For many JETs, Japan is a memorable chapter in their lives—one filled with late-night konbini runs, local festivals, and just enough office formalities to make them fluent in the art of the polite nod. But for Andrew Ou, who is currently the U.S. Consul General in Okinawa, it was just the beginning of his career in diplomacy, though he didn’t quite know it at the time.

This March, Japan Society of Boston featured Lillian Wies (Saga, 2012-2013), in their JSB meets JET Alumni series. Lillian shared how her time in Saga shaped her career path, leading to a PhD in Japanese art history and roles at top museums, including the Harvard Art Museums, where she’s currently the Gregory and Maria Henderson Curatorial Fellow.

If there is one constant within the JET experience, it is the feeling of community. No matter where JETs are placed throughout Japan, if asked about their favorite aspects of the program, you’ll often hear this. But even within the JET Program, community can have many different meanings. Community can be a JET’s placement or small town. It can be their school and the teachers they work with. And, it can be the other JETs in their area. When the JET community enhances the local community, the program is at its best.

This February, Japan Society of Boston featured Jason Sardinha (Kochi, 2011-2016), in their JSB meets JET Alumni series. After spending five years on the JET Program, Jason now works in the city's Tourism Department, where he helps manage their sister city relationship with the US.
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USJETAA’s Marco Blasco sat down with Eirene Tran Donohue, screenwriter and JET alumni. In this interview, Eirene shares how her JET and experience abroad shaped her life, her writing process, and shares advice to other creatives about keeping an open and perceptive mind.

John Gauntner is the world's first leading non-Japanese sake expert. Not exactly what he envisioned for his future when he arrived in Kanagawa in August of 1988 with the JET Program.

In January, Japan Society of Boston featured Rachel Eio (Osaka, 1997-1998). In her JSB meets JET Alumni series, Rachel shares about her love for Kansai's lively culture, even mastering Osaka-ben, and brought the spirit of Japan to her U.S. classroom through a sister-school program.

For Aaron Woolfolk (Kochi, 1992-1993), it was one particular teacher who helped get it all started. “My second grade teacher in elementary school — she was Japanese American — and she would introduce elements of Japan into our lessons,” Woolfolk said. “She would tell us, ‘This is where my family is from.’”

From there, Aaron joined the JET Program and went on to become an award-winning writer, director and producer.