JET Programme Series: Best of both worlds - Larissa Hosein
2021/12/13
JET Programme Series: Best of both worlds - Larissa Hosein
After finishing my degree in International Relations at U.W.I, I knew I did not want to start my postgraduate studies just yet. I wanted more work and life experiences that would allow me to grow as a person outside of the academic perimeter. I also wanted the best of both worlds- to work abroad and work in my field where I can focus specifically on cultural diplomacy. You can then bet that as soon as applications opened when I graduated in 2019, I applied to the JET Programme. Now, nearly two years later from the time of application to being interviewed and then getting accepted to waiting out a pandemic to leave the country, I, Larissa, can finally call myself an ALT of the JET Programme.
At 24 years old, I’m excited to start this new and interesting journey. I was placed in Komatsushima city in Tokushima Prefecture which is on the smallest of the four main islands of Japan- Shikoku. I’m also the first person from Trinidad and Tobago to be placed in that city as an ALT! I’m very excited yet a little nervous to be their first impression of our islands but it does give me motivation to put my best foot forward in how I represent the 868.
While in Japan, my bucket list is almost endless. There’s just so much to do, see and eat! In my prefecture alone there’s so many places and things of interest like the Iya Valley, the 88 Temple pilgrimage, the whirlpools, Awa Odori Festival and so much more. I am looking forward to visiting different prefectures and experiencing different cultural festivals, different foods and of course, meeting new people.
The most important aspect though is the job itself. I look forward to not only experiencing a completely different school system and culture but to help make an impact on said system, especially the students. I do believe that working in a foreign cultural environment and learning to navigate a different culture would be extremely beneficial to my professional development in the field of International Relations and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to experience such a great programme like this. I’d really like to extend my appreciation and thanks to Ambassador Hirayama, the JET Coordinators Mr. Rajalal and Mr. Morisawa, other members of staff at the Embassy and even to the Japanese government ministries who host this programme every year. My hope for this experience is that I’m able to exceed expectations and make my country proud!
JET Series: Best of both worlds (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives
At 24 years old, I’m excited to start this new and interesting journey. I was placed in Komatsushima city in Tokushima Prefecture which is on the smallest of the four main islands of Japan- Shikoku. I’m also the first person from Trinidad and Tobago to be placed in that city as an ALT! I’m very excited yet a little nervous to be their first impression of our islands but it does give me motivation to put my best foot forward in how I represent the 868.
While in Japan, my bucket list is almost endless. There’s just so much to do, see and eat! In my prefecture alone there’s so many places and things of interest like the Iya Valley, the 88 Temple pilgrimage, the whirlpools, Awa Odori Festival and so much more. I am looking forward to visiting different prefectures and experiencing different cultural festivals, different foods and of course, meeting new people.
The most important aspect though is the job itself. I look forward to not only experiencing a completely different school system and culture but to help make an impact on said system, especially the students. I do believe that working in a foreign cultural environment and learning to navigate a different culture would be extremely beneficial to my professional development in the field of International Relations and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to experience such a great programme like this. I’d really like to extend my appreciation and thanks to Ambassador Hirayama, the JET Coordinators Mr. Rajalal and Mr. Morisawa, other members of staff at the Embassy and even to the Japanese government ministries who host this programme every year. My hope for this experience is that I’m able to exceed expectations and make my country proud!
JET Series: Best of both worlds (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives