On Friday, August 2, 2013, at the Ambassador’s residence, a farewell reception was held for the departing 2013 Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme participants. The reception was attended by 21 departing JETs and their families, along with numerous supporters of the JET Programme and Japan-Canada relations including: officials of the Canadian government; representatives from post-secondary institutions; members of Japanese community groups; and alumni of the JET Programme. The departing Ottawa JETs will join approximately 180 Canadians who will be dispatched throughout Japan this year.
At the reception, Ambassador Okuda welcomed the JETs to the growing family of over 8000 Canadians who have participated in the JET Programme since 1988 as Assistant Language Teachers or Coordinators for International Relations. In his remarks, Ambassador Okuda observed that the JET Programme is a wonderful tradition of grassroots internationalization and he hopes the departing participants will explore the different aspects and shared values between Canada and Japan as Canada’s young ambassadors to Japan. The Ambassador also expressed how impressed he was by the departing JETs’ enthusiasm and passion for sharing their knowledge of Canada and the English language, and encouraged them to actively promote the relationship between Japan and Canada.
Daniel Alex MacNeil and Janice Martin, two of the departing JETs spoke on behalf of their peers about their excitement for their upcoming trip to Japan. Both of them expressed their gratitude to the Embassy of Japan, the JET Programme Coordinators, and the JET Programme Alumni Association of Ottawa who all assisted in preparing the new JETs for their departure. Mr. MacNeil shared that his desire to apply to the JET Programme dated back many years from the time his cousin joined the programme and conveyed his enjoyment. Ms. Martin named the places she would like to visit and the things she would like to learn in Japan and her intention to actively participate in various school activities. She also expressed her confidence in the group of Ottawa JETs who will do an excellent job representing their hometown as well as Canada in the year ahead.
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