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2012 JET-MIP ESSAYAPRIL, 2013: BREEZE ISSUE #66
A FREE MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER FOR FRIENDS OF JAPAN & TEACHERS OF JAPANESESUSAN ZHAO
Whitney M. Young Magnet High School
Chicago, IL
Going to Japan had been my dream ever since I started learning
Japanese in 3rd grade. However, it was impossible due tofinancial issues. I was filled with hope after hearing about JETMIP from my Japanese teacher. Although I knew that it would behighly competitive, I tried my best and I was accepted into theprogram. The moment my teacher told me that I got into theprogram, I jumped, screamed, and hugged her in front of myclass. My countdown for my trip to Japan had started that veryday.
I was excited and nervous at the same time. It was my first timegoing to the airport and on the airplane alone. I was also goingto Japan with a group of 31 other students, all of whom I didn’tknow at all. I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to fit in with them,or maybe I wouldn’t be liked and become an outcast. I wasreassured since I realized that we all had one thing in common:
interest in the Japanese language and culture. I knew that thistrip was going to be so much fun and would be the best experience in my life.
I was wrong when I thought that this trip was just going to be fun and games. Many times it was, but mostof the trip was educational. The first week was spent in the Tohoku region, the region that was mostimpacted by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. We visited Rikuzentakata, Kesennuma, Ishinomaki, andSendai. We visited Rikuzentakata and Ishinomaki because it was where Taylor Anderson and Monty
Dickson had taught as JET-ALTs until the disaster took away their lives. While I was there, I was able tosee and experience the same things that they had. I was able to see why they loved Japan so much, andwhy they loved what they did so much. It influenced me to want to follow their footsteps; it made me want
to become a JET-ALT myself in the future.
I learned that there is so much more to the current situation in Japan than what is shown and publicized inthe United States. I thought that Japan was all rebuilt and fine by now. In actuality, many parts ofRikuzentakata and Kesennuma are still in rubbles and filled with debris. The JET-MIPpers in general isaPrivacy - Terms

group of rowdy kids. When our bus passed through the disaster area, everyone was silent; we all couldn’t
believe what we were seeing, and we were all trying to take in what we were seeing. With the study tours
in Rikuzentakata and Kesennuma, we were told of stories and what had happened before and after theMarch 11 disaster. Seeing the disaster’s aftermath up-close is so much different than seeing it on the news
or in pictures. We felt sad, and we all wanted to help the Japanese people, but we didn’t know how. We alltried to put ourselves in the Japanese’s shoes, and most of us didn’t know how we’d react nor continue tolive. The strength of the Japanese is amazing. Even with nothing, they make something out of nothing; inactuality, the most important thing is that they still have their lives. They continue to live on, and help eachother in need whenever possible.
I learned that just by visiting these cities and being willing to learn about the disaster and their current
situation, it was already helping the Japanese people. Being able to go to elementary schools and highschools in the area provided us with some ideas on how we can help. The high school summit in
Rikuzentakata forced us to come up with ideas to help build a stronger bridge between the United Statesand Japan. A meeting with Taylor Anderson’s Kiwi Club in Ishinomaki forced us to talk with the JapaneseEnglish learners; we were able to exchange our culture and learn more about each other’s’ lives. I neverknew that there were so many Japanese people who are interested in the American culture and language.
Through all these meetings, we created bonds that we want to keep forever. Although these study tours
and meetings may sound boring, it was really fun.
Basically being with each other was enough fun for us. Anything that is boring becomes fun because we
make it fun. Boring hour to two hours long bus rides became a karaoke party. Chatting with each othernever failed to bring us laughter. We were also given free time. We got to tour Sendai City with college
volunteers. In Osaka, we had free time almost every day after our classes. After classes, we went out
around the neighborhood to malls, convenience stores, and other places as groups; by shuttle buses, bybikes, or by walking, every moment that we spend with each other made the bonds that we made with one
another stronger.
The most fun event that was home-staying with my host family. My host family took me to Namba, to asushi go-around restaurant, to Osaka Castle, to a small festival, and to shopping malls. We ate takoyaki
and okonomiyaki—the most famous food in Osaka; I was able to make my own takoyaki at home with myhost family too! I became so close with my host-family that they’re like my second family. The mostfrustrating thing was the fact that I was unable to understand half the things that they tried to tell me, butat the same time, I was surprised at how even with a language barrier, we became a family. They were so
considerate and nice to me that I felt that they spoiled me too much. It was so hard to say good-bye andto part from them, but I plan to continue to keep in touch with them.
Parting from the JET-MIPpers and from all the teachers and chaperones was equally hard. We became afamily—they are my family. We went through so much together, and we were together every day for thewhole trip. I definitely plan on visiting Japan again in the future, so I hope I get to see some JET-MIPpers
in Japan in the future; it is the most beautiful place that I have ever seen. This trip made me decide that I
will continue to learn Japanese; no matter what field of study I choose to go into, I want to continuelearning Japanese. After actually being in Japan and experiencing their lifestyle and learning about theJapanese culture, I wish to experience and learn even more. I want to become proficient in Japanese tobecome a bridge between the United States and Japan. To start off, I will share my experiences witheveryone that I know: family, friends, and classmates. To ensure that the disaster in Japan wouldn’t beforgotten, it is my job to educate others about it.

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Ms. Anderson and Mr. Dickson, what you have done will not be wasted. My generation is the Tomodachigeneration; what you have done will forever be in our hearts and will continue to inspire us to strengthen
the bridge between the United States and Japan. Thank you for what you have done for Japan, and thankyou for being my inspiration.

NIPPON THROUGH MY EYES PHOTO SUBMISSION"OSAKA'S HORIZON"
A view from my room showing the calmness of the horizon withbeautiful colors from the water and bridge.

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2012 JET-MIP Essay: Suzanne Barrientos

2012 JET-MIP Essay: Susan Zhao
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2012 JET-MIP Essay: Tiana Dunn

2012 JET-MIP Essay: Yu Ri Kim

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