a NEXT JET program
Group Mentorship Program
How it works
In many ways, the JET experience is universal for all participants, but in other ways it can be very different from person to person. There can be unique challenges and situations to navigate. The NEXT JET Mentorship Program is an opportunity for departing JETs to benefit from the experiences, wisdom and insights of alumni and current JETs. The goal is to equip departing JETs with a better understanding of what to expect and how to successfully embrace their JET experiences both for themselves and their JET communities during their time in Japan. The JET and JET alumni community is tight knit. This is an opportunity for you to lean in, make connections, pay it forward and be a valuable part of this incredible network and community.
Mentors (senpai) and mentees (kohai) will receive an invitation to the NEXT JET Discord server with a range of categories and related channels where participants can exchange information, ask questions and get prepared for their JET adventures. Discussion topics vary widely. Each group typically has more than one senpai to offer varying perspectives and guidance. Kohai are welcome to join as many discussion channels as they wish. All participants are encouraged to post questions, share advice, resources, etc. During May, June and July we host NEXT JET Hanashi-kai where senpai and kohai gather face-to-face over Zoom and discuss issues and tackle questions that are top-of-mind.
Group Mentorship
Senpai
The mentor application period for the 2025 cohort is now closed. *If you are interested in mentoring the 2026 cohort of departing JETs or assisting with any of our NEXT JET Programs (Virtual Office Hours & JET Info Sessions), please fill out the form below.
This program began in 2024 and we are excited to offer this again. Mentors can choose their level of commitment, but the program works best when we have at least one dedicated senpai leader for each discussion category. Mentors must be willing to utilize Discord as the communication platform and we highly encourage senpai to participate in our virtual, face-to-face NEXT JET Mentorship Hanashi-kai during May, June and July.
We expect all mentors to be ready to share their personal experiences, insight, and wisdom in the spirit of preparing the next cohort of JET participants and set them up for success as they enter their Japanese communities. *We expect all participants to be respectful and honor the privacy of the topics discussed in these groups.
Mentors will participate in an onboarding session with USJETAA and JETAA USA in late April / early May. We expect the most active months of this program to be June, July and the beginning of August. By registering to be a senpai, you are giving permission to add you to our community if you are not a USJETAA member already. Free and supporting membership levels are available. You will begin to receive our newsletter and communications. (Please see our privacy policy here.)
Group Mentorship
Kohai
“Connecting with others who are joining JET and those who have already served on JET helped allay lots of anxiety and offered invaluable support.”
“I just feel like I'm really making a difference and helping the next generation of JETs.”
“It was great to revisit my time on JET. The memories not only came back, but came back in meaningful ways that were now not only past-focused, but future-focused for the benefit of JETs departing now, and those in the future whom these outgoing JETs might one day mentor themselves.”
The 2025 cohort of the NEXT JET Mentorship Program is now closed. Thank you to everyone who participated and made this year's program a success! We will announce the launch of the 2026 cohort next spring.
This mentorship program was created specifically for our departing JETs. We welcome all departing US JETs from across the nation, so your discussion groups will reflect senpai (mentors) and kohai (mentees) from near and far.
Kohai should feel welcome to bring their concerns, questions and inquiries to the community with the expectation of receiving valuable and insightful guidance. Senpai will share their own personal experiences and advice to the best of their abilities and which reflect their lived experiences on the JET Program and in Japan. Your senpai may not be able to fully address all of your questions and concerns, but they will do their best because they want you to enjoy and succeed during your time on JET. *We expect all participants to be respectful and honor the privacy of the topics discussed in these groups.
“This program helped me feel more confident about the next big chapter of my life. I know that moving to Japan will be the most difficult thing I have ever done in my life. The dai-senpai know this as well. Their honesty and encouragement about the challenging and rewarding experiences I will have gave me invaluable perspective as to what to expect. I know that participating on JET is going to be difficult, but I also know that I am going to grow exponentially. I am excited to embark on my own JET journey.”
“I feel more comfortable in this transition in my life.”
…..and Mentors
“NEXT JET was a wonderful opportunity for me to connect with new JETs and to reflect upon my own invaluable experience as JET alum. I am grateful there is a program like this where I can give back to the JET community and stay engaged in U.S.-Japan relations. I look forward to participating in the next cycle through supporting the next generation of JETs and also connecting with my fellow JET alumni across the United States and overseas.”
“I have been looking for ways to volunteer and I was happy to find a way to get involved with a program that meant so much to me.”
A Few Testimonials from Recent Mentees
“NEXT JET was a wonderful opportunity for me to connect with new JETs and to reflect upon my own invaluable experience as JET alum. I am grateful there is a program like this where I can give back to the JET community and stay engaged in U.S.-Japan relations. I look forward to participating in the next cycle through supporting the next generation of JETs and also connecting with my fellow JET alumni across the United States and overseas.”
“Helped ease A LOT of my anxiety with moving, gave me information that I didn't realize I needed, & knowing that there's a support network in place.”