24 September 2009

2010 Recruitment for The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme

JET Programme Presentation at IPC

By Shirley Ghozalli. Edited by Moira Blake.

The Director of the Japan Information and Cultural Centre, Mr Suguru Minoya, explaining the JET programme in detail

Some of the IPC students attending the JET Presentation

This September, a team from the Embassy of Japan came to IPC to provide a day of consular service for Palmerston North and also to deliver a presentation about The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme. Presented by the organizer of the JET Programme, Mrs Helen Kono, the session was held on Wednesday, 9th September 2009, in the senior common room at IPC.

After an opening greeting from IPC President, Prof. Wayne Edwards, Mrs Helen Kono started the presentation with a brief explanation the JET Programme. This year, the programme celebrates its 23rd anniversary. According to Ms Kono, in the beginning there were only 4 countries with 848 participants, while now 36 countries are involved and 4,436 participants.

The Japanese government sponsors the participants in the JET programme to go to Japan, and to stay there and work. The positions offered are Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) with placements in elementary, junior, or senior high schools and with Boards of Education; Coordinator for International Students (CIR) in the offices of local authorities or related organizations; and Sports Exchange Advisor (SEA) for local authorities engaged in sports-related activities.

To apply for this programme, Japanese language proficiency is an advantage but it is not necessary. Each participant is offered a free correspondence Japanese language course once they are accepted into the programme. The general eligibility criteria of the participants from New Zealand are that they have to be citizens of New Zealand, to be 40 years old or less, and healthy, to know more than everyday facts about New Zealand, and to have an interest in Japan. The last two points are very important because basically, the JET Programme is a chance to get to know Japan, and also a chance to teach about New Zealand. These points were also emphasized by the Director of the Japan Information and Cultural Centre, Mr Suguru Minoya. "We are looking for good-willed, Kiwi ambassadors, who can introduce New Zealand to Japanese people as well as contribute to Japanese community," he told the people listening.

Some new changes were introduced this year. First, there is a new departure time in April, as well as the usual departure time in July or early in August. Second, the points in the eligibility criteria were modified to make it easier for any former participants to apply again.

On this occasion, Mrs Helen Kono shared her experience of living in Japan for 3 years as a JET Programme participant and 5½ years after her contract finished. "My life changed so much. Sometimes I feel I'm more of a Japanese rather than a New Zealander, which is bizarre."

The application deadline for the 2010 JET programme is 4th December 2009 with interviews scheduled in the first week of February. Visit the JET Programme website for more information.

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