JET Programme Series: Hyogo-ing with the flow - Megan Gomez
2024/9/5



JET Programme Series: Hyogo-ing with the flow - Megan Gomez

“Go back?” he thought. “No good at all! Go sideways? Impossible! Go forward? Only thing to do! On we go!” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit
こんにちは! My name is Megan Gomez, and I am officially entering my Bilbo Baggins era—minus the hairy feet. Like Bilbo, my JET journey has me leaving my comfort zone for what promises to be a life-changing adventure.
I enjoy the simple things in life: a good book, a cup of tea, yoga, spending time with my senior dog, and a good horror movie (the bloodier, the better). So, why embark on this particular adventure? Well, my fascination with Japan started innocently enough, with afternoons glued to Sailor Moon. Over time, that interest bloomed into a love for Japanese literature and film, from Hayao Miyazaki’s works to Hiromi Kawakami’s novels, and continues to grow to this day.
I graduated from COSTAATT with a BA in Literature and Communications, jumping straight into Advertising where one year quickly turned into a decade. While I’ve enjoyed my time in Advertising, I felt a pull towards a bigger challenge. Enter the Japanese concept of ikigai – finding your reason for being through what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. It was down that rabbit hole that I found the JET Programme and knew it was something I had to pursue. Ever had that feeling where a number keeps popping up, like the universe is nudging you? It was like that. In an effort to better myself and fight off the feelings of imposter syndrome, I obtained a TEFL certificate, began Japanese classes at the Centre for Language Learning (CLL), and competed in the Japanese Language Speech Contest. When I got the call confirming my acceptance into the Programme, I felt like all my interests and hard work were converging into something wonderful.
I will be heading to Hyogo Prefecture and I have to admit my initial thought was, “Wait – the entire prefecture?!”. I began feverishly Googling, reminiscent of that scene in Bruce Almighty, eager to grasp the scale of what I was getting into. Hyogo is in the Kansai region and is known for offering a mix of modern and traditional. I was bombarded with information about Himeji Castle, Kobe beef, Mount Rokko, Awaji Island and so much more. Like a true Trini, I can’t wait to knock-about (respectfully, of course) and discover all that Japan has to offer.
My JET journey isn’t just about ticking Japan off my bucket list, it's about embracing new experiences and forging meaningful connections through cultural exchange. And hey, improving my Japanese is a definite plus! It’s been a whirlwind of excitement and nerves so far, but I’ve quickly realized that to survive this change, I have to relinquish control and go with the flow. Hence, I’m naming this chapter of my life “Hyogo-ing with the flow”. So as I prepare to leave my Hobbiton comfort zone, I want to encourage everyone to do the thing you’re afraid of. Try. Say yes. Great adventures are just on the horizon.
Finally, I would like to thank my friends, family, and former COSTAATT and CLL lecturers/teachers for their unwavering support. I also extend my gratitude to the Ambassador Matsubara, Mr. Aleron Rajalal, the staff at the Embassy of Japan, and the Hyogo Prefecture Board of Education for affording me this opportunity. I look forward to doing my best and bringing the warmth of my twin island home to the Land of the Rising Sun. かんぱい!
JET Series: Hyogo-ing with the flow (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives
こんにちは! My name is Megan Gomez, and I am officially entering my Bilbo Baggins era—minus the hairy feet. Like Bilbo, my JET journey has me leaving my comfort zone for what promises to be a life-changing adventure.
I enjoy the simple things in life: a good book, a cup of tea, yoga, spending time with my senior dog, and a good horror movie (the bloodier, the better). So, why embark on this particular adventure? Well, my fascination with Japan started innocently enough, with afternoons glued to Sailor Moon. Over time, that interest bloomed into a love for Japanese literature and film, from Hayao Miyazaki’s works to Hiromi Kawakami’s novels, and continues to grow to this day.
I graduated from COSTAATT with a BA in Literature and Communications, jumping straight into Advertising where one year quickly turned into a decade. While I’ve enjoyed my time in Advertising, I felt a pull towards a bigger challenge. Enter the Japanese concept of ikigai – finding your reason for being through what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. It was down that rabbit hole that I found the JET Programme and knew it was something I had to pursue. Ever had that feeling where a number keeps popping up, like the universe is nudging you? It was like that. In an effort to better myself and fight off the feelings of imposter syndrome, I obtained a TEFL certificate, began Japanese classes at the Centre for Language Learning (CLL), and competed in the Japanese Language Speech Contest. When I got the call confirming my acceptance into the Programme, I felt like all my interests and hard work were converging into something wonderful.
I will be heading to Hyogo Prefecture and I have to admit my initial thought was, “Wait – the entire prefecture?!”. I began feverishly Googling, reminiscent of that scene in Bruce Almighty, eager to grasp the scale of what I was getting into. Hyogo is in the Kansai region and is known for offering a mix of modern and traditional. I was bombarded with information about Himeji Castle, Kobe beef, Mount Rokko, Awaji Island and so much more. Like a true Trini, I can’t wait to knock-about (respectfully, of course) and discover all that Japan has to offer.
My JET journey isn’t just about ticking Japan off my bucket list, it's about embracing new experiences and forging meaningful connections through cultural exchange. And hey, improving my Japanese is a definite plus! It’s been a whirlwind of excitement and nerves so far, but I’ve quickly realized that to survive this change, I have to relinquish control and go with the flow. Hence, I’m naming this chapter of my life “Hyogo-ing with the flow”. So as I prepare to leave my Hobbiton comfort zone, I want to encourage everyone to do the thing you’re afraid of. Try. Say yes. Great adventures are just on the horizon.
Finally, I would like to thank my friends, family, and former COSTAATT and CLL lecturers/teachers for their unwavering support. I also extend my gratitude to the Ambassador Matsubara, Mr. Aleron Rajalal, the staff at the Embassy of Japan, and the Hyogo Prefecture Board of Education for affording me this opportunity. I look forward to doing my best and bringing the warmth of my twin island home to the Land of the Rising Sun. かんぱい!
JET Series: Hyogo-ing with the flow (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives