Reflections in Poetry

Nadine Karen Thompson Kagoshima (2016-2011) Nadine was an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) at a high school in Amami Oshima, a small island in the Kagoshima Prefecture. She also visited junior high schools and elementary schools once a month. During her 5-year sojourn, she enjoyed exploring Japan - from Fukuoka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Tokyo to Hokkaido (and many more places) - and immersing herself in the Japanese culture. Nadine has lived in several other countries, including her current home, China, however Japan and the JET Programme still hold a special place in my heart. Nadine states: "I always get a feeling of 'natsukushii' when I talk about Japan. It was truly memorable experience. " Nadine is the author of a poetry compilation titled: "Encounters" (see page 21). Below are two poems written by Nadine on her JET Programme experience.

Remembering JET

Jetlagged excitement Starting out the JET journey Tokyo a gathering.

The streets massively busy, fast walking, running to catch a train. The hotel breakfast: rice, fish and miso soup. Nihongo sounds chattering and clambering all around. Another train, another flight, a designated pickup car, we arrived at home. Meeting new colleagues, a collective bow. The apartment, tatami floors, futons and square bath in a bathroom. The first day of school eager students, questioning eyes, sensei attached to my name. Diving in! Everyday a new experience. People full of kindness and genuine care. A new home filled with leisure bound up with “genki desu ka, ki o tsukete, oskaresama deshita” flowing into “nomihoudai, tabehoudai and karaoke. ” Accomplishing everyday tasks in new dimensions. Appreciating summer festivals, fireworks and graduation tears. Forming a true acceptance.

An ALT role, Eigo, cool, brilliant, fun Culture immersion.

Nareru

What I remember of Japan, Is wrapped up in a ball of yarn. Threads extending and connecting all the people I met. Students communicating in Oral English classes, At lunch time, on the street, always a call of sensei. The towns, cities; places I visited, Travelling on taxis, ferries, trains, trams, buses, airplanes, Enjoying onigiri, sushi, sashimi and sake. Professional through work seminars, judging speech competitions, Laid back in playing sports, games, arranging English corner. Trying local dishes, adopting local traditions, Hanami and Hanabi. Eating takoyaki and okonomiyaki, Every city a unique taste. Getting dressed up in summer kimonos and dancing in the streets. Being adopted into a family, A community, stretching through time and distance, Becoming friendships! Outliving memory. Sumi yasui. Ni naremashita.

Notes: (Sumi yasui - it is easy to live) (Ni naremashita - you have become acquainted)

Reflection: Inspired by My Students

Sheril Morgan Tottori (2003-2006) Sheril was an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) at a senior high school in Yonago City, where she taught nearly all forms at different levels. The experience was insightful and assisted her in becoming more adaptable and culturally aware. Sheril currently resides in Canada and works as an Academic Advisor at a university. In her downtime, she likes to read and go on nature walks. Sheril has held several positions on JETAA Jamaica's Executive, namely, President from 2013 to 2015, Vice President from 2011 to 2013 and Secretary from 2007 to 2011. Sheril is the author of a book titled: "Journey East: Stories and Life Lessons from My Time in Japan" (see page 22). Below, Sheril reflects on her JET Programme experience.

I have many beautiful memories from my time in Japan, but one of the most notable is that of my students. I was posted at one senior high school, Higashi High, during my tenure, which gave me the opportunity to connect with students on a greater level than if I were assigned to a number of different schools. During my three years at Higashi, I came to enjoy teaching and interacting with students in and outside of the classroom. I even found that some of my greatest connections happened outside of class or at English club, where students felt less inhibited to express themselves. I often muse that my students were one of the chief reasons for me staying in Japan for the time that I did.

However, it did take some effort to get to the place where I enjoyed teaching and was able to develop greater connections with students. I remembered when I first land in Yonago; I was eager, excited and ready to dive into my first set of lessons that I had meticulously prepared. The initial response of my students however, was not as enthusiastic. I found they were rather reserved and focused quietly on me during the lesson. It took a few classes for students to begin warming up to me. I was also challenged to create more interactive lessons that would garner greater participation.

I got to see another side of my students during the annual school festivals through their creative displays and costumes on show for the occasion. I also saw their skill and dedication at practice sessions for various art forms and sports like kendo, judo and volleyball throughout the semesters.

I have a passion for education, which has been greatly influenced by my time at Higashi High. My students back then were some of the earlier influences that helped me to hone my craft of teaching. My students today continue to challenge me to grow and remain at the fore of this inspiring field.

Sheena Jarrett Osaka (2008-2013)

Because of JET...

.…I now understand what it truly means to step outside of your comfort zone. ...I have fulfilled my dream of travelling around the world and experiencing different cultures. …I have become more open-minded, adventurous, and tolerant. …I have formed lasting friendships with people from diverse backgrounds. …I have developed a deeper love and appreciation for my own country.

Reflection: Memories and Treasured Experiences

Janet Crick Miyazaki (2002-2004) Janet is CEO of Jamaica Culinary Tours, a food tourism business which she co-founded in 2013. She is from Kingston, Jamaica and after serving for two (2) years as an ALT in Nobeoka City, Miyazaki-ken she continued her previous career in foreign trade and foreign policy for a number of years in Jamaica and in Guyana. Upon returning home from Guyana, she opened her own business in culinary tourism. Her career has also expanded in recent years to include training in cross cultural competency and awareness. In addition to her native tongue of English, she speaks Spanish, French and a smattering of Japanese! She has been an active member of JETAA Jamaica since its foundation, serving as President from 2006-2007. You can connect with Janet on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janet-crick-974ab730/.

Although I had visited several countries before embarking on the JET Programme, and had even lived overseas in two different countries, nothing quite prepared me for my sojourn in Japan.

Of course, I made every effort to prepare myself for this new chapter in my life. I was well versed in intercultural experiences, having spent the last few years heading an intercultural exchange programme in Jamaica, so I drew heavily on those teachings and lessons learnt as I prepared for my departure. I also drew on the experiences of my two previous periods of working and living overseas; and last, but not least, I studied the handbook for new JETs thoroughly. It was in the early days of Jamaica’s participation in the Programme, and we did not yet have the benefit of a thorough pre-departure orientation programme for outgoing JETs, so the handbook became my best friend in the weeks leading up to my departure as I readied myself.

Nevertheless, as prepped as I thought I was, none of the above strategies could truly prepare me for that full immersion into Japanese culture and the Japanese way of life. In the early days, there were times when I felt I was thrown headfirst into the deep sea and I had two choices – sink or swim. Clearly the first was not a desirable option, so I had to learn (fast!) how to swim, or at the very least, how to tread water so as not to sink!

It was not that my new environment was hostile – far from it. It was in fact - despite the shyness and hesitant curiosity of some residents in my small town - quite welcoming. But I was faced with a number of challenges and cultural differences that I had to come to terms with and learn to navigate, sooner rather than later, in order to make my experience in this country so very far away from my homeland, and from anywhere else I had ever been, a positive and enjoyable one.

First off, I had never been in a situation where I could not communicate. There were a limited number of persons in my area who could speak English, even at the Board of Education where I was based, and in the many schools I taught in each week, so devising and becoming adept at all types of communicable sign language until I started to learn Japanese was critical.

With volunteers at the Jamaican booth at the Miyazaki International Festival.

Reflection: Memories and Treasured Experiences (cont'd)

cont'd from page 12 A second challenge was that I was coming from a culture which tends to be very vocal and assertive and where persons are generally quite forthright in expressing what is on their mind or in making a request. It was therefore quite an adjustment learning to operate in a culture where assertiveness and confrontation were not deemed appropriate, and where you couldn’t just insist upon an issue until you got the desired ‘ yes’ . With time, I came to understand that one’s approach needed to be much more subtle, much less direct, and very importantly, I would learn that even if you never got an outright “No” , you might never actually get that coveted “Yes” either!

A third cultural nuance that often challenged me was living in a culture where there was a systematic, fixed and routine way of doing almost everything from which one did not deviate. Very little flexibility is allowed for in the Japanese way of life, and families and society in general are wired to inculcate individuals with the relevant traditions, norms and way of doing things from an early age. Since most people don’t want to be labelled as that offensive “nail that sticks out” , they largely conform. The extreme homogeneity can be jarring for the Westerner who is accustomed to a much higher degree of spontaneity, flexibility and spur of the moment innovativeness.

Nevertheless, with time I came to appreciate the certainty of a fixed routine and established procedures. It meant that I could depend on things to be where they were supposed to be, people to do what they were supposed to do when they were supposed to do it, events and activities to start on time, and procedures and rules (as maddening as they sometimes were!) to be followed. It lessened the opportunity for unpleasant surprises, foul ups, and frustrations and gave me a heightened appreciation for order and the preservation of traditions.

Interspersed with my challenges were the joyful moments of discovering the hidden gems of a new culture – new experiences to immerse myself in, new foods to try, new places to discover and explore, a plethora of new friends to share with and learn from, and new hobbies and interests to pursue. I immersed myself in all of the above, not allowing my spirit to become overwhelmed with the challenges and At the end of my tenure, I boarded the plane for Jamaica with mixed feelings – longing to see home and to bask in the familiarity of it again, but knowing that I would miss the beauty, intricacies and richness of the Japanese culture, its people and way of life. My chapter in Japan had ended, but my experiences and their impact would stay with me. Today, all these years later, as I take stock of my approach to life and its challenges, my hobbies and interests, my friendships and even my career choices, I can see the unmistakable influence of Japan carefully woven like a delicate thread through the post-JET fabric of my life.

Learning Ikebana.

Picking tea leaves with students of Tojo Junior High School.

Because of JET, I have gained a deeper appreciation for other cultures and the importance of preserving same and passing it down from one generation to the next. Similarly, I have gained a heightened sense of awareness and appreciation for my own culture, and have developed a passion for preserving that culture and sharing it with others - all of which eventually led to me developing my own business and launching a new career in culinary tourism.