Paul Ryder
Paul Ryder did JET, and now he flies jets (planes, rather, but allow us the pun)! He started out in Kunimi Town, Fukushima from 2013-2016.
JET changed my life. I was an ALT at Kindergarten, Elementary and Junior High. I got involved in the annual October festival (Reitaisai) in my town. The community welcomed me with open arms, in fact, I am still in the group chat despite leaving almost 10 years ago! I also got involved in the local flying club in Kakuda, situated in nearby Miyagi. Again, welcomed by all despite my little Japanese at the time. I still keep in touch with some of my students, many of which are getting married and starting their careers. I visit Japan often and sometimes catch up with my old students and likewise when they visit the UK, they get in touch. It truly is moving and I'm surprised by how much of an impact you can have as an ALT on these young people's lives. The flying club experience in Miyagi ignited my passion for flying and sent me on the journey I am now. By pure coincidence, my predecessor from around 20 years before me also came to visit in 2013, an airline pilot, one of the most valuable connections I ever made. I am currently an airline pilot for British Airways because of the experience I had on JET and I often bump into my predecessor (picture attached).
After I completed JET in 2016 I knew I wanted to be an airline pilot. The system has now changed but at the time, you had to pay for the training yourself which was about the price of a small house, or very posh car (depending on your taste!). I needed to earn more money so I attended the JET career fair and joined a small company in Tokyo for a couple of years, which gave me the resources to come back to the UK to start training. I am now an airline pilot for British Airways and visit Japan often. I went back as recently as April to attend a friend's wedding whom I met whilst out in Japan. JET transformed my life. You might think how on earth can JET help you become an airline pilot? Or how can JET help my future career prospects. The people skills you learn on the job, were, and still are incredibly useful. I fly with a new group of people every single day, a bit like when you walk into the classroom for the first time and instantly have to build a connection. JET gave me the confidence I needed, and the skills I needed to excel in my current role. I am still deeply connected to Japan, I visit at least once a year (3 times in 2025!) and at some point when my schedule allows, begin volunteering with JETAA.
My future goals for now are to fly to Japan as the operating pilot before I'm 35 (I have 2 years to go!) and before I'm 45, I would love to open a small cafe in Tokyo and put my small mark on the Japanese community.
Follow him at @lunchmoneypaul!
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