Say hello to our new JASA 2025 Fall interns, Ali and Kyle!

Ali and Kyle will be joining in supporting JASA's activities this fall academic semester. Read on to learn more about them both!

Ali is an Integrated Marketing Communications graduate student at the University of West Alabama and is excited to use her skills to further cultural knowledge between Japan and Alabama. Her interest in cultural exchange began at a young age when her mother, a first-generation immigrant from Poland, would tell her of her struggles of coming to the United States, not knowing its language or culture. She attributed her successful integration into American society to the high school that housed both Polish immigrants and American students, allowing them a space for cultural exchange and understanding. 

While working towards her undergraduate degree in Communication Studies at the University of North Alabama, Ali joined the Global Lions Organization on campus, which encourages domestic students to attend and volunteer at international campus events. She was also given the opportunity to be a Resident Advisor in the international student resident hall, where she hosted community programs and helped connect her residents to campus events, despite their language barrier. After graduation, Ali worked as a Resident Director at the University of Alabama in Huntsville for two years, leading a team of Resident Assistants to build community in the residence halls through community events and periodic check-ins. 

In the future, Ali hopes to work in a nonprofit or university setting, connecting communities no matter their cultural or language barriers. For now, she is thrilled to have the opportunity to expand her knowledge of Japan while contributing to JASA’s cross-cultural mission.

Kyle is an undergraduate student at the University of Alabama studying Public Health & Japanese and is honored to serve as an intern for the Japan-America Society of Alabama (JASA)! Throughout his life, Kyle has always had a passion for Japan and its beautiful culture, traditions, and language. Currently, Kyle is in his 3rd year of studying Japanese at the University of Alabama, and holds his personal and academic connections to the language very close.

Kyle is also involved in several other initiatives on his campus, including a Japanese language partner program in which he welcomes new exchange students and helps them acclimate to life in Alabama! Kyle believes that it's so important to foster and support the relationship between Japan and Alabama, and the values that relationship brings to the communities around our state and nation.

With experience working with various organizations, including the U.S. Department of State, and an implicit passion for Japan and its culture, Kyle looks forward to working with JASA this Fall, and to supporting the beautiful connection between Japan and Alabama!

We are so happy to have them both - please give them a very warm JASA welcome!