今週の漢字: 道
Street:
I sometimes can’t believe that I’m actually in Japan. When I was first sitting in my Japanese class at University of Miami, I would never have thought that I would actually be living in Japan. It seemed so exotic—so amazing. Of course it’s great here, but I see where I am and it’s remarkable how easy it is to travel around the world. If only it weren’t so expensive and the fuel cost so high to travel!
There are many roads I could’ve taken, but I’m happy that I chose this path. Perhaps if I decided not to join the JET Program, I might have gotten some nice role or job in the US, but still… this was too unique of an experience to give up. As Thanksgiving approaches, an AET told me yesterday how she looks around and feels so lucky to be in the position she’s in. It made me think about my own situation a bit. In most of my time in university, I never thought about LIVING in a foreign country. I was content with the idea of traveling around on vacation.
I didn’t have many expectations with coming to Japan. I heard a bunch of stuff from people about Japan, and while some things are closer to the truth than others, there’s a lot more than meets the eye of a seasoned traveler.
This is an experience I recommend to anyone who can do it. When I talk to some new JETs, I remember my excitement when I first came last year. I really feel more at home now instead of the initial shock and awe. I’m still very much excited about my time here, but I’m glad that Japan is a part of my life, not just another destination for a hopeful seasoned traveler. I turned onto a truly unknown path with no understanding of it, but now it’s a clearer road.
Wow! I’m amazed with how I inadvertently promoted the JET Program. Stay tuned next week for another update!
En français:
Je suis content avec ma vie ici, mais je pense au sujet des candidats pour ce programme. Il y a beaucoup des personnes qui veulent habiter dans le Japon. Pourtant, le programme m’a accepté. Les étudiants me posent quelquefois: «Pourquoi est-ce que vous venez au Japon?» Je dit: «Parce que je m’intéresse à la culture japonaise!» Il n’est pas faux, mais il n’est pas seulement cette culture. Cette sorte de la occasion d’être un AET était la première que j’ai entendu.
今週の聖書の詩: “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
今週の写真: The week after Toyohashi Festival, I went to Miya Festival. They are known in this area for their old pageant wagons.
1 comment:
"I am content here with my life, but I think about the candidates for this program. There are many the people who want to live in Japan. However, the program accepted me. The students pose to me sometimes: “Why you come to Japan?” I say: “Because I am interested in the Japanese culture!” It is not false, but it is not only this culture. This kind of the occasion to be a AET was the first which I heard."
Well when you take both English and French together, it seems you are very content in terms of the avenue you chose to travel down post-graduation. Great to hear that living in Japan is as nice as visiting.
-curtiss
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