JET Programme Series: Creating my footprints! - Michael Simon
2023/7/17
JET Programme Series: Creating my footprints! - Michael Simon
On entering the JET Program, I felt like I had big shoes to fill. My brother did such an amazing job on this program that I wanted to do an equal or even better job. My JET batch had a long and hard journey on the way to Japan, circa C****-19, but we made it. I felt like I had to hit the ground running but as I got to my placement on a tiny dot in the Sea of Japan known as Ama-Cho, Shimane, I quickly realized that my journey would not be a regular one.
I am in the middle of nowhere. Where is the 7-11? The robot restaurants? The buildings? This was initially my first reaction but as time went on, I feel like I have grown into my own and I have discovered the real Japan. Yes, I’ve been to Tokyo and gotten my fill of buildings, especially Sky Tree. I’ve seen one of the 12 remaining original castles – Matsue Castle. I’ve been to Hiroshima and seen Sadako’s Statue and the Atomic Bomb Dome. I’ve been to Matsuyama and eaten some of the best Karaage (fried chicken) I’ve eaten in Japan. I’ve been to Beppu in Oita, the mecca of onsens and had one of the most satisfying hot spring baths. I even went to Miyajima Island and visited the Itsukushima Shrine and pet some deer in the process.
Now, these were amazing experiences that I would not change for the world but, every single time I could not wait to go home to Ama-Cho. Like I said, I’ve discovered the real Japan and it improved me as an individual. The setting sun on the horizon in the twilight, the fresh air, the mountainous region, the rare sighting of a car, the bikes, the walking people with friendly smiles, the scenic walks to shrines that look like you stepped straight out of an anime version of the Tokugawa era (cough cough..Samurai X..cough..Kenshin for life) and the rice field after rice field. Did I mention the rice fields? I have grown to appreciate them. I think I would make an excellent rice farmer with my lovely tractor and straw hat I’ve grown quite fond of.
I’ve also connected more with my students. We build snowmen in the winter time and play soccer every chance we get. I’ve built a great rapport with my fellow teachers to the point where we always have a barbeque and we play basketball once a week. My Japanese has also improved immensely. Now I’m more involved in some of my classes and I even started an Obaa-chan (grandmother) English Community Class, where we have conversational English, cook Trini food like fry bake, learn about Trinidad and Tobago and by extension the rest of the Caribbean. I feel like I’ve found my calling through the sharing of culture and I’ve indeed made some great friends along the way.
So yes, I am indeed creating my own footprints!
JET Series: Creating my Footprints! (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives
I am in the middle of nowhere. Where is the 7-11? The robot restaurants? The buildings? This was initially my first reaction but as time went on, I feel like I have grown into my own and I have discovered the real Japan. Yes, I’ve been to Tokyo and gotten my fill of buildings, especially Sky Tree. I’ve seen one of the 12 remaining original castles – Matsue Castle. I’ve been to Hiroshima and seen Sadako’s Statue and the Atomic Bomb Dome. I’ve been to Matsuyama and eaten some of the best Karaage (fried chicken) I’ve eaten in Japan. I’ve been to Beppu in Oita, the mecca of onsens and had one of the most satisfying hot spring baths. I even went to Miyajima Island and visited the Itsukushima Shrine and pet some deer in the process.
Now, these were amazing experiences that I would not change for the world but, every single time I could not wait to go home to Ama-Cho. Like I said, I’ve discovered the real Japan and it improved me as an individual. The setting sun on the horizon in the twilight, the fresh air, the mountainous region, the rare sighting of a car, the bikes, the walking people with friendly smiles, the scenic walks to shrines that look like you stepped straight out of an anime version of the Tokugawa era (cough cough..Samurai X..cough..Kenshin for life) and the rice field after rice field. Did I mention the rice fields? I have grown to appreciate them. I think I would make an excellent rice farmer with my lovely tractor and straw hat I’ve grown quite fond of.
I’ve also connected more with my students. We build snowmen in the winter time and play soccer every chance we get. I’ve built a great rapport with my fellow teachers to the point where we always have a barbeque and we play basketball once a week. My Japanese has also improved immensely. Now I’m more involved in some of my classes and I even started an Obaa-chan (grandmother) English Community Class, where we have conversational English, cook Trini food like fry bake, learn about Trinidad and Tobago and by extension the rest of the Caribbean. I feel like I’ve found my calling through the sharing of culture and I’ve indeed made some great friends along the way.
So yes, I am indeed creating my own footprints!
JET Series: Creating my Footprints! (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives