Become a Senpai for NEXT JET Mentorship Program!
We’re excited to announce that the NEXT JET Group Mentorship Program is returning this year in partnership with JETAA USA and with funding support through the Japan-US Friendship Commission. Building on the success of last year’s initiative, we’re continuing our effort to bring JET alumni and departing JETs together. If you’ve ever wished you had someone to reach out to before you left for Japan, someone who had already been through it, this is your opportunity to be that resource for the next generation of JETs!
As alumni, we all know the challenges that come with starting a new chapter in Japan, packing up, adjusting to a new culture, and navigating the workplace. The NEXT JET Mentorship Program is a chance for us to share what we’ve learned and help the next group of JETs feel more prepared as they transition into their new lives.
Mentors can choose their level of involvement, but the program works best when we have dedicated alumni leading the way in each discussion category. Mentors will connect with JETs through Discord and participate in Hanashi-kai, virtual face-to-face conversations happening in May, June, and July. These sessions are designed for JETs to ask questions and for alumni to share thoughtful advice.
Mentors should be ready to:
Participate in mentor onboarding session in April
Lean into a leadership role as a Dai-senpai
Engage with kohai on Discord (we’ll give you a tour if you’ve never used Discord before)
Join online discussions (Hanashi-kai) every 2 weeks leading up to departures (June & July)
Offer advice based on personal experiences, from practical life to cultural insights
Step Up as a Dai-senpai
Whether you’re a returning mentor or new to the program, all senpai are asked to serve as a Dai-senpai for at least one Special Interest Group (SIG). When you sign up, you’ll indicate your preferred SIGs, and you’ll be assigned to lead one. You can mentor multiple SIGs, but you’ll only lead one. As a Dai-senpai, you’ll introduce discussion topics, lead breakout rooms during Hanashi-kai, and be a primary resource for the group.
New to Mentorship?
If you haven’t participated in the program before, we encourage you to apply! Every JET alum has valuable guidance to share, and your experiences, whether big or small, could make all the difference for someone preparing to depart. This is a great way to reconnect with the JET community, share your knowledge, and help others prepare for the journey ahead. Your participation is an invaluable contribution to the JET community.
The deadline to apply is March 31st! Sign up now to be part of this year’s program.
