Welcome Back Returning JETs
On Saturday, September 14th JETAA members welcomed back returning JETs by eating a tasty dinner along with plenty to drink at Don Don Izakaya on Dundas Street West. The returners Izakaya night was a great way for those JETs coming back to Canada to mingle with their sempai and discuss many things, from reintegrating back into Canadian culture to reverse culture shock.
To all of the newly departed 2013 JETs,
I was exactly where you are now 5 years ago. I was also one the youngest people in the room. I had spent that summer travelling around Europe. As a consequence, I had missed all the pre-departure activities. The Farewell Reception of 2008 was the only pre-departure activity I attended. I spoke zero Japanese. I had no teaching experience. Actually, I’m not sure what the selection committee saw in me as a candidate. I was genki but felt completely unprepared. Everyone else around me was far into their Japanese lessons. Many seemed to have been to Japan before. Some have even previously taught overseas. (more…)
Japanese Summer Matsuri Comes to Yonge & Dundas Square
Photo by Sadaf Taqvi
This year has set a record-high demand for Japanese culture in Toronto, from the Japanese Film Festival to the Ramen Invasion. So it’s no wonder that Toronto was ready to take it to the next step with the 1st Japanese Summer Matsuri at Yonge and Dundas Square on Sunday, July 28. (more…)
Last month oversaw the departure of new JETs leaving for their new lives in Japan. This month, however, we welcome back all returning JETs, whether you were gone for one year or for five years. Welcome back to Canada!
It may seem strange to return to the land of oversized Wal-Mart’s, 24 hour bank access, convenient stores that are inconveniently located, people being loud and talking on public transit, as well as French-English labels on everything. But don’t worry, you’ll eventually re-assimilate and not feel so out of place. (more…)
Bumpin', Spikin', and Picnicin' with JETAA Toronto A gorgeous day with gorgeous people. If you weren’t able to make it out on Saturday, August 17th to the beach at Ashbridges…
Fighting Carps take home the Silver!!
On a beautiful day out to be on paddling, the JETAA Fighting Carps were one of 32 teams competing for water domination and a good cause this year at the Oakville Charity Dragon Boat Festival on Sunday, August 11th. (more…)
Umeda Sky Building Osaka (August 2010)
“So how is Canada?”
“Uh… Toronto is quite good…”
I’ve had this conversation in some form or other countless times since I landed in Japan three years ago. Anyone who’s visited Japan knows that Japanese people are naturally curious about your home country or will often ask for recommendations upon planning a trip there. When they directed their curiosity towards me, however, I found myself at a loss.
“Where do you recommend going in Canada?”
“I hear BC is nice. I think you can see the aurora in the north. Anne of Green Gables takes place in PEI… maybe?”
You see, before I came to Japan I was utterly uninterested in travelling (especially my own country, yuck!). Though my friends would go on about their amazing Eurotrips and getaways to the Caribbean, I scoffed in secret, deploring such wastes of money. Seeing the world just didn’t seem worth it, and the whole cult of ‘investing in experience’ was a first class ticket to financial woe in my mind.
But I did want to see what all the fuss was about. And after deciding that a PhD and a life of academia wasn’t for me after finishing my Master’s, moving to Japan seemed like the quickest way to jump into the deep end. So I applied to JET. (more…)
Nishimoto Trading Co. Ltd at Richmond Hill is looking for a Class DZ driver. If interested, please fax your resume to 905-709-1553. For more information about Nishimoto Trading Co. Ltd,…