*insert Mariah Carey’s voice* IT’S TIIIIIIIIIME! 
A special message:
ようこそ、bb Mikans!
A new chapter deserves a proper introduction, and we are so happy you took on the challenge and shared your unbeaten path stories with us!
True to the main goal of this feature, we hope this will help you make meaningful connections and lifelong friendships.
One thing’s for sure: You will be changed for good. We hope you have the most splendid time!
Welcome home. 
Love,
The Mikan Blog & Your 2026-2027 Ehime AJET Team
SHS ALT in Uwajima from Marinduque, Philippines 🇵🇭
Before JET, I was an elementary school teacher in a small island province in the Philippines. Teaching has always been more than a job for me. It has been a way to help children grow, build confidence, and dream bigger. Along the way, I developed a deep appreciation for learning from different people and cultures. That curiosity, combined with my desire to grow personally and professionally, inspired me to take this leap. JET is an opportunity for me to share my Filipino culture (especially the unique cultures in our province), learn from Japan, and create meaningful connections.
Hobbies/Interests: I’m passionate about education, community service, and continuous learning. As an elementary school teacher, I enjoy finding creative ways to help students become confident readers and lifelong learners. Outside the classroom, I love participating in outreach activities through our motorcycle group, exploring new cultures, and writing articles for educational publications. I’m also interested in language learning and enjoy challenging myself through new experiences that help me grow both personally and professionally.
“Moving to Japan Mood” Playlist: Leaving home, finding growth
SHS ALT in Yoshida Town from Philadelphia, PA, USA 🇺🇸
Scorpio
Before JET, I was working as a botanist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania but during college, I actually taught ESL. I wanted to try JET in order to gain more teaching experience to further my career in botany (is what I tell most people), but really, I wanted an excuse to come to Japan for a long-ish period, and learn more about the country.
Hobbies/Interests: I love to hike, explore, cook, eat, garden, and learn new things! This is very random but a long, long time ago when I was in college, I had to make a lot of miso for a class I was in. I really loved it, and hope to make some more while I’m here!
“Moving to Japan Mood” Playlist: Muji slippers
SHS ALT in Ikata from Toronto, Canada 🇨🇦
I studied Japanese history (among other things) in university (BA and MA), so one of my main reasons for wanting to come to Japan on JET is to properly learn Japanese. I hit a natural roadblock in how much I could pursue my interests/research without a proper grasp of the language. That being said, I’d always known I wanted to do the JET Programme, so it was more a matter of when then of a proximate ‘why’. Additionally, once I return to Canada I want to become a teacher, so JET was great opportunity for me to bolster my teaching bona fides before pursuing that ambition.
Hobbies/Interests:Beyond my interest in history, I really like to read (especially science fiction). I’d also describe myself as something of a cinephile. Outdoors, I enjoy hiking. I am looking forward to venturing of the beaten path here in Japan. I was thus really happy to be placed in Misaki.
ES/JHS ALT in Seiyo from Edinburgh, Scotland 🏴
Leo ♌
I was at university studying psychology and I realised I wanted to become an educational psychologist, so I needed to get some experience working with kids and then I thought “oh I could do that in a different country” and I think Japan seems very cool, so here I am!
Hobbies/Interests: I like sewing, drawing and walking
“Moving to Japan Mood” Playlist: I’m not sure, but the first song would be “ルージュの伝言”
SHS ALT in Seiyo from Yorkshire, England 🏴
Libra ♎
I studied animation at uni, then worked arts and culture in the civil service, then as an English tutor for a bit.
Hobbies/Interests: I love art and comics ^_^
“Moving to Japan Mood” Playlist: ^_^’
JHS ALT in Ozu from California, USA 🇺🇸
I am half Japanese, but I never had the chance to learn the language until I started community college. I fell in love with the process and learning something I’d always wanted to learn was so exciting. I wanted to share that with others, so I started thinking about how I could use my skills once I became more fluent. I later learned about the JET and decided that would be a great experience. At that time, I believe a Bachelor’s Degree wasn’t required to enroll (I don’t remember too well, but this was pre-Covid) but I decided that getting one would be the best idea, so I waited to apply until I had a degree and could learn more Japanese to survive on my own. Unfortunately, Covid slowed down my learning journey, and it was difficult for me to gain more experience or learn in a classroom. Once I was accepted into UCI, though, I was able to get in touch with much more surrounding Japanese culture, from it’s history to it’s entertainment and religion, and even into literature from different perspectives. I really did learn a lot about things I wanted to learn, and I was all set to get my Bachelor’s. However, through communication issues with counselors, I was missing two classes for my degree despite me already entering into the working world and having a full time job. The next two years, I would focus on work and living on my own without having a degree or the time to go back and finish it. Life got me down and I felt stuck where I was, complacent but slow. Through support from friends and family, they helped push me back on my feet, compromise with my work for my schedule, and help me to finish my degree. I would finish the last classes in the Fall of 2025, graduated in 2026, and at the same time received a waitlist into acceptance into the JET Program.
Hobbies/Interests: Nintendo, FF7, Kingdom Hearts, Anime, D&D 5e, trying new drinks and food
“Moving to Japan Mood” Playlist: DaiBouken
ES/JHS ALT in Uchiko from San Diego, California 🇺🇸
Gemini ♊️
During college, I lucky enough to study abroad in Osaka Japan and took a trip to Matsuyama and fell in love with Ehime prefecture. I also spent my time working in my college’s food pantry, volunteering in the international office, and joining several clubs to find new experiences. After graduating with Computer Science/Asian Studies Majors and a Japanese Minor I found myself wanting to experience more of Japan, better my and others language abilities, and find connections for my future. I am very glad to have been placed here and am excited for my future!
Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy hiking, swimming, cooking, gaming, music, and more. I would love to learn Taiko drumming and Japanese cooking. I am also very excited to meet other people from Ehime and learn from their backgrounds, experiences, interests, history, and advice on life in Japan.
“Moving to Japan Mood” Playlist: Japan Bound Seek Discomfort
JHS/SHS ALT in Yawatahama from Crawley, England, United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Virgo ♍
I’m curious about the rest of the world and want to experience it.
Hobbbies/Interests: Travel, gaming, learning languages, movies.
“Moving to Japan Mood” Playlist: Off we go
ES/JHS ALT in Iyo from Miami, United States 🇺🇸
Sagittarius ♐
I was a Master’s graduate student in history before JET, and my intention was to gain an intercultural experience, as well as living in another country.
Hobbies/Interests: History, video games
“Moving to Japan Mood” Playlist: ShotokuAsuka
ES ALT in Matsuyama from Zamboanga City, Philippines 🇵🇭
Libra ♎️
Before coming to Japan, I spent three years working as a Kindergarten Teacher in Budapest, Hungary, right after earning my Master’s degree in Educational Science at Eötvös Loránd University. While I’ve been fortunate to gain substantial teaching experience, I find myself at another turning point in my career. I’m looking to sharpen my skills and grow my knowledge in the direction I want to take next. Japan appeals to me for a specific reason: the ALT position lets me offer my background in English teaching while also learning from Japan’s education system firsthand. I really believe in learning through collaboration, and this role feels like a chance to both contribute and observe innovative practices, like those at Fuji Kindergarten, that speak directly to what I’m interested in: how learning spaces are designed, child centered approaches, and hands on programs like the Forest Schools in Hokkaido. I also hope that during my time in Japan, I’ll have the chance to write for an international education publication and add something meaningful to the field. Beyond the professional side, my interest in languages, Japanese culture, anime, and manga comes from genuine curiosity. It’s part of why I want to connect with the culture outside the classroom too, which feels like exactly what JET is about. In the end, what I’m hoping for is a deeper understanding of how education works in Japan, stronger intercultural skills, and continued growth as an educator with a global outlook.
Hobbies/Interests: I find a lot of joy in quiet walks and watching sunsets. Exploring new places is something I genuinely love, and I’ve been lucky enough to travel to 20 countries across Europe and 5 in Asia so far. I’d love to keep seeing more of the world and, in my own small way, share those experiences with others. Right now, I’m especially drawn to learning a Japanese musical instrument, so I’m really looking forward to joining the koto class!
“Moving to Japan Mood” Playlist: Rebooting in Japan
ES/JHS ALT in Matsuyama from Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland 🇬🇧)
Leo ♌
I’ve been a life-long fan of Japanese culture (the usual – Kurosawa, Pokémon, etc.) and started learning the language as a hobby a couple years ago. I was originally on a postgraduate research programme at university when everything went upside-down topsy-turvy and led into me finishing much earlier than intended. My plan B had always been “Whatever, I’ll just go to Japan” and it lined up well with JET applications – so here I am!
Hobbies/Interests:I enjoy playing piano, writing fiction and reading theology.
“Moving to Japan Mood” Playlist: Electric Waves
ES ALT in Matsuyama from Negros Island Region, Philippines 🇵🇭
Taurus ♉️
I was a JHS teacher in the Philippines teaching Sciences for 8 years before being an ALT. I remember writing in my statement of purpose that I was inspired by a famous writer Liza Nichols “We are always on the edge, and our body will always want to be safe, but if you keep being on that edge and just watch others fly, you will never know what it feels unless you jump and see where will it take you. Seeing other teachers trying opportunities abroad, I always feel something is waiting for me outside the country. I wanted to try, and I’m thankful I did. I can’t wait to experience everything in this amazing journey.
Hobbies/Interests:Reading books, watching movies, traveling
“Moving to Japan Mood” Playlist: Miles Away, Closer to Fulfilling
ES/JHS ALT in Matsuyama from Vancouver, Canada 🇨🇦
Aquarius ♒️
I have worked in early childhood (a day-care aged 1-5) since I was 15. After finishing university I knew I wanted to continue, and teaching was always a goal. I found JET a while ago, back when I was in high school, so it was always somewhere lost in my head. It found its way to the surface, and here I am!
Hobbies:Reading, Cooking, and Drinking
“Moving to Japan Mood” Playlist: Lost in Soy Sauce
ES/JHS ALT in Matsuyama from St.George, Utah, USA 🇺🇸
Aquarius ♒
This is my first job out of college! I’m the eldest daughter in a big family and have always loved working with kids and school! I majored in government and minored in education and wanted to have the experience of traveling and working with a community before going back to school. I volunteered in Japan two years ago and loved it, so I wanted to do something similar!
Hobbies/Interests:I like reading, movies, nature, and trying new things (especially food)!
“Moving to Japan Mood” Playlist: 🗾🌸🍜
ES/JHS ALT in Matsuyama from Hong Kong 🇭🇰/California, USA 🇺🇸
Leo ♌
I have been an avid reader since I was young, and later became a Japanese major at university, drawn by my newfound interest in Japanese literature. At university, I helped run a Japanese-American culture and language exchange club, which helped me realize how much I enjoyed meeting and connecting with people from all walks of life. Outside of school, I had also grown tired of having my life path decided by someone else. I wanted to be rebellious for a bit. I wanted to break free from my family’s expectations of settling into an “iron rice bowl” job for the rest of my life. I wanted to take a chance on myself — to experience falling and having to pick myself back up by the bootstraps.
Just as I was beginning to realize what I wanted to do (or perhaps, what I didn’t want to do), I remembered my university Japanese instructor’s enthusiastic promotion of the JET Programme. I decided to pick up my old habit of being a deadline fighter, throw myself into the application process, and take a huge leap of faith to see if I could figure out what to do with my life in Japan.
Since Sacramento (where I’m from) is a sister city to Matsuyama, I already had a feeling I might end up here when I applied. But I’m delighted to say that my life here has been filled with surprises.
Shoutout to my Group B girls — you all made this huge life transition so much easier, and I’m so, so glad that I came to Japan with you all.
Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy reading fiction a lot, but I’m also trying to branch out into nonfiction. I loved my Sociology and Anthropology classes at university, so please let me know if you have any recommendations in either of these fields! I also enjoy playing video games, mostly PvE games and RPGs. I fell in love with Fire Emblem: Three Houses, and I’m currently trying to make time to play some of the earlier FE games. (Please also hit me up if you like cafe-hopping teehee)
SHS ALT in Toon, Matsuyama from Montréal, Canada 🇨🇦
Before the JET Programme, I was a journalist and a Pilates teacher. I’ve always loved connecting with people and hearing the stories they have to share — in both jobs, that was really the heart of what I did. I reached a point in my life where I wanted to challenge myself and learn from the Japanese education system firsthand. Coming to Japan as a child really impacted me and I always knew I wanted to return and work here.
Hobbies/Interests: I love hiking, fashion, reading, travelling, Pilates, swimming and going to museums! I am very passionate about animal welfare.
“Moving to Japan Mood” Playlist: Stop the nonsense
SHS ALT in Matsuyama from Cavite, Philippines 🇵🇭
Gemini ♊
My path to Japan was definitely not a straight line! Before JET, I spent almost a decade working in education in the Philippines. I started as an early childhood teacher and eventually became a preschool and academic coordinator. I spent my days teaching, planning curriculum, supporting teachers, organizing school programs, and doing all the things that come with working in education. For a long time, I thought I knew exactly where my career was going. Then came the question: “What if I tried something completely different?” I had always been fascinated by Japan, and I wanted to experience living in another country while still doing something connected to education. So, after years of working in my comfort zone, I decided to take a leap of faith and apply for JET. Fast-forward to today: somehow, that leap brought me all the way from the Philippines to Ehime, where I am now a brand-new ALT at Matsuyama Chuo High School! It has been exciting, overwhelming, and occasionally a little terrifying, but mostly exciting. I’m still learning Japanese, figuring out life in a new country, and discovering what it means to be an ALT. I guess my “unbeaten path” is still being written, and I’m excited to see where it takes me next!
Hobbies/Interests:I love playing volleyball, staying active, and exploring the outdoors! I enjoy hiking, trying new food, traveling, and discovering new places. I’m also passionate about education and learning Japanese.. although my Japanese is still a work in progress! 😂
“Moving to Japan Mood” Playlist: Volleyball, Vending Machines & Visa Approved 😂
ES/JHS/SHS ALT in Kumakogen-cho from Detroit, Michigan USA 🇺🇸
I originally did JET in Kochi for six months in 2021-2022. However, health problems sent me back to the US. After finishing grad school I wanted to try JET again and now here I am in Ehime!
Hobbies/Interests: I love drawing and photography. I’ve liked trains for as long as I can remember.
“Moving to Japan Mood” Playlist: MOUNTAINS, where we’re going we don’t need trains
ES/JHS ALT in Kamijima from London, United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Pisces ♓
I had just finished my MPhil thesis (on the Latin prose style of Aldhelm of Malmesbury) — it was great fun in its way but a breath of fresh air before hurrying on to a PhD seemed like a good idea. Japan had entered into my studies incidentally through some comparative studies — I remember one putting Watanabe no Tsuna and Ibaraki-Doji next to Beowulf and Grendel’s mother — and I became interested in its mythology and literature. It struck me that this might be the root of some fun projects in future, so I decided to pursue it. Teaching English here has been very refreshing so far; the language is entirely different from any that I have encountered before and I have enjoyed finding ways to excite students about the language with the arcane knowledge that I have acquired over the past few years!
Hobbies/Interests: I love ancient literature of any kind and particularly enjoy monsters and magic of all stripes (modern authors who deal with these things, like Tolkien and Borges, I also love; I hope to become such an author myself!). I am a keen though rather incompetent fencer and a fan of long walks, especially in beautiful places. Fantasy-themed board and computer games (e.g. Total War Warhammer) are also great fun for me, so if you ever feel like meeting for those do just let me know.
“Moving to Japan Mood” Playlist: Maybe ‘sunrise’?
SHS ALT in Tanbara, Saijo from Colorado, United States 🇺🇸
Cancer ♋
I used to be a chemistry student in university, and needed a culture/art credit, which a language class happened to count as. Since I was interested in Japanese music when I was younger, I decided to take Japanese. While I wasn’t the most diligent of students for the class, both my Japanese teachers took a liking to me, and I ended up as a TA, helping out in the first-year class. Around this time, I signed up for a short 5-week study abroad in Kagawa prefecture. One of our activities was going to the local schools and interacting with students. I wasn’t excited about it at first, but I ended up really enjoying my time with the students. At this point, one of my Japanese teachers suggested the JET program. One thing led to another, I ended up switching out of chemistry in favor of international studies, I somehow managed to graduate, and I applied to JET!
Hobbies/Interests: I have a huge interest in all sorts of music. I love to listen to music and I love to play music. I am currently in the process of finding a way to learn to play the Koto. One of my hobbies is playing various card games, including Magic and Gundam.
“Moving to Japan Mood” Playlist: City pop in a kei car!
SHS ALT in Niihama from London, UK 🇬🇧 (but originally from Wales 🏴)
Scorpio ♏
Having just graduated from university with absolutely no idea what I wanted to do with my life, I first arrived in Japan as an ALT in 2005. Don’t worry, I haven’t been an ALT for the past 21 years (that would be weird). After three unforgettable years in Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture, I returned to the UK to work for a Japan-specialist tour operator, where I met my husband, Matt (yes, we’re both called Matt). Our careers subsequently took us in different directions, and mine eventually led me into marketing for a global luxury hotel brand. Wanting to live abroad again, and escape the corporate world, I somehow find myself back in Japan for JET round two (for the other Matt, it’s round one!). So, for me, it feels less like an unbeaten winding path and more like a circular, well-trodden one that has brought me to Japan . And so far, I have no regrets. The world has changed dramatically over the past 21 years, but stepping back into a Japanese senior high school has been surprisingly familiar. There was something incredibly comforting about realising that, in many ways, not much has changed. (Although I’m very relieved to discover that they’ve ditched the fax machines in favour of emails!) I’m looking forward to discovering everything Ehime has to offer, getting to know you all, and seeing where this next chapter takes me. Yoroshiku!
Hobbies/Interests:I love skiing/snowboarding and going to see live music. I go running most days (but wouldn’t say I like it) and would describe myself as an onsen-aholic. Be warned, I am also very passionate about karaoke.
“Moving to Japan Mood” Playlist: デジャヴ (déjà vu)そ
SHS ALT in Niihama from London, England 🏴
Gemini ♊
My connection with and love of Japan started back in 2001 when I started studying Japanese in secondary school. At that point, my parents foolishly promised that good grades would lead to me joining the school exchange in Yamanashi.
So, skip forward 3 years and having scraped the grades I’m in Japan for the first time exploring Tokyo and Yamanashi prefecture. Having already fallen for the language, visiting Japan and staying with a Japanese family put a rocket under my love for the country, even if they were cruel enough to feed me nato!
Then a couple of years later I won a JASSO scholarship to join 39 students from around the world to study for a week in Osaka and spend another week travelling across Japan. Don’t think this meant I had any great Japanese language ability, I later found out only four students applied for three scholarship places in the UK. Those two weeks remain one of the best fortnights of my life; cutting loose from the group and sneaking back into Tokyo with three other students and exploring Akihabara until the last train, creasing up in laughter over the Kiwi pronunciation of a ‘monk’s deck’ and perhaps vaguely improving my Japanese language ability along the way.
Sold on the idea that learning Japanese would lead to an unending supply of free trips to Japan, in 2009 I went to Leeds University to study Japanese and International Relations. Having spent most of my first year endeavoring to lose the limited level of Japanese proficiency I’d previously attained on one too many pub crawls and late nights in clubs across Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester, I found myself on my year abroad in Kumamoto.
Despite early challenges, I now look back fondly on my time at Kuma-Dai. In particular, a weekend on Nokono-shima, frequent trips to Fukuoka and a great couple of weeks in Okinawa (once again courtesy of good JASSO!).
With an undergrad degree under my belt and questionable Japanese language abilities attained, I tripped and fell into my first real job working at InsideJapan Tours. It was a blast! Working with around 30 other people, all under 40 and all with experience of living in Japan we had the best time sharing our stories, tips and mishaps from Japan. Every week in the job extended my ‘must see list’ of places in Japan.
I also managed to bag another of those free trips to Japan I’d dreamt of when applying to uni. I spent two weeks travelling across the country with a colleague, ostensibly inspecting hotels but in reality road testing every nomihoudai we could find between Tokyo and Hiroshima. Having reached the dizzying heights of a Sales Team leader and setting up their approach to sustainable tourism I left InsideJapan after five years with a ‘must see list’ of over 100 locations across Japan and a Masters Degree in sustainable development. At that point, Japan sadly took a back seat while I spent the intervening years building a career in decarbonising real estate (it’s more interesting than it sounds, I promise!). I did squeeze in one trip back to Japan in 2019, when my now husband Matt (I know!) and I came out for the rugby world cup, an amazing trip that culminated in the two of us getting engaged on Yakushima. After a circuitous approach to the question perhaps I should get to the point – what brough me here? Jump forward to October 2025 and I was working as the Director of ESG and Climate Strategy Services at JLL, totally burnt out on 60 hour weeks and looking back ever more fondly on my amazing experiences in Japan. So, with a want for adventure, a love of Japan and knowing just how much joy we both get from cultural exchange, Matt and I pulled the rip-cord and applied to JET. Having successfully navigated the mountains of paperwork and JET’s unending list of deadlines, we’re now super excited to be back in Japan and can’t wait to see what our time in Ehime will bring! We’re super excited to get to know you all!
Hobbies/Interests: A real love which I’ve recently much neglected is hiking, but being just round the corner from Ishizuchi-san and surrounded by the henro I can’t wait to dust off my boots. I also love all things theatre, cinema and books – I’m a sucker for a good story. Whether that would stretch to enjoying a full Noh performance I’m not sure, but I’d happily be proven wrong. When I last lived in Japan I took up Kyudo, so I’d love to give that another go. Though I hope I’m more successful second time round, as last time I managed to split my lip and bloody my nose by letting go of the wrong end of the training bow – essentially catapulting a fist sized piece of hard plastic directly into my own face. And what I really want to say, but felt I needed to mask behind a long list of classier high culture pursuits, is that I love a good drink. Put me in a pub or izakaya and I’ll always be a happy man.
“Moving to Japan Mood” Playlist: The Bitch is Back – Elton John
ES ALT in Shikokuchuo
Aquarius♒
I was in my last year of uni (studying psychology and education) and knew I wanted to travel, but also wanted to get experience teaching or assistant teaching, as I aspired to be an educational psychologist. My friend suggested JET to me and I had honestly never heard of it before. I kind of thought it was a crazy idea, but the more I looked into it the more I was excited by it! So I applied, then I interviewed, and then I got accepted – it was crazy! I can’t believe I’ll be living in Japan doing what I’m passionate about 😀
Hobbies/Interests: Teaching and helping kids, walking/hiking, cooking, music, movies.
“Moving to Japan Mood” Playlist: Day off in Kyoto 👻
SHS ALT in Mishima, Shikokuchuo from St. Ann, Jamaica
Libra ♎️
I grew up in a small town called Brown’s Town in St. Ann, Jamaica, never had the opportunity to move away from college (thanks, COVID!), and continued to live with family because I WFH and didn’t have a “real” reason to move out. I love country and my family a lot (and they, me) and my life was pretty unproblematic + I was making a lot of money (way more than JET) working with various clients, but I just wanted a change; it felt like I was living the same days on repeat back home despite occasionally trying to push myself out of my comfort zone. I’ve always wanted to (1) live alone, (2) live in a foreign country for a time, and (3) visit Japan, and (4) make friends/connections with people from different cultures and races, and participating in JET would have allowed me to realize all those goals. Moreover, I have a very clear view of the type of person I want to be (shaped largely by video games and characters I really admire and look up to), and I’ll never get there by staying in my hometown and never pushing myself into various situations. So, despite my fears, nervousness, anxiety and rampant imposter syndrome (even still, ugh!), here I am anyway in my tiny apartment here in Mishima, writing this response. I feel so grateful to be here, and I can’t wait to see how my “avatar” levels up and changes as a result of the EXP and AP she’ll gain from both the good and bad times she’ll surely experience while living in Japan. I’m here for it all!
Hobbies/Interests: Health, fitness and wellness, self development, baking, cooking, cosplaying, psychology (e.g., metacognition, emotional intelligence, neuroplasticity), cosplaying, games (e.g. survival horror and older games like Bully, which I’m currently playing now!), drawing webtoons/my OCs, watching anime and k, c and jdramas, dressing up, skincare, makeup and haircare.
“Moving to Japan Mood” Playlist: The Japan Arc, Act I
Found something in common with a fellow JET? Strike up a conversation! If there’s anything I learned about Ehime JETs, it’s that they’re the kindest and warmest people you’ll meet!
Thank you for reading! 🧡
