Alex Silverman ’14 teaches English through the JET Program at an international high school in Tokyo. His classes range from basic communication to thesis writing and debate. “It is the hardest and the best thing I have ever done,” says Silverman. “Now Japan feels like home, and I cannot imagine leaving anytime soon.”
When he’s not teaching or traveling, Silverman writes for JapanTravel, and he recently finished an internship writing for Phi Beta Kappa’s The Key Reporter.
“Living and working in Japan has profoundly inspired how I view the world and how I view myself. I am living my dream,” says Silverman. “I always will be thankful to Wofford for giving me the courage to grow. The list of people who inspired me at Wofford is long, but sincere. Thank you to Dean Oakley Coburn, Tim Brown, Dr. Deno Trakas, Dr. Byron McCane, Professor Mike Curtis, Dr. Rickey Madden, Dr. A.K. Anderson, Dr. Tracy Revels and Dr. Anne Rodrick for expanding my mind… to Dr. G.R. Davis, Dr. John Moeller, Dr. Kirsten Krick-Aigner and Dr. Beate Brunow for expanding my world… and to the Wofford community—from Miss Cathy at Player’s Corner to the outstanding reference librarians to my friends who became my family—for expanding my heart. To Dr. David Efurd especially, whose teaching sparked my interest in Japan and whose unwavering support got me here. I am forever grateful for what you have done for me.”