navigating nihon
| Indian Curry
|
7.30.2004 |
Ok, so I have been meaning to post this picture for ages. I'm sorry it's a bit dark but if you take a close look you will see that it is indeed, 'Indian' Curry! Someone forgot to consult Webster on this one.
emma found her way @ 8:15 a.m. | 0 comments
Wow, what an experience.
I have just returned from the JET Tokyo orientation for new JETs, were I was a Tokyo Orientation Assistant (TOA). It was a complete blast.
Every year about 3000 new JETs arrive in Japan to take part in the JET programme. the Japanese government puts on quite the welcome - with everyone saying at the very swanky Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku, in the heart of Tokyo. The new participants arrive in Tokyo in 3 groups, I was a TOA for the first group of 1800! The orientation - which lasts 3 days - helps to prepare new JETs for life in Japan and at school. there are numerous lectures and workshops, as well as social events.
I gave 2 workshops: Travel While on JET and Thriving as a Rural Jet. I gave both presentations with Allan, a fellow JET in Okinawa. I think that both presentations were well received and I hope that the new JETs benefited from our insight. I had a great time presenting with Allan, it was a great chance to practice my public speaking - something that as a rule, I detest! I can happily say that it was a really positive experience for me. It was also great meeting so many other 2nd and 3rd year JETs during the planning meetings.
There are also welcome events held at the various embassies around Tokyo. I attended the Canadian welcome which was quite nice - though it came across as a bit of a sales pitch......'Canada is a great place to study English because....' nonetheless, it was nice to have some good old Canadian beer, and schmooze with the embassy staff.
In addition to my workshop duties, I was also in charged of briefing/meeting all the new JETs and bringing them back to beautiful Ehime. On one of the evenings I took all the newbies out to a funky Le' Aladdin restaurant in Shinjuku (I know, I know it's not Japanese but there is plenty of Japanese food in Ehime!). It was a nice chance for everyone to get acquainted. Unfortunately, I had other TOA duties back at the hotel so it was an early night for me. Rumour has it that some were out until dawn :)
I must admit that part of the reason that I applied to be a TOA was to stay in a nice hotel and 2 free trips to Tokyo - in addition to leadership experience (read: resume).... but it was such a great experience to meet so many neat, like-minded and motivated TOAs! There was a fun atmosphere amongst all participants - an ideal welcome to Japan for all the newbies! I was glad to have been a part of it!
emma found her way @ 9:54 a.m. | 0 comments
I have just returned from the JET Tokyo orientation for new JETs, were I was a Tokyo Orientation Assistant (TOA). It was a complete blast.
Every year about 3000 new JETs arrive in Japan to take part in the JET programme. the Japanese government puts on quite the welcome - with everyone saying at the very swanky Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku, in the heart of Tokyo. The new participants arrive in Tokyo in 3 groups, I was a TOA for the first group of 1800! The orientation - which lasts 3 days - helps to prepare new JETs for life in Japan and at school. there are numerous lectures and workshops, as well as social events.
I gave 2 workshops: Travel While on JET and Thriving as a Rural Jet. I gave both presentations with Allan, a fellow JET in Okinawa. I think that both presentations were well received and I hope that the new JETs benefited from our insight. I had a great time presenting with Allan, it was a great chance to practice my public speaking - something that as a rule, I detest! I can happily say that it was a really positive experience for me. It was also great meeting so many other 2nd and 3rd year JETs during the planning meetings.
There are also welcome events held at the various embassies around Tokyo. I attended the Canadian welcome which was quite nice - though it came across as a bit of a sales pitch......'Canada is a great place to study English because....' nonetheless, it was nice to have some good old Canadian beer, and schmooze with the embassy staff.
In addition to my workshop duties, I was also in charged of briefing/meeting all the new JETs and bringing them back to beautiful Ehime. On one of the evenings I took all the newbies out to a funky Le' Aladdin restaurant in Shinjuku (I know, I know it's not Japanese but there is plenty of Japanese food in Ehime!). It was a nice chance for everyone to get acquainted. Unfortunately, I had other TOA duties back at the hotel so it was an early night for me. Rumour has it that some were out until dawn :)
I must admit that part of the reason that I applied to be a TOA was to stay in a nice hotel and 2 free trips to Tokyo - in addition to leadership experience (read: resume).... but it was such a great experience to meet so many neat, like-minded and motivated TOAs! There was a fun atmosphere amongst all participants - an ideal welcome to Japan for all the newbies! I was glad to have been a part of it!
emma found her way @ 9:54 a.m. | 0 comments