Voices of Jelper Club Members — Kanon Asari, Middlebury College ’27

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 Club are shaping her ambition to design policies that close opportunity divides in Japan and beyond.

―― First, could you introduce yourself?

Kanon: I’m Kanon Asari, born and raised in Sendai. At high school I followed a Japanese–English IB curriculum, which nudged me toward studying overseas. I now call Middlebury home, where I spend lectures unpacking social theory and weekends on the slopes.

―― Why did you choose Middlebury College?

Kanon: I wanted a liberal‑arts education because it was my first time in the U.S. and I wasn’t sure which field would resonate. I wanted a liberal-arts education because it was my first time in the U.S. and I wasn’t sure which field would resonate. Middlebury has a long history on the East Coast, and I liked that I could learn closely with professors due to the small number of students. Since I grew up surrounded by nature in Sendai, its location with abundant nature was also attractive.

―― What drew you to Economics and Sociology?

Kanon: Sociology lets me investigate why disparities exist—especially those rooted in education—yet it doesn’t always suggest remedies. Economics equips me with policy tools to design concrete solutions. The spark was personal: even within one classroom in Sendai, I saw stark differences in opportunity. That made inequality impossible to view as someone else’s problem.

―― How has that background shaped your future plans?

Kanon: To study inequality at scale, the U.S. was the obvious choice. It’s a global front‑runner—good and bad—in socioeconomic gaps. American universities champion diversity and offer generous scholarships, so I can observe how institutional initiatives translate into outcomes and bring those lessons back to Japan.

―― How did you first hear about Jelper Club?

Kanon: Whenever international students chatted about internships, Jelper Club always surfaced. After repeated recommendations from friends, I signed up.

―― How has the platform helped you?

Kanon: It’s outstanding. Jelper Club’s mission—to link talented students with Japanese employers—mirrors my own goal of bridging cultures. Compared with broader sites, I feel companies on Jelper Club treat us as individuals, not just résumés.

―― Any advice for fellow members?

Kanon: Remember that Jelper Club isn’t just a job board; the community is its superpower. Let’s leverage those horizontal ties and make Japan a catalyst for positive change together.

―― A final message to readers?

Kanon: If you love skiing, come visit Middlebury! I’d be thrilled to hit the slopes with other Jelper Club members and keep building a network of globally minded, Japan‑focused students.

At Jelper Club, we strive to connect students like Kanon—who pair global experience with a passion for social impact—to opportunities in Japan’s evolving job market. If her story resonates, explore our curated listings, tap into the peer community, and start translating your international path into meaningful change.

(Interviewer/Editor: Jelper Club Editorial Team)