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2013 JET-MIP

MARCH, 2014: BREEZE ISSUE #77
A FREE MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER FOR FRIENDS OF JAPAN & TEACHERS OF JAPANESEALESSANDRA TUEL
Dreher High School
Columbia, SC
The JET Memorial Invitation Program considerably opened
my horizons. In the weeks before I left, I was nervous
about how the program would be run; I was not sure how
to handle being a “student ambassador” in my nativecountry, speaking my native language, let alone in aforeign country with an entirely new set of customs andtraditions. However, I was pleasantly surprised by thesmooth integration JET-MIP offered. The Institute greatly enhanced the transition; I noted that in thebeginning it felt very Japanese, but by the end of the program it seemed American. By using the Instituteas a midway point between the cultures, I felt that this program was able to handle what would have been
extreme culture shock. As far as the activities and places visited within the program itself, I thoroughly
enjoyed them. Meeting the Japanese students, something I had been apprehensive about, turned out tobe one of the most enjoyable parts of the trip, and by the end of it I felt that Japan seemed like more of ahome than the United States. All of the food and the accommodations were simply amazing, and I loved
the more traditional experience we had in Hotel Boyo. The disaster areas were shocking, and bothresulted in awe for the power of nature. More importantly, though, the program resulted in awe for thepeople of Japan, and their tenacity. All of the people I met were positive and ready to rebuild. They
refused to give in to the incredible amounts of stress and hardship that was placed upon them, and thatperhaps taught me more than anything. I savored and loved every second we had in Japan, and I neverwanted those two weeks to end.
Before I embarked on JET-MIP, I was not planning on studying Japanese past college. Although I wasalways interested in Japanese culture, as a resident of South Carolina it felt like more of a distant dream,a hobby at most. I was planning on going abroad for my post-graduate studies, but I was thinking more
about going to England or Australia. After experiencing Japan and its culture, my priorities changed
drastically. To put it simply, the trip made Japan feel more ‘real’ to me, and like a future place to live.
Because of JET-MIP, I will be both taking more Japanese classes at my university and becoming a more
active part of the Japanese community here in my state, as well as working towards study abroad
opportunities in Japan. In addition, I want to work in or alongside Japanese companies, and hope tofurther my Japanese education to the point where I can go to a graduate school in Japan.
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Although I did not have a chance to speak to my classmates, I have told all of my friends and family about
Japan. My friends especially were enthused, as many of them are into Japanese pop culture already andwish to one day visit Japan. Like me, they saw Japan as more of a dream than a reality, but theexperiences I shared helped them to both understand more about the situation in Japan after theearthquake currently, and think deeper about Japan as not just a dream, but also a possibility. Some ofthem are planning to study Japanese, and after telling them about the JET program, are now looking intoit. I was surprised by how many people do not know anything about such opportunities in Japan, and how
few people study Japanese outside of Japan. They were encouraged to know that it is possible to live andstudy in Japan, as well as experience its amazing culture.

Dear Taylor and Monty,
Thank you both so much, for your time and dedication to making a difference. Both of you worked
incredibly hard not just to teach English, but to bring joy to many children’s lives. You were well loved andyou truly changed many lives, not just in Japan. You changed my life. Even though you both may neverknow, you created a new life for me, in a sense. I did not know what I was meant to do until I visited
Japan, and you both made that possible through your vibrant spirits and the ones that loved you wishing
to remember you and create your place in history. Just as you two acted as bridges between two
countries, the United States and Japan, I will strive to do so in the future. I hope that one day I can live up
to your memory.
Even though I never knew you personally, I will never, ever forget either of you and the impact you had on
my life and my future.
Once again, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I hope that you both rest in peace, wherever youare.
Best regards,Alix Tuel – JET Memorial Invitation Program Participant 2013

NIPPON THROUGH MY EYES PHOTO SUBMISSION“The Grounded Ship of Rikuzentakata”
This photo depicts the giant ship that grounded itself in the middle of Rikuzentakata during the 2011
Tsunami. To me, this boat is a symbol of the remaining effects from the tsunami, but is also ademonstration of how little the current situation has changed.

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Japanese Langauge Education Update 42013 J-LEAP Report: Taku Okamoto2013 JET-MIP Essay: Sarah Xie

2013 JET-MIP Essay: Jacob Wolter2013 JET-MIP Essay: Alix Tuel2013 JET-MIP Essay: Sean Truong

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