Prefectural Advisor Introductions

Know Your PAs Better

| Reegan | Azuma | PA Duties | Help & Counseling |

G'day! My name is Reegan. I`m from Brisbane, Australia.

I studied Japanese and Political Science at the University of Queensland. I have worked in a wide range of jobs from coaching gymnastics to hospitality to tourism to tutoring. I love travelling, cooking and fashion. Feel free to come and talk to me/email me should you have any troubles at school or at home - my door is always open! (Please do realise that I need a personal life too though)

There are two Prefectural Advisors for Kobe City. One of them is Reegan and the other is:

Mr. Shigeki Azuma

It is common to have one JET participant and one Japanese as PA. Due to the fact that the Kobe JET community is quite small, nothing like the horrific JET stories that you have probably read on the Internet have yet happened here in Kobe. However, should you have a problem, please do not hesitate to contact either Reegan or Mr. Azuma before a problem gets out of hand. They are only too happy to help you out.

PA Duties

(The following extract is taken from the Kobe Guide and modified slightly...)

A Prefectural Advisor (PA) is a counselor, advisor and informant. The PA acts as one of the support mechanisms for the JET participants in the designated area. A PA is appointed by the contracting organization and each prefecture or city has at least one PA. The job position was created for the JET participants to have someone within their community to consult with regarding problems they may have at school or with life in Japan in general. Thus, the nature of the job entails not only practical assistance (provision of information necessary for JET participants` daily lives) but also limited counselling, mediation, orientation and outreach programs.

Prefectural Advisors are appointed to their position by their contracting organisation and do not receive any extra salary, paid leave, or any benefits compared to other JETs. Therefore, your understanding towards the Prefectural Advisor is appreciated.

Help and Counseling

Through Your PA

Prefectural Advisors will not disclose personal information or problems counseled to a third party without the JET's consent. Everything (excepting illegal matters e.g. drug use/possession) is strictly confidential. However, when there is a case the PA feels that he or she cannot handle alone; he or she will be entitled to seek consultation in the circle of the PA system (Please see either your General Information Handbook or the Kobe Guidebook for a further explanation).

Additional Support

Should you not feel comfortable talking to either your JET or your Japanese PA, CLAIR also provides free counseling for JET participants. These services are strictly confidential.

The CLAIR Counseling Hotline
CLAIR: (03) 3591-5968
JET LINE: (03) 3591-5489
These lines are accessible Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:45pm.
Alternatively, you could try the AJET Peer Support Helpline: 0120-437-725 (Toll free), daily 8pm-7am.

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