What is Okayama AJET?
We are a group of JET volunteers within Okayama prefecture, working to create and host activities, events, a monthly newsletter, and to keep the Okayama JET community connected with each other and neighboring AJET communities.
Here’s your 2025/26 OKAJet Team!
Karissa Garcia; President
Hello fellow peaches! My name is Karissa Garcia and I’m from Southern California, USA. I’m currently nestled in the mountaintop town of Kibichuo, the “belly-button” center of Okayama Prefecture! This will be my fifth year on JET. My current hobbies include running & preparing for the Okayama Marathon, hula dancing with my local community, band performances with my Japanese coworkers, and studying Japanese! In the near future I’d like to try bouldering in the city. I love trying new things, so if you’re ever in need of a partner to join you in your shenanigans, I’m your gal! Let’s enjoy this year together~!
Maya Bewsher; Vice-President
Hello peachy people! I’m Maya Elizabeth Bewsher from Cheshire, England. Think of the Cheshire cat and you`ve got me! This summer, I’ll be starting my 4th year on JET. I’m currently in Takahashi city but spent the first two years of my ALT life in Yamaguchi prefecture! My random fact is that my aunt and uncle live in Bizen (it’s a small world after all). Oh, and there’s also my husband over near Saidaiji (he’s alright, but don’t tell him that). My main hobbies are watching musicals, stage shows and destroying hearts at karaoke. Also, I love going to sword exhibits and doing half-marathon walking events. If you fancy a coffee (sorry Britain) or some (questionable) quality karaoke times, hit me up! Let’s have a wonderful year!
Nolan Espiritu; Secretary
Howdy y’all! My name is Nolan Espiritu. I am from the state of Texas in America. This coming year will be my 4th year with the JET Programme. I am based in the north end of Okayama, in Mimasaka. I have several hobbies but my biggest hobbies are playing the guitar and piano, and also bowling. One of the goals I hope to achieve while in Japan is to travel to all 47 prefectures before I leave. I have been to 30 prefectures so far and I hope to visit the rest later this year! I look forward to meeting you all in the future!
Brianna Patron; Treasurer
Hi there! I’m Brianna, originally from Los Angeles, USA, and I’ll be starting my 5th year on JET this summer. I’m currently based in Kurashiki city and serve as a block leader for the surrounding areas. My interests include watching anime, reading manga, and going collaboration cafes and pop-ups in Osaka. I’m also a fan of Korean dramas, Chinese dramas, and K-Pop, my favorite group is EXO! One of my hobbies is color guard and it has been a passion of mine for 15 years, even after moving to Japan, I found a way to continue by joining a local team called Soleil. I enjoy traveling around Japan and visiting many different prefectures. I look forward to getting to know everyone!
Rose McConville; Media & Design
Ello~ My name is Georgia Anne Rose McConville, but that’s wayyy too long so just call me Rose. I’m originally from Calgary AB, Canada. I came to Japan amid Covid times so technically I’ll be going into my 5th year on the JET Programme. I majored in Visual Communication Design, so I’m always drawing for the students or trying to come up with fun worksheets. When I’m not at work you can usually find me at karaoke or longboarding… Unless it’s the weekend, then you’ll most likely find me in Osaka. I also love dying my hair fun colours like pink, blue, purple or even a mix! If you ever want to do a spontaneous trip somewhere on the weekend count me in! I’m looking forward to meeting y’all.
Anna Wilson; Media Officer
Hiya! My name is Anna Wilson. I am from a tiny farm town in Pennsylvania, USA, but am now living in Okayama City. This summer I am just starting my second year as a JET. My variety of interests include traveling (solo and w/friends), Formula 1 (Oscar Piastri for 2025 WDC?) , karaoke, baking (I just love sweets), and just trying new things! Although I am a new-ish fan, I try my best to watch each F1 race each weekend, and was lucky enough to go to my first race in Suzuka this year! I love to travel, so next on my bucket list is trying for tickets to the Shanghai or Singapore races next year. I also love getting around different parts of Japan, and taking time to go to shrines when I visit new places. I am a fairly recent university graduate, so I am lucky to be able to call the JET programme my first full time job. I was upgraded as an alternate, and am extremely grateful to now call Okayama home. I look forward to meeting/getting to know y’all!
Wilson Yuan; Media Officer
Hello! My name is Wilson Yuan, a second (first?) year ALT from Vancouver, Canada! I am placed in the mountain town of chiyagyu and Pione grapes, Niimi, in the north eastern corner of Okayama! It takes me at least 1 hour 45 minutes to get to Okayama station by local train but that does not stop me from enjoying trips to the city. I enjoy things like drawing, cooking, and going on the occasional trip. I also enjoy typical Japanese things like anime and manga with “Bocchi the Rock” as my favourite (yes, “favourite” with a u) anime and “With You and the Rain” as my favourite manga. I look forward to being one of your media officers and meeting some of you in the future!
Lewis Spencer; Media Officer
Hello everyone! My name’s Lewis. I’m from Nottingham, England. I’m based in Tamano City right along the south coast of Okayama, and currently serve as the Block Leader of the Bizen A Block (easily the best one…)This August I’ll be moving into my third year of JET and look forward to getting a little bit closer to everyone despite the semi-inaka placement making me physically far away. My interests, as you’ll most likely be able to guess fairly quickly from the newsletter, are creative writing, gaming, travelling, and although my body shape might make it seem like I’m capping, football and exercising. I hope to meet as many new people as possible and also that everyone enjoys reading the newsletter as much as us media officers enjoy writing it!
Okayama AJET 