JET Programme Series: From one Island to another, Trinidad and Tobago to Okinawa - Shivani Ramsubhag

‘Warm climate = Warm people
From one island to another island
Trinidad & Tobago to Okinawa
My home away from home'
 

Upon being selected to participate in the JET Programme I felt overjoyed to be given the opportunity to teach English while also being a cultural ambassador for both Okinawa and my home country, Trinidad and Tobago. When I received my placement, I realized that I would be very far from the other Trinidadian JETs on Mainland Japan but, I was ready to take on this thrilling and exciting experience all on my own. After the Tokyo orientation, I hopped on a plane with some other new English speaking JETs and we all departed on our 2-hour flight to the beautiful paradise of Okinawa!
 

My first few months here have been amazing so far. I sometimes feel like I am in the Japanese version of the Caribbean islands. Okinawa is everyone else's fantasy vacation spot and I sometimes feel like it is all a dream. The climate here has been similar to what I have experienced at home. Overall, it is really beautiful and consists of amazing people. It has a very laid back and relaxed atmosphere and the culture is quite different to that of mainland Japan.
 

Okinawa has a very interesting history. Many years ago, this prefecture was originally an independent country known as the ‘Ryukyu Kingdom’. During that time, these islands operated as a trading center between Japan, China and other Asian nations. As a result, this outstanding history has influenced the culture of Okinawa thus, making it very diverse and unique.
 

Born in this culturally rich island is the martial art of Karate. Okinawa also boasts the invention of the melodious musical instrument called the 'Sanshin', a three-stringed instrument bound with snakeskin. The Okinawan culture also features the high energy ‘Eisa’ dance which is a form of folk dance where drums are played energetically and is accompanied by the sweet melody of the Sanshin, in unison with singing and chanting. This high-energy atmosphere is very beautiful and I personally believe that it makes you forget all of your worries and unites you with the amazing performance.
 

Unique delicacies also make up a large fraction of any culture. It is where you fall in love with little similarities and big differences. As a food-lover, the topic of taste and uniqueness in flavour is important to me. The Okinawan cuisine is also quite unique but also extremely amazing. Back at home one of the foods I loved a lot is something we call "caraille,"known globally as bitter melon. What I didn’t know was that, in Okinawa this is one of their main dishes. Here it is referred to as "goya" and it is made into a delightful, beautifully crafted meal called "goya champuru," which tantalized my taste buds and tickled my palate as it took me to food heaven and back. Another tantalizing flavour was that of Umibudo (seagrapes). This flavour is extremely unique and I cannot find the words to describe it, but it was amazing and out of this world. Also, my personal favourite comfort food that is also unique to Okinawa is called "Okinawa Soba".
 

Aside from its rich history and unique foods, it has also been blessed with beautiful flora and fauna, amazing natural environment and vibrant, bright, blue oceans. With its aquamarine hue, the beaches here are a true treasure. It is reminiscent of the beaches we have in Trinidad and Tobago and as someone who loves beaches it makes me feel like Okinawa is the ideal placement for me.
 

I work at two schools, both within walking distance from my apartment. During my morning commute, I often hear my students calling me out “Shivani-sensei, Shivani-sensei.” All of them are amazing and would really like to be great at English. I vow to give this opportunity my best effort because of their determination to learn, and in return, their successful results will be rewarding and fulfilling. At both of my schools, all of the Japanese teachers I teach with (Japanese Teachers of English or JTE's) received me with a very warm and hearty welcome and they continue to support me, ensuring that I am always comfortable and contented.
 

This is my new home and my JTEs and the other JETs on this island are all my new family. In such a short time, I have learnt so much about Okinawa and, I think, have adjusted quite nicely. I live for new memorable experiences and these first few months are already fill with so many. I have had the opportunity to attend several, famous traditional events in Okinawa and while immersing myself in its culture, I maintain my authenticity by displaying aspects of the Caribbean culture of my beautiful homeland, Trinidad and Tobago. It has been quite an adventure thus far as my weekends are spent exploring the island with other JETs, attending festivals, going on solo adventures or staying indoors and waiting for typhoons to pass. The drives here are also very scenic and calm and completely soothing for the chaotic mind.
 

Thus far, every new place that I have visited on this island etched a special place in my heart. In particular, I enjoy visiting the castle ruins since it holds such rich historical value and they are located in beautiful surrounding areas. For me, the beaches and castle ruins in Okinawa are the main attraction, however, the national parks that I visited with my school during their science field trip also captured my heart. I feel like Okinawa is a paradise dream with so many aspects that I love immensely, and I look forward to continuing my adventures here. It is truly amazing how huge the world is but how easy it is to feel at home even when you are so far away from your homeland.



JET Series: From one Island to another (Japanese Embassy Facebook)


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