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Profile of Last LGOTP Participant
Name: Jessica Gelart
Position: Executive Assistant - City Development
Office, City of Yarra
Host Institution: Kutchan Town - Hokkaido,
Japan
Training Field: Tourism Promotion and International
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Jessica has been studying Japanese language and culture for over 10 years. She has travelled extensively through Europe and Asia and has lived and worked in the UK prior to commencing her position at the City of Yarra in December 2002. Her work there includes high level administration, as well as interacting with community groups and councillors. Recently she has been involved in a range of projects promoting tourism within Yarra City in the lead up to the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
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Jessica arrived in Japan on 22 May 2005, met with other LGOTP participants from around the world and underwent brief orientation training in Tokyo before transferring the Japan Intercultural Academy of Municipalities (JIAM) in Shiga Prefecture. At JIAM, Jessica undertook comprehensive daily training in Japanese language, culture and government, in preparation for the move to Kutchan at the end of June.
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Kutchan is a small town with a population of just under 16,000, situated on Japan 's northern island, Hokkaido. The town is located near the world-class skiing destination of Niseko, famous for its fine powder snow. During her time in Kutchan, Jessica's diverse training will include general administration, local tourism development, school visits and cultural exchange, as well as international exchange projects with Kutchan's sister city, St Moritz , in Switzerland, and much more.
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Message from Jessica:
I have been in Kutchan , Hokkaido , Japan for 6 weeks however I have been so busy that the time has flown by. The Japanese people are incredibly hospitable and I have been fortunate to receive so many invitations that I just do not have time to accept them all! The town of Kutchan is a good size with a population of 16,000. The town is small enough that you always run into someone you know down the street and it is very community based but big enough that there are plenty of restaurants and things to do.
I am training in the Tourism Department at the Kutchan Town Office. It is very interesting because they are trying to increase tourism to Kutchan and Hirafu, particularly with Australian tourists. Apparently in winter, the town is full of Australian tourists who come here for the great snow. There are also many Australians who live in the area full time and own tourist businesses. It is quite an international town.
In August, I will be traveling down to Tokyo to see the Snowman that they build in Ginza , with snow from Kutchan. You have to bear in mind that this is also in the middle of summer in Tokyo, with temperatures above 30 degrees every day. It will be very interesting and a great marketing campaign for Kutchan. Within my training, I will also have a trip to Asahikawa and Hakodate in Hokkaido .
I think my ten months in Kutchan is going to go by very quickly so I am trying to do as much as I can within that time. I'm also looking forward to winter and learning how to ski!
Jessica Geldart
August 2005
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