Last month, JETAADC hosted its second Alumni Talks panel on Careers in the Private Sector, with three fantastic JET alumni: Kendaal Strailey (Ehime, 2006-2008), Alex Melillo (2012-2015), and Jenny Kai (Nara, 2015-2016). They discussed the importance of networking and the variety of career opportunities in the private sector.

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).

Join us on Feb 8th for an online webinar and tasting session which dives into the essence of the sake industry in the US, providing insights into its unique characteristics compared to traditional Japanese sake.

Join us for our Career Ascent career development seminars and networking events.

These are specifically designed for professionals and career changers. They offer a valuable opportunity to enhance career-building skills and expand your professional network.

Attend one or both of the two professional-oriented webinars to level up your career aspirations with actionable insights from industry leaders. Then connect with career experts and fellow JET alums through a structured, intimate virtual networking session.

Slowly, unrestricted live music returned to Japan, and after nearly four years, the scene is back to its pre-pandemic self.

But while live music had returned, finding venues can be a more difficult task than one anticipates. Arenas, stadiums, and large-capacity halls are easy to discover but the smaller independent venues are not.

Read about the experience of an underground music lover and current JET in Sapporo.

It's up to the majority of ALTs to facilitate their own Japanese language learning, which can seem rather daunting for folks who have never self-studied before. That's why JET Program ALTs are now offered an optional online language course called VLJ (Visual Learning Japanese) through CLAIR. But is the program worth the effort? CONNECT magazine investigated the platform and the opinions of current JETs.

As the room fills up, the air seems to start to vibrate. People are talking, a constant drumming comes from somewhere behind the plywood walls, and the occasional burst of laughter peals through the space. They compliment each others’ clothes, ask about their work, and really listen to the answers. Everyone seems excited to be here, to be involved in this project—Black Gold.

What is the Black Gold project?

Black Gold was conceived with the goal of celebrating Black creatives in Japan whose success stories often go unheard, creating a stronger relationship between the Japanese and Black communities, and eventually increasing the amount of Black students who study abroad.