2018 JET Programme Pre-Departure Orientation and Reception
On August 3rd, the 32 new participants for the 32nd year of the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Programme attended a Pre-departure Orientation at the University of Calgary and a farewell reception at the official residence of the Consul-General.
Yoko Riley, Professor Emeritus of the University of Calgary, gave a lecture on Japanese history and culture at the orientation in the morning. The JET participants found this to be very valuable as it greatly deepened their understanding of Japanese society.
The farewell reception, held at the official residence of the Consul-General in the afternoon, was attended by a total of 63 guests, including the 32 new JET Participants, the MLA for Calgary Glenmore Anam Kazim, Mayor Tammy Burke of Rocky Mountain House (sister-city to Kamikawa-cho in Hokkaido, Japan), AJTMA President Roy Kariatsumari, news media persons, and individuals holding high positions in various Alberta-based Japanese businesses. In his remarks, Consul-General Kobayashi encouraged the JET Participants, in light of the 90th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Canada, to work hard as goodwill ambassadors of Canada to bridge the cultural divide between our nations as they establish connections in their respective communities in Japan. Following that, JET Alumni Association of Southern Alberta Vice-Chair Elaine Mew gave some farewell remarks and to finish the formal program, a representative of this year’s JET participant cohort, Mr. Mark Seidel gave a speech in which he spoke about his goals and ambitions for the coming years as a participant.
A variety of Japanese cuisine as well as a barbeque was offered to the guests at the reception. On August 4th, all 32 new JET participants departed for Japan from the Calgary International Airport.
Pre-Departure Orientation
Lecture by Yoko Riley, Professor Emeritus
Scenes from the orientation
Scenes from the orientation
Pre-Departure Reception
Consul-General Kobayashi
JETAASA Vice-Chair Elaine Mew
JET Participant Representative Mark Seidel
Group Photo (Consul-General Kobayashi, Mrs. Kobayashi, Rocky Mountain House Mayor Tammy Burke, New JET Participants, and others)
Consul-General Kobayashi, Mrs. Kobayashi, and MLA Anam Kazim
Scenes from the reception
Scenes from the reception
Scenes from the reception