JET Impressions

After time spent in Malaysia studying and working for The British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, I was inspired to further develop my international experience in Asia. The JET Programme seemed to be a great opportunity to further language skills and cultural awareness as well as a stepping stone for an international career.

 

Before Departure

I had never been to Japan prior to my JET experience, yet the numerous conferences, language training and receptions hosted by The Japanese Embassy prepared me well for the Japanese experience ahead of me.

 

Having always lived in a big city I initially thought moving to a rural area in Japan was going to be a challenge. However, with all the training and orientations in London and Tokyo, it was easy to establish a strong network of friends based in all different areas of Japan. I was swiftly adopted into the local community, learnt about the culture and language and was invited to many festivals. I was only a 90 minute train ride away from Fukuoka, (4th biggest city in Japan).

 

Tokyo Orientation

The language training and receptions hosted by The Japanese Embassy and the orientation in Tokyo was fantastic, not only did it prepare us all for our time ahead but it was a great opportunity to meet many like minded people from across the world. Tokyo was a perfect time to meet friends and I am still very much in contact with people I met in my first 3 days in Japan.

 

At Work

I was based in Nakatsu City, a small city in Oita, South Japan. When I first discovered where I was going to be based, I researched online and in guidebooks and there was barely anything about Nakatsu. I remember thinking to myself, ‘this is going to be an interesting year!’However Having spent a year in this environment, I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to have experienced a more rural part of Japan. It gave me the chance to develop my Japanese skills, learn more about the culture and get more involved with the community. When I arrived at Oita airport, my supervisor and his family as well as some of the local community had all lined up to welcome me with a big banner. It was a great welcome! Whilst I have always loved living in a big city, living in Japan was a completely different and treasured experience.

 

Whilst I had completed a TEFL course and had previous teaching experience prior to Japan, I learnt very quickly on the job. On my fifth day in Oita (South Japan), I was asked to do a welcome speech IN JAPANESE in front of 300 students and staff – needless to say I picked up Japanese very quickly during my initial days in Japan!I thoroughly enjoyed sharing my time between 4 schools as I was able to work with over 2,000 Japanese students. Every class, age group and school had different personalities and made working very interesting and exciting as every day was different. Each school and class had different English competency levels and required different skills, levels of energy and teaching.

In the summer term I acted as an international coordinator in Oita and organised for Japanese High School students to travel and stay with host families in London. A very successful project.

 

Two days a week I worked at the elementary schools, students would run up to my car as I arrived into the school grounds and shout at the top of their voices ‘Good Morning Natalie Sensei’.It was difficult to make a quiet entrance. In November my family came to Japan and had the chance to visit one of the elementary schools I worked at. The particular school they visited was based in the mountains and many of the students had never seen a foreigner before, other than me. The elementary school put on a school festival/performance on a Sunday to welcome my parents, it was a lovely occasion. After the school festival my 21 year old brother was swiftly recruited into the baseball team, my mother recruited by the girls to participate in ‘cat’s cradle’ and my father challenged by the youngest students to try ‘kendama’, a popular children’s game in Japan. After this experience my family could fully understand why I had enjoyed my time in Japan so much.

 

I enjoyed playing and coaching tennis with the Junior High students, especially in the school holidays as it was a great opportunity to relate with the students on a different level. I set up a ‘passport club’ after school and during lunch hours giving the opportunity for Junior High students to speak conversational English outside of class. This was a great success. Newsletters commenting on my thoughts, feelings and experiences in Japan and other countries also increased the student's interest in learning English too. The students were then given time after to write their feedback. Pen-pal schemes with a school in America also proved a success.

 

Outside of Work

 

 

 

 

The JET Programme really helped me launch my international career and I would recommend the JET experience to anyone. It is a great opportunity to improve/learn Japanese, learn about the culture, travel, make friends from all over the world and to advance personally and professionally.