JET Programme Series: Curiosity led me here - My Journey to the JET Programme - Sara Piango
2026/10/23
My interest in Japan began in an unexpected way. Growing up, I spent many afternoons at my grandmother’s house, where the television was almost always tuned to TV6. Without cable television, I was not introduced to Japan through anime like most people. Instead, my first glimpses of the country came though “Inspector Gadget” a show that took viewers around the world and gave me small glimpses into different countries, cultures, food and landmarks.
Those little moments made the world feel much bigger than my own surroundings. My curiosity grew even more when I began seeing documentaries about Japan’s approach to natural disasters. I was fascinated by everything from earthquake-resistant buildings to tsunami preparedness and how a country so vulnerable to disasters could continuously adapt and rebuild. Looking back, those early experiences planted the seeds for my love of Geography.
As a child, I knew I was a “chatterbox”. I was always asking questions about how, why and what about everything around me. My dad could probably testify to my never-ending interrogation. The more answers I received, the more questions I had. Books and videos helped, but they were never quite enough, I wanted to experience places for myself.
That curiosity eventually led me to study Geography at university. Growing up in a rural, mountainous area had already given me a strong appreciation for nature and the outdoors. Geography allowed me to explore my many interests without feeling restricted to one path. I became especially interested in Human Geography, natural hazards, disaster risk management and how communities interact with their environments.
My first major adventure outside of Trinidad came from studying Spanish in secondary school, which gave me the opportunity to travel to Cuba. Walking through a new city, experiencing different architecture, navigating a new language and seeing a different way of life felt surreal. I remember feeling like something had clicked, I wanted to continue learning through exploration.
The COVID-19 pandemic changed much of my university experience, turning my final years into online learning from the four corners of my bedroom. It was not the university experience I had imagined and I admit I felt uncertain about my future. However, within that uncertainty, I discovered a deeper passion for disaster risk management and Human Geography.
After graduating, I was fortunate to gain experience in my field through an internship with the Tobago Emergency Management Agency. I was excited for the chance to contribute to work that helped people during difficult moments. I never imagined that I would spend long hours during the rainy season assisting with disaster response, visiting affected areas and learning more about disaster management approaches, including Japan’s own disaster preparedness strategies.
It was also my first time living alone, which surprised both my parents and me because I discovered that I was actually quite good at managing chores like cooking.
A few months later, while preparing for my university graduation, I had another unexpected encounter with Japan. During my 4 a.m. makeup appointment, my makeup artist’s sister-in-law was sitting on the couch sharing stories about her experience on the JET Programme. I had heard about JET before, but this was the first time I heard directly from someone who had lived it.
She spoke about exploring Japan, learning Japanese, teaching students and building friendships with people from around the world. She encouraged me to apply, but at the time I think the distance scared me. Japan felt incredibly far away. As much as I wanted adventure, I was not ready to take that leap yet.
Instead, I took smaller steps. I moved to England for 6 months, where I learned to navigate a new country independently. I explored Europe through solo trips, staying in hostels, making friends with persons who first language was not English and gained confidence in exploring unfamiliar places.
After returning home, I moved to Jamaica to work at The University of the West Indies while also serving as a Resident Advisor.
This role allowed me to support regional and international students as they adjusted to university life. I had the opportunity to share Jamaican culture while learning about the cultures of others and it reminded me how meaningful it is to bring people together.
Even after all these experiences, I still found myself wondering what came next. Like many people in their twenties, I sometimes felt uncertain when comparing journeys to others. I had many interests, but I had not found one single path that answered every question I had.
Thankfully, I had amazing mentors who gave me space to talk through my thoughts and reminded me that my timeline was my own. During a conversation about disaster risk management, place attachment and Japan’s relationship with natural hazards, my supervisor brought up the JET Programme again.
This time, something clicked. JET was not just an opportunity to live in Japan. It was an opportunity to immerse myself in a culture I had been curious about for years, learn from a new community, improve my Japanese and continue learning through experience.
Of course, I still had doubts. I wondered if I was making the right choice and whether I was stepping away from a more practicable path. Then I was reminded of something: time will pass anyway.
So, last year, I decided to take another leap of faith and apply. I remember being so excited to receive an interview invitation, then immediately realizing that I had prepared for all the hard questions and somehow forgot every Japanese sport when I needed them. The interview was not about being perfect, it was about sharing who I was and why I wanted this experience.
When I finally received the call that I had been selected, I was overwhelmed with excitement. Japan was happening.
As my departure approaches, I feel both nervous and excited. I know I will miss the comfort of home, but I am ready for a new adventure. I look forward to working with students, learning from my new community, hiking as many mountains and trails as possible, trying new foods, making new friends and creating memories that I will carry with me forever.
Looking back, it is incredible to think that my journey to Japan started with a little girl sitting in her grandmother’s living room, watching TV6 and wondering about the world beyond her own.
I do not know exactly how my Japan story will unfold, but I know that it will be worth it. Stay tuned for more updated on the adventure.
Those little moments made the world feel much bigger than my own surroundings. My curiosity grew even more when I began seeing documentaries about Japan’s approach to natural disasters. I was fascinated by everything from earthquake-resistant buildings to tsunami preparedness and how a country so vulnerable to disasters could continuously adapt and rebuild. Looking back, those early experiences planted the seeds for my love of Geography.
As a child, I knew I was a “chatterbox”. I was always asking questions about how, why and what about everything around me. My dad could probably testify to my never-ending interrogation. The more answers I received, the more questions I had. Books and videos helped, but they were never quite enough, I wanted to experience places for myself.
That curiosity eventually led me to study Geography at university. Growing up in a rural, mountainous area had already given me a strong appreciation for nature and the outdoors. Geography allowed me to explore my many interests without feeling restricted to one path. I became especially interested in Human Geography, natural hazards, disaster risk management and how communities interact with their environments.
My first major adventure outside of Trinidad came from studying Spanish in secondary school, which gave me the opportunity to travel to Cuba. Walking through a new city, experiencing different architecture, navigating a new language and seeing a different way of life felt surreal. I remember feeling like something had clicked, I wanted to continue learning through exploration.
The COVID-19 pandemic changed much of my university experience, turning my final years into online learning from the four corners of my bedroom. It was not the university experience I had imagined and I admit I felt uncertain about my future. However, within that uncertainty, I discovered a deeper passion for disaster risk management and Human Geography.
After graduating, I was fortunate to gain experience in my field through an internship with the Tobago Emergency Management Agency. I was excited for the chance to contribute to work that helped people during difficult moments. I never imagined that I would spend long hours during the rainy season assisting with disaster response, visiting affected areas and learning more about disaster management approaches, including Japan’s own disaster preparedness strategies.
It was also my first time living alone, which surprised both my parents and me because I discovered that I was actually quite good at managing chores like cooking.
A few months later, while preparing for my university graduation, I had another unexpected encounter with Japan. During my 4 a.m. makeup appointment, my makeup artist’s sister-in-law was sitting on the couch sharing stories about her experience on the JET Programme. I had heard about JET before, but this was the first time I heard directly from someone who had lived it.
She spoke about exploring Japan, learning Japanese, teaching students and building friendships with people from around the world. She encouraged me to apply, but at the time I think the distance scared me. Japan felt incredibly far away. As much as I wanted adventure, I was not ready to take that leap yet.
Instead, I took smaller steps. I moved to England for 6 months, where I learned to navigate a new country independently. I explored Europe through solo trips, staying in hostels, making friends with persons who first language was not English and gained confidence in exploring unfamiliar places.
After returning home, I moved to Jamaica to work at The University of the West Indies while also serving as a Resident Advisor.
This role allowed me to support regional and international students as they adjusted to university life. I had the opportunity to share Jamaican culture while learning about the cultures of others and it reminded me how meaningful it is to bring people together.
Even after all these experiences, I still found myself wondering what came next. Like many people in their twenties, I sometimes felt uncertain when comparing journeys to others. I had many interests, but I had not found one single path that answered every question I had.
Thankfully, I had amazing mentors who gave me space to talk through my thoughts and reminded me that my timeline was my own. During a conversation about disaster risk management, place attachment and Japan’s relationship with natural hazards, my supervisor brought up the JET Programme again.
This time, something clicked. JET was not just an opportunity to live in Japan. It was an opportunity to immerse myself in a culture I had been curious about for years, learn from a new community, improve my Japanese and continue learning through experience.
Of course, I still had doubts. I wondered if I was making the right choice and whether I was stepping away from a more practicable path. Then I was reminded of something: time will pass anyway.
So, last year, I decided to take another leap of faith and apply. I remember being so excited to receive an interview invitation, then immediately realizing that I had prepared for all the hard questions and somehow forgot every Japanese sport when I needed them. The interview was not about being perfect, it was about sharing who I was and why I wanted this experience.
When I finally received the call that I had been selected, I was overwhelmed with excitement. Japan was happening.
As my departure approaches, I feel both nervous and excited. I know I will miss the comfort of home, but I am ready for a new adventure. I look forward to working with students, learning from my new community, hiking as many mountains and trails as possible, trying new foods, making new friends and creating memories that I will carry with me forever.
Looking back, it is incredible to think that my journey to Japan started with a little girl sitting in her grandmother’s living room, watching TV6 and wondering about the world beyond her own.
I do not know exactly how my Japan story will unfold, but I know that it will be worth it. Stay tuned for more updated on the adventure.