If you don't believe in destiny, then you should join the JET Program.

Through my years on JET and in my alumni life after, I have heard countless stories of chance meetings, coincidental connections, and life changing opportunities. Perhaps this isn't destiny- perhaps it is community in action.

Valerie, like many of us, stepped into her small JET town where she often heard students muttering “I can’t read this!” “This is Japan, I don’t know why we’re learning English.” But what she was able to create with a microgrant from USJETAA was nothing less than a reading revolution in her community of students. Want the full JET ALT warm fuzzies? Read her story!

Before I even sat down to talk to Corey Johnson, I was already itching to ask questions. One look at his LinkedIn page had told me only part of the story, that much I knew. His work history was filled with schools all over Asia. From the Philippines to China to Korea. What could the path of a person who had spent almost all of their professional life overseas be like, I wondered. What stories could someone like that tell?

This February, Japan Society of Boston featured Laura Escher (Okinawa, 2023-2024), in their JSB meets JET Alumni series.

Not everyone gets to live out a childhood dream. In fact, not many are brave enough to even try. But for Yuri Lowenthal, the passion and love for all things Japan paved the way toward making his dream a reality…

This January, Japan Society of Boston featured Allen Wan (Ishikawa, 1990-1992), in their JSB meets JET Alumni series.

A 15-year-old Carlo Capua wasn’t thrilled when his mother suggested he try a program one summer that was mentioned in a certain pamphlet that arrived at their house. “I said, ‘Mom, that sounds terrible. I wanna go play sports — baseball or soccer.’” Capua, a native of Fort Worth, Texas, stated. “And she said, ‘Just give it a shot. It’s just two weeks over the summer. I think you’ll enjoy it.’”

This December, Japan Society of Boston featured Jennifer Sherman (Mie, 2012-2016), in their JSB meets JET Alumni series.