Hello there!
We hope that you enjoyed your winter break and that you have all returned well rested and refreshed. How about that snow?
There are quite a few items this month so please take a moment and look over what we have for you.
Over the next few months there will be a few post-JET events happening around Japan. These events are especially useful for those of you who are finishing up your JET journey but are keen to continue living and working in Japan. For more information please check these pages about the After Jet Conference and the Career Fair.
By now all the contracts have been signed, either way. The decision can be a hard one but now that it is done, either get set to enjoy your last 7 months in Japan or set some goals for the coming year. For those of you who have decided it is time for a new adventure, there are some things we would like to remind you of.
‘Stuff’ accumulates over time, so if you can’t condense things into one big suitcase, you will be responsible for the cost of shipping things home, or any additional baggage costs. There are contract cancellation and residents tax bills to take care of. For some, you will need to pay for your flights home before being reimbursed by your Contracting Organizations. Others may have your July pay check suspended to cover any costs received by your COs.
Our advice, you ask? Start saving NOW!
This year, the Lantern Festival is going to be held in Nagasaki City from Friday February 16th until Friday March 2nd. Take advantage of living in the local area to peruse and sample the foods, fight through the throngs of people from all over the world, snap pictures of the weird and wonderful and marvel at the performances and decorations that are part and parcel of the wonder that is the Nagasaki Lantern Festival.
International Exchange Event
The Prefectural International Affairs Division is putting on an exchange event on February 24th for JET participants and Japanese locals. We will listen to a short talk from Professor Honma, an expert on Nagasaki history. Then, we will divide into mixed groups and set off to the Lantern Festival. Participants will search the festival areas for answers to the clues and questions that we will prepare. Completing a quest will get your team a number of points. Can you help your team solve the most puzzles on this Lunar New Year Adventure?
Details on how to apply will be sent out in the next few days. We hope to see you there!
If you have accepted reappointment for the 2018/19 period AND have some debating or judging experience then this message is for you. Towards the end of this year there will be a debate competition. If you are interested in being a judge for that competition then please consider this a notice for expressions of interest. Please respond to this email detailing your experience and we shall forward it to the Japanese PA, Shirakawa Sensei.
Would you make an awesome Working Committee Member and be a positive force to help improve the JET experience for the Nagasaki ALT community?
If you think so, please consider filling out this application form.
Applications close Wednesday, February 28th, 2018.
