JET Programme Series: Snow Country for Old Men - Irfaan Ali
2023/10/16
JET Programme Series: Snow Country for Old Men - Irfaan Ali
The phone call that changed my life came later than I expected but it was welcomed nonetheless.
“Hello, is this Irfaan Ali?”
“Yes, this is he”
It was overdue by a week or maybe it was right on time. It was in this moment the realisation hit, life would never be the same. The audio coming through the line slowly turned to silence and time crawled with it now, background noise, nearly static for a second, only one thought, ‘I got in, I’ve been accepted into the JET Programme.’ The details were received as time returned to its natural flow.
A year ago, it was decided, an application to the JET Programme, success means the interaction with the people of Japan and I will experience as much as I can through immersion, while taking as much of Trinidad and Tobago as I can with me to share. The reality hit me. I will be living in Japan.
Growing up I always admired the intricacies and the respect and care that the Japanese people put into their craft, be it technology, animation, art, architecture, food, or any other front where an idea can manifest itself into reality. The ability to see the famed seat of “the protagonist” is almost within reach, I know my fellow anime enthusiasts will get that reference. To walk among the people whose ancestors were the known and respected samurai. To wear a kimono and attend festivals in the summer. Seeing the cherry trees blossom and petals scatter over streets and waterways will soon be just outside the window or down the street. Finally at the age of 32 I shall be able to see it all in person.
I leave for Japan in a couple of weeks, after living in southern Trinidad for most of my life. A prefecture known for its apples and snow, far in the north, Aomori, a prefecture I look forward to calling my new home for the foreseeable future. A stark contrast to my current abode in Debe, South Trinidad. A small town in the Japanese countryside, far away from the bright lights and loud sounds of the busy cities. I look forward to joining the well hidden town far in the north, with its small cafes and tiny bars. Seeing the villagers on their daily routines and living my own among them.
As if in a daze I spend my time right now either in preparation or research. Suddenly a year has gone by and an unknown departure date became known, and an acceptance call is no longer on the list of things to worry about as the list of places and people I bid my little farewells to gets shorter. The time to embark on one of the longest journeys ever taken draws nearer and the anticipation, anxiety, excitation, and a myriad of other emotions rise and fall as the days go by.
Ps: this article was written before my departure.
JET Series: Snow Country for Old Men (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives
“Hello, is this Irfaan Ali?”
“Yes, this is he”
It was overdue by a week or maybe it was right on time. It was in this moment the realisation hit, life would never be the same. The audio coming through the line slowly turned to silence and time crawled with it now, background noise, nearly static for a second, only one thought, ‘I got in, I’ve been accepted into the JET Programme.’ The details were received as time returned to its natural flow.
A year ago, it was decided, an application to the JET Programme, success means the interaction with the people of Japan and I will experience as much as I can through immersion, while taking as much of Trinidad and Tobago as I can with me to share. The reality hit me. I will be living in Japan.
Growing up I always admired the intricacies and the respect and care that the Japanese people put into their craft, be it technology, animation, art, architecture, food, or any other front where an idea can manifest itself into reality. The ability to see the famed seat of “the protagonist” is almost within reach, I know my fellow anime enthusiasts will get that reference. To walk among the people whose ancestors were the known and respected samurai. To wear a kimono and attend festivals in the summer. Seeing the cherry trees blossom and petals scatter over streets and waterways will soon be just outside the window or down the street. Finally at the age of 32 I shall be able to see it all in person.
I leave for Japan in a couple of weeks, after living in southern Trinidad for most of my life. A prefecture known for its apples and snow, far in the north, Aomori, a prefecture I look forward to calling my new home for the foreseeable future. A stark contrast to my current abode in Debe, South Trinidad. A small town in the Japanese countryside, far away from the bright lights and loud sounds of the busy cities. I look forward to joining the well hidden town far in the north, with its small cafes and tiny bars. Seeing the villagers on their daily routines and living my own among them.
As if in a daze I spend my time right now either in preparation or research. Suddenly a year has gone by and an unknown departure date became known, and an acceptance call is no longer on the list of things to worry about as the list of places and people I bid my little farewells to gets shorter. The time to embark on one of the longest journeys ever taken draws nearer and the anticipation, anxiety, excitation, and a myriad of other emotions rise and fall as the days go by.
Ps: this article was written before my departure.
JET Series: Snow Country for Old Men (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives