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Welcome letter from the National AJET Chairperson
Hooray!
Yippee!! Omedetto!!!
Welcome to Japan!
Congratulations on being selected to be part of the 1995 JET Programme. I am sure you are going through many different emotions from absolute delight to a little apprehension at the thought of coming to Japan. I was in your situation two years ago. You may have found out by now, as I did, that you have a lot of information about your job as a CIR/ALT/SEA but not a lot about what your options are outside working hours.
My name is Francis Fernandes and I am an AET (Assistant English Teacher) from England. I am also the Chairperson for the Association for Japan Exchange & Teaching (AJET) and it is my honour to welcome you on the JET Programme on behalf of the members of AJET.
AJET is a support organisation run voluntarily by JET Programme participants for the benefit of JETs while they are on the JET Programme. Membership is also voluntary. This organisation was set up in the first year of the JET Programme by the first JETs as a support network for themselves. That was in the days when everyone involved with the JET Programme was just beginning to realise the different kinds of support services needed by non-Japanese living in Japan. AJET started various projects that addressed the needs of JETs on the Programme. Over the years, many of these projects were taken on by the organisers of the JET Programme and are an accepted part of the JET Programme today.
The Prefectural Groups are where a lot of AJET members actively organise events between JETs and students/the local Japanese community. Examples are English Speaking Societies days, cultural and environmental events, teaching seminars, etc. Support networks and social events are also organised for JETs, e.g., buddy systems and August activities for new JETs when they arrive in the prefecture, Christmas and other parties, etc. All prefectures do different things and it all depends on how active its members want to be.
The Nationality Groups (Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, UK, US) publish newsletters for their members and keep them in touch with news from home.
The 10 Special Interest Group support networks are:
- BIZSIG for JETs who want to keep up their business and professional interests while in Japan.
- CIR Group for JETs who are CIRs.
- COMSIG for JETs who have computers in Japan or are interested in computing.
- Christian Society for Christian JETs of all denominations.
- Family SIG for married JETs and their spouses.
- INSIG for JETs interested in international issues such as the environment, human rights, international relations, etc., and being active in promoting these.
- Jewish SIG for Jewish JETs.
- SPECTRUM a network for JETs of colour.
- Stonewall offers a forum to discuss issues of human sexuality and gender.
- Women's Group a network for people interested in women's issues.
The Peer Support Group is a 24-hour telephone counseling/information support service run by AJET members for all JETs.
Tatami Timeshare is a national network of AJET members who offer to open their homes to fellow Tatami Timeshare members travelling in their area in return for the same.
The two AJET Publications are:
- JET & Beyond: Options and Decisions -- with contributions from current and ex-JETs. It is a book to refer to when deciding what to do after the JET Programme. Its sections on travel options from Japan are recommended reading when planning your holidays!
- Team-Teaching Pizza -- a book of teaching idea toppings to select and mix in order to try to make that perfect team-teaching pizza with your Japanese Teacher of English (JTE).
Besides these, AJET also organises activities for JETs at the various JET conferences during the year. Please visit the AJET desk at the hotel in Tokyo where you can get more information about AJET and join as a member. The AJET room at the hotel is a place where you can escape from the hustle ad bustle and talk to fellow JETs or just relax.
I hope that after reading all this you will feel more excited about coming to Japan. All these groups are run voluntarily by JETs who would love to have you join them with lots of new ideas to make JETting a memorable experience.
I look forward to meeting you in Tokyo. I'm as excited as you are! Enjoy the next few months at home. Believe me, you're coming on a trip that will change your life. Good luck with the packing.
Yours Sincerely,
Francis Fernandes,
AJET Chairperson
Summer 1995
Please note: AJET's structure and the list of affiliated Special Interest Groups has changed since 1995. Please see the current AJET web site for the most up-to-date information.