JET Programme Series: No Subtitles - Jarron Andrews
2023/12/19
JET Programme Series: No Subtitles - Jarron Andrews
Update! I am having the time of life, evening without the subtitles.
Book 1.
Chapter 1.
It has been approximately four (4) months since I left Trinidad and Tobago and arrived in Japan, entering this new phase of my life. Honestly, this transition really tested me in more ways than I could have imagined before taking this leap of faith. Being in a country alone, with different seasons from your own along with a different language, culture and even something as simple as the size difference really is mind boggling and can leave you drained at times. Imagine living your entire life in Trinidad and Tobago, thinking that we are the capital of the Caribbean, little America for some and people often reply, “Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee??????”, to me being a Trinbagonian. Apparently, people often think the Caribbean comprises of just Jamaica, Cuba, Hati, and even Costa Rica (which isn’t even a part of the Caribbean!). It’s truly a humbling experience but I do take pride in explaining where I am from and have a lot of fun doing so.
Chapter 2
From a small country to a small city, Ozu City really is the perfect fit for me. The views I get to see and visit daily usually is truly breathtaking. My Board of Education gave me a bike which I use every day for commuting which isn’t that bad although my friends at home think differently. My colleagues here call me the college boy in the group because I’d casually be seen riding everywhere I need to go. My superiors are extremely understanding, and they made the transition of working here with the language barrier easy. My students are always excited to see me walk the hallways of each of the schools I teach at because to some, I’m the first guy of color they have ever seen. Can you imagine how excited students outside of the schools I teach react when they see me ride on by? To them I’m such a celebrity.
Chapter 3
Being an education major, this is such a highlight of my professional life seeing how tirelessly these teachers work to ensure the best possible outcome for their students and in part their society. Me saying this doesn’t discredit the hard-working teachers I have encountered at home (Trinidad and Tobago) but seeing them work and being actually busy from the time I arrive to the office, eight (8) to the time I leave, four (4) and the stay far beyond 4 P.M is something else. Their passion isn’t unwavering and seeing this passion really does inspire me. Until now, I didn’t think I could have that level of motivation. Was that terrible of me to say?
Chapter 4
Outside of school, I have gotten acquainted with some of the nicest people. Some of which, I have dinner with on a weekly basis trying different Japanese cuisine and just chilling out. I made it my mission to get them to stop saying, “chilling out” and say, “liming” instead. I was successful. Besides the casual ‘liming’ I also have the chance of doing a lot of other amazing things like hiking Mount Ishizuchi, which is the highest point on my island (6503ft) and doing the Shimanami Kaido (a cycling route from the Ehime Prefecture, Imabari City to Hiroshima Perfecture, Onomichi City. 70km). Doing the Shimanami Kaido is the most fun I have had.
Although, it was a rough start, “you can’t really judge a book by the cover though you sometimes can by the first few chapters...” - Raymond Reddington.
Chapter 5
To be continued…
P.S: It’s almost winter. I’m cold! Tasukete!
JET Series: No Subtitles (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives
Book 1.
Chapter 1.
It has been approximately four (4) months since I left Trinidad and Tobago and arrived in Japan, entering this new phase of my life. Honestly, this transition really tested me in more ways than I could have imagined before taking this leap of faith. Being in a country alone, with different seasons from your own along with a different language, culture and even something as simple as the size difference really is mind boggling and can leave you drained at times. Imagine living your entire life in Trinidad and Tobago, thinking that we are the capital of the Caribbean, little America for some and people often reply, “Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee??????”, to me being a Trinbagonian. Apparently, people often think the Caribbean comprises of just Jamaica, Cuba, Hati, and even Costa Rica (which isn’t even a part of the Caribbean!). It’s truly a humbling experience but I do take pride in explaining where I am from and have a lot of fun doing so.
Chapter 2
From a small country to a small city, Ozu City really is the perfect fit for me. The views I get to see and visit daily usually is truly breathtaking. My Board of Education gave me a bike which I use every day for commuting which isn’t that bad although my friends at home think differently. My colleagues here call me the college boy in the group because I’d casually be seen riding everywhere I need to go. My superiors are extremely understanding, and they made the transition of working here with the language barrier easy. My students are always excited to see me walk the hallways of each of the schools I teach at because to some, I’m the first guy of color they have ever seen. Can you imagine how excited students outside of the schools I teach react when they see me ride on by? To them I’m such a celebrity.
Chapter 3
Being an education major, this is such a highlight of my professional life seeing how tirelessly these teachers work to ensure the best possible outcome for their students and in part their society. Me saying this doesn’t discredit the hard-working teachers I have encountered at home (Trinidad and Tobago) but seeing them work and being actually busy from the time I arrive to the office, eight (8) to the time I leave, four (4) and the stay far beyond 4 P.M is something else. Their passion isn’t unwavering and seeing this passion really does inspire me. Until now, I didn’t think I could have that level of motivation. Was that terrible of me to say?
Chapter 4
Outside of school, I have gotten acquainted with some of the nicest people. Some of which, I have dinner with on a weekly basis trying different Japanese cuisine and just chilling out. I made it my mission to get them to stop saying, “chilling out” and say, “liming” instead. I was successful. Besides the casual ‘liming’ I also have the chance of doing a lot of other amazing things like hiking Mount Ishizuchi, which is the highest point on my island (6503ft) and doing the Shimanami Kaido (a cycling route from the Ehime Prefecture, Imabari City to Hiroshima Perfecture, Onomichi City. 70km). Doing the Shimanami Kaido is the most fun I have had.
Although, it was a rough start, “you can’t really judge a book by the cover though you sometimes can by the first few chapters...” - Raymond Reddington.
Chapter 5
To be continued…
P.S: It’s almost winter. I’m cold! Tasukete!
JET Series: No Subtitles (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives