2009 JET Programme Pre-Departure Reception

The 2009 JET pre-departure reception was held on Friday the 24th of July at the Embassy of Japan.

Now in its 22nd year, the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Programme began in 1987, initially with the United States. The Programme was designed to strengthen foreign language education in Japan and to promote grass-roots internationalisation.

South Africa joined the Programme in 1997 with five participants. To date, about 301 South Africans have been to Japan as JET Programme participants. This year there were about 140 applications received, and 41 individuals were chosen to participate.

At the reception, after Ambassador Ozawa’s farewell speech, Mr. Silumko Tyobeka expressed his hopes on behalf of all the JETs. Ms. Nicky Furniss, chairperson of the South African JET Alumni Association (JETAA-SA), gave a toast and wished the departing JETs all the best. During the reception, JET participants were able to interact with a member of the Department of International Relations, a professor from the University of the Witwaterstand, local and Japanese media, a teacher from the Japanese School in Johannesburg and ex-JET participants.

JET participants departed for Japan from O.R. Tambo International on Saturday the 25th of July. After an orientation held in Tokyo, they will be placed in various junior high schools and high schools all over Japan where they will begin teaching English to Japanese students.

JET Programme Official Website：http://www.jetprogramme.org/j/index.html