The Consulate-General of Japan welcomed back newly returned JETs with a reception at the Consul-General’s residence on Friday, October 18th.
In addition to the returning JETs, guests included some JETAA executive team members, Consulate staff, and various members of the Toronto Japanese business and arts communities.
We heard speeches from one returning JET participant, and from Consul-General Yamamoto Eiji, who encouraged JET returnees to stay connected with Japan.
Guests mingled in the consul’s lovely home and were treated to a seasonally-themed festive spread, which included such Japanese delicacies as nasu dengaku and kaki (persimmons!).
It was one of the largest such receptions to date, with over 80 in attendance. Domou arigatou gozaimashita to the Consulate for continuing to host this fine evening!
The next day, Saturday, October 19th, JETAA Toronto held our annual Re-entry Conference, this year hosted at the Consulate, 33 stories up on King St. West.
After a quick introduction to the JETAA Toronto Exec and its recent activities, and a round of introductions from our ten attendees (a number of whom were present at the Consul’s reception), we began with a panel-style discussion centred around the notion of “Volunteering Your Way to a Job.”
After a lunch break featuring tasty bentos from Edo Sushi, we headed into a busy afternoon of presentations. The line-up included Lourdes Zelaya, of George Brown College on interviewing skills, and Joy Haywood of Pasona Canada on leveraging the JET Experience to find work with a Japanese company. JETAA Toronto’s Chris Draenos spoke on dealing with reverse culture shock, and Nicholas Jones (also of JETAA) wrapped things up with a spirited round-up of Japanese organizations and events around Toronto to get involved with.
It’s our hope that the attendees got some useful advice as they embark on post-JET life in Toronto! Thank you to Chris Draenos and the JETAA Conference Committee for organizing the day, and to the Consulate for graciously allowing us to host in their Sakura Room!
Text by Julia Rozinowicz
Photos by Nicholas Jones, Bokeh Photography