JET Programme Series: Japan: Hey Now, Hey Now! This is what Dreams are Made of! - La Toya Nicholls
2023/8/11
JET Programme Series: Japan: Hey Now, Hey Now! This is what Dreams are Made of! - La Toya Nicholls
Hello! My name is La Toya Nicholls. I am 31 years old and one of the successful candidates for this year’s JET Programme. As cliche as it is, sometimes I really pinch myself to see if this journey I’m embarking on is real. It’s not every day a small town , southern, country girl from La Brea gets the opportunity to live her dreams in not just one of the most popular cities in the world, but, one of the greatest nations. Yet, here I am about to be an expat in Japan! This is the part where you play Kelly Clarkson’s “Breakaway”.
I always knew my dreams were bigger than what my hometown would allow. The journal entries of my teen years reflect this truth, “One day, I will hop a plane!”, I'd say, daydreaming over my then, future adult life while being inspired by my favorite teen shows and music. And so, with a passion for education, support from my single-parent mother, a spirit of bravery and a thirst for adventure, I moved north of the highway at age 19 and attended The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus. It is there I completed my BA English Language and Literature with Education degree and also discovered the JET Programme.
Why did I apply? I think the question should really be, “Why wouldn’t I apply?”
The premise of the JET Programme is not only to be employed as an English teacher to Japanese youth, but to also merge and explore the cultures of Japan and my country, both of which I adore so much. As a trained educator, this allows me the opportunity to challenge my comfort zone and improve my techniques as I would be teaching children whose first language is not English. This opportunity also allows me the chance of being an ambassador for my nation, while also having first hand experience in the everyday life of Japanese people and their rich heritage; a once in a lifetime blessing.
I still remember the moment I opened my placement email. It stated I was placed in Osaka-shi! Despite being a bit confused as to if I was placed in the city or countryside, a simple google search showed how breathtaking the prefecture is by either being hypnotized by the dazzling lights of the city or the beautiful scenery of the rural areas. As fate would have it, however, I am now a city girl! My placement is at Shibutani High School in Ikeda City, Osaka Prefecture. I was beyond thrilled because I researched attractions of Osaka and saw there is actually a Cup Noodles Museum there (the meal that I survived on through college). Talk about nostalgia! I plan to take residence in Osaka City or what I playfully dubbed the “City of the Running Man” thanks to many late night searches on TikTok. Yes, I’m greedy and want to enjoy the best of both worlds. The thing that was so fascinating to me was that despite being surrounded by tall concrete buildings, there was still a lake flowing through the very heart of the city. A perfect balance of Mother Nature and modernization.
There is no minimum and no limit to my excitement of moving to Japan. I truly cannot say what is the thing I am most elated about. From being able to say my first, “Ohayo gozaimasu” to a Japanese person, to visiting the Pokemon Centre. From eating my first plate of sushi to visiting holy Japanese shrines. The interaction with people, the places to visit and the festivals to experience; the rush of excitement is limitless!
Speaking of excitement, I cannot wait to meet my new colleagues and students at Shibutani High School. One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned in being an experienced educator is despite one’s position, you are never too qualified to learn. In my classroom we are all senseis; teachers and students alike. While being Assistant Language Teacher to them, they are being Japanese teachers to me as not only would they be educating me on their language, they would also be teaching me the ways of Japanese life. Manners, mannerisms, language and culture. I cannot wait for that.
Yes, I am melancholy about leaving behind my support system, namely my mom and close friends who became family, but I know it is faith as small as a mustard seed coupled by their encouragement that has brought me here. Divine intervention has brought me here. This life changing chapter was not by chance. Leaving the familiar and stepping into the unknown isn’t something I haven’t done before and with each leap, I have sprouted and grown into a better version of me. Oh, what a great leap this is!
To those of you who are in the valley of decision for applying this September, please do not be scared of taking that leap of faith. Do not be afraid to breakaway. You deserve it. You deserve your dreams to come true. Hey now, hey now! This is what dreams are made of!
JET Series: Hey Now, Hey Now! This is what Dreams are Made of! (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives
I always knew my dreams were bigger than what my hometown would allow. The journal entries of my teen years reflect this truth, “One day, I will hop a plane!”, I'd say, daydreaming over my then, future adult life while being inspired by my favorite teen shows and music. And so, with a passion for education, support from my single-parent mother, a spirit of bravery and a thirst for adventure, I moved north of the highway at age 19 and attended The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus. It is there I completed my BA English Language and Literature with Education degree and also discovered the JET Programme.
Why did I apply? I think the question should really be, “Why wouldn’t I apply?”
The premise of the JET Programme is not only to be employed as an English teacher to Japanese youth, but to also merge and explore the cultures of Japan and my country, both of which I adore so much. As a trained educator, this allows me the opportunity to challenge my comfort zone and improve my techniques as I would be teaching children whose first language is not English. This opportunity also allows me the chance of being an ambassador for my nation, while also having first hand experience in the everyday life of Japanese people and their rich heritage; a once in a lifetime blessing.
I still remember the moment I opened my placement email. It stated I was placed in Osaka-shi! Despite being a bit confused as to if I was placed in the city or countryside, a simple google search showed how breathtaking the prefecture is by either being hypnotized by the dazzling lights of the city or the beautiful scenery of the rural areas. As fate would have it, however, I am now a city girl! My placement is at Shibutani High School in Ikeda City, Osaka Prefecture. I was beyond thrilled because I researched attractions of Osaka and saw there is actually a Cup Noodles Museum there (the meal that I survived on through college). Talk about nostalgia! I plan to take residence in Osaka City or what I playfully dubbed the “City of the Running Man” thanks to many late night searches on TikTok. Yes, I’m greedy and want to enjoy the best of both worlds. The thing that was so fascinating to me was that despite being surrounded by tall concrete buildings, there was still a lake flowing through the very heart of the city. A perfect balance of Mother Nature and modernization.
There is no minimum and no limit to my excitement of moving to Japan. I truly cannot say what is the thing I am most elated about. From being able to say my first, “Ohayo gozaimasu” to a Japanese person, to visiting the Pokemon Centre. From eating my first plate of sushi to visiting holy Japanese shrines. The interaction with people, the places to visit and the festivals to experience; the rush of excitement is limitless!
Speaking of excitement, I cannot wait to meet my new colleagues and students at Shibutani High School. One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned in being an experienced educator is despite one’s position, you are never too qualified to learn. In my classroom we are all senseis; teachers and students alike. While being Assistant Language Teacher to them, they are being Japanese teachers to me as not only would they be educating me on their language, they would also be teaching me the ways of Japanese life. Manners, mannerisms, language and culture. I cannot wait for that.
Yes, I am melancholy about leaving behind my support system, namely my mom and close friends who became family, but I know it is faith as small as a mustard seed coupled by their encouragement that has brought me here. Divine intervention has brought me here. This life changing chapter was not by chance. Leaving the familiar and stepping into the unknown isn’t something I haven’t done before and with each leap, I have sprouted and grown into a better version of me. Oh, what a great leap this is!
To those of you who are in the valley of decision for applying this September, please do not be scared of taking that leap of faith. Do not be afraid to breakaway. You deserve it. You deserve your dreams to come true. Hey now, hey now! This is what dreams are made of!
JET Series: Hey Now, Hey Now! This is what Dreams are Made of! (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives