This year’s edition of PDOT pub night was a resounding success. Some 30 promising Toronto JETs-to-be and a handful of hopeful alternate candidates (for whom we’re keeping our fingers crossed) took to the Bedford Academy patio following Saturday’s pre-departure orientation. PDOT was held that day at the Japan Foundation on Bloor Street, and hosted by the Japanese consulate in conjunction with JETAA Toronto.
The kohai cohort were joined by a crew of JETAA members, a number of whom were also present at Pre-departure Orientation, helping out in various roles. In any case, this Yorkville patio was certainly taken by storm with some seventy people in attendance at its most hopping point, including an excellent turnout from JAVA members, representing visitors to Toronto from Japan! The weather was at its June loveliest – all in all, a perfect setting for our new JETs (who left for Tokyo on August 4th) to mingle with alumni of the programme and members of Toronto’s Japanese community.
The atmosphere was definitely one of shared excitement. With a little over a month until they board the plane for the land of the rising sun, there’s no doubt that the newbies are busy preparing for the big adventure ahead.
A natsukashii time it was as well for the alumni, some whom maybe secretly wished they too could be going all over again! Nevertheless, united by our shared experience in Japan, the evening also proved a great opportunity to forge connections within the community.
Suffice it to say that refreshments were enjoyed well into the evening – some headed off to prepare for the next day’s events, others held down the patio until later hours, while still others headed off for a nijikai. IIdesune.
A thank you goes out to Alissa Gerasimenko of JETAA Toronto’s events team for helping to put this memorable gathering together!