There is something special about the time one spends living abroad. Wherever you are in the world, you are bound to have experiences that are truly unique to you and your situation. I had one of those experiences last night. D and I decided to brave the downpour and go out to sing karaoke with… Continue reading It Will Always Be the Little Things
Tag: JET Program
Everything is Centered Around the Center Exam
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
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
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
Have You Heard of Thanksgiving?
So it's Thanksgiving day. It's weird to be without my family on one of my favorite holidays, but even weirder that while it's Thanksgiving here, it's still not Thanksgiving back home because of the 14-hour time distance that separates us. Naturally, I've felt pretty homesick this week. I'm sad I won't be in Rhode Island… Continue reading Have You Heard of Thanksgiving?
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
JET Program Application: My One Piece of Advice
Are the 2016-2017 JET Program USA applications really due in less than a month already?! That snuck up quickly. It's hard to believe that this time last year I was pouring every ounce of myself into that application, agonizing over my statement of purpose. All the stress and anxiety was worth it though, because I made it!… Continue reading JET Program Application: My One Piece of Advice
The Misty Mountains of Yakushima
Last week was Silver Week in Japan--a string of September holidays that comes around once every five years. I feel lucky for Silver Week to have fallen during my year in Japan, so I seized the opportunity to travel somewhere new. My school approved my two days of nenkyu (paid time off) for Thursday and… Continue reading The Misty Mountains of Yakushima
The Becca Jar 