Welcome!
Welcome to the Minnesota JET Alumni Association Web Site! The JET Alumni Association of Minnesota serves individuals who have participated on The Japanese Exchange & Teaching Program (JET) and are currently living in Minnesota. The goal of this site is to keep you informed of activities, restaurants, groups and places of interest now that you have a little Japanese in your heart!
Get in touch with us at jetaa_mn@yahoo.com!
Thank You and Ganbatte, Alexei!
JETAA Minnesota would like to give a big "Domo Arigato" to Alexei for all of her hard work as the Email Coordinator for our group! Alexei served this position very well and brought a breath of fresh air to our group! She was very consistent in her communication as well as fun and engaging! She brought a lot of great ideas to the table and it was appreciated by all and will be greatly missed! Thank you so much Alexei and good luck with your future endeavors!
Welcome Back, Michael!
After some globe trotting our former Email Coordinator, Michael is back on the scene! Great to have you back, Michael!
Upcoming Events
New JET Question & Answer Session
Former JET participants are invited to attend to help answer the pertinent and impertinent questions that new members may ask. We would appreciate volunteers willing to present information about topics of their choice. Refreshments will be available, and small stipends will be given to the "volunteers". Details are still being arranged, but keep the morning free, if at all possible. It will be an introduction to the JET program, life in Japan, teaching in schools and other things we think they should know! If you are willing to volunteer, please reply to this email jetaa_mn@yahoo.com. Thanks!
Where: Hopkins Library
Address:22 11th Ave. N.Hopkins, 55343 ( 952.847.5500)
When: Saturday, June 20th
New JET Send Off BBQ
Stay tuned for send off party/barbeque details in July to which you are invited. This will be a more casual get-together of new and old JETs. Details to follow.
Our Mission Statement
The Japan Exchange and Teaching Alumni Association of Minnesota (JETAA-MN) maintains three primary goals as its mission:
- To serve as a support network for returning and past participants in the JET Program by providing a social and informative resource foundation that may facilitate the participants re-integration into Minnesota and allow all past participants to share the skills and knowledge they acquired while on the program.
- To continue the JET Program's mission of promoting the exchange of Japanese culture by functioning as an organization that enhances the opportunities available in the Twin Cities and the greater Minnesota area for Japanese cultural exchange.
- To function as a resource center for Japanese organizations and networking opportunities in Minnesota.
As we work towards achieving these goals we will represent JETAA in a professional and responsible manner; we will learn from our differences in other's perspectives; we will act in ways that foster respect and dignity for all persons; and we wills strive for excellence in our efforts.
JETAA Minnesota History
JETAA of Minnesota was founded several years ago to provide a resource for those recent returnees of the JET Program to readjust back to life here in the United States. It was hoped that though shared experiences in working and living in Japan, we could provide a support network for those retunrees who had recently come home. JETAA-MN has always been interested in promoting the JET Prgoram, promoting the ideals of internationalization in our respective communities, and trying to establish communal ties with other Japan-oriented organizations as well as those with greater international awareness themes.
Through social events, sponsored communiity activities and other activities it is hoped that the JETAA-MN can provide its members with a solid organization committed to the ideals of internationalization, that human beings are larger than the governments they reside in and that peace through understanding is a desirable goal for our organization and our members.