WSA attendance at the JET programme “itterasshai” party - 31 July 2015

Every year, the JET programme welcomes New Zealand graduates to Japan to work for a minimum of one year (up to a maximum of five) as an Assistant Language Teacher or Coordinator for International Relations.  With the addition of this year’s 92 participants from across New Zealand departing to take part in the 2015 intake, the number of Kiwis taking part in the JET Programme will spill over 3000 – making it one of the most important and successful exchange programmes between Japan and New Zealand spanning almost three decades from its humble beginning in 1987.

On July 31st Frances, Catherine and Stephen attended an “Itte-Rasshai” (see you again) Reception at the gorgeous Japanese Ambassador’s residence in Khandallah for 23 Wellingtonians leaving on the programme the next day. Katy was also there as the Wellington JET Alumni Association President. Melissa had coached the JET participants and seamlessly MC’d the evening. The new Japanese Ambassador to New Zealand, His Excellency Mr Toshihisa Takata wished the group well and the JET group provided an impressive rendition of the Maori song Poi E. The residence chef is a French-trained Japanese so the buffet dinner crossed several cultures and was outstanding.

Most of the successful 2015 JET Programme participants from New Zealand arrived in Japan on Sunday 2 August and spent two days at Tokyo Orientation before heading to their new homes all around the country to promote internationalisation at a grass-roots level. A number of these JETs have received placements in areas with sister city links with New Zealand such as Otaru-shi, Eniwa-shi, Tomakomai-shi (all in Hokkiado), Shinagawa in Tokyo, Miyazu in Kyoto and Minoh in Osaka

We wish them all the best for an exciting year ahead and look forward to welcoming them back to New Zealand with open arms when they choose to return from the JET Experience. If you are interested in applying for the JET Programme there are information sessions around the country in August and September. Applications for the 2016 Programme will open in mid-October.

For more information please see http://www.nz.emb-japan.go.jp/culture_education/JET.html#presentations or www.facebook.com/JETProgrammeNZ/