Medom Razoukhrienuo E. Joy (ALT/2017-2019/Kawanishi City, Hyogo Prefecture)

My journey with the JET program isn’t as typical as most other JETs. I couldn’t speak the language, hadn’t watched any anime, and didn’t know much about their culture. All I knew about the country were the glimpses from shoujo manga I’d started reading a few months before I found out about JET. I was fascinated that so much heart and depth of culture could be embedded in something as simple as comics. It propelled me to explore how I could go to this country and learn more about their  thinking and way of life which ultimately led to finding out about the JET program on the internet. 

 

I was fortunate enough to be a JET  ALT twice - first in Akita City, Akita from 2008-2013 and then in Kawanishi City, Hyogo from 2017-2019. The friends I’ve made, the students whose lives I’ve played a small part in, the colleagues who warmly welcomed me into their homes - they all continue to have a ripple effect on my life. So much of my outlook, understanding of the world and even behavior has been shaped by my time in Japan. Their earnest and honest hard work, keeping their word, their consideration of others - these are all values that the Japanese maintain a high standard of and is something the rest of us would do well to emulate. 

This program is so much more than just a job. It is a rare chance to be a part of and learn about the highly regarded work ethics of Japan, as well as to tangibly experience the richness of their culture and way of life. There is truly no country quite like Japan and I am immensely blessed to have been a part of their world for a while.