JET Programme Series: JET in Oita City - Paul Hadden

Currently I am working as a JET in Oita City, a city of about half a million people located in Oita Prefecture at the very top of Japan's Kyushu island. Kyushu is known for its stunning natural beauty, and so far it is this beauty that has been my favourite part about living in Oita. The prefecture, like most of Kyushu, is full of majestic mountains, gorges, rivers, and waterfalls. Oita also borders the sea, so it is blessed with beautiful beaches and an abundance of fresh seafood. So far, I have found the people of Oita to be extremely friendly, gracious, and helpful. I try my best to communicate with people whenever I can, and despite my relatively shaky command of the Japanese language, I find that people have been extremely patient with me and are thrilled when I make the effort to talk to them. I often go for lunch at a small 'mom and pop' type restaurant down the road from the school where I work, and every time that I've been there the owner (a lovely old lady who makes me call her “obachan” or “aunty”) chats with me throughout the meal. I am looking forward to developing this relationship and to making many other similar connections in the city.
 

Since moving to Oita, I have had the privilege of visiting three different towns in the prefecture. Some of the older JETs here have taken me under their wing and have made it a point to include me in their various excursions throughout Oita. My favourite experience so far has been visiting a small island called “himeshima” to witness the traditional bon odori dances which are often performed at summer time. Oita is also known as the onsen (hot spring) capital of Japan, and I have already visited quite a few of these relaxing hot springs. Soaking in a naturally heated onsen is one of my favourite aspects of Japanese culture, and I am very much looking forward to visiting as many of these onsen as I can. The neighbouring towns of Beppu and Yufuin are full of hundreds of these steaming springs, and I look forward to visiting them when the weather becomes a little cooler.
 

Not wanting to give up on my hobbies, I have started piano lessons with a teacher who lives close to my school. I think that this will be a very interesting experience for both of us, as she has never had a foreign student in her 34 years of working as a piano teacher. Right now, she is introducing me to the piano music of a famous composer from Oita, and has invited me to join her annual student recital which will take place this Christmas. There is a possibility that I might get to perform the piece at the school's bunkasai, or cultural festival, but it depends on how much progress I am able to make!
 

As for my schools, I have been placed at two technical high schools and am also expected to visit a school for the blind once a month. At my schools, I am expected to come up with all of the lesson plans for the term with the main goal being to get students interested in English and in foreign cultures. The students are very polite and so far the lessons have been going well. Aside from using the classroom to promote Trini culture, I am also hoping to set up a booth at the student's cultural festival where hopefully I will be able to introduce them to soca and calypso music, as well as many other aspects of the culture! I am very excited to see what adventures, challenges, and lessons my Oitan life has in store for me in the future.



JET Series: JET in Oita City (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)


JET Programme Series Archives