05/10/2026
A new group of JET participants is starting their Japan adventure, and it’s got me thinking about my own time on the program. 🥲 Natsukashii ne…
I went to Japan as a CIR with an MBA, a vision to be a leader, and drive to make an impact! Then I arrived and found out my actual job was… well... teaching English. No shade! Just not what I had been working towards.
But as it turned out, some of the most important things I learned during JET had very little to do with the job I thought I was going to do.
I learned that showing up can matter more than trying to change things. That sometimes you need to let go of your expectations. And that there’s a time and place to lead, especially when you’re the newcomer in a community with a much longer history than you can fully understand.
To everyone starting JET this year: congratulations and I hope you have an awesome time! 🇯🇵
You probably have a picture in your head of what the next year (or few) will look like. Leave a little room for Japan to do it's thing.