JET Profiles

Explore stories of JET Program participants and alumni who are strengthening the US-Japan relationship through creativity, leadership, and innovation. USJETAA celebrates a small selection of JETs who have leveraged their JET experience to shape their careers and communities, showcasing how JETs make an impact in diverse fields around the world.

JET Alumni Senpai Spotlight

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Congratulations to JET Alum Danielle Reed

We are so proud of our team member, Danielle Reed! Danielle recently received the prestigious John & Hiroko Malott Leadership Award at the Japan America Society of Washington, D.C.'s Capital Gala. Danielle deserves all the accolades and recognition that comes with this award!

Senpai Spotlight: Bringing Ghost Stories to Life

Zack Davisson (Nara/Osaka 2001-2006) has always been interested in folktales and all manner of spooky things. Maybe it was due to growing up in the United States’ Pacific Northwest reading about Bigfoot, or the time he spent in Scotland, where he became obsessed with local fairy tales and the Loch Ness Monster. But it was Zack’s time in Japan on the JET Program that solidified his love of Japanese yokai and yurei and set him on the path to become the prolific writer he is today.

Senpai Spotlight: Ticket to a Career in Tourism

In this Senpai Spotlight, Jonathan Lucas (Shizuoka, 2016-2019), MICE Promotions Specialist & IGLTA 2024 Coordinator, Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau , explains how he got his start in the tourism industry.

Senpai Spotlight: Cracking the Code of Game Localization

In this Senpai Spotlight, Becca Guttentag (Oita, 2014-2018), Localization Producer at Riot Games, explains what it takes to get started the in game localization industry.

Senpai Spotlight: The White House and The Hill

This Senpai Spotlight features two JET alums who work in foreign policy in the U.S. Federal Government.

JET Alum Receives Prestigious ‘George Busbee Award’

The prestigious ‘George Busbee Award’ was presented to a key advocate of Georgia-Japan relationship, JET alum, Jessica Cork (Hiroshima, 1997 - 2000), Vice President of Community Engagement and Corporate Communication at YKK Corporation of America.⁠

Senpai Spotlight: Exploring the World Through Radio Journalism

Sonia Narang is a JET alum (Gifu 2003-2004) and a multimedia journalist who covers climate change and the environment, global health, music and culture, and immigration issues.

She has produced and reported stories for PRI’s The World, the BBC, The New York Times, GlobalPost, PBS NewsHour, FRONTLINE/World, Time.com, and NBC News.

Senpai Spotlight: Songs of Successful Business

Our inaugural article in the Senpai Spotlight series, features Justin Urso, Director of the McMillon Innovation Studio at the University of Arkansas, serial entrepreneur, and owner of Big Box Karaoke a popular eater-tainment concept in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

JETAA-sphere Podcast: Eirene Tran Donohue

In the newest episode of the JETAA-sphere Podcast, USJETAA’s Jessyca Livingston talks with JET alumna and Hollywood screenwriter Eirene Tran Donohue (Nagasaki 2002-04) about her recent #1 Netflix movie, A Tourist’s Guide to Love

Japan Society of Boston Meets JET Alumni

Interview Series

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Japan Society of Boston Meets Mac Gill (Kochi, 2021-2023)

In November, Japan Society of Boston featured Mac Gill (Kochi, 2021-2023), in their JSB meets JET Alumni series. Mac share her experiences of rice planting, a local arts festival, translating a kamishibai, and joining tai chi and folk dance groups. Sounds like so many of us on JET!

Japan Society of Boston Meets Sarah Yasuda (Tokyo, 2015-2017)

In October, Japan Society of Boston got to know Sarah Yasuda (Tokyo, 2015-2017). The JET program allowed her to connect with her heritage, explore her mother's hometown, and gain valuable teaching experience while fully immersing herself in the culture!

Japan Society of Boston Meets Vivian Chen (Shimane, 2016-2018)

In August of 2024, Japan Society of Boston got to know Vivian Chen (Shimane, 2016-2018) who is JETAA USA’s newest Country Representative.

Japan Society of Boston Meets Peyton Goodman (Oita, 2017-2019)

In July of 2024, Japan Society of Boston got to know Peyton Goodman (Oita, 2017-2019) who got to work as a marching band coach in one of her schools. How cool is that?!

Japan Society of Boston Meets Jake Lester (Tottori, 2017-2021)

In June of 2024, Japan Society of Boston got to know Jake Lester (Tottori, 2017-2021) as he discussed his upcoming album about his experiences in Japan and the struggles of adjusting to life back in the US.

Japan Society of Boston Meets Sarah Curtis (Kochi, 2018-2019)

In May of 2024, Japan Society of Boston got to know Sarah Curtis (Kochi, 2018-2019) as she discussed learning local dialects, exploring local cuisine and more!

JSB Meets JET Alumni: Amaris Lopez (Ehime, 2022-present)

In partnership with Japan Society of Boston, USJETAA is proud to share the JSB Meets JET Alumni interview series which explores the JET experience across Japan.

This month, Japan Society of Boston got to know Amaris Lopez (Ehime, 2022-present).

JSB Meets JET Alumni: Sarah Baughn (Ishikawa, 2019-2021)

In partnership with Japan Society of Boston, USJETAA is proud to share the JSB Meets JET Alumni interview series which explores the JET experience across Japan.

This month, Japan Society of Boston got to know Sarah Baughn (Ishikawa, 2019-2021).

JSB Meets JET Alumni: Michael Gilbertson (Saga, 2018-2020)

In partnership with Japan Society of Boston, USJETAA is proud to share the JSB Meets JET Alumni interview series which explores the JET experience across Japan.

This month, Japan Society of Boston got to know Michael Gilbertson (Saga, 2018-2020).

JSB Meets JET Alumni: Monica Narang (Osaka, 2008 - 2011 & Osaka 2016 - 2022)

In partnership with Japan Society of Boston, USJETAA is proud to share the JSB Meets JET Alumni interview series which explores the JET experience across Japan.

This month, Japan Society of Boston got to know Monica Narang (Osaka, 2008 - 2011 and 2016 - 2022).

This interview series is in partnership with the Japan Society Boston.
Click here to read more JSB Meets JET Alumni articles from their archives.

Current JETs

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Microgrant Update: Empowering Girls in STEM with Minoh City’s Hack-A-Thon and STEM Library

Minoh City’s first Hack-A-Thon kicked off with a bang as middle school and high school girls across the city made their way to their first ever robotics and coding class.

This interview with current JET Adriana Nazarko (Osaka, 2022-205) delves into her project promoting sciences and advanced study in the US through a coding class completed entirely in English.

Microgrant Update: Tokushima AJET Musical

Parker Douglas Fairchild, a Tokushima ALT, was awarded a microgrant through USJETAA’s Microgrants for Current US JETs in partnership with the US Embassy Tokyo.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Parker was awarded the microgrant along with a team of co-recipients for their project, the Tokushima AJET Musical.

Microgrant Update: A Journey of Imagination

Current JET Amaris Lopez (Ehime, 2022-present) has used the USJETAA microgrant to spark curiosity and multicultural learning through the creation of an English library.

Microgrant Update: “Hike!” Introducing American flag football to the city of Yabu

“Sports are such a great way to make friends. And with friendship comes a certain level of comfortability and confidence in trying new things—like speaking English.”

In this update, we had the opportunity to sit down with Adam to discuss his project, his love for American Football, and how the community of Yabu has grown to love football too.

The Microgrant Program for Current JETs is made possible through joint partnership between USJETAA and U.S. Embassy Tokyo.

Click here to learn more about this impactful program.