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Joelene Off On The Adventure Of A Lifetime

With little more than two years of Japanese classes in primary school, Joelene Thompson will set off on the adventure of a lifetime to Latrobe City’s sister city Takasago, and become the next Assistant English Teacher (AET).

By news@gippsland - 8th July 2005 - Back to News

Leaving early in August, Joelene will take up her position at Takasago Junior High School to assist with classes taught by Japanese English teachers in the junior high schools, and participate in kindergartens, elementary schools and other educational facilities with international exchange activities for 12 months.

Joelene was born in Moe and attended the Catholic Regional College in Traralgon before moving to Melbourne for university, where she has completed a bachelor of Applied Science (Multimedia Cartography). She believes that teaching English in Japan will be a chance of a lifetime.

"It will be an opportunity that will enhance my outlook on how we live life here in Australia, and in the Latrobe Valley," Joelene said.

"As I am very keen to take on new challenges, the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge in Japanese is one that I am excited about. I am also very interested in learning about the culture of Japan, and look forward to doing this by living there, to experience it at its fullest."

Joelene has already experienced an overseas lifestyle after working in England on a two-year working holiday visa, from where she took the opportunity to travel the British Isles and other parts of nearby Europe. Joelene said that she enjoys travelling, especially when she has the prospect of learning about foreign culture and of course the challenge of learning a new language.

"I believe working in Japan will be a lot more challenging than living in England from a language perspective, and I’m excited about learning their language while teaching mine. The past two years in the UK have taught me a great deal about coping on my own away from home and I feel ready for this opportunity," Joelene said.

With the dream of becoming fluent in a foreign language, Joelene believes Japanese will be an excellent language to learn, given the nation’s proximity to Australia and its significance to our region in particular.

Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Bruce Lougheed, said Joelene will assist in the development of the relationship between Latrobe and its sister city of Takasago.

"All travel, accommodation expenses and wages are being met by the City of Takasago, demonstrating one of the benefits of our sister city relationships," Cr Lougheed said.

"The benefits are of course two-way. The people of Takasago will benefit by having a citizen of Latrobe living in their community and sharing Australian culture, while also helping to teach their children English. Latrobe City will benefit by having a resident living and working in Takasago, acting on behalf of our city as an ambassador."

Joelene commences her position in Takasago City on 10 August.

Media Enquiries:

Cr. Bruce Lougheed, Mayor, Latrobe City

tel. 0429 172 237

Cr. Darrell White, Deputy Mayor, Latrobe City

tel. 0417 377 645

Paul Buckley, Chief Executive Officer,

tel. 5128 5413 or 0418 512 997

Jeremy Bein, Public Relations and Communications Officer,

tel. 5128 5458 or 0407 862 977

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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