JET Programme Series: Trini boy on the Oki Islands - Michael Simon
2022/4/5
JET Programme Series: Trini boy on the Oki Islands - Michael Simon
After waiting 14 months to start this new phase in my life, I finally made it to Japan. Although I was patient, the wait was extremely long, however, the satisfaction of being here far outweighs the waiting period and having patience was certainly worth it. As the plane made its way into Japanese territory, I was full of excitement. A few minutes passed and I saw land formation on the horizon. To my delight, as I looked out of the window, I saw Mount Fuji. When I saw it I knew that I had arrived.
I spent two weeks in quarantine and at the end of that period, I began the journey to my new home. I travelled from Tokyo to Matsue City, in Shimane Prefecture. While travelling from Matsue to a ferry port in Sakaiminato, I crossed on what I believe is the craziest bridges that I have traversed. The name of the bridge is “The Eshisa Ohashi Bridge”. I do not think my description of the bridge would properly convey what I saw. It is worth researching “The Eshima Ohashi Bridge” for yourself.
After hours of traveling, I was all set to sail to my new home. On my way to Nakanoshima Island, I saw some beautiful rock formations on the neighbouring islands. This was not a huge surprise to me because I knew that the Oki-Islands are located within a Geopark. After I settled in to my new home, I was surprised that Nakanoshima looked so much like the North Coast of Trinidad. It did not feel like I travelled over the Pacific Ocean to Japan. I was convinced that I relocated from Central Trinidad to Santa Cruz. The community togetherness reminded me of rural Trinidad and Tobago. The only difference that stood out to me was the cold temperature. It was mind boggling to feel like I am in the Caribbean because of the aesthetics, yet, feel like I am in the Arctic all at the same time.
On December 17th, 2021 my senpai [Senior ALT] told me that it was going to snow later that day. I found it to be dubious because it was a “sweltering” 12 degrees Celsius for most of the day. Around 9pm, as I was watching television, I heard a light patter on the door, when I opened the door; light, white flakes greeted me. There was snow in abundance on the island, and it was a fantastic experience to see how perfectly the snow sat on trees and plants leaves.
Teaching at various schools has been a great experience. My supervisor and senpai made me feel comfortable as much as possible. I teach at one Kindergarten School, two Elementary Schools, and one Junior High School. We teach Basic English at the Kindergarten School, additionally, I play games with the students. This gives me the opportunity to use English, which allows the students to learn English words, and phrases while playing games. Teaching at the Elementary Schools is a little more technical; I am more hands on in the classes while they learn how to speak, read and write. I also use games as a natural way to teach conversational English. However, at the Junior High School, the students do more reading, writing, listening, conversing and analysing.
One activity I enjoyed was introducing myself at the various schools. It gave me the opportunity to highlight my culture to the students and teachers. While I was in quarantine, a teacher contacted me to inquire about the different foods in Trinidad and Tobago. He told the nutritionist about Trinidadian food and they attempted these recipes for the school lunch. The ‘doubles’ and stew chicken were spread over two courses and not eaten at the same time. The students and teachers enjoyed the meal, which made them more inquisitive about Trinidad and Tobago. This is exactly why I moved to Japan, so I can teach English and bring a greater curiosity about, and an awareness of, my culture while simultaneously satisfying my curiosity and awareness of the Japanese language and culture. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity and I will strive to make full proof of it.
JET Series: Trini boy moves on the Oki Islands (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives
I spent two weeks in quarantine and at the end of that period, I began the journey to my new home. I travelled from Tokyo to Matsue City, in Shimane Prefecture. While travelling from Matsue to a ferry port in Sakaiminato, I crossed on what I believe is the craziest bridges that I have traversed. The name of the bridge is “The Eshisa Ohashi Bridge”. I do not think my description of the bridge would properly convey what I saw. It is worth researching “The Eshima Ohashi Bridge” for yourself.
After hours of traveling, I was all set to sail to my new home. On my way to Nakanoshima Island, I saw some beautiful rock formations on the neighbouring islands. This was not a huge surprise to me because I knew that the Oki-Islands are located within a Geopark. After I settled in to my new home, I was surprised that Nakanoshima looked so much like the North Coast of Trinidad. It did not feel like I travelled over the Pacific Ocean to Japan. I was convinced that I relocated from Central Trinidad to Santa Cruz. The community togetherness reminded me of rural Trinidad and Tobago. The only difference that stood out to me was the cold temperature. It was mind boggling to feel like I am in the Caribbean because of the aesthetics, yet, feel like I am in the Arctic all at the same time.
On December 17th, 2021 my senpai [Senior ALT] told me that it was going to snow later that day. I found it to be dubious because it was a “sweltering” 12 degrees Celsius for most of the day. Around 9pm, as I was watching television, I heard a light patter on the door, when I opened the door; light, white flakes greeted me. There was snow in abundance on the island, and it was a fantastic experience to see how perfectly the snow sat on trees and plants leaves.
Teaching at various schools has been a great experience. My supervisor and senpai made me feel comfortable as much as possible. I teach at one Kindergarten School, two Elementary Schools, and one Junior High School. We teach Basic English at the Kindergarten School, additionally, I play games with the students. This gives me the opportunity to use English, which allows the students to learn English words, and phrases while playing games. Teaching at the Elementary Schools is a little more technical; I am more hands on in the classes while they learn how to speak, read and write. I also use games as a natural way to teach conversational English. However, at the Junior High School, the students do more reading, writing, listening, conversing and analysing.
One activity I enjoyed was introducing myself at the various schools. It gave me the opportunity to highlight my culture to the students and teachers. While I was in quarantine, a teacher contacted me to inquire about the different foods in Trinidad and Tobago. He told the nutritionist about Trinidadian food and they attempted these recipes for the school lunch. The ‘doubles’ and stew chicken were spread over two courses and not eaten at the same time. The students and teachers enjoyed the meal, which made them more inquisitive about Trinidad and Tobago. This is exactly why I moved to Japan, so I can teach English and bring a greater curiosity about, and an awareness of, my culture while simultaneously satisfying my curiosity and awareness of the Japanese language and culture. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity and I will strive to make full proof of it.
JET Series: Trini boy moves on the Oki Islands (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives