Jet Programme Series: The Strange Thing About Wanderlust - Neelam Ramkaran
2022/4/28
Jet Programme Series: The Strange Thing About Wanderlust - Neelam Ramkaran
Relocating to a country on the other side of the world may seem like a daunting task, but this might be my most exciting adventure yet.
My name is Neelam Ramkaran. I am 24 years old with a B.A. in Spanish and French. As someone who bounced around Trinidad growing up, it is no surprise that I started exploring new countries and cultures as soon as the opportunities presented themselves.
At the secondary school level, we are traditionally told to select a career that will provide us with financial stability for the rest of our lives. I, of course, completely ignored that, and I pursued languages, based solely on my desire to have a career that allowed me to travel and explore new countries and cultures. I obtained my degree, and then decided to broaden my horizons by doing online Japanese classes with CLL while working. Some may see it as reckless, but I think it has paid off. I’ve taught and tutored English locally to Spanish speaking migrants, and abroad in Colombia to tertiary level students. Even with the pandemic, I was able to secure opportunities in multicultural humanitarian environments. I was thriving in such a difficult climate. Yet, as more time passed, I felt almost stuck in Trinidad and Tobago. That’s the strange thing about wanderlust: You never know when it’s going to hit you.
So, in 2020, at the height of the pandemic, I decided to apply for the JET program. Risky? Maybe. But here I am, in 2022, finally embarking on my journey. I’m headed to Kobe City, located in the Hyogo prefecture. This was actually my top pick of location, so I was overjoyed when I got word of my placement. I felt like this city was the perfect place for me, with its eclectic mix of rich history and modern installments, and my list of things to experience are endless.
With regards to my job as an ALT, I have no doubt that the experience will be unique. Despite having experience teaching English, I expect the culture of the classroom to be vastly different in Japan. But it’s not only a job; it’s a cultural exchange. It’s meant to be a learning experience, and I’m sure that there will be a lot to learn and apply to future opportunities.
I hope to share with others the rich culture of Trinidad and Tobago while working and living in Kobe, while also sharing my experiences in Japan through various platforms. I hope that this can foster appreciation for both nations, as well as hopefully strengthen their ties.
I would like to extend my gratitude to the Ambassador, the JET Coordinators, and the staff of the Japanese for making this opportunity possible. I must also thank my family and friends (especially my mum) for their constant support in my endeavors.
JET Series: The Strange Thing About Wanderlust (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives
My name is Neelam Ramkaran. I am 24 years old with a B.A. in Spanish and French. As someone who bounced around Trinidad growing up, it is no surprise that I started exploring new countries and cultures as soon as the opportunities presented themselves.
At the secondary school level, we are traditionally told to select a career that will provide us with financial stability for the rest of our lives. I, of course, completely ignored that, and I pursued languages, based solely on my desire to have a career that allowed me to travel and explore new countries and cultures. I obtained my degree, and then decided to broaden my horizons by doing online Japanese classes with CLL while working. Some may see it as reckless, but I think it has paid off. I’ve taught and tutored English locally to Spanish speaking migrants, and abroad in Colombia to tertiary level students. Even with the pandemic, I was able to secure opportunities in multicultural humanitarian environments. I was thriving in such a difficult climate. Yet, as more time passed, I felt almost stuck in Trinidad and Tobago. That’s the strange thing about wanderlust: You never know when it’s going to hit you.
So, in 2020, at the height of the pandemic, I decided to apply for the JET program. Risky? Maybe. But here I am, in 2022, finally embarking on my journey. I’m headed to Kobe City, located in the Hyogo prefecture. This was actually my top pick of location, so I was overjoyed when I got word of my placement. I felt like this city was the perfect place for me, with its eclectic mix of rich history and modern installments, and my list of things to experience are endless.
With regards to my job as an ALT, I have no doubt that the experience will be unique. Despite having experience teaching English, I expect the culture of the classroom to be vastly different in Japan. But it’s not only a job; it’s a cultural exchange. It’s meant to be a learning experience, and I’m sure that there will be a lot to learn and apply to future opportunities.
I hope to share with others the rich culture of Trinidad and Tobago while working and living in Kobe, while also sharing my experiences in Japan through various platforms. I hope that this can foster appreciation for both nations, as well as hopefully strengthen their ties.
I would like to extend my gratitude to the Ambassador, the JET Coordinators, and the staff of the Japanese for making this opportunity possible. I must also thank my family and friends (especially my mum) for their constant support in my endeavors.
JET Series: The Strange Thing About Wanderlust (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives