A Tayō-sei 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 Tayō-sei Group Mentorship Program is an opportunity for JET senpai to share their diverse range of experiences, wisdom and insights with departing JETs in a safe space. 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.
Mentors (senpai) and mentees (kohai) will receive an invitation to the Tayō-sei Discord server with a range of categories and related channels for a variety of special interest groups. Each group will typically have more than one senpai to offer varying perspectives and guidance. The special interest group options are determined by the lived experiences of our senpai community. Kohai are welcome to join as many special interest groups as they wish. All participants are encouraged to post questions, share advice, resources, etc. Once a month, during June and July we will host a Tayō-sei Hanashi-kai where senpai and kohai gather virtually to chat face to face and discuss issues and ask questions that are top-of-mind. For the 2024 list of special interest groups being offered, please click on the kohai sign-up form (below).
Tayō-sei Group Mentorship Senpai
2024 is our inaugural year for this group mentorship program. Mentors can choose the type and level of commitment they give. Mentors must be willing to utilize Discord as the communication platform for this program. Although most of the interactions will take place via the chat function, each group will gather virtually once a month and we hope that many of the mentors will be available for this face-to-face discussion with their mentees.
We expect all mentors to be ready to share their personal experiences, insight, and wisdom in the spirit of preparing this next cohort of diverse JET participants and set them up for success as they enter their Japanese communities.
Mentors will participate in an onboarding session with USJETAA and JETAA USA at the end of April/beginning of 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.)
*We are no longer accepting mentors for 2024. If you are interested in mentoring the 2025 cohort of departing JETs or beyond, please fill out the form below. We invite you to share your diverse experiences and perspectives with the next generation of JETs
The Tayo-Sei Kickoff Meeting offers an overview of the various interest groups and guidance on navigating communication and accessing information within the Discord channel.
Tayō-sei Group Mentorship Kohai
This mentorship program is a resources specifically aimed at our diverse community of departing JETs. This program welcomes all departing US JETs from across the nation, so your groups will reflect both mentors and 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 your all of you 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.
Please fill out the form below to indicate your areas of interest and receive an invitation to the Tayō-sei Group Mentorship Discord space. By joining this program, you give USJETAA permission to add you to our community as a current JET. You will begin to receive our newsletter and communications with resources specifically for current JETs. (Please see our privacy policy here.)