It’s that exciting time of the year when newly selected JETs are getting ready to leave for their new life as ALTs or CIRs in Japan. It’s not hard to remember similar feelings of ecstatic and anxious anticipation of the journey that awaits them. And along with the excitement comes the craziness of trying to get ones life, luggage and paperwork in order before leaving Canada for an unspecified amount of time.
In order to help prepare ‘newbs’, as many of us call them, JETAA members in collaboration with the Consulate-General of Japan in Toronto try our best to present what we think they need to know, do, and prepare for their lives on the other side of the world. This is done at PDOT, otherwise known as pre-departure orientation, which was held at the Japan Foundation Saturday June 21-Sunday June 22, with a cultural presentation also held at the JCCC on Monday, June 23. This 3-day orientation was rim-packed with information, and the 66 new ALTs, 1 CIR, and 14 alternate hopefuls were sure to be overwhelmed by the end of it. That is a good sign though, that as mentors we’re doing their jobs. It’s always better to be more prepared and know what you’re getting into, otherwise the culture shock for some people can take its toll. The group this year is more than eager to get to Japan, and with confidence, it can be said that they will be a successful group who will highly represent Canada in their new prefectures. The biggest groups this year, are those being sent to Kansai, Kyushu, and Chubu. There is even a lucky ALT being sent to Okinawa!
Presenting and volunteering at PDOT is always very ‘natsukashii’, as topics of reminiscent life in Japan are discussed amongst the group. Some of the themes that were presented were things such as office relationships; life outside the classroom; representing Canada; food; money; team-teaching and schools; living as a female/male; travelling on JET; first-time teaching; rural living; and transportation. JAVA was also good enough to perform their usual social etiquette skit and cross-cultural boot camp, which are always greatly received. There was lots of time for Q&A throughout the weekend, informally and formally, throughout sessions, breakout lunches and at the Saturday night pub night at the Duke of York.
JETAA hopes the new JETs enjoyed the weekend and will hopefully take away some memories, such as ragio taiso, group pictures, and their very own personal letter that they will receive while in Japan. JETAA had a great time helping acquaint the new JETs with the programme, and it couldn’t have been done without help from all the presenters, volunteers, the Japanese Consulate, the Japan Foundation and of course all of the 2014 final shortlists and alternatives who came out on such a gorgeous June weekend to participate in PDOT.
Although JETAA could not make the Monday session of PDOT at the JCCC, we’re sure the group had fun trying on kimono’s, viewing a tea ceremony, doing hands on Japanese calligraphy, watching an Iaido demonstration and a Bon Odori. JETAA also presented a hands-on Japanese cooking class on Monday July 7th and hope to see the group before they debark to Japan at the end of the month.
