and community relationships, Genevieve creates experiences that help learners develop self-awareness, empathy, communication skills, cultural understanding, and meaningful relationships across differences.
Know My World
Partner Organization in Taiwan
Know My World is an international education organization that uses social-emotional learning, cultural exchange, and creative collaboration to help people better understand themselves and one another.
Through this partnership, participants will explore practical ways to support belonging, communication, curiosity, and student engagement within culturally diverse classrooms and communities.
Our Community Partners
Local educators, artists, wellness facilitators, volunteers, and community members
Throughout the experience, participants will engage with people who bring Taiwan’s schools, culture, and communities to life.
School visits, conversations with educators, student engagement, creative workshops, Indigenous cultural exchange, and community-based experiences will allow participants to learn with—not simply about—the people and communities they encounter.
❤️ Who is This Experience For?
You don’t need to have everything figured out—just curiosity about teaching, cultural exchange, and what might be possible through JET.
Whether you have already submitted your JET application, are considering applying in the future, or are exploring a broader path in education or international exchange, this experience is designed to help you learn, connect, practice, and grow.
This program may be a good fit if you:
• Have applied to the JET Programme and want meaningful experience before interviews
• Are considering applying to JET in the future
• Want greater confidence working with young people across cultures
• Are studying education or exploring teaching abroad, international education, or cultural exchange
• Want to learn more about social-emotional learning and inclusive classroom practices
• Are curious about Taiwan and want to experience it beyond traditional tourism
• Want real experiences and reflections you can draw upon in future applications and interviews
• Value structured support, meaningful relationships, community-based learning, and personal growth
You do not need previous teaching experience, knowledge of Mandarin, or prior international travel experience to participate.
What matters most is your curiosity, openness, and willingness to learn from people whose experiences and perspectives may differ from your own.
If you are ready to explore what it means to teach, communicate, and build relationships across cultures, JETPrep Taiwan can help you take that next step.
🌏 Your Taiwan Learning Journey
Prepare. Engage. Practice. Carry it forward.
From pre-departure preparation to the reflections you bring home, each phase of JETPrep Taiwan is designed to help you experience education and culture firsthand while building confidence for future JET applications, interviews, classrooms, and international opportunities.
PHASE 1 — PREPARE FOR THE EXPERIENCE
Build a foundation before departure
Your journey begins before you arrive in Taiwan. Through guided virtual preparation, you’ll meet your cohort, learn about the communities you will encounter, and begin exploring how to enter an unfamiliar cultural and educational environment with curiosity and respect.
Highlights:
• Virtual cohort orientation and community-building
• Introduction to education and everyday life in Taiwan
• Foundations of social-emotional learning and cultural intelligence
• Preparation for school visits and student engagement
• Personal goals, cultural preparation, and practical travel guidance
Arrive ready to observe, participate, and learn.
PHASE 2 — ARRIVE & CONNECT
Step into Taiwan with curiosity
Your in-country experience begins in Taipei with time to settle in, connect with your cohort, and begin navigating a new cultural environment together.
Highlights:
• Welcome gathering and orientation in Taipei
• Guided exploration of local neighborhoods and landmarks
• Introductory language and communication experience
• Shared meals and relationship-building
• Reflection on first impressions and cultural observations
Begin building community while learning to navigate the unfamiliar.
PHASE 3 — EDUCATION & SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING IN PRACTICE
Learn with educators and young people
School visits and educational engagement will offer a firsthand window into how students learn, participate, communicate, and build relationships within another cultural context.
You’ll explore how social-emotional learning can support belonging, confidence, communication, and student engagement—and consider how these principles might shape your approach as a future ALT or educator.
Highlights:
• Visits to local schools and learning environments
• Classroom observation and engagement with students
• Conversations with educators about teaching and learning in Taiwan
• ESL, social-emotional learning, and cultural-intelligence workshops
• Opportunities to plan or facilitate activities with mentor feedback
Move beyond imagining international education and begin experiencing it.
PHASE 4 — CULTURE, COMMUNITY & CONNECTION
Experience Taiwan through participation
Education does not happen only inside a classroom. Through language, art, food, nature, Indigenous culture, and community engagement, you’ll explore how identity, tradition, environment, and relationships shape the ways people understand the world.
Highlights may include:
• Cultural exchange with an Atayal Indigenous community
• Traditional art, cooking, or tea experiences
• Exploration of Jiufen and local communities
• Nature excursions, hot springs, and night markets
• Conversations with local artists, educators, and community members
Experience culture as something lived, shared, and continually learned.
PHASE 5 — REFLECTION & FUTURE PATHWAYS
Turn experience into meaningful learning
As the journey closes, you’ll identify what challenged you, what changed your perspective, and what you learned about yourself as a communicator, educator, and cultural participant.
Guided reflection will help you transform individual moments into meaningful stories you can carry into future JET applications, interviews, classrooms, and international experiences.
Highlights:
• Guided reflection circles and group discussion
• Identifying moments of challenge, adaptation, connection, and growth
• Developing stories that demonstrate cultural awareness and initiative
• Connecting your experiences to future JET interview questions
• Exploring next steps in JET, education, and international exchange
YOUR JETPREP JOURNEY CONTINUES
All JETPrep Taiwan participants are automatically included in our Application Lab, Interview Accelerator, ALT Essentials, and Preparing for Departure courses.
As each stage becomes relevant, you’ll have access to additional guidance, resources, and live learning opportunities designed to support you from application and interview preparation through acceptance and departure.
Your experience in Taiwan becomes part of a larger preparation journey—helping you reflect on what you learned, communicate your experiences with confidence, and continue building toward life and work in Japan.
Return home with greater confidence, meaningful relationships, and a clearer understanding of what you can contribute across cultures.
Specific school visits, workshops, and cultural experiences may vary according to school schedules, local availability, and opportunities offered by our community partners.
❓ Questions You May Have
We know choosing an international learning experience is a significant decision. Here are answers to some common questions about JETPrep Taiwan.
DO I NEED TO BE APPLYING TO THE JET PROGRAMME TO PARTICIPATE?
No. The program is designed primarily for prospective JET applicants, but it may also be a good fit for aspiring educators, students exploring international careers, and people interested in gaining meaningful experience working and learning across cultures.
DO I NEED PREVIOUS TEACHING EXPERIENCE?
Not at all. You’ll receive preparation, guidance, and support throughout the experience. Curiosity, openness, and a willingness to engage are far more important than previous classroom experience.
DO I NEED TO SPEAK MANDARIN?
No prior Mandarin experience is required. Introductory language and communication activities will help you engage respectfully and build confidence navigating everyday interactions.
HOW WILL AN EXPERIENCE IN TAIWAN HELP PREPARE ME FOR JET IN JAPAN?
Taiwan and Japan have distinct cultures and educational systems, and this program does not present one as a substitute for the other.
Instead, it gives you firsthand experience entering an unfamiliar environment, communicating across differences, engaging with young people, examining your assumptions, and adapting when expectations differ. These transferable skills can provide meaningful examples to draw upon during future JET applications and interviews.
WHAT EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES WILL BE INCLUDED? WILL I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TEACH?
The program is expected to include school visits, classroom observation, conversations with educators, engagement with students, and opportunities to plan or facilitate activities with young people while receiving preparation, guidance, and mentor feedback.
Specific experiences will depend on school schedules, local availability, and opportunities offered by our educational partners.
WHAT IS SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING?
Social-emotional learning, often called SEL, focuses on skills such as self-awareness, communication, empathy, relationship-building, responsible decision-making, and emotional regulation.
During the program, you’ll explore how these skills can help educators create belonging, encourage participation, understand student needs, and build supportive learning environments across cultures.
IS THIS A SIGHTSEEING TOUR? WILL THERE BE FREE TIME?
This is not a traditional sightseeing tour. While you’ll experience memorable places throughout Taipei and northern Taiwan, the program is designed around education, cultural learning, community engagement, and reflection.
The schedule will balance structured experiences with opportunities for rest, personal exploration, journaling, and informal connection with fellow participants.
WHERE WILL WE STAY?
Participants will stay together in shared accommodations in and around Taipei. The shared space is an intentional part of the experience, creating opportunities for community, conversation, preparation, and reflection.
Additional accommodation details will be provided before departure.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE $1,987 PROGRAM FEE?
The program fee includes shared accommodations, transportation associated with scheduled activities, daily breakfast and select shared meals, school and community experiences, scheduled workshops and cultural activities, pre-departure preparation, and facilitated reflection. The program fee also includes access to JETPrep’s Application Lab, Interview Accelerator, ALT Essentials, and Preparing for Departure courses.
International airfare, travel insurance, some meals, and personal expenses are not included.
WHAT LEVEL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY SHOULD I EXPECT?
Participants should expect regular walking and some light hiking during school visits, cultural excursions, and nature experiences. More detailed accessibility and activity information will be shared before departure.
WHAT SUPPORT WILL I RECEIVE BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE PROGRAM?
Support begins before departure and continues throughout the experience through guidance from Positive Global Learning, Know My World, and participating educators and community partners.
After returning home, participants will retain access to JETPrep resources and continued opportunities for reflection, application preparation, interview support, and connection with the Positive Global Learning community.
HOW DO I RESERVE MY PLACE?
Select Reserve Your Spot and complete the registration process to secure your place. Because the cohort is intentionally small, we encourage interested participants to register early.
After registration, the Positive Global Learning team will contact you with next steps, preparation information, and additional program details.
WHAT IF I HAVE NEVER TRAVELED INTERNATIONALLY BEFORE?
That’s completely okay. Guided preparation, an intentionally small cohort, and ongoing support are built into the program. You do not need previous international travel experience—only a willingness to learn, ask questions, and step beyond what feels familiar.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
We’d love to connect. Join us for the JETPrep Taiwan Virtual Open House or contact the Positive Global Learning team to talk about whether this experience is right for you.
Ready to take your next step?
For eight days, step beyond imagining what it might be like to teach abroad and begin building firsthand experience through education, culture, community, and meaningful engagement in Taiwan.
Join an intentionally small cohort of prospective JET applicants and globally minded learners as you visit schools, connect with educators and young people, explore social-emotional learning across cultures, and develop experiences you can carry into future applications, interviews, and classrooms.
JETPrep Taiwan: Education & Cultural Immersion
Planned Dates: January 9–16, 2027
Location: Taipei & Northern Taiwan
Program Investment: $1,987 USD
International airfare not included
Deadline to enroll: December 1
Registration takes just a few minutes to complete. Reserve your place and begin preparing for an experience designed to help you learn, connect, and grow across cultures.
Participation is intentionally limited to preserve meaningful relationships, individualized guidance, and opportunities for every participant to engage, practice, and reflect.
If you’re ready to explore education across cultures, build confidence for your future JET journey, and discover what you can contribute in an international classroom, we’d be honored to welcome you.
Not quite ready to register?
Meet the program team, explore the planned journey, and bring your questions to our free virtual open house.
Friday, October 23, 2026 | 4:30–6:00 PM PT