JET Programme Series: Oh the places you'll go - Anisha Romany
2025/1/15



JET Programme Series: Oh the places you'll go - Anisha Romany


“Hello!”
This is a phrase I’ve grown so used to hearing from my students. It will be strange not hearing their voices on the other end of it. It’s been 11 months since I came to Japan and as I prepare to return home, I reflect on my time here with a deep sense of gratitude and fulfilment.
School has been keeping me busy and I have learned so many things from the teachers here. I am excited to apply much of what I have learned when I return home, as I continue in education. My Japanese has improved considerably since I first arrived and it took a while, but I can now communicate my thoughts a bit more organically than before. I plan on continuing my studies in Japanese even after moving back to Trinidad. It will be essential for fostering the connections I’ve made during my time in Japan.
The second half of my stay featured trips to Hokkaido in March and the Kansai region (Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe specifically) in May. I visited many popular places including the city of Sapporo in Hokkaido, Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto, and Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. It was so much fun! I also tried a variety of local dishes such as miso ramen, Genghis Khan lamb barbecue and okonomiyaki. I have developed a particular love for bento boxes. I am now so accustomed to using chopsticks that at times I forget how to use a fork! Reverse culture shock is already setting in it seems.
On each of these trips, I was fortunate enough to meet up with friends from my time at university. They were Japanese students who were on exchange at the university I attended in Canada. It was wonderful to see them after such a long time (5 and 9 years respectively). I was happy to be able to spend time with them and learn more about their beautiful country. I think they were surprised by my level of Japanese, and we conversed freely in both languages. It’s one of the things I love most about culture and language exchange. The opportunities are endless.
Speaking of which, I enjoyed every opportunity that presented itself. Each season has had much to offer in the way of beauty. I loved the gorgeous (and cold) wintry landscapes, and the delightful, warm meals that accompany them. Not to be outdone by the delicate and serene cherry blossom season in which I got to experience my first tea ceremony. I even got to see sumo wrestling in person! It was a high school tournament but I was quite impressed by the prowess and amazing technique of these young “rikishi” (sumo wrestlers). I will remember the beauty of Ishikawa long after I return home. I especially loved seeing the rice fields (田んぼ or “tanbo” in Japanese) when they were newly planted and later when they became lush and green. Evening walks in Kahoku are gorgeous and peaceful.
Perhaps my favourite part about this experience has been connecting with the people I met here, including students, colleagues, parents, community members, and other foreign nationals. It has been wonderful getting to know everyone. About six months into my time here, I decided to join the students in their extracurricular club activities. I had hoped that by spending more time with them outside of class, they would have more natural opportunities to communicate in English. The students truly made me feel welcome and they did their best to include me in the activities. They were also more responsive during class, for which I am grateful. I am so proud of them, and I hope that they will continue to grow and learn well even after I have left.
For now, I look to the future, and to the students I will encounter. Living and working in Japan has prepared me for much more than I expected. I am excited for what comes next and I am truly grateful for this incredible journey. 皆さん、本当にありがとうございました。またいつの日か会いましょう。
JET Series: Oh the places you'll go (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives
This is a phrase I’ve grown so used to hearing from my students. It will be strange not hearing their voices on the other end of it. It’s been 11 months since I came to Japan and as I prepare to return home, I reflect on my time here with a deep sense of gratitude and fulfilment.
School has been keeping me busy and I have learned so many things from the teachers here. I am excited to apply much of what I have learned when I return home, as I continue in education. My Japanese has improved considerably since I first arrived and it took a while, but I can now communicate my thoughts a bit more organically than before. I plan on continuing my studies in Japanese even after moving back to Trinidad. It will be essential for fostering the connections I’ve made during my time in Japan.
The second half of my stay featured trips to Hokkaido in March and the Kansai region (Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe specifically) in May. I visited many popular places including the city of Sapporo in Hokkaido, Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto, and Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. It was so much fun! I also tried a variety of local dishes such as miso ramen, Genghis Khan lamb barbecue and okonomiyaki. I have developed a particular love for bento boxes. I am now so accustomed to using chopsticks that at times I forget how to use a fork! Reverse culture shock is already setting in it seems.
On each of these trips, I was fortunate enough to meet up with friends from my time at university. They were Japanese students who were on exchange at the university I attended in Canada. It was wonderful to see them after such a long time (5 and 9 years respectively). I was happy to be able to spend time with them and learn more about their beautiful country. I think they were surprised by my level of Japanese, and we conversed freely in both languages. It’s one of the things I love most about culture and language exchange. The opportunities are endless.
Speaking of which, I enjoyed every opportunity that presented itself. Each season has had much to offer in the way of beauty. I loved the gorgeous (and cold) wintry landscapes, and the delightful, warm meals that accompany them. Not to be outdone by the delicate and serene cherry blossom season in which I got to experience my first tea ceremony. I even got to see sumo wrestling in person! It was a high school tournament but I was quite impressed by the prowess and amazing technique of these young “rikishi” (sumo wrestlers). I will remember the beauty of Ishikawa long after I return home. I especially loved seeing the rice fields (田んぼ or “tanbo” in Japanese) when they were newly planted and later when they became lush and green. Evening walks in Kahoku are gorgeous and peaceful.
Perhaps my favourite part about this experience has been connecting with the people I met here, including students, colleagues, parents, community members, and other foreign nationals. It has been wonderful getting to know everyone. About six months into my time here, I decided to join the students in their extracurricular club activities. I had hoped that by spending more time with them outside of class, they would have more natural opportunities to communicate in English. The students truly made me feel welcome and they did their best to include me in the activities. They were also more responsive during class, for which I am grateful. I am so proud of them, and I hope that they will continue to grow and learn well even after I have left.
For now, I look to the future, and to the students I will encounter. Living and working in Japan has prepared me for much more than I expected. I am excited for what comes next and I am truly grateful for this incredible journey. 皆さん、本当にありがとうございました。またいつの日か会いましょう。
JET Series: Oh the places you'll go (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives