Memo to JET alums: Please mention JET in your bios and profiles!
Networking, Return on JET-vestment 
Comments Off on Memo to JET alums: Please mention JET in your bios and profiles!
I’ve come across a number of bios and profiles of established JET alums in recent months, usually on their company or organization’s website or on LinkedIn. And I’ve noticed many do not specifically mention JET.
They might say they worked or taught English in Aichi Prefecture or were an ALT in Osaka, but no mention of JET. I realize that specifically mentioning JET is not appropriate in every bio and profile. But if your work relates to Japan or to education (and in many cases even if it doesn’t), I want to suggest that it would be a beneficial to us as a community and to the JET Program as well to make a point of mentioning JET.
In addition to the fact that the JET Program enjoys an excellent reputation, it’s also important to let the world know that we’re out there. It’s kind of like that “Canadians: They walk among us” bit from the movie Canadian Bacon. There are JETs everywhere, but you may not always be aware of it.
The more we’re aware of how many of us are out there and where we are, the stronger the community and the network becomes, the greater the positive visibility for JET and the more likelihood that the JET Program and JET alumni community continue to play a unique and positive role for Japan in the future.
Just one more small thing you can do to help improve Return On JET-vestment (aka JET ROI).
Update 6/16/11: Jennifer Jakubowski of cross-cultural consulting firm Bridges To Japan got in touch to say that after seeing this post she updated her profile to mention the JET Program.
Update 6/15/11: Good example – JETwit and JETAANY Webmaster Lee-Sean Huang (Oita-ken, 2003-06) makes a point of mentioning the JET Program in his bio for Purpose.com.
National AJET’s Life After JET: David Leung
Uncategorized Comments Off on National AJET’s Life After JET: David Leung
National AJET
shares former JET participants’ experiences – and a little advice – with current JETs in their new monthly interview, Life After JET. Contact lifeafterjet [at] ajet.net to be featured in future posts.
*************
David Leung (Nagasaki, 2009-2010) walked us through his decision to leave JET and eventually finding his way to his current position as Graduate Policy Officer for the State Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology back in Australia.
NAJET: When in the JET-year did you decide not to re-contract?
David: It was the toughest decision to make, whether or not to recontract. It is usually the worst time of the year for most JETs to carry such a heavy burden, either having just settled in, or in the most serious bouts of wintery homesickness.
For me, from the very beginning, it was always an open option to stay for as long as I could enjoy the experience and be of use to my local community on Fukue Island. The main reason I was still debating at the 11th hour wasn’t because I didn’t enjoy my work (I loved my schools, my Japanese colleagues and the kids), my social life (I had the closest network of JET teachers, who will remain some of my closest friends for the rest of my life, and was a member of the warmest Taiko Team you could imagine) or the environment (fresh local produce and delicious Goto udon that you must try, the friendliest neighbours, and the most gorgeous tropical island with beaches). It was the fact that I left the love of my life back home in Australia. When it came down to it, choosing to stay would be choosing a life for me, and choosing not to recontract meant choosing a life together with my partner.
NAJET: What’s important for JETs to do once they decide not to re-contract?
David: The two toughest things to do is to keep up the energy and try to pack in as much experience as you can in the time left. I found that I subconsciously began to distance myself from all aspects of life, I guess as a defence mechanism against the inevitable pain of leaving a year’s worth of relationships, work and stories.
Make a list of things that you want to do, either mentally or written down. This list doesn’t just include experiences that you can only do in Japan or your local community, but also making the time to say proper goodbyes with people that have become close to you over the past year(s) you may not see ever again. As time to go draws near, time speeds up; your mind will wander to the future, leaving less time and space for the present – having the list helps you keep focused and in the here and now.
Make the effort to say goodbye to your school(s) and exchange contact details with those nearest and dearest to you. You never know with whom you will want to stay in touch during a lonely moment after a few months of being back at home.
Don’t underestimate the amount of luggage you will want to bring home, and be prepared for bulky and impractical (but wonderfully sentimental and treasured) goodbye gifts from people you’d least expect.
NAJET: How did you get started on your job search when you returned home?
David: As soon as I decided to return home, I started my job search online via the numerous jobseeker support websites here in Australia. I had plenty of conversation with my partner, my family and my friends, all of whom were splendid sources of support and advice.
I had a pretty clear idea of where I wanted to be – education policy. Having worked in rural Japan, I saw areas of improvement in local government policy and funding decisions first-hand, yet could do nothing about it at the teaching level.
Click here for the rest of the interview.
Japan Times article on Iwate CIR Amanda Krips
Earthquake Tsunami, Japan Local, JETs in the News, Notable JET Alums, Return on JET-vestment, Translating/Interpreting Comments Off on Japan Times article on Iwate CIR Amanda Krips
********
Thanks to Fukui JET Mike Maher-King for forwarding on this Japan Times article about Iwate CIR Amanda Krips.
JET coordinator finds Iwate spirit contagious
MORIOKA, Iwate Pref. — Iwate Prefecture’s coast suffered some of the most severe damage in the March 11 quake and towering tsunami, where more than 4,500 people have been confirmed killed and 2,700 are still missing.
But only about two hours by car inland, Morioka, the prefecture’s capital, was barely damaged by the 9-magnitude temblor. Residents only had to deal with a two-day power outage and a gas and supply shortage that lasted a few weeks, according to Amanda Krips, 24, an American who works for the prefectural government.
“Sometimes it makes it difficult to believe there is a total destruction only two hours away,” said Krips, who is on the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program and serves as coordinator of international relations for the prefecture.
Iwate has one of the fewest numbers of JETs. In addition to three coordinators, including Krips, there were 21 assistant language teachers this year. But the tsunami took the life of one of them, Monty Dickson. The 26-year-old from Alaska perished in Rikuzentakata where he taught English to elementary and junior high school students.
As the prefectural advisor for JETs in Iwate, Krips contacted her colleagues soon after the earthquake. Although she had phone numbers and email addresses, checking updates on Facebook was the fastest way to confirm their condition, she said. “Even if they didn’t have access (to the Internet) they could call their parents who would post on the wall.”
In about four days, a worried Krips was able to confirm the safety of all the JETs except Dickson. “He became the only person who we haven’t heard from. So after about a week I figured that it’s probably not going to be good news,” she said. Dickson’s body was found about a month later.
“It was difficult to know that someone I had known in person had died,” Krips said.
She went with her supervisor to Rikuzentakata for the first time when Dickson was found. “That was the first time I saw what happened, the extent of the tragedy. About 6 km from the coast I started to see debris on the riverside. You get into Rikuzentakata and nothing’s there. Basically destroyed. That was really hard to see,” she said.
Dealing with what happened and the radiation scare has been difficult and stressful to many, but Krips said the JETs didn’t panic and reacted in a reasonable manner. A few returned to their home countries for spring break but are back and teaching at their assigned schools, she said.
Many will finish their contract in August and new replacements will arrive. “The situation is fine here; there’s nothing to worry about. We’ll try our best to assure them that they are safe,” said Krips, who has another year in Iwate.
Having spent a year in Kyoto as a college student, Krips, originally from New Jersey, said that although Kyoto was a magical time, she likes Morioka much better, even after the quake.
“People here take a little bit longer to get past their shyness (than people in the Kansai region), but they are nice and genuine, and they’re pretty strong people. That’s what made living here so wonderful.”
Krips observed that people have been stoic about the tragedy. “I haven’t seen anyone curse nature. It happened, so we have to deal with it. I haven’t talked with very many people, but I think a lot of them have the purpose of rebuilding now.
“Everybody is working hard. They have smiles and they don’t complain or anything,” she said.
Krips has done a lot of translation of incoming letters of condolence from other countries sent directly to the prefecture. “I don’t think I can do very much for the reconstruction, but anything I can do to help relations between Iwate and people from other countries that might want to help, I’ll do my best with that,” she said.
JET Alum Launches Cross-Cultural Business Consulting and Training Service
Cultural Outreach, Notable JET Alums, Return on JET-vestment, Translating/Interpreting, Writers Comments Off on JET Alum Launches Cross-Cultural Business Consulting and Training Service
**********
Jennifer Jakubowski (Hokkaido, 1995-97), founder of Bridges To Japan
JET alum Jennifer Jakubowski (Hokkaido, 1995-97) has launched Bridges To Japan, a cross-cultural business consulting and training firm.
Jennifer has been engaged in Japanese-American cross-cultural business consulting and training for a number of years, including work for the Nagano Winter Olympic Committee and cross-cultural training for numerous Japanese and American executives. She is also the author of Executive Guide to Japan: The ABCs of Japanese Culture & Business Etiquette.
For more information:
- Bridges to Japan website: www.bridgestojapan.com
- Jennifer Jakubowski bio
Justin’s Japan: Japan Society Bids Sayonara to Donald Keene
Article/Journalism, Events, Justin's Japan Comments Off on Justin’s Japan: Japan Society Bids Sayonara to Donald Keene
Columbia University Professor Emeritus Donald Keene, left, will talk with Carol Gluck at Japan Society's Farewell Evening with Donald Keene June 13. (Courtesy of Japan Society)
By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his page here for related stories.
This evening (June 13), New York’s Japan Society adds another page to its storied history by hosting the Farewell Evening with Donald Keene, a final talk with Columbia University’s Professor Emeritus and Shincho Professor Emeritus of Japanese Literature.
A scholar, author and translator for over 50 years, Keene is a paragon in the field of Japanese studies. As the translator of legendary works from Mishima, Chikamatsu and Bashō and the writer of dozens of books in his own name (some written in Japanese), Keene’s achievements in bringing the island nation’s culture closer to the West are incalculable.
Upon his decision to retire this spring and become a Japanese citizen, the indefatigable Keene—who turned 89 last week—will speak at Japan Society about his appreciation for Japan, its literature and culture, his recollections of the past, and his hopes for the future as he discusses what motivated him to move permanently to Japan in light of the recent tsunami and earthquake. Moderated by his Columbia University colleague (and fellow celebrated Japanologist) Carol Gluck, the evening will be full of memories.
Job: Secretary, Reservation Staff at Japanese Travel Agency (NY)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Secretary, Reservation Staff at Japanese Travel Agency (NY)
Via JETAA NY. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London as is currently looking for new work opportunities related to Japan, translation, or other fields. She is also the former vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.
*Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.
———————————————————————————————————————————-
Job Position: Secretary, Reservation Staff at Japanese Travel agency (Amnet New York, Inc.)
Job Details:
Japanese travel agency, Amnet New York, Inc. is seeking a secretary for a president and travel reservation staffs.
Read More
JQ Magazine: JQ&A with Masahiro Kozuma of the Japanese Children’s Society
Article/Journalism, Interview/Profile, JQ Magazine Comments Off on JQ Magazine: JQ&A with Masahiro Kozuma of the Japanese Children’s Society
Mr. Masahiro Kozuma of the Japanese Children’s Society, right, with Mr. Fusaki Fujita of Marsh USA.
By Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03) for JQ magazine. Stacy is a professional writer/interpreter/translator. She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observation in the periodic series WITLife.
At a gathering of the Battenkai, or Kyushu-ite group here in New York City, I had the pleasure of sharing a mirthful moment with Mr. Masahiro Kozuma. We were taking part in “laughter yoga” with the guest teacher at the event, who paired us up as partners with the task of performing a laughing exercise together. As we had just met this could have been a somewhat awkward activity to have to engage in, but thanks to Mr. Kozuma’s willingness I was able to ease into simulated laughter until it became real and I enjoyed the moment.
Later in the evening we continued our non-verbal communication with an actual conversation, where I learned that Mr. Kozuma serves as Director of the Japanese Children’s Society or New York Ikuei Gakuen (育英学園). This NPO established in 1979 provides Japanese education to youngsters with the motto of “Carefree Learning, Nurturing of Self-Training Children.” I had the chance to talk further with Mr. Kozuma about his background and that of his school.
What brought you to Battenkai?
I decided to join as I am from an area of Fukuoka Prefecture called Chikuhou. Fukuoka is blessed with beautiful nature like the mountains and the sea, and the Chikuhou region is known for coal mining. My childhood memories are of playing all the time on the huge heaps of coal waste that could be found around where I lived.
What was your path to the States?
While in Japan I got my master’s in Special Education, and I decided to come to here for further study in this field. In Japan the extent of my work experience was a part-time job at a fish store during university, but my first job here in the States was being an elementary school teacher at Japanese (supplemental study) school. I was also a counselor at their summer camp.
And now you work as director of Ikuei Gakuen, which has several schools throughout the New York area. Can you tell us a little about your system of education?
As director, I am in charge of all the schools which include the main Manhattan one, one in Port Washington, Long Island and the New Jersey campus where my office is located. Our curriculum is based on the standards set by the Ministry of Education in Japan, but it is bilingual learning as we have daily English classes. The subjects we cover are Japanese, English, math, science, social studies, music, arts and crafts, calligraphy and physical education. We also have special seasonal events like Field Day and school festivals. On the East Coast, we are the only full-time, integrated Japanese school for children ages 3 to 12.
In terms of supplemental study, we have Saturday and Sunday school as well for students who might attend regular school during the week, but still want to keep up with their Japanese education. We also do homeschooling for those who are unable to make the weekend classes.
Do you have to be Japanese to attend Ikuei Gakuen, or is it open to anyone? What is the procedure for getting in?
It is not limited to Japanese people, but the fact that classes are conducted in Japanese means that your language skills must be up to a certain level. We do have some students who are not from Japan, but who have one parent who is Japanese, etc. For all applicants we carry out screenings and a test, and provided they can pass and have developmental skills appropriate for their age they will be accepted. In circumstances where special individual treatment is necessary such as with learning disorders, we consider those on a case by case basis. Our school’s purpose is not preparing students for college entrance exams, as some might think.
WIT Life #171: Radiation fallout (both literal and emotional)
Translating/Interpreting, Uncategorized, WIT Life, Writers Comments Off on WIT Life #171: Radiation fallout (both literal and emotional)
WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.
As more information comes out regarding the lack of disclosure as well as intentional cover-up that took place regarding Japan’s nuclear crisis, people are becoming more and more empowered. This article from Sunday’s New York Times details how citizens have begun protesting, a relatively rare action in Japan. This longer article from this morning’s NYT discusses how little PM Kan knew about what was actually happening.
Media reporting on this issue tends to be either sensational or opaque, so I really value the “on the ground” reports I periodically receive from friends in Tokyo. Here’s an excerpt from a recent mail (long but worth reading) from a close friend describing the continually changing information being provided to them, as well as her thoughts regarding the situation going forward. It provides a backdrop that illuminates why the normally docile Japanese have been taking to the streets:
“Here life is slowly returning to “normal,” but still lots of worries about the radiation affecting Tokyo and outlying areas. There are new setbacks to the nuclear plant situation each day and we wonder Read More
Essay: JET alum volunteers for Tsunami Relief in Northeastern Japan
Earthquake Tsunami, Volunteer, Writers Comments Off on Essay: JET alum volunteers for Tsunami Relief in Northeastern Japan
Posted by JET alum Mark Flanigan to the JETwit Facebook wall:
Hello from Tokyo! I wrote this article (see pages 14-15) for the Japan Commerce Association of Washington, DC. I focused on my recent volunteer experiences as a former JET (Nagasaki 2000-04) working on Tsunami Relief in Northeastern Japan. Please consider sharing this article with your JET friends and colleagues!
http://jcaw.org/main/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/NewsLetter_0611_secured_revised.pdf
JETAA NY joint event with Kyushu association
Cultural Outreach, Events, Japan Local, JETAA Chapters, Networking, Return on JET-vestment Comments Off on JETAA NY joint event with Kyushu association
Last night JETAA New York joined with New York Battenkai, a New York-based association for Japanese ex-pats from Kyushu, for a unique happy hour at Nightengales (2nd Ave & 13th St) and another example of JETAA chapters supporting prefecture and local government efforts. (Translation Note: “Batten,” it was explained, is connecting phrase unique to Kyushu dialect.)
As New York is home to many other similar prefecture associations, perhaps this could end up serving as a model for future JETAA Chapter-Prefectural Association events.
Job: College Board – Director, International Initiatives & Implementation (NYC)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: College Board – Director, International Initiatives & Implementation (NYC)
Via Idealist.org. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London as is currently looking for new work opportunities related to Japan, translation, or other fields. She is also the former vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.
*Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.
———————————————————————————————————————————-
Job Position:
Director, International Initiatives & Implementation
Posted by: The College Board
Location: New York, New York, United States
http://www.idealist.org/view/job/SsfnmwDssM3p/
Via JET alum Jessica Cork of the Japanese Consulate in Atlanta. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London as is currently looking for new work opportunities related to Japan, translation, or other fields. She is also the former vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.
*Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.
———————————————————————————————————————————-
Job Position: Seeking volunteers for JapanFest (Georgia)
Job Details:
The Japan-America Society of Georgia, The Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia, and the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta are seeking volunteers for JapanFest Weekend, an Atlanta-based festival celebrating Japanese culture. JapanFest Weekend will be held on September 17 and 18, 2011, at Gwinnett Center in Duluth, GA from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday and 10 am to 5 pm on Sunday.
JapanFest will feature taiko drum concerts and dance performances, martial arts demonstrations, cultural workshops including tea ceremony, kimono, and calligraphy, children’s games, Japanese food & beer garden, bonsai trees, and contemporary and traditional music.
More than 18,000 visitors attend JapanFest annually. Approximately 300 volunteers help in several areas including ticketing, arranging children’s activities, and safety. Volunteers receive a JapanFest T-shirt and free access to the festival.
How to Apply:
To sign up, visit www.japanfest.org or contact Jessica Cork at cork@cgjapanatlanta.org or 404-926-3020. You must be over 18 years of age to volunteer.
Job: Ayusa Study Abroad On-Site Coordinator (OSC): 2011 Japan Summer Exploration Program
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Ayusa Study Abroad On-Site Coordinator (OSC): 2011 Japan Summer Exploration Program
Via JETAANC. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London as is currently looking for new work opportunities related to Japan, translation, or other fields. She is also the former vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.
*Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.
———————————————————————————————————————————-
Job Position: Ayusa Study Abroad On-Site Coordinator (OSC), 2011 Japan Summer Exploration Program
Job Details:
To co-coordinate a study abroad program for up to 25 U.S. & Canadian high school students in Tokyo with excursions to Kamakura, Kyoto and areas around Tokyo. The On-Site Coordinator must be conversational in Japanese and English. The OSC will work closely with our in-country Japanese staff in program execution.
He/She will assist with the planning, implementation and execution of the AYUSA Study Abroad summer program including, but not limited to, student support and pastoral care, the coordination of extra curricular activities on a regular basis for the duration of the program, providing emergency support and crisis management, representing Ayusa to the students as well as the local on-site staff.
New LinkedIn group: JET Alum IT/Tech/Science
Career, Networking Comments Off on New LinkedIn group: JET Alum IT/Tech/Science
There’s now a new LinkedIn group called JET Alum IT/Tech/Science for JET alums, current JETs and Friends of JET who are working in, interested in or have some sort of connection to IT, tech, science, engineering, medical fields, etc.
Here’s the link: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=3949084&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr
And a reminder to go to JET Alum Groups on the JETwit site for a list of all professional/career oriented LinkedIn and other groups for JETs.
Embassy of Japan in the UK (June 2011)
Cultural Outreach, Events Comments Off on Embassy of Japan in the UK (June 2011)
Embassy of Japan in the UK Webmagazine round-up via Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London as is currently looking for new work opportunities related to Japan, translation, or other fields. She is also the former vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.
——————————————————————————————————————————–
Featured Article:
Ambassador Hayashi honoured by Diplomat magazine
Other articles this month:
Episodes from a Life in Theatre: An audience with Simon McBurney
Japanese Enamels: The Seven Treasures, Cloisonne from the V&A
Restored: A Quiet Corner of Japan in Liverpool
Saburo Teshigawara / KARAS Mirror and Music UK PREMIERE
Works relating to the Tohoku region on display at the British Museum
Spotlight On… Minister Hiroshi Noda
28th Annual Meeting of the UK-Japan 21st Century Group
Japanese Red Cross Society – Operations Update: 3 – 23 May 2011
Subscribe:
To subscribe to the Embassy of Japan in the UK webmagazine, please email webmagazine@ld.mofa.go.jp with the subject ‘subscribe’.
