Alumni Highlights: January 2021
JET alumni have been busy! This issue is full of alumni news.
Winner of Elgin Heinz Award is JET Alumnus Dan CarolinMr. Daniel Carolin (Nagano-ken), Teacher of Japanese Language and English, Kennedy High School - Cedar Rapids, IowaCo-awardee: Ms. Junko Tanaka, Teacher of Japanese Language, Clarendon Elementary School - San Francisco, CaliforniaDan started his professional career teaching English at a high school in upstate New York. Looking for new experiences, he decided to spend a few years living in a completely unfamiliar culture. He spent his first year in Japan as a teacher with the JET Program in Ina City in Nagano-ken followed by two years in Chiba-ken. In the early days of his tenure with the JET Program, he began studying Japanese for basic survival skills. The more he studied, the more he wanted to learn, and he spent many hours of his free time studying both independently and in private lessons.The award is named in honor of Elgin Heinz in recognition of his commitment to educating students about Asia and for the inspiration he has provided to those in the field of pre-college education.This year's co-awardees will split the award which includes a grant for Japan-related projects. More information about the awardees here.
Virtual Course: How Race Shapes American Life: Perspectives on 2020Dr. Mya Fisher (Kanagawa, 2000-2002) is offering a virtual course "How Race Shapes American Life: Perspectives on 2020." Registration is now open for the winter session.As we begin a new year, this sociology based course, looks at how race continually shapes the experience and outcomes of everyday life in the United States. In addition to academic learning, this course is also an opportunity and a "safe community" for personal exploration and sharing of global perspectives on these issues.The cost for the 7-week course is $150.Check out the registration page for more information and testimonials from the summer participants - https://sutra.co/circle/aauilc/registerDeadline to register is Monday, January 18, 2021!There is a 10% discount for JET Alumni! Message Mya directly (via LinkedIn or drmya.teachsoc@gmail.com) to learn how to get it.The course is open to anyone who is interested.
New Book: A Rhetoric and Philosophy of GiftsDr. Mary J. Eberhardinger's (Hyogo, 2008-2010) new book "Rhetoric and Philosophy of Gifts" synthesizes a scope of rhetorical and philosophical perspectives of the gift. Eberhardinger asks “What is the relationship between gifts and rhetoric?” She contextualizes the question throughout a review of related literature, analysis, examples, and personal anecdotes of overseas experiences. Eberhardinger concludes the book by offering implications and opportunities for interpreting gifts, thereby addressing why the question concerning the relationship between gifts and rhetoric matters for the larger landscape of international relations, intercultural friendship, and peace-making. Scholars of communication, rhetoric, and philosophy will find this book particularly interesting.Preorder the book at Rowan & Littlefield or on Amazon.
Liz Brailsford New President and Executive officer of The World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort WorthLiz Brailsford (Niigata, 2004-2007) joins The World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth as president and chief executive officer on Feb. 15, replacing retiring CEO Jim Falk. Brailsford has since 2018 been the chief operating officer of the World Affairs Councils of America in Washington, which serves more than 90 affiliated councils across the United States. Press release.
Jennifer Butler Speaks on Ashinaga Foundation’s Africa Initiative
JET alumna Jennifer Butler (Shizuoka, 2001-2004), Manager, Ashinaga Africa Initiative, Ashinaga Foundation, was featured as a speaker at the US-Japan Bridging Foundation’s Bridging Scholars/TeamUp webinar on December 9. She spoke on the topic of “Social Enterprise/Grassroots Nonprofits in Japan,” where she shared information on the Ashinaga Foundation’s Africa Initiative, which is focused on education and cultivating the next generation of leaders in sub-Saharan Africa. A recording of the event is available here.
5 Ways to Form International Friendships Beyond SchoolTom Collins' (Oita, 2004-2007) latest article discusses how making friends when you move abroad is an important part of the journey and ways to do it without relying on in-school connections.
Black Americans and US-Japan Relations - Jan 21, 2021 at 4 PM ETUSJETAA Board Chair and JET alumna Paige Cottingham-Streater (Mie, 1988-1989) is presenting on Jan 21 at 4 pm ET on Black Americans and U.S.-Japan Relations. The session is part of an ongoing series focused on blackness in Asian and Middle Eastern studies, hosted by the UNC College Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, with support from UNC Asia Center, the UNC Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies, and the UNC Institute of African American Research. Register here: https://buff.ly/2XwKzDu⠀
Virtual Interviewing: A Guiding Framework for Career Service ProfessionalsNed Khatrichettri (Kobe, 2005-2010) co-authored an article covering virtual interviewing best practices and how employers need to know what students, as potential employees, can do for them, with relevant advice for any job searcher.
Iowa State University’s English placement test of oral communication in times of COVID-19New journal article co-authored by JET alumna Jeanne Beck (Nagano, 2008-2011) on the impact of COVID-19 on Iowa State University's English placement test. Read the abstract and more info here.
Zen Art: Mu Qi’s Six PersimmonsDavid Titterington (Ehime, 2005-2010) analyzes Chinese Zen master Mu Qi’s famous painting of six persimmons in his latest on Medium.
Emily Metzgar named 2020-2021 Perspectives Guest EditorUSC Center on Public Diplomacy welcomes Emily Metzgar (Shimane, 1993-1995), Director of the School of Media and Journalism at Kent State University and former CPD Research Fellow as 2020-2021 Guest Editor for CPD Perspectives in Public Diplomacy, their scholarly paper series authored by public diplomacy scholars and practitioners from around the world. Read more.
Freelance Translation Webinar, January 16, 2021 from 4:00–5:30 pm (EST)JET alumnus James Patrick (Aichi, 2000-2005) will be presenting a webinar on freelancing and productivity for the Japan Association of Translators. More info and registration here.Description: Ready to take the big leap to go freelance but not sure where to start? In this webinar, established freelance interpreter and translator Jim Patrick will present his soul-searching process of identifying “the why” and walk you through the “mind, money and business” to consider before and during this major career and life change. Both insightful and lighthearted, Mr. Patrick will also share some tips and productivity tools on time management, work/life balance and budget planning. The webinar will be in English and recorded.
Japan ICU Session: Japan & the Sustainable Development Goals - Jan 20The next session on Thursday, Jan. 21 at 9:00am-10:30am Japan time (Jan 20 at 7 PM ET) will focus on "Zero Hunger" (SDG #2). Guest speakers are JET alumnus Dr. Gavin Whitelaw (Executive Director of Harvard University's Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies) and Dr. Oussou Kouame Remi (Assistant Professor of Université Alassane Ouattara, Côte d'Ivoire), and the session will be moderated by ICU Professor Shaun Malarney. Current students and alumni are welcome to attend. Please register at: https://www.jicuf.org/japan-sdgs/
Have something you think we should share? Email us at contact@usjetaa.org. Not all submitted ideas will be shared.
