Upcoming events

  • Nihongo Network Discord Registration

    • April 15, 2026
    • 5:00 PM
    • June 01, 2029
    • 7:00 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    Complete the registration process to receive an email with the invite link to the USJETAA 日本語 ネットワーク Discord server.

    This is currently free and open to the community. If you are a JET, please log into your USJETAA account (or create one if you're not already registered) before registering.

    Both language learners and language coaches are in the Nihongo Network Discord. Ask questions and share resources with your community of fellow 日本語 learners.

    Thank you to our sponsor:

             

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  • Career Coaching Collective: Find Where You Thrive

    • July 15, 2026
    • September 09, 2026
    • 3 sessions
    • Zoom
    • 7
    Registration is closed


    Find Where You Thrive

    Career transitions require more than resume updates and networking. They also require understanding the kinds of organizational cultures where you thrive. This three-part series introduces the “intentional outsider” framework to help JETs leverage their cross-cultural experience, better evaluate workplace environments, identify new opportunities, and move from simply job searching to building a career with intention.

    Over the course of three focused sessions, we will cover:

    • Becoming an Intentional Outsider: Discovering your "ikigai" and articulating your core values to define who you want to become.
    • The Culture-Driven Career Search: Utilizing active observation and "cultural due diligence" to evaluate potential employers. 
    • Find Where You Thrive: Matching the core of you to the organizations where you belong. 

    This series is a great opportunity to receive personalized guidance and practical support as you think through your next career step. Through focused sessions and tailored feedback from a JET alum who has been in your shoes, you’ll be able to move forward with greater clarity and confidence.

    Workshop Schedule:

    Session 1: Wednesday, July 15 at 6:30 PM PT

    Touchpoint: Wednesday, July 29 at 6:30 PM PT


    Session 2: Wednesday, August 12 at 6:30 PM PT

    Touchpoint: Wednesday, August 26 at 6:30 PM PT


    Session 3: Wednesday, September 9 at 6:30 PM PT

    Touchpoint: Wednesday, September 23 at 6:30 PM PT

    Zoom link will be provided in the confirmation email.

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  • USJETAA Japanese Reading Group: September 2026

    • September 11, 2026
    • 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    The goal of the USJETAA Japanese Reading Group is to help advanced beginner and intermediate level students improve their reading skills. Each month, we explore a short reading and discuss its literary and cultural significance. Participants should attempt to do the reading on their own and come to the meeting with any questions. We will spend the meeting each month reading the assignment sentence by sentence to understand how the Japanese is working.

    Registration is free, but we always appreciate donations to support these types of programs. Zoom link will be sent upon completing registration.

    Post questions, discuss the reading, etc. in our
    USJETAA Japanese Reading Group Facebook Group.

    In September, we will read a passage titled ふきのとう (Fukinotou, the edible flower of the giant butterbur plant) by French literature scholar and essayist Naoko Kasama from her award winning collection 山影の町から (From the Town in the Shadow of the Mountain).  Click here for the reading. 

    Thank you to our Reading Group Sponsor

             

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  • Unpacking Japan: What You Carry Home

    • September 14, 2026
    • 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
    • Zoom
    • 85
    Register


    You built a life in Japan- a routine, a community, a version of yourself that made sense in that place. Then you packed it into a couple of suitcases and flew "home" to people who ask, "How was Japan?", which is an impossible question to answer.

    Join us for an honest, interactive evening with fellow recently returned JETs. Together we will look at what reverse culture shock is, reflect on your experience and the growth that came with it and share resources for rebuilding your life here- personally, emotionally and professionally. You will also have space to talk with other JETs who are exactly where you are right now, in small groups with our facilitators. That's often the part that matters most: the relief of being understood without having to explain.

    Our facilitators are all JET alumni with expertise and experience in intercultural transition and specifically the JET experience. We have been through this ourselves and we are here to help you make sense of it.

    Registration is limited, so sign up early. Come unpack with us.

    Presented in partnership with Positive Global Learning, one of our wonderful JET-Alumni Owned Business sponsors.

    Zoom link emailed upon completing registration.

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  • September Ouchigohan: Otsukimi - お月見

    • September 20, 2026
    • 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
    • Zoom

    Grab an apron and pull up a chair! Join the Japan-America Society of Alabama (JASA) for the next edition of Ouchigohan, a family-friendly online Japanese home cooking class where you and our lead chef cook together in real time, right in your own kitchen.

    This month's menu is all about welcoming the fall:

    Otsukimi meatballs: Juicy meatballs in a sweet-savory soy glaze.

    Okura pickles: Crisp, quick-pickled okra. A simple, refreshing little side dish in the tsukemono tradition, and when you slice it, every piece comes out shaped like a tiny star.

    Mitarashi dango: Chewy rice flour dumplings on a skewer, lightly grilled and brushed with a glossy sweet soy glaze. Warm, sticky and dangerously easy to eat three of.

    No fancy equipment, no cooking experience required- just a willingness to make a little mess and eat well afterward. Bring the kids, bring a friend and let's welcome the season together.

    Cost: $10 with discount code: USJETAA / $15 for general public

    Please use this link to register

    (The recipe cards, ingredient list, and Zoom link will be sent a few days prior)

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    • JET Program Info Session

      • September 24, 2026
      • 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM
      • Zoom
      • 246
      Register

      JET Program Virtual Info Session 

      Are you interested in teaching in Japan or curious about the JET Program? Whether you're actively preparing your application or just starting to explore the opportunity, this 90-minute virtual info session will give you the insights you need to take the next step.

      What to Expect:

      • Firsthand Experiences: Hear from a panel of JET alumni who will share their personal experiences living and working in Japan on JET.

      • Application Tips: Guidance from a JET Program Coordinator on the process and what makes a strong application.

      • Q&A Session: Ask your questions and get real-time answers.

      Can’t make it? Don't worry, the session will be recorded! Register to receive the Zoom link and recording.

      This event is part of our NEXT JET Program,
      connecting aspiring JETs with alumni and current participants.

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    • USJETAA Japanese Language Coaching: October 2026

      • October 02, 2026
      • 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
      • Zoom
      • 27
      Register


      The goal of our Japanese Language Coaching sessions is to help learners improve their skills with practical tips and strategies. Whether you're looking to enhance your reading, speaking, or comprehension, these sessions are designed for advanced beginners and intermediate learners.

      Each session, we'll focus on a different topic, providing expert guidance and answering any questions you have. Our coaches, with over 40 years of combined experience, understand the unique challenges of mastering Japanese as a non-native speaker and can provide the support you need to continue making progress. 一緒にがんばろう！


      The Zoom link will be sent upon completing your registration.

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    • PNWJETAA Transitions 2026- Featuring Career Compass

      • October 03, 2026
      • 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
      • Seattle University- Sinegal Center for Science & Innovation
      • 55
      Register

      2026 TRANSITIONS
      featuring
      Career Compass: Navigating Towards Japan

      Career Compass 10am-2pm |  Expo 2pm-4pm

      • 9:45am Doors open
      • Career Compass Workshop
      • Industry & Market Update
      • Panel Discussion
      • Networking Reception (light food & beverages provided)
      • Expo (and brief JET Info Session)
      • 4pm: Event Concludes

      For event details, please visit the 2026 Transitions event webpage. 
      Questions? Reach out to transitions@pnwjetaa.org

        Space is limited, so we encourage you to register early! We look forward to welcoming you and supporting this opportunity to consider other Japan-facing career pathways and expand your local network.

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      • Career Coaching: Career Clarity Reset

        • October 07, 2026
        • December 16, 2026
        • 6 sessions
        • Zoom
        • 11
        Register


        Career Clarity Reset: Start Where You Are

        This is a 3-month workshop series where you will become part of a small JET-alum cohort. You will work with each other and Emily to make progress on identifying where you want to go next. This workshop series will be especially helpful for recently returned JETs, although Emily has extensive experience working with JETs in all phases of their career.

        You will be guided through self-exploration through the workshops and have space for one-on-one conversations with Emily and your fellow JET alums during the touchpoints. Workshops are 90 minutes long and touchpoints are 60 minutes. In total, you'll have 6 sessions with Emily and fellow JETs to help you gain better clarity of what you want next and how to get there.

        This program is heavily subsidized through a grant from the Japan-United States Friendship Commission. 

        Schedule:
        *all sessions are scheduled on Wednesday evenings

        1. Oct. 7, 8-9pm ET
        2. Oct. 14, 8-9:30pm ET
        3. Nov. 4, 8-9:30pm ET
        4. Nov. 18, 8-9pm ET
        5. Dec. 2, 8-9:30pm ET
        6. Dec. 16, 8-9pm ET

        Zoom link will be provided in the confirmation email.

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