JET Programme Series: Much more than I could have even imagined - Melissa Heeralal
2022/4/12
JET Programme Series: Much more than I could have even imagined - Melissa Heeralal
It has been three months since I have started teaching Japanese elementary school children. During this time, I have had a myriad of questions thrown at me. What are my hobbies? How many siblings do I have? What did I do back in my country? What is my favourite part of my face? What shape of watch do I like? Even the oddest of questions are answered with serious thought and a straight face. But an eight-year-old Japanese child asked me a question that made me smile with pure happiness. What was my dream as a child?
My answer: Japan.
There is a satisfaction in working hard and attaining your dream that cannot be described and this is what I am feeling now. This move did have its many hurdles however. First and foremost: Covid 19. This virus has been disrupting many aspects of everyone’s lives, including the JET program. We then arrived in Japan on the cusp of winter. Being from our beautiful island where the weather is warm all year round (unbearably so on some days) to getting thrown into negative temperatures and learning to navigate life here really tested my ability to adapt.
I, however, am proud to say that I am managing and improving every day. Getting lost or taking the train in the wrong direction is just part of the process. It is unfortunate, however, that my travels across Japan are minimal to none due to many reasons. But going to school every day and spending time with the children makes me feel like I am not missing anything. I have also been given the opportunity to appreciate the little things. Such as the walk to my school from the bus stop. It is quite peaceful and watching the seasons change is just fascinating.
My fellow teachers have been wonderful and unbelievably helpful. There is the ever-present language barrier as my ability to converse comfortably in Japanese is little to none but with their help, I have been slowly improving. They even allowed me to try my hand at Japanese calligraphy! (I definitely need practice).
The children are so amazing and loving. The things they can do never ceases to amaze me and no two days are the same with them around. There is something so pure about the creativity of children. The sixth graders were given the task of creating a music box as their graduation present to themselves. What they came up with left me speechless.
The largest accomplishment thus far is the questions about Trinidad and Tobago that both students and teachers are eager to ask. I enjoy answering them and relish in the shocked faces when I inform them that we have no snow on our island. I was also able to introduce our pepper sauce to a few teachers and they absolutely loved it!
Japan so far has been so much more than I could have even imagined. It has been nothing like I expected but I am happy with the way things have turned out. Who knows what else in store but what I do know is that my journey here has just begun.
JET Series: Much more than I could have even imagined (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives
My answer: Japan.
There is a satisfaction in working hard and attaining your dream that cannot be described and this is what I am feeling now. This move did have its many hurdles however. First and foremost: Covid 19. This virus has been disrupting many aspects of everyone’s lives, including the JET program. We then arrived in Japan on the cusp of winter. Being from our beautiful island where the weather is warm all year round (unbearably so on some days) to getting thrown into negative temperatures and learning to navigate life here really tested my ability to adapt.
I, however, am proud to say that I am managing and improving every day. Getting lost or taking the train in the wrong direction is just part of the process. It is unfortunate, however, that my travels across Japan are minimal to none due to many reasons. But going to school every day and spending time with the children makes me feel like I am not missing anything. I have also been given the opportunity to appreciate the little things. Such as the walk to my school from the bus stop. It is quite peaceful and watching the seasons change is just fascinating.
My fellow teachers have been wonderful and unbelievably helpful. There is the ever-present language barrier as my ability to converse comfortably in Japanese is little to none but with their help, I have been slowly improving. They even allowed me to try my hand at Japanese calligraphy! (I definitely need practice).
The children are so amazing and loving. The things they can do never ceases to amaze me and no two days are the same with them around. There is something so pure about the creativity of children. The sixth graders were given the task of creating a music box as their graduation present to themselves. What they came up with left me speechless.
The largest accomplishment thus far is the questions about Trinidad and Tobago that both students and teachers are eager to ask. I enjoy answering them and relish in the shocked faces when I inform them that we have no snow on our island. I was also able to introduce our pepper sauce to a few teachers and they absolutely loved it!
Japan so far has been so much more than I could have even imagined. It has been nothing like I expected but I am happy with the way things have turned out. Who knows what else in store but what I do know is that my journey here has just begun.
JET Series: Much more than I could have even imagined (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives