2018 JET Pre-Departure Orientation & Reception (July 27, 2018)

On Friday, July 27, 2018, sixty 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 newly-arrived Consul-General of Japan in Houston, Mr. Hideo Fukushima, 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 and a summary of the experiences that lay ahead.  The orientation concluded with a Japanese culture and language presentation from Dr. Naoko Ozaki of Rice University.
At the JET Send-Off reception following the orientation, Consul-General Hideo Fukushima welcomed the JET participants, JET alumni, and JET supporters as the first guests to attend a reception held at the residence since his arrival two weeks prior.  Consul-General celebrated the 30 plus years of the JET Program as one of the most successful Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs initiatives. To close his remarks, he offered a toast to the participants who will become the next generation to foster love between the cultures and countries of Japan and America.  Other speakers included two representatives from the departing JET group, departing Coordinator for International Relations (CIR) Mr. August Holdrich and departing Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) Ms. Kiana Headland.  To end the evening the President of the local JET alumni group (JETAA Texoma), Mr. Andrew R. McCarthy, gave an encouraging message to send-off the group. 
The following morning the Houston JETs departed for Japan, arriving safely at Tokyo’s Narita airport on July 29. We wish all the JET participants and their families great success in their new positions and communities.