Because of JET…I was able to fulfill my long-time dream of going to Japan to see the origin of many impressionable creative works that amused me as a child. It fueled a personal goal to be fluent in Japanese and I was able to learn the feelings and sentiments of its peaceful, sophisticated, and often shy-but-friendly, high-standard people. Doing JET for three years has influenced my younger cousins to vacation in Japan with their family, learn Japanese, study abroad and work in Japan after me, among leading to many new friendships, young and old, in addition to mine. Misunderstandings aside, my experience in Japan has dispelled post-war and discrimination fears and assumptions, and allow me to come to a satisfactory understanding of people and society today. Since returning from JET, I was elated to be able to host my supervisor’s daughter during her first winter break in college, as Shizuoka was too far to return. With my new language skills, I was able to further stay connected working as a part of the Japan Team of a private, prominent investment firm, as well as introducing my job to other alumni. I am happy and proud to have met many similar professionals with a strong interest in Japan and fluency in Japanese. Today, I continue to support Japanese-related missions through volunteer work with the local JETAA and the Japan Society, either in DC or in Boston, in addition to helping and offering English practice to new Japanese friends in the US. I hope to further host my Japanese friends and teachers for safe visits here, as well as any Japanese nationals that I across paths with so that they will feel comfortable away from home and enjoy their time here, as I have in Japan.

Because of JET… I have a tenured position at the University of Niigata Prefecture teaching English and working to inspire Japan’s 18 year olds to see beyond their rice field and into the world. I also have a Japanese husband and two children. I have contributed to Japan’s ever decreasing population and our family IS the diversity that Japan will need to be successful in the development of future global citizens and global mindedness. We love our neighbors, our daycare, our city, and carry that with us as we visit the US. My parents from the US have visited Japan over 10 times and my younger brother decided to minor in Japanese in university and became a CIR on the JET program. There is no doubt that BECAUSE OF JET I have developed an appreciation and love for Japan and am now sharing that daily with my family and students.

Because of JET……. I wanted to maintain a connection to Japan and became involved with the JETAA NY chapter. That led me to become editor of the JETAA NY Quarterly Newsletter for 6 years, create the Writers Interpreters Translators (WIT) Group and ultimately create JetWit as a way to share the accomplishments of JET alumni, foster cross-chapter collaboration and help JETs and JET alums find jobs and help each other to move forward with their careers.