JET Programme Series: The Path - Jarron Andrews
2023/8/16
JET Programme Series: The Path - Jarron Andrews
Konnichiwa! Watashi no manae wa Andrews Jarron. To the rest of the world I said,
“Hello! My name is Jarron Andrews.”
I am a twenty-six-year-old young man from the Marabella, and soon I will be spending the next three years of my life in Japan. Three years before now, I was just a student at the University of Trinidad and Tobago pursuing a Bachelor of Education, Specialized in Physical Education. I am a lover of sport, but education has my heart. At this point in my life, I assumed it would be easy as pie; just go to school, get my degree then, start my career.
Upon completing my degree in the year 2021, I was greeted with a rude reality check. There were no more vacancies for me as a teacher, therefore hiring slowed and my back was against the wall. All I ever wanted was to be a teacher and I almost give in, but God sent a gift my way. I started seeing advertisements about the JET Programme and it was the topic of discussion amongst my contacts in education. A few of them even sent it to me. I really had second thoughts about it out of fear but as a sport enthusiast you are taught, when scared, that’s when you make the move. It simply means you care, so I applied. Unfortunately, that year I wasn’t greeted with the great news I expected because as I thought, just like before, it would be easy as pie. It was not. I had to dig deep. I was already connected and invested because during that time I felt as if this was for me and nothing desirable comes easy. I applied again! During this second round, God continued with gift giving. I was blessed enough to get to the interview process again, where I met a friend that I knew from university along with many fun people who I just had a natural connection with. One of them is already settled in Japan. Following the interview day, the gifts kept coming as I would meet a co-worker who happened to be good friends with someone who took the same steps I am now taking. I felt it and knew it in my gut, this was it. It could not have been a coincidence. It was only a matter of time, then I got a phone call, “Jarron Andrews, you have been accepted to be a part of the JET Programme 2023.”
Honestly, at this point I assume the giving of gift was over then I was blessed enough to be placed in a prefecture with same colleague who I knew throughout university. Ehime, a lovely island with a lot of trees, mountains and even castles. This is such a pleasure especially since I'm a sucker for breathtaking views and lovely hikes. I am ready. In the event that I fall ill, there would be someone that I know just fifty-four kilometers away. Magical.
This opportunity will undeniably be an asset for me as an educator. My love for education meets both world’s since I have this chance to teach and learn simultaneously. After, I plan to use this experience to be a better student, teacher and professional.
I want to give God all the glory for always holding my hand and whispering in my ear even granting me gifts. I would also love to thank the ambassador along with his staff at the Japan embassy for this opportunity and their tireless work. I have so much love for my family for always believing in me and standing behind me to push me on. My group of friends for always expecting excellence. I also would like to thank myself for having the qualities of tenacity, open mindedness, patience and being God fearing because this could not be done without having God by my side. To everyone else, ‘do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.’ - Raymond Reddington.
JET Series: The Path (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives
“Hello! My name is Jarron Andrews.”
I am a twenty-six-year-old young man from the Marabella, and soon I will be spending the next three years of my life in Japan. Three years before now, I was just a student at the University of Trinidad and Tobago pursuing a Bachelor of Education, Specialized in Physical Education. I am a lover of sport, but education has my heart. At this point in my life, I assumed it would be easy as pie; just go to school, get my degree then, start my career.
Upon completing my degree in the year 2021, I was greeted with a rude reality check. There were no more vacancies for me as a teacher, therefore hiring slowed and my back was against the wall. All I ever wanted was to be a teacher and I almost give in, but God sent a gift my way. I started seeing advertisements about the JET Programme and it was the topic of discussion amongst my contacts in education. A few of them even sent it to me. I really had second thoughts about it out of fear but as a sport enthusiast you are taught, when scared, that’s when you make the move. It simply means you care, so I applied. Unfortunately, that year I wasn’t greeted with the great news I expected because as I thought, just like before, it would be easy as pie. It was not. I had to dig deep. I was already connected and invested because during that time I felt as if this was for me and nothing desirable comes easy. I applied again! During this second round, God continued with gift giving. I was blessed enough to get to the interview process again, where I met a friend that I knew from university along with many fun people who I just had a natural connection with. One of them is already settled in Japan. Following the interview day, the gifts kept coming as I would meet a co-worker who happened to be good friends with someone who took the same steps I am now taking. I felt it and knew it in my gut, this was it. It could not have been a coincidence. It was only a matter of time, then I got a phone call, “Jarron Andrews, you have been accepted to be a part of the JET Programme 2023.”
Honestly, at this point I assume the giving of gift was over then I was blessed enough to be placed in a prefecture with same colleague who I knew throughout university. Ehime, a lovely island with a lot of trees, mountains and even castles. This is such a pleasure especially since I'm a sucker for breathtaking views and lovely hikes. I am ready. In the event that I fall ill, there would be someone that I know just fifty-four kilometers away. Magical.
This opportunity will undeniably be an asset for me as an educator. My love for education meets both world’s since I have this chance to teach and learn simultaneously. After, I plan to use this experience to be a better student, teacher and professional.
I want to give God all the glory for always holding my hand and whispering in my ear even granting me gifts. I would also love to thank the ambassador along with his staff at the Japan embassy for this opportunity and their tireless work. I have so much love for my family for always believing in me and standing behind me to push me on. My group of friends for always expecting excellence. I also would like to thank myself for having the qualities of tenacity, open mindedness, patience and being God fearing because this could not be done without having God by my side. To everyone else, ‘do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.’ - Raymond Reddington.
JET Series: The Path (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives