~ Article and photos from Richard Wilding, JETAA Queensland ~
University of Queensland Careers Fair – 25 March
Members of JETAA and CLAIR spent a busy day introducing the JET Programme to students at UQ. The interest level was very high – I think we talked for four hours non-stop! Thanks to Noriyuki Shiba of CLAIR, Sydney, for making the trip up to Brisbane to help us out.
Members Dinner – 9th May
Our autumn dinner at Bishamon gave a chance for members to meet the new committee while sharing some great sukiyaki and shabu shabu. This year we had quite a few of the newly selected JETs join us for some pre-departure tips and advice.
Brisbane River Walk – 24 May
A group of dedicated members got up early on a Sunday for a casual walk along the re-opened River Walk from New Farm to the CBD where we enjoyed a relaxing drink at a local cafe. The latest 2 month old member of JETAA was the centre of attention. The weather was perfect and the feedback on the event has been great, especially regarding its family-friendliness, so another walk is planned for the future.
Pre-departure Workshops – June & July
The JETAA committee helped organise and run the workshops at the Consulate-General of Japan for this year’s departing JETs. Topics included a Q&A panel on life as a JET, using transport, team teaching, survival Japanese and navigating cultural differences. This year’s group is very diverse but extremely switched-on – super ALTs in the making! We wish them all the best during their time on the programme and hope they will get involved with JETAA when they decide to come back to Australia.
Unfortunately, our trivia event didn’t go ahead this year, but we are planning a bumper hanami under the jacarandas in New Farm Park in October.
Richard Wilding
President – JETAA QLD