*Postponed to October 6th* Get ready for the JLPT at our Japanese Language Series event!

Join us Thursday, October 6th from 6-7 pm CST, for JETAA Chicago's next Japanese Language Series event! It's time to prepare for the JLPT in December, so we're getting serious! We will be going through some listening strategies and activities based on the JLPT N4, N3, and N2.

Not preparing for any of those tests? No worries! The night will still be an opportunity for Japanese listening practice for all skill levels. ぜひ来てください！

The Japanese Language Series events are intended to bring together JETAA members and supporters who want to stay engaged with Japanese language learning and use.

Sign up here!

This event is for JET alumni and Friends of JET.

Questions? Email Rurik at networking@jetaachicago.com

Tsukemono @ Konbini&Kanpai TOMORROW!

Don't forget to sign up for our FIRST IN-PERSON EVENT since COVID started, meant to bring together 2022 returnees and older alumni alike for some natsukashii JET bonding! We are hosting a tsukemono tasting event at Chicago's lovely Konbini & Kanpai store! Please join us on Saturday, September 24th from 12 to 2 PM CST to enjoy some delicious tsukemono prepared by our very own alum, Keilyn Kuramitsu. The store is located in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood at 1433 W Belmont Ave.

Sign up here!

Whether you're a recently returned alum or you've been back a while, we hope you can stop by!

*This event is for JET returnees and alumni only.

Questions? Contact Tyler at treasurer@jetaachicago.com

"Japan Unexpected" by JET alum Carrie Riseley!

Carrie Riseley is a JET alumni and author of "Japan Unexpected," a book describing her experiences in Japan while on the JET Program. Check out this description of her book:

"You might know about tea ceremonies, samurai and vending machines, but have you heard of honorific speech, a shrine to carry gods through a neighbourhood, or miso ramen-flavoured ice-cream? Explore some little known and sometimes surprising elements of one of the most unique countries in the world, as viewed by Carrie, a young Australian teaching in Japanese elementary schools. Even those things that are known about in the outside world are examined in detail by Carrie and unexpected elements brought to light."

Learn more about the author herself below:

My name is Carrie Riseley and I'm an ex-JET from Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture. I have just released a book called “Japan Unexpected”. It’s predominantly made up of journals I wrote whilst I was on the JET Programme. I'm Australian, but I made good friends with several Americans while on JET, who all star in the book. One was my cultural editor too. I called the book “Japan Unexpected” because even though I’d been studying Japanese for years before going on JET and had even lived in Japan previously, Japan never ceases to amaze me with the unexpected things it can show you and experiences it can give you. I've been sharing photos and story snippets on my "Carrie's Travel Books" social media - follow me for those; they're fun! - and last week did an online book launch. If you’d like to join me in some hisashiburi experiences, or perhaps get inspiration for future things you can try, have a look!

Find information about "Japan Unexpected" and Carrie's other works here.