November 2025: Annelise Wilp
Hello, and welcome back to the JET Alumni Spotlight! Today we feature Annelise Wilp. Please read on to learn more about her time in Saitama, her passion for working with students, and her love for Karaage-kun.
Are you from the Great Lakes area? What is your experience in the Great Lakes Area?
I grew up in the Chicago suburbs, and met my husband while attending Western Michigan University. We recently moved to the metro Detroit area and love it so far.
What is your favorite Japanese convenience store?
Lawson will always be my favorite. I became obsessed with all of the Karaage-kun chicken flavors, and their cute seasonal dumplings that would sometimes be Sanrio-themed.
What is the biggest difference you see between Japanese and American culture? What do you believe these two cultures could learn from each other?
I think the biggest difference for me is how people interact in public. In the US, it is normal to have small talk with strangers, but if you did this in Japan, they would be shocked. I became used to the tranquility of a silent commute in Japan, and learned that it’s not always necessary to fill silent gaps. Sometimes, your presence is enough without speaking, even among friends.
How did you become interested in applying for the JET program?
In high school, I discovered JET participants’ vlogs on YouTube. At the time, Japan felt like a faraway dream that was not in the cards for me. In college, some of my Japanese professors were JET alumni, and I met a lot of Japanese exchange students who inspired me to apply for JET.
Were you an ALT, a CIR, or an SEA on the JET Program? How long were you on the program, and where was your placement?
I was an ALT in Saitama from 2018-2020. Unfortunately, the pandemic started in my second year, so I decided to return home.
Would you please tell us more about your placement? For ALTs, what were your schools like? For CIRs and SEAs, what sort of work were you involved in?
I was lucky to be placed at one of the best schools in Saitama, Warabi High School. The school had a renowned foreign language program, so the students were high level and motivated to improve their English. My English club was such a fantastic group of students, and that was always the highlight of my week.
What is a memory you have from your time on JET that sticks out to you?
My school would take our first year Gaigo (advanced foreign language) class to British Hills, Fukushima for a drama contest. It was like Hogwarts in Japan, and it was so much fun for both the students and teachers.
Outside of school, my now-husband visited me for two weeks, and we traveled all over Japan. I also met up with several college friends since I lived near Tokyo, and it was great to have those reunions and say, “hey, I made it to Japan!” One time, I ran into one of my Japanese professors by complete coincidence outside of a ramen shop in Shibuya. That was one of the most random and bizarre things that has ever happened to me.
What has your career path been since leaving the JET Program? How has JET influenced your journey?
I really enjoyed working with students during JET, and helping them achieve their goals. When I returned to the US, I continued working with students, and now work as a student advisor for adult distance learners.
Do you have any advice or other support that you can give to current / future JET applicants? How about your fellow alumni?
My advice for current and future JETs is to be your true self. The program picks you because they see someone who can make an impact on their community in Japan. Before I left for Japan, my departure group was told, “you are not only a representative of your country, but of yourself.” Those words stuck with me and helped me have a rewarding JET experience.
To my fellow JET alumni, I look forward to continuing to connect and finding an excuse to talk about Japan for hours 🙂
Where can we reach you for networking?
Please feel free to reach out to my LinkedIn profile for networking.
Please do reach out if you have any questions for our alumni. Thank you, Annelise, for sharing your own story.
Alumni Spotlight is an outreach activity through the Great Lakes JET Alumni Association seeking to build stronger connections between alumni and to provide bridges for networking. If you or an alumnus you know would like to be featured in an installment of Alumni Spotlight, please email us at .