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2012 JET-MIP ESSAYNOVEMBER, 2012: BREEZE ISSUE #61
A FREE MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER FOR FRIENDS OF JAPAN & TEACHERS OF JAPANESEEMILY DOMINGUE
Lake Braddock Secondary School
Burke, VA
Participating in the JET-MIP program is one of the bestexperiences of my life, including the time I spent living in Japan.
When I lived in Okinawa, I spent my time on military bases anddidn't learn much Japanese. But this trip allowed me to use myJapanese language skills and taught me a lot about Japaneseculture. I have wanted to go to Japan and speak Japanese there
pretty much since I started learning the language three years
ago. I thought that I would have to wait until college to have thelanguage skills and means of travel to accomplish this goal. JETMIP gave me the opportunity I needed to fulfill my dream, andthe experience was better than I ever imagined.
I've never been good at making friends over the internet, so I
didn't chat much with the other members until we met in
California. One of my biggest worries was that my Japaneseskills would be far behind everyone else's. After all, I was one of
the nine rising seniors in our group, and I knew some people
were able to start learning the language at an earlier age than me. But when we all met, I was relieved tofind fellow seniors, and most of us had a similar level of Japanese knowledge. We started to bond during
the preparations and by the time we got to Japan, many of us had already become close friends.
The first few days in Japan were very interesting. For most of the group, it was their first trip to Japan, andit was the first time outside the country for plenty of the members. I enjoyed seeing their reactions toeverything since I'm used to flying internationally. When we got to the Institute, we were given tours andexplanations in Japanese, but we were all tired from the 11-hour plane trip, so we (or maybe just I) got halfof the info and just nodded along. I loved the Institute. The facilities are so convenient, and the rooms areperfect. We had a day of orientation there then headed for Tohoku.
Seeing the cities that were affected by the tsunami had a powerful effect on all of us. We were shownaround by people who survived the tsunami and they had many stories to tell. It is devastating to see
firsthand what kind of damage can be done by water. A huge ship was carried into the city of Kesennuma.
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A forest of 70,000 trees in Rikuzentakata has been reduced to one. We also saw where Mr. Dickson waslast seen and where Ms. Anderson's body was found. It was very sad to see the destruction in the towns,and the experience has made me want to help in any way I can. And I already have; our whole group has
helped just by talking.
The members of our JET-MIP group participated in the first US-Japan High School Summit, where we met
up with high schoolers from Tohoku and talked about how to help affected cities and how to strengthen
the bridge between Japan and America. The summit was a lot of fun, and it felt great to know that we
could make a difference even though we're teenagers from another country. We also had a similar talkwhen we visited the American consulate in Osaka. We talked about being bridges between America andJapan and how that can help the two countries.
Another important thing to note about the trip to Tohoku was the spirit of the people. Their cities may still
be in need of repair, but the people who live or used to live there are thriving. They are happy and inviting
and always willing to help. Maybe the only way they could help was to share their story of the tsunami, but
I always thought of how brave they were to recount the horrific event and still smile for us when their tale
was over. It was so inspiring to see so many people say "yes, my house is gone and I lost some friends,
but I'm just glad you all are here." Because they really did say that. They've gone through hell and they're
brave and kind enough to relive that in order to let us know what the tsunami was like to them. I have theutmost respect for all of the people in Tohoku who go on with their lives and leave the past behind them.
And I am so grateful to all of the people who shared their stories with us.
But there were plenty of happy times there as well. We wandered around Ishinomaki where there are tonsof manga-themed statues and buildings and things. We also toured Sendai with the help of some local
college students. Both were really fun because we got to see so many interesting things and buy coolsouvenirs. We also visited a few elementary schools, which was so much fun! We got to play games withand talk with the elementary students who were so adorable!
Back in Osaka, we had a few lessons and preparations and plenty of free time. I spent most of my freetime on my computer or shopping in Rinku town. Rinku town is fun to walk around in with people. I hate
shopping alone, but it was pretty fun to go with different groups of people. I spent most of my money at
the arcade playing crane games. I had fun trying out different machines, and I actually won a couple
things. But I always felt upset as soon as I left and realized how much money I'd spent…
Everyone had fun during their home stays. I spent most of mine cheering on my host brother at his threebasketball games. I don't generally like sports, but I loved watching Kaisei play. I found time to go to thePokémon center in Osaka city where my host family insisted on buying my things for me. We also went to aBon Odori, which is pretty much a community dance party. They dressed me up in a yukata, which they
later gave to me as a present, and we danced and talked and ate shaved ice. It was lots of Fun and a nice
way to see some Japanese culture.
The rest of the trip was work and free time and a completion /sendoff party which was cool because ourhost families got to come and we sang and danced. When we got back to Los Angeles, we had our finalpresentation. I called in sick. I wasn't trying to avoid my presentation. I was shivering with a jacket on andgot a stomachache. I felt better in time to catch the end of my group's presentation and get my certificate
and hear the speeches. I made a (really lame) speech to make up for missing my presentation. When I wason my way home, I was mostly happy to see my family again, but also sad to leave Japan and my new
friends. But I'm sure I'll visit Japan again, and I think some of us will find a way to meet up in the future.
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To speak generally and sum up, it was a fun trip and I learned a lot. I highly recommend this program foranyone interested in Japan and connecting it with America. This trip has definitely inspired me to continue
to be a bridge between the countries by sharing my experiences and telling the stories of the Tohoku
region. I've also been inspired by the JET Assistant Language Teachers we met and look forward tobecoming an ALT myself. I think that's a great example of how I can connect America and Japan.
I had always planned on continuing to learn Japanese during senior year and college, but this trip gave
me some much-needed confidence and opened me up to opportunities such as study abroad programsand the JET-ALT position that I can use to further my studies and test my abilities.
And to Montgomery Dickson and Taylor Anderson, the only thing I can think of to say is that I'm sorry yourtime was cut short, but I'm glad that you both had a great time learning Japanese language and culture.
Your legacies provide inspiration to me and others to pursue our dreams and enjoy Japan to the fullest.
Thank you.

NIPPON THROUGH MY EYES PHOTO SUBMISSION"HOPE AMONGST DESTRUCTION"
I thought that this crane was very symbolic. Even though
everything around was bare and broken, there was a crane hidingin the rocks. Paper cranes symbolize hope, so I took it to meanthat no matter what happens, you can always find hope and counton it to pull you through the bad times.

Breeze #62

Breeze #61

2012 JET-MIP Report Part 4/8

2012 J-LEAP Report: Tae Okuda

2012 J-LEAP Report: Yukiko Homma

2012 JET-MIP Essay: Curtis Fortenberry

2012 JET-MIP Essay: Emily Domingue

2012 JET-MIP Essay: Jessica Lee

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2012 JET-MIP Essay: Sophie Charles

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