Jet Programme Series: If you can dream it, you can do it - Yoshoda Seelochan
2021/12/15
Jet Programme Series: If you can dream it, you can do it - Yoshoda Seelochan
As a child, I’ve always been fascinated with the people of the world, the cultures, plus the traditions embedded in it. To me, the diversity of people helps create the beauty of the world and I knew from a young age that I wanted to experience all of it.
Hi! My name is Yoshoda Seelochan, I am twenty-seven years old and I grew up in the lovely community of Indian Walk, which is located along the Moruga Road in south Trinidad. My community is small, but the joy is large, especially at Christmas time where my street comes alive with merry sounds of live Parang music!
Growing up in an environment with an abundance of cultural experiences are the lenses that shaped my perspective of the world. I saw the powerful effect that culture has, it brings people of all races and walks of life together; dissolving all feelings of negativity, automatically creating an atmosphere of love, understanding, togetherness, along with celebration.
Whilst awaiting examination results after my secondary school years at Cowen Hamilton, I volunteered at a pre-school in my community to keep occupied. Little did I know, this opportunity would spark my passion for working, together with caring for children, leading me to pursue my Bachelor’s Degree in Education at the University of Trinidad and Tobago.
After graduating from UTT, I was fortunately placed at St. Mary’s Government Primary School, a lovely institution nestled in the lively village of St. Mary’s, Moruga. This school participates in many activities, celebrating every aspect of our Trinidadian culture grandly, creating rich, meaningful experiences for their students (and teachers!) I spent memorable years there, assisting in all cultural activities and events as much as I possibly could, teaching, learning, among other things, creating beautiful memories with students, teachers, not forgetting parents of the school.
As cultures encompassed in our world were always of special interest to me, with the encouragement of my family, I decided to research international teaching programmes to initiate my international career. After meticulous study, I came across the JET Programme and I was genuinely impressed by the Japanese Government’s initiative. I thought it was a brilliant opportunity to bridge cultures in addition to experiences between different countries so I applied immediately!
It is an absolute honour to be chosen; to begin my international teaching career by becoming an Assistant Language Teacher with the JET Programme, not to mention what an immense privilege it is to experience the deeply rooted, respectable Japanese culture.
Participating in the JET Programme sets the precedent for my international teaching career, I cannot wait to share my experiences of life in Shizuoka City. I intend to inspire others by sharing our vibrant Trinidadian culture wherever I visit in our spectacular world as well as encourage the youth of my community to pursue their dreams, by proving that, “If you can dream it, you can do it.”
I would especially like to thank Ambassador Tatsuo Hirayama along with the wonderful staff at the Embassy of Japan, for allowing me an opportunity of my childhood dreams. I am truly honoured; I look forward to representing my country Trinidad and Tobago with pride while creating bilateral ties between both nations.
JET Series: If you can dream it, you can do it (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives
Hi! My name is Yoshoda Seelochan, I am twenty-seven years old and I grew up in the lovely community of Indian Walk, which is located along the Moruga Road in south Trinidad. My community is small, but the joy is large, especially at Christmas time where my street comes alive with merry sounds of live Parang music!
Growing up in an environment with an abundance of cultural experiences are the lenses that shaped my perspective of the world. I saw the powerful effect that culture has, it brings people of all races and walks of life together; dissolving all feelings of negativity, automatically creating an atmosphere of love, understanding, togetherness, along with celebration.
Whilst awaiting examination results after my secondary school years at Cowen Hamilton, I volunteered at a pre-school in my community to keep occupied. Little did I know, this opportunity would spark my passion for working, together with caring for children, leading me to pursue my Bachelor’s Degree in Education at the University of Trinidad and Tobago.
After graduating from UTT, I was fortunately placed at St. Mary’s Government Primary School, a lovely institution nestled in the lively village of St. Mary’s, Moruga. This school participates in many activities, celebrating every aspect of our Trinidadian culture grandly, creating rich, meaningful experiences for their students (and teachers!) I spent memorable years there, assisting in all cultural activities and events as much as I possibly could, teaching, learning, among other things, creating beautiful memories with students, teachers, not forgetting parents of the school.
As cultures encompassed in our world were always of special interest to me, with the encouragement of my family, I decided to research international teaching programmes to initiate my international career. After meticulous study, I came across the JET Programme and I was genuinely impressed by the Japanese Government’s initiative. I thought it was a brilliant opportunity to bridge cultures in addition to experiences between different countries so I applied immediately!
It is an absolute honour to be chosen; to begin my international teaching career by becoming an Assistant Language Teacher with the JET Programme, not to mention what an immense privilege it is to experience the deeply rooted, respectable Japanese culture.
Participating in the JET Programme sets the precedent for my international teaching career, I cannot wait to share my experiences of life in Shizuoka City. I intend to inspire others by sharing our vibrant Trinidadian culture wherever I visit in our spectacular world as well as encourage the youth of my community to pursue their dreams, by proving that, “If you can dream it, you can do it.”
I would especially like to thank Ambassador Tatsuo Hirayama along with the wonderful staff at the Embassy of Japan, for allowing me an opportunity of my childhood dreams. I am truly honoured; I look forward to representing my country Trinidad and Tobago with pride while creating bilateral ties between both nations.
JET Series: If you can dream it, you can do it (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives