JET Programme Series: The Journey Begins! - Amrita Mahabir
2022/1/27
JET Programme Series: The Journey Begins! - Amrita Mahabir
From the olden days of looking at Japan Video Topics and Rurouni Kenshin, (“Samurai X” as we in Trinidad and Tobago knew it), to re-discovering my fascination with anime via Naruto in high school, Japan and its culture has been a part of my childhood, my teenage years, and now, my adulthood. I am quite sure I aged myself with the aforementioned TV shows, however, at 28, I am excited for the adventure that the JET Programme can be. We have all heard some version of: “Go to school, get a good job and settle down”. I went to school (Biology and Biochemistry at The UWI, St. Agustine), I got a job and I was quite settled. When I saw the Facebook advertisement for the 2020 JET Programme applications however, I thought: “Why not? Japan is already on my bucket list, so why not apply? I had nothing to lose.”
So, apply I did, and surprise! I was not accepted. I was an alternate, meaning that I would only be part of the programme if someone else refused the position. I was disappointed to say the least, but then came the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic along with global lockdowns. Perhaps not being accepted was for the best given the situation. And so, life went on; until the Embassy called in December 2020. I had the opportunity to be upgraded. Did I want it? I was no longer sure. Luckily, one tough love phone call from a friend cemented my decision.
Fast forward to 11 months later, and here I am prepped and ready (and quite nervous) to begin anew in Japan. I was placed in the Ibaraki Prefecture, just northeast of Tokyo. Everyone has heard of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, but I had no previous knowledge of Ibaraki. With the help of Google, learned that Ibaraki is on eastern Honshu (the largest of the five main islands) and its eastern border is the Pacific Ocean. Ibaraki also falls within a geographical region encompassing the Greater Tokyo area and six other prefectures. The name of this region? Kanto. The perfect place for a new journey.
Being a JET means teaching English. A tough job given that we here in Trinidad and Tobago have developed and speak our own version of the language with pride. I am enthusiastic however, to venture into this new arena of teaching. While I have taught some science-based classes before and enjoyed it, teaching English is new territory. It will be thrilling to take on this new challenge, particularly as I have previously been apprehensive to speak to large groups. This is an opportunity to overcome that fear and hone a skill that will be valuable regardless of where life and my career take me.
Being accepted into the JET Programme has been both exciting and nerve-wracking thus far. I am ecstatic and wrought with anxiety. From Fyzabad to Ibaraki. Leaving the comfort of home and sweet Trinidad and Tobago is definitely not the easiest of decisions, but to quote the words of the great Bilbo Baggins: “I think I’m quite ready for another adventure.”
JET Series: The Journey Begins! (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives
So, apply I did, and surprise! I was not accepted. I was an alternate, meaning that I would only be part of the programme if someone else refused the position. I was disappointed to say the least, but then came the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic along with global lockdowns. Perhaps not being accepted was for the best given the situation. And so, life went on; until the Embassy called in December 2020. I had the opportunity to be upgraded. Did I want it? I was no longer sure. Luckily, one tough love phone call from a friend cemented my decision.
Fast forward to 11 months later, and here I am prepped and ready (and quite nervous) to begin anew in Japan. I was placed in the Ibaraki Prefecture, just northeast of Tokyo. Everyone has heard of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, but I had no previous knowledge of Ibaraki. With the help of Google, learned that Ibaraki is on eastern Honshu (the largest of the five main islands) and its eastern border is the Pacific Ocean. Ibaraki also falls within a geographical region encompassing the Greater Tokyo area and six other prefectures. The name of this region? Kanto. The perfect place for a new journey.
Being a JET means teaching English. A tough job given that we here in Trinidad and Tobago have developed and speak our own version of the language with pride. I am enthusiastic however, to venture into this new arena of teaching. While I have taught some science-based classes before and enjoyed it, teaching English is new territory. It will be thrilling to take on this new challenge, particularly as I have previously been apprehensive to speak to large groups. This is an opportunity to overcome that fear and hone a skill that will be valuable regardless of where life and my career take me.
Being accepted into the JET Programme has been both exciting and nerve-wracking thus far. I am ecstatic and wrought with anxiety. From Fyzabad to Ibaraki. Leaving the comfort of home and sweet Trinidad and Tobago is definitely not the easiest of decisions, but to quote the words of the great Bilbo Baggins: “I think I’m quite ready for another adventure.”
JET Series: The Journey Begins! (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives