From Albany to Japan: Inside the JET Program
By Gianna Difulio | October 6, 2026
From earning a full salary and receiving employment benefits to traveling to a new country and learning an entirely different culture, the Japanese Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program offers a range of unique opportunities for participants. More than 80,000 students have participated in the program worldwide, according to the website.
JET representative and campus alumni Joe Meringolo visited the University at Albany in collaboration with the Study Abroad and East Asian Studies departments to introduce prospective applicants to the program.
Meringolo, who participated in the program as an undergraduate, described the experience as unforgettable.
“I have this whole community, whole town that feels as much like home as New York does,” said Meringolo. “All the way across the world.”
Run by the Japanese government, JET allows eligible and chosen applicants to work in Japan in several fields, such as the Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) Program or Coordinator for International Relations (CIR) Program.
Although the two positions have different requirements and responsibilities, both allow room for participants to teach personal culture, while simultaneously experiencing life in a brand-new environment.
The application process for JET begins with an online application, followed by the release of first-stage results and a round of interviews.
Because of the competitive nature of the program, applicants will be placed in one of three groups: shortlisted, alternate, or denied. Shortlisted applicants are selected for placement and await employment assignments, while alternates may be offered positions if openings become available.
Applicants who are denied are not selected to continue in the program, but Meringolo encourages students to keep applying, noting that some of the most successful JET participants are chosen on their second or third attempts.
“You can apply your international experience anywhere,” said Mark Curry, a UAlbany study abroad adviser. “You can of course get that experience in the classroom, but then also work within the community, and network, and build your cultural, personal, and professional career in JET.”
While JET differs from traditional study abroad, both similarly offer students the opportunity to immerse themselves in a new culture and gain international experiences, something both department representatives encourage.
To learn more about eligibility requirements, application information, and opportunities through the JET program, visit jetprogramusa.org.
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