JET Programme Series: Once in a life time experience! - Shevon Williams

Hi, my name is Shevon Williams. I come from the town of Arima in Trinidad and Tobago.
 

Just a couple of years ago, I would have never imagined that I would be living in Japan today. I found out about the JET Programme when I started studying Japanese at the U.W.I CLL. At the time, I had already put it aside as something I would never be able to do. It was only until last year when some of my friends from Japanese class applied and got selected that I believed it was truly something within my reach. So, I signed up and, fast forward to March of this year, I found out that I got selected to go to Japan. A couple months later I found out that I was placed in Ojiya city, located in Niigata prefecture. To give some context, Niigata prefecture is located to the north west of Japan and as one would say was a more inaka or rural placement. Due to this and the fact that it was not one of my choices I was a bit skeptical of my placement at first. However, my worries would soon be laid to rest. After all the anxiety and nervousness in the months leading up to our departure date, I finally found myself in Japan.
 

When I arrived in Niigata prefecture. I was greeted by my supervisor holding a flag of Trinidad and Tobago that she made herself, which in this foreign land hundreds of miles away from my home country made me feel a little bit more at home. My supervisor then drove me to Ojiya City`s Board of Education, where I was registered as a teacher and met my colleagues who I would be working with for the rest of the year. They were all very kind and welcoming. They then showed me to my new apartment where I would be staying and set me up with all I would need to adjust to my new life here. My first day of work would not be for another two weeks or so. I used this time to better acquaint myself with my new neighborhood and surroundings. While exploring I meet a lot of sweet people who were, much to my surprise, very welcoming to me and pleased to have me living in Ojiya city. I also used this time to visit the famous places in Ojiya, amongst them the Nishikigoi no Sato or Koi museum, which had a large pool packed with koi fish. It was quite an enjoyable experience. I also went to a bullfight, which was surprising since I didn't even know japan had those. I also partook in the numerous delicacies of Ojiya, such as Soba (a type of noodles) and Tonkatsu Ramen as well as Ojiya’s famous rice sake. I even joined a Japanese cooking class at Ojiya’s local community center.
 

When it was time to start teaching classes at my new schools (yes ‘schools’ plural ― I had been assigned both an Elementary school and a Junior high school) I was both nervous and excited. The first day of school after summer break was opening ceremony. I was required to make a short speech about myself, after which I met my fellow teachers who were all very encouraging and helpful. Now - to my first class. I made a short presentation to the students about my country and about myself (likes, dislikes, favorite sports and whatnot). The students were all very intrigued by Trinidad and Tobago and excited to meet someone from a foreign country. They always greet you with a hearty “Hello” whenever they see you. I would say teaching the students is the best thing about being on JET and definitely makes your time here more fun. The elementary school students are all very endearing and work very hard. I have been teaching my students about Trinidad and Tobago by showcasing our different holidays and events whenever they are coming up and also by answering the many questions they always seem to have.
 

I also attended several summer festivals where I ate very tasty festival food and saw very amazing fireworks displays. I was also able to travel a bit around Japan to other prefectures like Osaka, Kobe and Fukuoka where I saw awesome shrines and castles such as Osaka castle, Kokura castle and Yasaka Shrine. Japan is an amazing country with very beautiful places to see and many various festivals to attend. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here in Ojiya so far and I am very humbled to be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience that is the JET Programme.



JET Series: Once in a life time experience! (Japanese Embassy Facebook)


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