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.