JET Programme Series: From Siparia to Kushiro – Travis Elbourne

2026/6/18

My name is Travis Elbourne, and I am 32 years of age. I grew up in South Oropouche and then I moved to Siparia in 2018, where I have been living ever since. I hold a Bachelor of Science Degree (BSc) in Business Computing from London Metropolitan University, and I am a volunteer literacy tutor for a non-government organization called the Adult Literacy Tutors Association (ALTA). My hobbies over the years have included hiking, swimming, running, reading and boxing.

I applied to become an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) for the 2025 JET Programme because for the past six (6) years I had been interested in the opportunity of teaching English in Japan. Even during the recent global pandemic when I was pursuing a completely different career goal, I still entertained the possibility of living and working in Japan. After the end of the pandemic, I had been introduced to the career path of Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) by a few close friends of mine, and it dawned on me that this is a huge global industry where TEFL certified teachers can travel to a wide variety of non-English speaking countries and teach English. I had considered opportunities to teach English in China and even countries within Southeast Asia, but I ultimately decided on Japan because the Land of the Rising Sun was where my heart was.

I am quite fascinated with Japan’s rich culture and its civilization, with its long and illustrious history. I love reading and studying history and Japan’s history will keep my mind occupied for a very long time to come. I am intrigued with historical eras such as the Classical era (Nara and Heian Period), the Feudal era (during the rule of the Shogunate), the Early Modern era (Edo period) and the Meiji era (Meiji Restoration), where Japan rapidly became Westernized and industrialized. I have so much to learn before and after arriving to Japan and I intend to make the most of my time there – not only as an ALT and ambassador, but also as a student of Japan itself.

It was indeed a pleasant surprise when I first learned of my placement at Kushiro City, Hokkaido Prefecture. For over a year, I had been quite intrigued about the idea of living in Hokkaido because it truly resembles a winter wonderland. This prefecture is very famous for its annual Winter Festivals, particularly the large-scale Snow Festivals that take place at Sapporo City. I am looking forward to visiting Sapporo City later this year and attending my first Snow Festival. As an outdoor enthusiast, I am also looking forward to various rugged outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing and snowboarding. I can even envision myself canoeing through the wetlands of Kushiro Shitsugen National Park.

Regarding this life changing opportunity to experience Japan via the 2025 JET Programme, I would like to express my gratitude to the Japanese ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, His Excellency, Dr. Akima Umezawa. I would also like to extend my gratitude to the dedicated and hardworking staff at the Embassy of Japan for their support in my application process. I am now looking forward to working with the Kushiro City Board of Education in my upcoming role as an Assistant Language Teacher and as a cultural ambassador from Trinidad and Tobago.