Reflection
This post is way overdue! It has been almost a year since my contract ended with the JET Program and I returned to my hometown in the States in late August of 2013. A month ago I did a presentation on the JET Program, and a week ago I went to a farewell party for this summer's 2014 new JETs. It's odd being on the other side telling people about the program and wishing them the best on their new adventure.
When I left the US in the summer of 2011, I had a secure teaching job at a wonderful school that actually paid a lot more than JET (hey, teachers' salaries have become competitive in some places!). However, I had fancied about JET since I was in high school. I had to ask myself, "If not now, then when?" I had support from my former administration and family and made the decision to teach in Japan.
The JET Program changed me. First, I realized that I worked really hard back in the US compared to this new job! Once I got a car, it was a pretty smooth ride (figuratively) and I had a lot more free time and energy. During my stay, I realized I was pretty competent living, learning, and traveling on my own. I also got to cross a lot of things off my "bucket list." I taught myself a lot of Japanese. I had a car and actually passed the Japanese driving test in one go, so I had a license to drive on their side of road. I travelled to many places in Japan and around Asia mostly by walking, train, or plane. I met a lot of amazing people. And I ate really great food!
When I declined to renew my contract another year, I knew what I was doing at the time. But a few unexpected events happened afterwards, and I ended up wishing I had renewed another year. Still, teaching on the JET Program was an amazing experience. I did it!
I highly recommend this teach-abroad program for anyone who's adventurous and wants to travel, is willing to take a chance, respectful and open-minded, self-motivated, and very importantly, interested in different cultures and teaching.
Update
Transitioning back to normal life was a little hard during the first month. I got back into the groove of finally studying to actually take the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). Yes, I finally decided I had to prove my level to myself. I also got my things together to apply for grad school, the sole reason why I returned in the first place.
Here are some big things I want to mention:
Another thing is I am not working full time. This is the first time in a long time since I got to take a suuuuuper long work break. I would prefer to be working by now, but I decided to do school hardcore and go full-time+. In the mean time, I picked up some part-time jobs around the new year to keep busy and make some money on the side.
An important thing that carried over from my life in Japan is that I am an avid recycler now. Japan takes tidiness and recycling very seriously. When I sorted and stored my recycling in Japan, I began to realize the amount of trash and plastic one little person could make. I couldn't believe I made so much trash, and much of this was going back into the environment where innocent critters had to deal with it. I was tidy before, but now I really pay attention to what my family or I throw away. Even my own family has taken to recycling!
It's been roughly 11 months since I've been back, and I constantly wish I could be back in Japan, but life has been good to me here, too, and I want to keep moving forward =).
This post is way overdue! It has been almost a year since my contract ended with the JET Program and I returned to my hometown in the States in late August of 2013. A month ago I did a presentation on the JET Program, and a week ago I went to a farewell party for this summer's 2014 new JETs. It's odd being on the other side telling people about the program and wishing them the best on their new adventure.
When I left the US in the summer of 2011, I had a secure teaching job at a wonderful school that actually paid a lot more than JET (hey, teachers' salaries have become competitive in some places!). However, I had fancied about JET since I was in high school. I had to ask myself, "If not now, then when?" I had support from my former administration and family and made the decision to teach in Japan.
The JET Program changed me. First, I realized that I worked really hard back in the US compared to this new job! Once I got a car, it was a pretty smooth ride (figuratively) and I had a lot more free time and energy. During my stay, I realized I was pretty competent living, learning, and traveling on my own. I also got to cross a lot of things off my "bucket list." I taught myself a lot of Japanese. I had a car and actually passed the Japanese driving test in one go, so I had a license to drive on their side of road. I travelled to many places in Japan and around Asia mostly by walking, train, or plane. I met a lot of amazing people. And I ate really great food!
When I declined to renew my contract another year, I knew what I was doing at the time. But a few unexpected events happened afterwards, and I ended up wishing I had renewed another year. Still, teaching on the JET Program was an amazing experience. I did it!
I highly recommend this teach-abroad program for anyone who's adventurous and wants to travel, is willing to take a chance, respectful and open-minded, self-motivated, and very importantly, interested in different cultures and teaching.
Update
Transitioning back to normal life was a little hard during the first month. I got back into the groove of finally studying to actually take the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). Yes, I finally decided I had to prove my level to myself. I also got my things together to apply for grad school, the sole reason why I returned in the first place.
Here are some big things I want to mention:
- In December 2013, I took the JLPT N3 and passed! ...I will write more on this soon.
- I started an online store around winter-time. It started off as a little project and grew into an obsession. I kept adding to it and even recruited an amateur graphic artist. Then I started producing my own graphics! I'm backing off of it now, but I'm glad to have a personal side project that produces supplementary income!
- I started graduate school in January 2014. Yep. I returned and relaxed for about 4 months before starting school in January 2014, and I have been taking classes non-stop.
- I will be a TA at university in Fall 2014! Thank you, Professor!
Another thing is I am not working full time. This is the first time in a long time since I got to take a suuuuuper long work break. I would prefer to be working by now, but I decided to do school hardcore and go full-time+. In the mean time, I picked up some part-time jobs around the new year to keep busy and make some money on the side.
An important thing that carried over from my life in Japan is that I am an avid recycler now. Japan takes tidiness and recycling very seriously. When I sorted and stored my recycling in Japan, I began to realize the amount of trash and plastic one little person could make. I couldn't believe I made so much trash, and much of this was going back into the environment where innocent critters had to deal with it. I was tidy before, but now I really pay attention to what my family or I throw away. Even my own family has taken to recycling!
It's been roughly 11 months since I've been back, and I constantly wish I could be back in Japan, but life has been good to me here, too, and I want to keep moving forward =).