The Hokkaido Association for Japan Exchange and Teaching
PA Corner
Taxes and Visa Reminders
Jun 17th
Greetings from Doucho! As we inch ever closer to the 2010-2011 JET year, I’d like to remind Hokkaido JETs of a few issues coming up in the near future:
- All 1st year US JETs: you’re coming up on the deadline to file your taxes in August. Hopefully you filed your extension back in April, but please don’t forget to file the actual tax return when the time comes.
- 3rd year continuing JETs: your visa will expire this summer! Please talk to your supervisor about getting the paperwork together to have your visa extended. You will have to go to immigration to get everything sorted.
Winter is Coming…
Oct 27th
Winter, and all that comes with it
It’s that time of year again – the leaves are fast falling from the trees and the temperature is steadily dropping. Within a few short weeks, some of us will be seeing the first snowfall of the year. And snow is a mixed bag; while first snow means snowboarding, skiing, and other delightful Hokkaido adventures, it also means freezing temperatures, sickness, slipping, sliding and assorted accidents.
Get some tips on how to best handle the coming winter after the break.
More >
H1N1A Flu Update
May 18th
Long, but please read.
At this point people will likely have heard that the number of H1N1A (swine flu) cases confirmed in Japan has reached 93 (morning of May 18) and thus all stations are go for the active implementation of preventative measures. Please keep in mind that, while a concern, this flu travels a course very similar to the common cold and that initial fatalities were grossly over-reported. Please check your embassy websites for sensible and relevant information.
More >
For Leaving JETs & the Summer Meeting
May 18th
Still in the mire of Hokkaido Spring, most parts of the island are just now experiencing the sudden explosion of green. Even Sapporo city is carpeted in that new-leaf shade and things are suddenly feeling a little more alive, the air a little more breathable, the cold-snaps a little more bearable.
More >
Golden Week Gallivanting
Apr 28th
Bright and sunny Tuesday afternoon to everyone -
Most folk will have Golden Week on the mind at the moment, and though it’s fantastic that so many people are about to enjoy trips around Hokkaido, Japan and overseas, this year in particular there are a couple of very key points that I really hope folk will keep in mind…
The Coming of Spring
Mar 27th
March/April is the time of The Big Change here in Japan. Elsewhere on the archipelago folk are experience the burgeoning spring, the blossoming of not-cherries that still go by that name, and are reveling in the privilege of dreaming about the coming summer. Here in the Hokk, however, we get a pretty thorough mix of rain, snow, and sleet, backdropped against rather persistent grey skies.
Re-contracting? Here Are Some Tips & Tricks to Keep the Stress Down
Feb 19th
So, decision time is over. With the deadline passed for re-contracting decisions, all ALTs on the island should now know whether or not they’ll be a participant on the JET programme for the 2009-2010 stretch. In the upcoming week I’ll post an entry tailored to those who are heading home, but for now, let’s have a look at the folk who are going to be sticking around and entering the next 18 months together.
