This time, we spoke with Sharif Hassen, a junior at Yale University studying sociology with a concentration in economics. Born in New York City and raised in Abu Dhabi, Sharif’s path to Japan began not through anime or manga, but through music—Japanese marching bands and jazz fusion in particular. What started as self-study eventually led him to take Japanese lessons at the embassy in Abu Dhabi, continue Japanese through Yale, and spend a semester studying in Tokyo at ICU.  

This time, we spoke with Koichi Kimoto, a second-year undergraduate at Stanford University studying Aeronautics and Astronautics with a strong focus on space engineering. His passion for space began with a high school physics teacher who introduced him to model rockets—an experience that later led him to work on a CubeSat-sized satellite project and ultimately pursue astronautics in the U.S.   In this interview, Koichi shares why he chose Stanford over other top engineering s

The narrative around young people in Japan often skews pessimistic—articles say young people are depressed, hopeless. Mao Hotta sees it differently. "I think it's the opposite, actually. Young people are really motivated to work, and women are more empowered ever than before. Now is a huge chance for us to shine." We spoke with Mao about her experience in Japanese finance and why she's optimistic about the future. ---What was the gender balance like at Goldman Sachs Japan? Ma

Mao Hotta's career path reads like a masterclass in strategic exploration. Born and raised in Tokyo, she studied journalism at Keio University, worked as an investment banking analyst at Goldman Sachs, and is now pursuing a dual MBA at Kyoto University and Master of Management in Hospitality at Cornell. Her ultimate goal? Opening her own hotel in rural Japan. We sat down with Mao to learn how she's been building her dream one unconventional step at a time. ---Tell us about yo

This time, we had the pleasure of speaking with Ririka Saito, a passionate Food Science and Nutrition double major at McGill University. Inspired by her early childhood experience living in Germany, she developed a keen interest in exploring new cultures and global opportunities. In this interview, she shares how her fascination with cooking and health led her to pursue both Food Science and Nutrition, the internships that helped shape her career path, and how she landed a ro

This time, we had the pleasure of speaking with Noa Gnaba, a third-year bachelor’s student at the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland. With a Swiss father from St. Gallen and a Japanese mother from Nara, Noa embodies a cross-cultural identity that has shaped both her academic path and professional outlook. After spending her entire childhood in Japan at German School of Tokyo Yokohama, she chose to study abroad in Switzerland to connect with her Swiss side. Currently majo

This time, we spoke with Tazia Mohammad , a rising junior majoring in Economics  and Political Science , whose multicultural background and passion for activism have shaped her career ambitions. With roots in Afghanistan, the Philippines, and the Black American community, Tazia is driven to use economic modeling and politics to make a real impact as a future policy maker. In this interview, she shares how her upbringing inspired her, how she discovered Jelper Club, and her ad

This edition spotlights Anton, a Munich‑born polymath whose path has already zig‑zagged from competitive table‑tennis courts in Germany to the lecture halls of Harvard. Along the way he has juggled sleight‑of‑hand magic, late‑night philosophy debates, and a growing fascination with Japanese Zen. Today, he is carving out a niche at the intersection of financial economics, public policy, and cross‑cultural understanding. A journey in which Jelper Club has become both a compass

This installment spotlights Kanon Asari from Sendai, Japan, who completed a bilingual Japanese‑English International Baccalaureate program in high school before heading to Vermont. Now a sophomore at Middlebury College  double‑majoring in Economics  and Sociology , she dissects educational inequality while carving fresh powder on the college’s own ski slopes. Kanon explains how a liberal‑arts setting, first‑hand exposure to social gaps, and a growing network through Jelper Cl

This time, we had the pleasure of speaking with Aditya Mishra , a Canadian-born, Japan-raised student who is now in his second year of the Business of Cinematic Arts  program at the University of Southern California (Class of 2027). With a mixed Indian-Japanese heritage and a lifetime spent in international schools, Aditya blends creative storytelling with the rigour of finance and accounting, aiming to make films that resonate across cultures. In this interview, he reflects

In this edition we sit down with Federico Gruson , a native New Yorker whose Colombian roots, quarter-Japanese heritage, and curiosity about Japan’s “economic puzzle” have taken him from the skyscrapers of Manhattan to the heart of Tokyo’s venture ecosystem. After a year abroad at International Christian University (ICU) ignited his passion for Japan, Federico doubled down on language study, joined a fast-growing tech start-up, and now spearheads global product launches that

This time, we had the pleasure of speaking with Kaho Sakemi , an internationally minded student who was born in Shanghai, completed her schooling at the American School in Japan, and is now a rising senior at the University of Southern California majoring in Business with a Data Analytics minor. Alongside her studies, Kaho is completing her second data-analysis internship while nurturing a long-term goal of launching a nonprofit pet shelter. In this interview, Kaho shares how

This time we spoke with Joe Kojima , a bicultural bio-engineering student who shuttled between the United States and Japan while growing up. Now a Yanai Tadashi Foundation Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania, Joe is channeling U.S. start-up energy and biomedical know-how into ideas that could one day improve life for visually-impaired people in Japan. Dive into his story, his inspiration, and his early experience on Jelper Club.   Joe Kojima ―― To begin, could you intro

We sat down with Koki Shimamune (島宗 昂生) , a second-year economics student at the University of Cambridge and recipient of a Sasakawa scholarship. Raised in Tokyo and educated at the renowned Kaisei High School, Koki is determined to understand the economic bedrock of society and ultimately shape Japan’s future from both a domestic and global perspective. In our conversation, he explains why he chose Cambridge, how Jelper Club helped him land an internship and a network, and w

With final exams just around the corner, Kane Scott  is wrapping up a Computer Science degree at the University of St Andrews and lining up his next big move: a career in Japan. Drawing confidence from a gap-year in Thailand, a study-abroad stint in Australia, and a month-long tour of Japan, Kane is now using Jelper Club to turn his twin passions—technology and Japanese culture—into a concrete job offer. Kane Scott ―― Could you briefly introduce yourself? Kane :  Absolutely.

This week, we shine the spotlight on Praneel , a first-year student at Harvard University majoring in both Computer Science and Economics. Inspired by his early exposure to Japanese culture, he began exploring opportunities that connect his academic interests with his passion for Japan. In this interview, Praneel shares what drew him to Harvard’s balance of sports and academics, his insights into leveraging Jelper Club for global career opportunities, and his advice for fello

In this interview, we speak with Yuta Hata, who began honing his English skills and soccer talents at an international school from a young age and is now majoring in Computer Science at Harvard University. Despite being enrolled in a top institution and juggling both academics and sports, Yuta is also keeping a future career in Japan on his radar. Through this conversation, he shares his reasons for choosing Harvard, his dedication to soccer and computer science, and how disc

This time, we had the pleasure of speaking with Kako, a globe-trotting student who spent her early years in the Philippines, completed high school (Hiroo-Gakuen) in Japan, and now pursues a degree in Data Science at Bocconi University in Milan, Italy. Alongside her studies, Kako also engages in a remote internship with the Japanese tech company unerry, balancing academic rigor with real-world experience. In this interview, Kako opens up about her cross-cultural background, he

We recently caught up with Jan Scherrer, a master’s student in Quantitative Economics and Finance at the University of St. Gallen, who’s about to embark on a Financial Planning & Analysis internship at Fujifilm in Japan. In this interview, Jan walks us through his academic background, his love for Japan, and the role Jelper Club played in connecting him with his dream opportunity. Jan Scherrer Could you briefly introduce yourself? Jan:  Hi! I’m Jan Scherrer, originally from t

We recently spoke with Jiulian Gutierrez, a recent graduate of Imperial College London, whose journey combines neuroscience, Japanese studies, and an unwavering drive to return to Japan. In this interview, Jiulian reflects on his passion for Japanese language and culture, his academic pursuits, and how Jelper Club has supported his quest to build a career in Japan. Jiulian Gutierrez ―― Could you briefly introduce yourself? Jiulian:  Hi, I’m Jiulian Gutierrez. I’m originally f