Something called the Center Exam will take place at my high school this weekend. These exams in Japan are similar to the SATs in Northern America. So if you score high, you'll have a better chance of getting into the school of your choice. And if you don't do so hot, you'll have to take them… Continue reading Everything is Centered Around the Center Exam
Tag: Japan
The JET Interview-My Experience and How to Prepare
"The time has come," the walrus said, "To talk of many things:of shoes--and ships--and sealing wax--" of the JET Interview--and how to prepare. I want to share my JET interview experience, and all the anxiety I had the weeks leading up to it. My hope is that this will ease the minds of some applicants who… Continue reading The JET Interview-My Experience and How to Prepare
It Takes Time–“Lifestyle Change” Second Anniversary
I'm going to take a short break from blogging about my life in Japan and write about something that is important to me. For those who don`t know, I lost around 50 pounds in 2014. I did it through running, cooking healthy meals for myself at home, and opting for lean fish instead of most… Continue reading It Takes Time–“Lifestyle Change” Second Anniversary
Merry Christmas!
This has been my favorite Christmas season yet. I learned this month just how much the country of Japan is infused with the spirit of Christmas. My senseis and students were just so excited for Santa-themed lessons all month long! And after a not-so-festive October 31st on Amami, I worried there wouldn't be much holiday… Continue reading Merry Christmas!
Grading Papers
Two weeks ago it was a testing week at school, so that meant I didn`t have any classes for for four straight days. So much desk time. Normally during testing weeks I want to scratch my eyes out because at least it will give me something to do, but this testing period I had a… Continue reading Grading Papers
The Island Experience
*This post was originally published on Kagoshima AJET`s blog on November 17th. Like most prefectural ALTs, I didn’t find out exactly where I would be placed in Kagoshima until about a month before my departure. I dreamed about all the different places I could end up—the Osumi or Satsuma peninsula, Kagoshima City, or one of… Continue reading The Island Experience
Culture Day in Japan
November third was Culture Day in Japan. A day to celebrate culture (obviously) through dance, song, and parades. Kagoshima had a big festival in the city and everyone was in some kind of uniform singing, dancing, taiko-drumming, and celebrating in the streets. Geographically, Amami is a part of Kagoshima prefecture, but realistically, we are 230… Continue reading Culture Day in Japan
Island Sunshine and Island Rain
Hello, everyone! I had plans to write on Sunday, but I had a discouraging night so I didn't feel like writing (more on that later.) But I wanted to post something before I leave for Kagoshima for a week of orientation, Japanese language and cultural lessons, and shenanigans. But no fireworks display because that pesky… Continue reading Island Sunshine and Island Rain
So This One Time in Japan…
Hello family, friends, neighbors, and maybe strangers! I promised myself that I would blog about my experiences living and working in Japan, so here is my first post from my island-inaka* placement, Amami! It’s been 10 days since I left the comfort of my home on the east coast. I can’t tell if it seems… Continue reading So This One Time in Japan…
That’s Where We Want to Go…Way Down in Kagoshima?
Well, I guess I could have waited one more day before publishing my last blog post about the JET Program. I just found out today that my new home come August will be... Kagoshima Prefecture! I will be located on Kyushu-- the most southwestern of the four main islands in Japan-- and in Kagoshima Prefecture, I'll… Continue reading That’s Where We Want to Go…Way Down in Kagoshima?
The Becca Jar 