JET Programme Series: Entering the fourth year - Nicholas Rajalal
2022/6/3
JET Programme Series: Entering The Fourth Year - Nicholas Rajalal
I came to Oita prefecture in August 2019, which means that this August will make it three years that I have been living and working in Japan. I already signed on for my fourth year so I will be here for another year. The experience thus far has truly been a great one. So, what has made my experience here an enjoyable one? Here are some of the things that I have been doing:
I love volunteering so I try to seek out as many volunteering opportunities as I can find. I have been involved with beach cleanups, Wheelchair marathons, English communication classes, cleaning Shrines and temples and Rugby matches. For future participants who also have a passion for philanthropy, I assure you that there are many opportunities here for you to be altruistic, sometimes they could be hidden in plain sight. Just seek them out and you will find them. For me, participating in these types of activities makes me feel happy and that’s why I will continue to do them.
To match my humanitarian endeavors and to give me the energy I need to help others, I love enjoying a good meal. I hit the jackpot with flavor and variety in my placement in Oita prefecture as I have tried so many different types of foods here. Japan is so much more than Sushi and Ramen. My absolute favorite food here is Oita’s own Soul food called Dango Jiru, it’s like a dumpling soup and the taste brings me back to home. I also like Oita’s other specialties such as Toriten and Karaage (which is fried chicken, and you know how we Trinidadians love our fried chicken!) also it’s not bad that Oita has Saiki, which is a city that has one of, if not the widest ranges of fresh fish in all of Japan.
There are so many things that I can list about what I do here and why I love Oita, but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the people here. Oita’s residents are one of the friendliest, patient and accommodating. Maybe its just my personal bias but I have asked many foreigners and they also agree with me. It’s easy to make friends here and get invited to their BBQs or get invited for a drink here and there. I live in Oita city, and I am very comfortable here, it’s easy for me to move around and get things done and if I am in trouble, there is always someone willing to help me.
In closing, for future JETs, when you get your placement, go there with an open mind. Be forgiving and make it your prerogative to make connections. Give people grace and try not to take things too seriously. I believe that to have a good experience here or anywhere really, you must have a good mindset and attitude. Treat people with kindness and respect and they will in turn treat you in that way too. But most importantly have fun. This experience is what you make of it. Cheers to you and your journey on or towards JET and here’s to my fourth year! Finally, make sure and put Oita on your “to do list” when you get to Japan !
JET Programme Series: Entering The Fourth Year (Japanese Embassy Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives
I love volunteering so I try to seek out as many volunteering opportunities as I can find. I have been involved with beach cleanups, Wheelchair marathons, English communication classes, cleaning Shrines and temples and Rugby matches. For future participants who also have a passion for philanthropy, I assure you that there are many opportunities here for you to be altruistic, sometimes they could be hidden in plain sight. Just seek them out and you will find them. For me, participating in these types of activities makes me feel happy and that’s why I will continue to do them.
To match my humanitarian endeavors and to give me the energy I need to help others, I love enjoying a good meal. I hit the jackpot with flavor and variety in my placement in Oita prefecture as I have tried so many different types of foods here. Japan is so much more than Sushi and Ramen. My absolute favorite food here is Oita’s own Soul food called Dango Jiru, it’s like a dumpling soup and the taste brings me back to home. I also like Oita’s other specialties such as Toriten and Karaage (which is fried chicken, and you know how we Trinidadians love our fried chicken!) also it’s not bad that Oita has Saiki, which is a city that has one of, if not the widest ranges of fresh fish in all of Japan.
There are so many things that I can list about what I do here and why I love Oita, but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the people here. Oita’s residents are one of the friendliest, patient and accommodating. Maybe its just my personal bias but I have asked many foreigners and they also agree with me. It’s easy to make friends here and get invited to their BBQs or get invited for a drink here and there. I live in Oita city, and I am very comfortable here, it’s easy for me to move around and get things done and if I am in trouble, there is always someone willing to help me.
In closing, for future JETs, when you get your placement, go there with an open mind. Be forgiving and make it your prerogative to make connections. Give people grace and try not to take things too seriously. I believe that to have a good experience here or anywhere really, you must have a good mindset and attitude. Treat people with kindness and respect and they will in turn treat you in that way too. But most importantly have fun. This experience is what you make of it. Cheers to you and your journey on or towards JET and here’s to my fourth year! Finally, make sure and put Oita on your “to do list” when you get to Japan !
JET Programme Series: Entering The Fourth Year (Japanese Embassy Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives