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Google Map Image of My Town: Urasa and Base School: KJ
Hi Friends and Family! Here begins my documentation of my next year in Japan. Specifically in Urasa, Japan where I have been placed to teach at three Japanese schools through the JET Program. The Japanese Exchange and Teaching Program has been employing international students for the past 27 years. The goal of the program is to promote internationalization, as well as give the opportunity to English-speaking foreigners to exchange cultures while working abroad. As an 'ALT,' or Assistant Language Teacher my job is to aide current English teachers in the schools I am assigned to with lesson plans, school logistics etc. Rather than me rewriting everything from the program's website, feel free to check out more about the program here: Official JET Program Website.
UCSD Graduation Pictures taken by Michael Villongco
Over the course of my Senior year at UC San Diego, my primary focus was to be employed post-graduation. The JET Program was the first big application I submitted back in September, one of many interviews I had in the Winter, and ultimately it was the offer I accepted come two quarters later in Spring, at the beginning of April. I knew after studying abroad my third year in Rome, Italy (remember my blog: Nuovo Inizio?) that I had to find a way to travel long-term or work abroad. The initial idea came about last summer from a couple of my sorority sisters (one of whom is going to be teaching in Korea :D ) and it never left. I did my research, took a couple TEFL courses over the summer through UCSD Extension, became an English Conversation Leader for exchange students, and realized both how tough and rewarding it is to teach.
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| Cropped Section of My Acceptance Letter |
Let me paint a picture for you all as to how I received my acceptance: It was Day 2 of Spring Quarter 2014, also known as my last quarter as an undergrad. It was also my first day of classes, since I choose to work extra hard over the summer in order to provide myself with classes on only Tuesdays and Thursdays of my last three months at UCSD (can you blame me?). I was just getting out of my second class of the day and racing from Revelle to PC in ten minutes in order to make an important meeting (only a Triton would understand how you have to half-run to get to your destination on time...) and I pulled out my phone to check my email like every 21st Century smart phone user does. My refresh function on my iPhone revealed about ten messages or so, but the only one that stuck out to me was the subject line, "JET Program: Results." My hands were shaking so much as I was half-running and trying to read the email at the same time that I almost dropped my phone. The tone of the email was completely neutral until it hit the last line, which is photographed above. I called my Mom immediately, had the time to text a couple of my closest friends and proceeded to my hour and half long meeting where I was trying to contain my excitement and continued to do so in my three hour class that night...until my roommates and boyfriend brought me small gifts of congratulations later that night to finally celebrate.
Needless to say, I knew in that moment that I would be silly to not accept this offer. Of course, I did sit on it for a week before officially accepting, but my overall reasoning was simple. I wanted to live abroad and somewhere other than Europe. I wanted to obtain a job that would challenge me and teach me new skills. I also wanted to do something that would push me completely out of my comfort zone. Not to mention, I wanted to capitalize on the fact that I was about to graduate and had no commitments to anything.
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| Family and I at UCSD Graduation: June 15, 2014 |
Most importantly, and the reason behind the name of this blog, I really wanted an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the Japanese culture. I have never minded being biracial, hapa, half, or checking two boxes on applications. What I have minded is being ignorant of Japanese traditions and language. It may have been instigated from the customary questions I receive when people ask me about my background, "So, do you speak Japanese?...Have you been to Japan?... Do you eat a lot of Asian food at home?...What customs do you have?" Frankly, the answers to these questions are rather mixed. However, they definitely have driven me to be curious and wanting to learn more about Japanese culture and customs.
I welcome you all to follow my journey as I blog about my experience in Japan. I leave on Saturday, July 26th, and most likely will not have internet access for sometime post-Tokyo Orientation. However, once I'm settled I will do my best to keep this up to date. For now, I will be frantic and packing, writing way too many lists and feeling fortunate to have a very organized mother, loving grandparents who have great insight into Japan, and family and friends who have sent countless messages of support. I thank you all, and please keep following and stay in touch!
