JapanInfo e-Newsletter October 2009
JETAA Chapters, Uncategorized 
Comments Off on JapanInfo e-Newsletter October 2009
The October 2009 edition of JapanInfo is now available online. JapanInfo is published by the Consulate General of Japan in New York/Japan Information Center and is a great source of info for Japan-related things going on in New York and the surrounding area.
Shannan, Stacy, Liz & Steven at the Welcome Back Reception
Highlights include:
- Welcome Back for Former JET Program Participants
- Ambassador Nishimiya Visits Philladelphia
- “Art of the Samurai” Opens at the Met
- From the Ambassador’s Desk
- And plenty of things to do and see on the Events Calendar.
Read below for the write-up of the Welcome Back Reception.
On October 17, a welcome back reception hosted by the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) and the Consulate General of Japan was held for Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET) participants at the Nippon Club. The JET participants recently returned from Japan after completing their stints as Assistant Language Teachers (ALT) or Coordinators for International Relations (CIR) in various locations throughout Japan.
Ambassador Shinichi Nishimiya expressed his sincere appreciation to the former JETs, thanking them for their accomplishments in the program and wishing them all best of luck and much success in their new lives back in New York. He told them, “I hope each and every one of you will cherish the memories of your days on JET. But Japan needn’t become just a memory. My hope is that no matter where life takes you, you will remain an ambassador for the program and an ambassador for the Japan-U.S. relationship. It is, after all, our strong tradition of people-to-people diplomacy that has allowed our friendship to thrive on both sides of the Pacific.” Ms. Megan Miller, President of the JET Alumni Association (JETAA) of New York, introduced the 20 recently returned JETs and encouraged them to actively join JETAA. Finally, Mr. Hiroshi Sasaki, executive director of CLAIR New York, provided warm remarks as well.
Launched in 1987, the JET program is aimed at building international understanding at the grassroots level, fostering cross-cultural awareness and developing Japanese students’ practical language skills. The JET program has grown significantly; starting with only 848 participants in 1987, today approximately 50,000 young people from around the globe have worked in Japan as part of the program — more than half Americans. In 2009, nationwide, over 850 people were selected to take part.
Even after returning home, JET participants continue to play a significant role building bridges between the U.S. and Japan in their own communities. JETAA of New York is actively fostering a vibrant community of former JETs and helping them remain close to their local Japanese communities. Before the reception, JETAA also organized a career forum for former participants that provided guidance for their post-JET careers through workshops on resume writing, networking and interviewing.
(For more information on JETAANY, please visit: http://jetaany.org/)
Comments are closed.