Matt Clark

Matt is a 25 year-old 'young professional' working in non-profit management.

Born in Arizona and raised in Illinois, Matt moved to Iowa in 2005 to study Political Science and Journalism at Drake University. Four years later, he somehow managed to graduate magna cum laude and was honored with induction to the Phi Beta Kappa Society.

Graduating into one of the worst economies in generations, Matt was thrilled to be offered a job with the JET Program and gladly moved to Japan's Shiga Prefecture in July of 2009. He lived in the beautiful city of Nagahama; a short train ride away from Kyoto and Osaka. After two amazing years, Matt gave up his daily commute by bike past the rice fields, mountains, and lake near his apartment to take a short-term job in Tokyo.

Matt left Japan in the fall of 2011, returning to Iowa for a position at the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy. He now leads the Center's new J-Center, aimed at fostering relationships between Japan and the American Midwest.

Matt has been fortunate enough to spend time in 15 countries across four continents in the past few years, learning from remarkable individuals and incredible cultures.

In another life he would love to be an architect. He knows nothing about photography, but takes his DSLR with him everywhere to snap pictures of cityscapes. He also has an obnoxious website where he sometimes post recaps of travel and everyday life experiences.

Matt has always loved Chicago, and prays at the church of  The Second City.