JET Welcome Back Reception
On Friday, January 19th, 2018, Ambassador and Mrs. Ishikane hosted a welcome-back reception for the former Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET*) Programme participants who returned to Canada in 2017. The reception was co-hosted with the JET Alumni Association Ottawa (JETAA) and attended by over 70 people including 11 JET returnees and 40 JETAA members, along with JETAA supporters.
Ambassador Ishikane began the evening with opening remarks, underscoring the importance of the JET Programme and encouraging returning participants to keep connection with Japan as cultural ambassadors. Following his speech, as a representative of this year’s JET returnees, Fernando Temprano reflected on his time on the JET Programme and the impact his experience will continue to have throughout his life. In his greeting, Brandon Wallace, President of the JET Alumni Association Ottawa, offered some advice to JET returnees including keeping in touch with JETAA Ottawa and the Japanese community. Lastly, Christopher Gravel, Senior Policy Advisor at Global Affairs Canada, gave his remarks on how his experience has benefited his life and career.
After First Secretary Yukako Ochi gave a toast, JET returnees and JETAA members enjoyed Japanese foods, and shared memories from Japan with guests including government officials and representatives of the Ottawa Japanese Community.
*The JET Programme is an official Japanese Government scheme aiming to promote international exchange at the grass-roots level and to improve foreign language education in Japan. Participants come from a total of 40 countries. In recent years, approximately 200 Canadians have travelled to Japan each year. The JET Programme started in 1987. Since then more than 9,000 young Canadians participants have gone to Japan to teach English in schools or to engage in international activities in local government.
|
|
|