The future of education and the future of JET
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I just came across this RSAnimate video about a progressive way to think about education in an era where we really don’t know what’s coming next, and the main skills people will need are the ability to see lots of possibilities and be prepared to adapt and evolve. It seems particularly relevant as more attention is paid to what the future of JET will look like.
Most of you have probably seen these two things going around on Facebook and elsewhere. But just in case you haven’t….
1. The 101 Signs You’ve Been in Japan Too Long
2. ALT in Japan
JET Alum Lee-Sean Huang’s article in Fast Co.Exist on social innovation in Brazil
Academic, Article/Journalism, Career, Notable JET Alums Comments Off on JET Alum Lee-Sean Huang’s article in Fast Co.Exist on social innovation in Brazil
JET alum and JETwit webmaster Lee-Sean Huang (Oita-ken, Nakatsu-shi, 2003-2006) has published a new article about Social Innovation in Brazil. Lee-Sean is a member of JETAA New York, but is currently working in Brazil for a few months. He credits his JET experience as an invaluable resource for his current field of design for social innovation, where he works with cross-cultural communities to create social, cultural, and civic value.
Here is a preview of the article:
Brazil is known for its supermodels, but what about its social innovation models? Besides the economic boom, the country is finding a new groove in the field of digital collaboration and activism.
Last year, I moved from New York to Rio de Janeiro, where Purpose has opened its first overseas office. I have met with local innovators and interacted with all kinds of people on the streets, at the beach, and in botequins (informal bars). These experiences have all enriched my work in social innovation. Besides stimulating my creativity, immersion in a different culture and working in a foreign language have heightened my sense of mindfulness and empathy, reminded me of the virtue of humility, and taught me a few things about what it means to innovate.
Read the rest of the article at Fast Co.Exist.
How has your JET experience helped open doors to other cultures (besides your home culture and Japanese culture)? Are there any other JET alumni out there living in Brazil? Any other JET alumni working in the field of social innovation? Drop us a line in the comments, we would love to hear from you.
Relief effort photos
Earthquake Tsunami Comments Off on Relief effort photos
Thanks to JETAA Chicago’s Shannon Copp (Shiga-ken) for sharing the link to these photos from The Daily Mail indicating the amazing extent of Japan’s clean-up and rebuilding efforts following the 3/11 disaster.
The Best Prefectures: By JET Alum LinkedIn Groups – Update 02.09.12
Japan Local, Local Government, Networking, Return on JET-vestment Comments Off on The Best Prefectures: By JET Alum LinkedIn Groups – Update 02.09.12
You may recall last year (02.21.11 to be exact), JETwit revealed the “Best Prefectures” based on how many members each LinkedIn JET Alum prefecture group had. With a little help from JETwit’s friends, we’ve updated the numbers, and they now total 787 total members.
Shimane-ken continues to kick prefectural oshiri in a big way. Not sure what’s holding back JET and JET alums from other prefectures. But all you have to do to join your prefecture LinkedIn group is to click here and find your prefecture. A great way to not only stay connected with your community, but also to provide Return On JET-vestment at the local level. (Click here for more explanation about why this helps “save” JET. And click here for a list of JET alum LinkedIn groups by profession.)
The Top JET LinkedIn Prefecture Groups
(last year’s numbers in parentheses)
1. Shimane – 69 (44)
2. Fukushima JET Alumni – 38 (14)
2. Hokkaido – 38 (16)
4. Fukui JET Alumni – 32 (11)
4. Hyogo JET Alumni – 32 (12)
4. Niigata JET Alumni – 32 (16)
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Overall Ranking of JET Alum LinkedIn Groups by Prefecture
(in alphabetical order; last year’s numbers in parentheses) Read More
New England JET alums help Japan Society of Boston welcome Bobby Valentine to Fenway Park
Cultural Outreach, JETAA Chapters Comments Off on New England JET alums help Japan Society of Boston welcome Bobby Valentine to Fenway Park
New England JETAA’s Jason Currier (Fukui-ken, 2007-09) recently attended the Japan Society of Boston’s welcome reception for Bobby Valentine at Fenway Park and was kind enough to write a little something for JETwit about the experience:
A few things I learned about new Boston Red Sox (and former Lotte Marines) manager Bobby Valentine last week at a Japan Society of Boston reception welcoming him to Boston:
- He had a shrine built in his honor called Bobby Jinja.
- He prefers the Olympics over the World Baseball Classic as the international venue for baseball, but believes it should be played in a dome during the Winter Olympics, so it won’t conflict with the baseball season.
- He wants Japanese-style baseball fight songs to catch on in Boston. Read More
Kameoka Diaries #5 by Lars Martinson
Cartoon/Illustration, Celebrity, Humor, Notable JET Alums, Writers Comments Off on Kameoka Diaries #5 by Lars Martinson
Lars Martinson (Fukuoka-ken 2003-2006), author of the graphic novels Tonoharu: Part Two andTonoharu: Part 1, has just just published the latest edition of his new cartoon series called“Kameoka Diaries“ about his return to teaching English, this time in Kameoka, Kyoto.
Click here to read the Kameoka Diaries #5.
http://larsmartinson.com/kameoka-diaries-5/
Job: Part-time assistant at Fujisankei Communications (Los Angeles)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Part-time assistant at Fujisankei Communications (Los Angeles)
Thanks to Dan DiGregorio (Shimane-ken, 2009-11) who works for Fujisankei Communications in LA for sharing this job listing.
(If you apply, please make sure to indicate you learned of the listing via JETwit.)
Fujisankei Communications International (FCI) seeks a part-time assistant to the general manager. Duties include office managing and translating (mostly from Japanese to English). Ideal candidate is fluent in both English and Japanese, and has no trouble writing a business letter/document in English. Experience in a Japanese work environment is a plus. Typical hours are 9:30 am to 1:30 pm, Monday through Friday. This is a part-time position (4 hours/day, 5 days/week); $12~$14/hr (based on experience). We are looking for long term, responsible candidates.
This position is located in Century City, Los Angeles. Local candidates only.
Candidates must be able to legally work in the U.S.
Please send resume and cover sheet to admin@fci-la.com. No calls, please.
Miyagi AJET to host Feb 17 “Cultures United” event to promote multiculturalism in Miyagi
AJET, Cultural Outreach, Earthquake Tsunami, Events, Japan Local, Return on JET-vestment Comments Off on Miyagi AJET to host Feb 17 “Cultures United” event to promote multiculturalism in Miyagi
Thanks to Andy Anderson for sharing this information originally sent by Miyagi AJET Co-President Cameron Peek regarding an upcoming Miyagi AJET event:
“On February 17th we will be holding “Cultures United,” an event promoting multiculturalism in Miyagi, and advertising the efforts of foreign members of the community towards helping rebuild after the earthquake. JET participants are going to be a big focus of the event, and about 10-11 JETs are going to be assisting, putting on booths about their activities in the prefecture. We are also planning on having a display about Taylor Anderson, telling her story.”
Notably, the event will feature JET alum Maynard Plant’s (Aomori-ken, 1997-2000) hit band Monkey Majik.
Note: Because the event is intended for Japanese residents, all information produced for the event is in Japanese only.
Why Japan does not celebrate the Lunar New Year to the extent of its Asian neighbors
By Jessica Kennett Cork (CIR, 1997-2000, Hiroshima-ken)
With the large number of Asians in the U.S., it was hard to overlook the fact that the Year of the Dragon by the lunar calendar began on January 23. But had we been in Japan, January 23 would have passed quite uneventfully. Have you ever wondered why Japan does not recognize the lunar New Year to the extent of its Asian neighbors? And as we approach the Doll Festival (Hina Matsuri), has it ever struck you as odd that this festival is also called the Peach Festival, and yet March 3 is way too early for peach blossoms? The explanation is actually quite fascinating. Read More
JET help needed to secure music grants for Iwate, Fukushima & Miyagi
Earthquake Tsunami, Fundraising Comments Off on JET help needed to secure music grants for Iwate, Fukushima & Miyagi
Via the JETAA USA website:
JET help needed to secure music grants for Iwate, Fukushima & Miyagi
Margarita Rozenbaoum of Relief International (an international humanitarian nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles) is reaching out the JET alum and JET community to secure music grants for schools in Iwate, Fukushima and Miyagi-ken. This project, called Jam for Japan aims to give scholarships/ grants of $5000 USD to several Japanese schools in the affected prefectures.
Relief International has to date received a very low number of grant applications for this project and the deadline is fast approaching. They are looking to JET alums and current JETs to help identify the schools in need and facilitate connections between then two. The scholarships/ grants are focused on elementary school, junior high and high school levels as well as individual musicians in Iwate, Fukushima and Miyagi. The damage from the earthquake and tsunami does not need to be severe for a school to qualify for the grant.
Interested schools/ individuals must submit the grant application by February 29, 2012. It is available in both English and Japanese:
Hope for Tomorrow launches English language website
Earthquake Tsunami, Fundraising, Return on JET-vestment Comments Off on Hope for Tomorrow launches English language website
Hope for Tomorrow, a JETAA USA Fund grant recipient, just launched the English language version of its website: http://hope-tomorrow.jp/index-e.html
Hope for Tomorrow has provided subsidies to cover travel and other exam-related costs for a 70 students from Takata High School in Rikuzentakata and is funding 244 students from 5 schools for this year’s exams.
Click here for more JETwit posts about Hope for Tomorrow.
JETwit site re-design: How can you help?
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We’re thinking through a re-design of the JETwit site, and we want your help.
How could the site be better organized? What would make it easier or more useful for you? What would be the ideal layout or set-up?
The goal is to update JETwit so that it is as helpful to the JET and JET alumni community as possible (within reason. :-)
Any and all feedback is welcome. E-mail Steven at jetwit [at] jetwit.com.
Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!
JETAA USA Fund Update 02.04.12
Earthquake Tsunami, Fundraising, Return on JET-vestment Comments Off on JETAA USA Fund Update 02.04.12
Thanks to Jim Gannon for passing on the following update about the JETAA USA Fund:
The JETAA USA donation of $26,700 to Hope for Tomorrow has apparently been extremely effective, allowing Hope for Tomorrow to provide subsidies to cover travel and other exam-related costs for a full 70 students from Takata High School in Rikuzentakata. Altogether, Hope for Tomorrow is funding 244 students from 5 schools for this year’s exams .
Separate from the JETAA funds, they have selected 2 students from Takata High School (and 2 from elsewhere) to take part in a March homestay at the Harvey School in Westchester NY, courtesy of a donation from the Harvey School. In preparation for this, they have arranged online English tutoring for the students and also provided computers to the schools for this purpose.
Click here for more JETwit information and background about Hope for Tomorrow.
Click here for a summary of the JETAA USA Fund disbursements and recipients.
JET alum Rob Cornilles loses election for Congressional seat in Oregon
JETs in the News Comments Off on JET alum Rob Cornilles loses election for Congressional seat in Oregon
We came close, but JET alum Rob Cornilles has lost the special election in Oregon’s 1st district to Suzanne Bonamici. The election was necessary after previous Congressman Democrate David Wu had to resign last year due to allegations of sexual impropriety. Cornilles also made a good showing but lost to Wu in the last election.
Ganbatte Rob!
