On Friday, July 22, 2016, fifty-two new members of the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program were recognized at a reception in their honor. The reception was held at the Official Residence of the Consul-General of Japan in Houston following an orientation meeting at the same location. The pre-departure activities took place the day before the group departed for new teaching jobs and government office positions in towns and cities across the nation of Japan.
The orientation focused on travel logistics; a quick summary of the experiences that lay ahead; and a keynote address from Mr. Ian Cruz, a prominent JET Alum and International Relations Specialist for the City of San Antonio. The orientation concluded with a question and answer session lead by a group of JET alumni.
At the JET Send-Off reception following the orientation, Consul-General of Japan Tetsuro Amano welcomed the JET alumni, program supporters, and leaders from local Japanese businesses, and offered a toast to the departing JETs. Other speakers included two representatives from the departing JET group, departing Coordinator for International Relations (CIR) Mr. Eric Posey and departing Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) Ms. Molly Kisner. To end the evening the President of the local JET alumni group (Texoma JETAA), Mr. Timothy Roller, gave an encouraging message to send-off the group.
The following morning 52 JETs departed for Japan, arriving safely at Tokyo’s Narita airport on July 23. We wish all the JET participants great success in their new positions and communities. |
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