JET Programme Series: The Trinidad to Tokushima Transition - Larissa Hosein
2022/3/15
JET Programme Series: The Trinidad to Tokushima Transition - Larissa Hosein
Back home, I’m a “gyal from ‘Rima”, now I’m a gyal from Komatsushima, Tokushima Prefecture. Tokushima prefecture is in the east of Shikoku, one of the four main islands in Japan. It's considered a nature lover's paradise come to life. My placement sometimes makes me feel like I never left home but it is also fundamentally different. The people here are warm and I`m surrounded by mountains just like back home. However, the buildings and general infrastructure are bigger and you'd be surprised by how many services and goods I can't find here in Tokushima that I can easily access back home. For example, green seasoning and hot peppers- if there ever was a reason to come back home it would be so that so that I can season my meat properly! On the flip side, there are things that I find here that I won't be able to find at home like convenience stores (I love Family Mart!). But, “`is so d ting does go`.”
If you`ve ever heard of Shikoku, I'm sure there's a lot of emphasis on the beauty of the natural environment. Trust me when I say that sometimes those descriptions don't come close to the sights I've managed to see so far. In Tokushima prefecture alone there is the Iya Valley, Oboke/Koboke gorges, Naruto whirlpools and Mt. Tsurugi to name a few. So far, I`ve seen the vine bridge at Iya Valley, the whirlpools at Naruto and I`ve seen glimpses of the gorges in passing. I've also started to visit some shrines that are part of the 88 Shikoku pilgrimage. Apart from nature-oriented sights and activities, Tokushima is a paragon of Japanese traditional culture. There`s indigo dyeing, Awa Odori, Puppet theatre and so much more!
It's been about three months at my placement, and I’ve done so much more than I expected. Nearly every weekend I`ve been either exploring Tokushima, attending events, hanging out in Sakaemachi (where most of the nightlife is in the city) and going to onsens, among other things. I really like the people I've met here and they're one of the main reasons that I've settled in so quickly. From my super helpful supervisor, adopted Japanese mom, co-workers and my ALT friends, I’m slowly gaining a much needed network of support. I've joined the local Association for JET (AJET), a volunteer organisation in the role of Social Chair/External Coordinator. I joined a steelpan band in Tokushima called `Steelpan Pendre` and recently signed up to be part of an Awaren (Awa Odori dance group) for foreigners.
Work life has been the most integral part of my journey so far. I have two Junior High Schools and I am slowly but surely settling into the work environment and culture of being a teacher in Japan. I have been integrating cultural lessons about Trinidad and Tobago through different class activities and my self-introduction classes. I'm still trying to establish my role in the classroom but so far, it's been a learning experience not just for me but for my co-teachers. I love my students already and although English may not interest most of them, they still try in little ways. Life here is far from perfect, and I was initially disappointed that I didn’t get my big city choices but I am content and I am very happy that living here far exceeded my expectations. I can't wait to see what these next few years bring my way.
JET Series: The Trinidad to Tokushima Transition (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives
If you`ve ever heard of Shikoku, I'm sure there's a lot of emphasis on the beauty of the natural environment. Trust me when I say that sometimes those descriptions don't come close to the sights I've managed to see so far. In Tokushima prefecture alone there is the Iya Valley, Oboke/Koboke gorges, Naruto whirlpools and Mt. Tsurugi to name a few. So far, I`ve seen the vine bridge at Iya Valley, the whirlpools at Naruto and I`ve seen glimpses of the gorges in passing. I've also started to visit some shrines that are part of the 88 Shikoku pilgrimage. Apart from nature-oriented sights and activities, Tokushima is a paragon of Japanese traditional culture. There`s indigo dyeing, Awa Odori, Puppet theatre and so much more!
It's been about three months at my placement, and I’ve done so much more than I expected. Nearly every weekend I`ve been either exploring Tokushima, attending events, hanging out in Sakaemachi (where most of the nightlife is in the city) and going to onsens, among other things. I really like the people I've met here and they're one of the main reasons that I've settled in so quickly. From my super helpful supervisor, adopted Japanese mom, co-workers and my ALT friends, I’m slowly gaining a much needed network of support. I've joined the local Association for JET (AJET), a volunteer organisation in the role of Social Chair/External Coordinator. I joined a steelpan band in Tokushima called `Steelpan Pendre` and recently signed up to be part of an Awaren (Awa Odori dance group) for foreigners.
Work life has been the most integral part of my journey so far. I have two Junior High Schools and I am slowly but surely settling into the work environment and culture of being a teacher in Japan. I have been integrating cultural lessons about Trinidad and Tobago through different class activities and my self-introduction classes. I'm still trying to establish my role in the classroom but so far, it's been a learning experience not just for me but for my co-teachers. I love my students already and although English may not interest most of them, they still try in little ways. Life here is far from perfect, and I was initially disappointed that I didn’t get my big city choices but I am content and I am very happy that living here far exceeded my expectations. I can't wait to see what these next few years bring my way.
JET Series: The Trinidad to Tokushima Transition (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives