Contact Us

SEARCH

Site Map

2012 JET-MIP ESSAYFEBRUARY, 2013: BREEZE ISSUE #64
A FREE MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER FOR FRIENDS OF JAPAN & TEACHERS OF JAPANESEREBECCA LEE
Lloyd C. Bird High School
Chester, VA
My time in Japan was a rewarding and unforgettable experience.
Before I went to Japan, I heard how amazing and awesome
Japan is from many of the JET assistant language teachers andpast JET Memorial Invitation Program participants. The words“amazing” and “awesome” didn’t cross my mind until I actuallyexperienced the beauty of Japan for myself. Visiting cities,eating Japanese food, and learning more about the culture eachday I was in Japan, opened my eyes to the beautiful allure ofJapanese aesthetics and traditions. Looking at the ferris wheel
illuminate in different colors right before my eyes and popping
fireworks near the beach at night created memories that I’llalways cherish. I learned more about the Japanese culture andlanguage in Japan than I had from studying in the classroom. MyJapanese was also put to the test many times during my stay inJapan. Along with experiencing the beauty of Japan, I also saw
how the tsunami affected many cities in Miyagi, and Iwate
prefectures in the Tohoku region. Walking through the debris and looking at the destruction that thetsunami caused in Rikuzentakata, Ishinomaki, and Kesennuma, made me realize that there’s still muchwork to be done in those affected areas. The spirit and the fire in their hearts to move on and rebuild wassuch an inspiration to see. Before I saw the aftermath of the tsunami, I didn’t know the extent of thedamage inflicted by the tsunami. I knew many towns and lives were destroyed but to personally see thepiles of cars and the remains of buildings was devastating. I met local people and tour guides in eachtown and they all had a look of determination to build an emotionally and structurally stronger town. They
shared their stories and showed us pictures of what the town used to look like. In Kesennuma, the tour
guide led us to a boat that was washed ashore. The boat to the townspeople in Kesennuma serves as areminder of death. Similar to the Hiroshima Nuclear Bomb Memorial, many people want the boat to be asymbol to the world of the March 11th disaster. One of the volunteers asked us to think about how the boat
can be a symbol and represent the disaster. I walked around the boat and looked at the scenery and I got
the feeling that the boat could symbolize hope. The boat was a symbol of hope to build a better city andto better prepare for other natural disasters. When the Japanese townspeople were asked “What can we
do back home to help with the disaster efforts?” many of them said to share what happened on March
11th.
Privacy- TermsThey wanted us to explain to our friends and family what we saw and learned in Japan. As I was walking
along the beach in Rikuzentakata, the tour guide showed us a pine tree. The pine tree was the sole
survivor among some 70,000 pines which were swept away after the tsunami engulfed the region. Thetree represented the residents’ dream of a new beginning and like the boat was a symbol of hope. Manyof the Japanese people lost everything so to see one pine tree survive the tsunami was remarkable. Theemotions seen on the people’s faces as they told their stories helped me realize how the tsunami affected
the Japanese people emotionally. The pine tree is not only the botanical symbol of rebirth, it’s a reminder
for the residents that every morning begins a new day of hope. Through the JET Memorial Program, I wasable to meet students who shared my passion for the Japanese culture and language. This program hashelped me experience the Japanese language and culture and personally see the dreadful effects of thetsunami. Moreover helped me realize how the tsunami affected the Japanese. I would like to visit thethree disaster affected cities in the future and help with the recovery efforts.
The experience I had in Japan has helped me realize what I truly want to study in college. I plan to pursue
a major in global affairs and a minor in Japanese studies. Not only did my experience help me realize whatI want to study but it has also helped me to realize what I want to do in the future. After I finish college, I
plan on being a JET Coordinator of International Relations in Japan and later on become an international
lawyer. Although my experience in the Japanese culture and language has been limited so far, I'd like totake my perspectives and revolutionize my broad view on both the world and my Japanese studies.
Japanese has not only opened my eyes to the power of languages but it has also broadened my horizonsof different cultures. I want to bridge the gap and connect the two countries in friendship and promoteworld peace through my personal experiences. I want to take the initiative to build bridges between
cultures, nations, states, schools, students, and the world community. The bonds that I made during theshort time I spent in Japan have helped me understand how I can make a mark and create a bridge in theUnited States to spread the Japanese culture and language.
I hope to take the same spirit that Monty Dickson and Taylor Anderson had in the Japanese culture andlanguage and continue to strengthen the relations between the United States and Japan. Monty’s andTaylor’s life story is such an inspiration to people who have a passion and an interest in learning
languages. Both of their lives have helped students like me be able to go to Japan and give me thedetermination to continue my Japanese studies. Thank you for encouraging each and every one of us tocarry on Monty’s and Taylor’s dream of cultural exchange.

NIPPON THROUGH MY EYES PHOTO SUBMISSION"TRADITIONAL TORII"
A traditional Japanese stone gate in Ishinomaki.

Privacy - Terms

Breeze #74

Breeze #73

Breeze #72

Breeze #71

Breeze #70

Breeze #69

Breeze #68

Breeze #67

Breeze #66

Breeze #65

Breeze #64

2012 JET-MIP Report 7/8

2012 J-LEAP Report: Chieko Yamada

2012 J-LEAP Report: Minako Kadoi

2012 JET-MIP Essay: Maylin Chong2012 JET-MIP Essay: Rebecca Lee

2012 JET-MIP Essay: Ruby Cabuya

2012 JET-MIP Essay: Sam Gamble

Breeze #63

Privacy - Terms

Headquarters

New York Office

Center for Global PartnershipJapan Related Links

Volunteer

ボランティア募集

Job Openings (Updated)

5700 Wilshire blvd, Suite 100
Los Angeles, CA 90036
P. 323.761.7510

Annual Report© 2019 The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles
Web Design.

Privacy - Terms