Japan Society of Boston Meets Chelsie Blackwell (Kyoto, 2019-2020)
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.
In June of 2025, Japan Society of Boston got to know Chelsie Blackwell (Kyoto, 2019-2020).
How has your connection in relation to Japan changed since living in Japan?
Japan feels like it’s in my bones; so much of what I do comes back to it. My experiences that formed me there influence my current life here in America. My connection to Japan has grown stronger since leaving, as I’ve continued to study Japanese, joined the board of JETAASE, and wrote a short film about my life there. I teach my current students Japanese words and phrases; it’s fun to hear them talk about how much they want to go to Japan someday. Some even talk about living there in the future! It feels like a full circle moment and it makes me proud.
