JQ Magazine: JQ&A with Trixie Cordova, Peace Boat US Volunteer Staff and World Up Education Director
Article/Journalism, Cultural Outreach, Interview/Profile, JQ Magazine 
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Trixie’s advice for new JETs: “Soak it in! Challenge yourself to try new things, explore the country, eat crazy foods, GET NAKED (at an onsen, anyway). Appreciate how different and preserved Japanese culture truly is, and don’t take your time abroad for granted. You were a chosen one, so embrace it!” (Courtesy of Trixie Cordova)
By Mark Flanigan (Nagasaki-ken, 2000-04) for JQ magazine. A member of the JET Alumni Association of New York’s board of directors, Mark is a program director at the Japan ICU Foundation in New York City and was also a Rotary Peace Fellow at ICU from 2010-12, during which time he volunteered for a tsunami relief mission in Ishinomaki after the terrible 3/11 tragedy. He can be contacted at mflanigan[at]jicuf.org.
Trixie Cordova (Shimane-ken, 2007-09) began volunteering with Peace Boat US in New York since last October. A civil society and non-profit organization, Peace Boat US works to promote peace, sustainable development, human rights and respect for the environment throughout the United States and the world through educational programs organized in partnership with the Japanese NGO Peace Boat, which carries out its main activities through a chartered passenger ship that travels the world on peace voyages.
At the same time, Cordova has served as education director for World Up, a non-profit organization based in Brooklyn that uses music, specifically hip-hop, and technology education to explore local and global issues affecting youth today. A graduate from Teachers College at Columbia University with a Master’s in International Educational Development, concentrating on Peace Education, Cordova has been quite active in JETAANY as well, serving on a career panel for recently returned JETs this past year. Prior to living and working in New York, she taught English in rural Japan for two years, where she first learned about Peace Boat while on the JET Program.
As a Peace Boat US volunteer, Cordova has been working toward creating opportunities for New York youth to participate in the Music and Art Peace Academy (MAPA) Program on board the ship. This summer, she will work closely with Unique Waters of World Up’s after-school music program “WU School” at the Brooklyn Community Arts and Media High School. Together they will lead music and leadership-based activities to promote cross-cultural understanding and to collaborate on a musical soundtrack to MAPA this summer.
JQ reached out to Cordova recently to ask her more about how her experiences in Japan and the Peace Boat-JET connection has led to this sea change in global education.
Thanks for taking the time to share your story, Trixie! Where and when were you placed on JET? Was it your first time in Japan?
Sure thing! I was an elementary and JHS ALT in Gotsu, Shimane, from 2007-09. Shimane’s claim to fame is that it isn’t famous—check out their unofficial mascot, Yoshida-kun, as proof! It was definitely my first time to Japan—I never studied the language or the culture before setting foot in Tokyo for JET orientation.
What was perhaps the biggest misconception you had about Japan before your experience on JET?
I honestly didn’t have very many preconceived notions about Japan, especially given that my decision to do JET was primarily just focused on moving abroad ANYWHERE, not necessarily because of any romanticized ideas I had about Japanese culture. Having said that, I think the biggest misconception I had about Japan was probably that the entire country had access to high-end technology and modern homes. I quickly realized that while that might be true in places like Tokyo, that was definitely not the case in rural Japan.
How many other JETs were in your town or local area?
In Gotsu, there were three ALTs—two JHS’s (dividing up the 10 elementary schools and four JHS), and one HS. I believe there was also a CIR, but ours was from China, and never really participated in JET-related events from what I can recall.
Gotsu was about 20-25 minutes from Hamada, where even more JETs lived! So we’d often go to visit Hamada, especially for sushi Thursdays at Sushizou!
【RocketNews24】5 awesome Japanese ice creams that are perfect for summer
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Posted by Michelle Lynn Dinh (Shimane-ken, Chibu-mura, 2010–13), editor and writer for RocketNews24. The following article was written by Philip Kendall (Fukushima-ken, Shirakawa-shi, 2006–11), senior editor and writer for RocketNews24, a Japan-based site dedicated to bringing fun and quirky news from Asia to English speaking audiences.
It’s the middle of August, and while the days we’ve been having recently aren’t quite as face-meltingly hot as those a couple of weeks ago, it is nevertheless still pretty toasty out there. Thankfully, just like when suffering with a cold or sore throat, the summer heat does afford us one very tasty luxury: a genuine excuse to gorge on delicious ice cream!
If you’re feeling the heat this summer, or are just curious about some of Japan’s go-to ice cream treats, join us after the jump for a special video featuring five of our frozen favourites.
You can pick up the five ice creams featured in our video from pretty much any supermarket or convenience store in Japan, so you’re never too far away from epic refreshment and creamy luxury. We must warn you, though: watching this video may cause uncontrollable salivation and pangs of jealousy in those living outside Japan.
This is of course just the tip of the vanilla-flavoured iceberg – there are tons more ice cream treats out there to try, so be sure to share your own favourites in either the comments section below or over on our YouTube channel. Happy gorging!
【RocketNews24】Pics of Pikachu packs from a day of Pokémon hunting in Yokohama
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Posted by Michelle Lynn Dinh (Shimane-ken, Chibu-mura, 2010–13), editor and writer for RocketNews24. The following article was written by Casey Baseel, a writer and translator for RocketNews24, a Japan-based site dedicated to bringing fun and quirky news from Asia to English speaking audiences.
A few weeks ago, the handlers of the Pokémon franchise announced the Pikachu Tairyou Hassei Chu, or “An Outbreak of Pikachus” event. First they brightened our day with a TV ad showing the adorable Pocket Monsters hanging out in a shopping mall. Then they teased us with a photo of the electrified rodents landing on the dock.
And now, they’re here!
We grabbed our cameras and went Pikachu hunting in Yokohama, and we were not disappointed. We were, though, almost completely paralyzed by the awesome overdose of cuteness that comes from a parade of a pack of 20 Pikachus.
Check out all the cute Pikachu action in videos and pictures here!
Job: Japan Society of Northern California – Officer Manager (San Francisco)
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A nice JET-relevant listing. Thanks to Japan Society of Northern California Board Member Rochelle Kopp for passing this on.
Posted by blogger and podcaster Jon Dao (Toyama-ken, 2009-12). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Overview:
The Japan Society of Northern California is a public affairs 501(c) 3 non-profit with a mission to strengthen cooperation and understanding between the peoples of the United States and Japan through programs that expand knowledge, increase personal interaction and facilitate discussion of important issues.
The Office Manager will assist the Executive Director and the Board of Directors to achieve this mission by providing administrative and logistical support to facilitate smooth office and financial management. The Office Manager reports directly to the Executive Director.
This is a full-time position with a benefits package including full health and 401(k) plans. Salary is commensurate with experience and the nonprofit environment.
Job: Consulate General of Japan in NY – Bilingual Consular Position (NYC)
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Great JET-relevant opportunity, received directly from the Consulate. High level of Japanese required. (The position is listed in Japanese only.)
Posted by blogger and podcaster Jon Dao (Toyama-ken, 2009-12). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Overview:
The Consulate General of Japan in New York is hiring a full-time staff member for their Consular Division. You need to be bilingual in English and Japanese to apply for this position. Please see the link below for details. The information is available only in Japanese. English resumes are acceptable. The application deadline is August 22nd.
Job: e-Learning Content Technician – Language Research Development Group (Montreal)
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An opportunity for any JET alums looking to get into the e-learning sector. Shared by Mike Ellis (Fukui-ken JET, 2004-5) who works for the company.
Posted by blogger and podcaster Jon Dao (Toyama-ken, 2009-12). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Overview:
Our company here in Montreal, Canada, is looking for a Content Technician to work with online content for language learning software. This might be something of interest to ex- or returning JETs looking to gain experience in the e-learning sector so I’d be grateful if you could disseminate via the JETwit listserv.
We work with both French and English languages, so the candidate would at least be native speaker level of one and have a good grounding in the other.
Our main client is the Government of Canada, with our focus now turning to a B2C strategy.
Job: Media Relations Coordinator @ Chicago JIC
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Via Zachariah L. Simon
Posted by blogger and podcaster Jon Dao (Toyama-ken, 2009-12). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Overview:
Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Japan Information Center, monitors and analyzes newspapers, radio, TV and other public and private media in 10 Midwest states.
Research on media relations in 10 states including building a network of contacts for the JIC.
Ensure implementation of the JIC’s media strategy as it is related to media outreach, and promotion of priority issues and events, with a development focus.
Conduct a survey of media relations issues in 10 Midwest states. General office responsibilities, including Japan-related inquiries, correspondence, IT affairs (facebook, twitter, newsletter) and event coordination.
Job: Consular Staff (Detroit)
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Via Great Lakes JETAA FB group.
Posted by blogger and podcaster Jon Dao (Toyama-ken, 2009-12). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Overview:
The Consulate General of Japan in Detroit currently has a job opening for the position of “Consular staff. ” The main duty of the consular staff is handling the Consulate General’s services, but candidates will be required to perform other duties as assigned.
Thanks to JET alum Catherine Rackley, who works for DISCO International which produces these conferences around the US, for passing on the info about this job fair.
Posted by blogger and podcaster Jon Dao (Toyama-ken, 2009-12). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Overview:
We’re gearing up for the Los Angeles Career Forum, our only west coast event of 2014, and want to extend an open invitation to any former JETs interested in using their experience in Japan and Japanese language ability in their careers. Companies are hiring for positions in Japan and elsewhere, requiring varying degrees of Japanese proficiency.
Job: Japan Society – Language Center and Library Assistant – Part Time (NYC)
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Thanks again to our JET alum friends working at Japan Society for passing on yet another very JET-relevant listing.
Posted by blogger and podcaster Jon Dao (Toyama-ken, 2009-12). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Overview:
The Language Center and Library Assistant will perform daily operations related to the Center, and provide administrative support to the Director of the Language Center and Library.Duties include assisting with student registration and program administration, data-entry and database maintenance, answering inquiries, and assisting with special Language Center events, activities and projects. Training will be provided.
Job: Two positions with Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank (NYC)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Two positions with Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank (NYC)
Thanks to our JET alum friends who work at Japan Society for passing these listings on.
Posted by blogger and podcaster Jon Dao (Toyama-ken, 2009-12). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Planning & General Affairs Administration Administrator Overview:
Assist the management of Corporate Planning to design, coordinate, implement and monitor bank-wide projects. Assist in semi-annual bank-wide planning and budgeting & expense control. Prepare analytical reports to Tokyo in Japanese.
Assist to maintain the data related to the Bank’s Custodial and Securities Lending Business and to analyze the profitability and future prospects to develop the strategy. Assist in market research related to Custodial Business and in analysis of the gap between the Bank and Markets.
Job: Talent Agency seeks bilingual (J-E) talent for September 7-11 (Detroit)
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via Great Lakes JETAA
Posted by blogger and podcaster Jon Dao (Toyama-ken, 2009-12). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Overview:
Currently, we are staffing ITS World Congress 2014 for client, Tokyo International Planning, and are looking to hire a few talent to work. The deadline for hiring is Friday, August 8, so we are in a bit of a time crunch. The staff would be welcoming attendees to the booth, scheduling meetings for clients, scanning badges and creating in a smooth overall flow of the booth space.
Job: Embassy of Japan – Japan Information and Cultural Centre Staff (Wellington, NZ)
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A nice JET-relevant listing in New Zealand! Originally posted to JETAA Oceania FB group.
Posted by blogger and podcaster Jon Dao (Toyama-ken, 2009-12). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Overview:
The Embassy of Japan is seeking a highly motivated, team-oriented individual for a position in the Japan Information and Cultural Centre. JICC is the cultural section of the Embassy of Japan in New Zealand.
This position will be responsible for a wide range of general office administrative duties, including organising Japanese cultural events, as well as various exchange programmes conducted by the Japanese Government.
Job: Vimeo seeking English to Japanese Translators (3-month Contract)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Vimeo seeking English to Japanese Translators (3-month Contract)
Thanks to jet alum Sebastian Shimoichi for passing on this jet-relevant opportunity.
Posted by blogger and podcaster Jon Dao (Toyama-ken, 2009-12). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Overview:
Vimeo is currently looking to hire ENG to JPN translators on contract. Information is as follows:
This will be a short-term (3 months), 40-hours-a-week contract.
Job: Export & OEM Sales Coordinator (Reading, PA)
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Via Actus Consulting. If you apply, please indicate that you learned of the listing via JETwit.
Posted by blogger and podcaster Jon Dao (Toyama-ken, 2009-12). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Overview:
As the primary contact for our export and Japanese OEM accounts, this person will coordinate internal resources to successfully satisfy customer requests and inquiries. They are seeking an individual who is thorough and committed to getting the job done for the customer.
This role is very important to the company’s continued profitable growth.
