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2012 JET-MIP ESSAYMARCH, 2013: BREEZE ISSUE #65
A FREE MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER FOR FRIENDS OF JAPAN & TEACHERS OF JAPANESESTEPHANIE KRAKOWLincoln High School
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
If I had to sum up this trip in a few words I would say that, Japan
is awesome! I was so excited to go to Japan and I couldn’t wait
to leave but what I didn’t realize was how much of a lifechanging experience it would be. The days leading up to July
8th seemed to go on forever. I just wanted to be in Los Angelesand meet the thirty one other students, who three short weeks
later would become my family after sharing the highs and lows ofthis amazing experience.
It was refreshing to meet so many students my age who sharemy same fascination with Japan. When we first met it seemed
like no one wanted to start a conversation or even what to talkabout, until we started talking about Japan. Through our common
interest in a language we were able to break through theawkward silence and truly get to know each other. It amazed me
how quickly we let our guards down and began to enjoy eachother’s company as if we’ve been friends our whole life. Onething was certain, if our trip to Japan continued to be as enjoyable as just meeting new friends, then wewere in for an awesome experience.
As we said goodbye to the United States my excitement began to grow even more. I have wanted to go toJapan almost my whole life, and since I started learning Japanese it seemed like that dream would bepossible. Through this program I was able to fulfill one of my dreams in addition to the inspiringexperience I received.
After a long flight I had my first glimpse of Japan and I felt at home. I couldn’t believe that I had finallymade it to Japan. I don’t know what I was expecting Japan to be like but it surpassed any expectations I
may have had. As soon as I stepped off the plane I could instantly feel the heat and humidity but I
welcomed the heat because it meant that I was in Japan. Another thing that I noticed almost instantly was
how polite everyone was; I noticed very little airport chaos. In addition to everyone being well-mannered, I
noted how clean Japan was. Everywhere I went I never saw any trash just lying around. It was a welcomed
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change from the hectic lifestyle I have been accustomed to from living in the United States. While relishingin the awesomeness that is Japan I knew in a few days I would be traveling to the Tohoku region and I
wasn’t sure what to expect.
It was impossible to imagine the sights waiting for me or how much of an impact it would leave. The firstthing we did was visit local elementary schools. As soon as I walked into the school I felt like I was in adifferent world, one that was untouched by the repercussions of the tsunami. I was amazed at how
genuinely happy the children were. As I was talking to them I couldn’t help but smile. All of them werevery well behaved and always interested in everything we talked about. But all too soon we had to say
goodbye to our new friends and head back out into the aftermath of the tsunami once again.
When we finally toured Rikazentakata, I had no words for what I witnessed. I remember watching the news
coverage of the tsunami and trying to fathom how water could be that destructive but it was impossible tocompletely understand the full extent until I saw it for myself. And while there was destruction everywhere
I looked I couldn’t help but feel proud of the progress that has been made in just a year. And while there
is still a long way to go I was inspired by the great spirits, work ethic and the hope that the people of
Rikazentakata have. It showed that even after a great tragedy it is still possible to come back evenstronger and to find happiness again. While it was devastating to see all of the destruction I believe that it
brought all of us closer together and taught me that even after something that seems like the end of theworld that it is possible to start over, rebuild and come back even stronger than before.
After the Tohoku study trip, while I didn’t want to leave, I couldn’t wait to go back home and to share theexperiences I had and the stories that I had heard. I realized that I would never be able to convey theexact feelings I felt and that the pictures wouldn’t provoke the same response I experienced but the least
I could do was to share those stories so that the Tohoku people are not forgotten.
Every time that I share my experience with my friends and family they are shocked. Like me, they didn’tknow the current situation in Japan; they figured that seeing there was no more news coverage thateverything was back to normal. I hope my story has opened their eyes and helped them to realize that justbecause the tsunami happened over a year ago that it doesn’t mean that it’s ok to forget that it happened.
I hope they realize that there are still people who need help and that we shouldn’t forget about them.
This experience has not only helped better me as a person but it has further solidified my interest in
studying Japanese. I plan on majoring in Japanese along with accounting in college. I’m hoping to returnto Japan in the future after I graduate college either for international business or as a JET-ALT. I want tocontinue to do whatever I can to help Japan, no matter how small. I was truly inspired every time I saw asmile on a child’s face. That small act helped me to realize that I was able to make a difference by justbeing there and talking to them. One thing I will never forget is seeing elementary school kids from theTohoku area run down to us after dinner just to say hi. And then when their parents came down to thankus for just simply being there and talking to their kids I could actually see that we were making a
difference and it felt good. I hope I can continue to make positive differences in the future just like Ms.
Anderson and Mr. Dickson.
There is so much I would like to say to Ms. Anderson and Mr. Dickson but most importantly I would like tothank both of you. The two of you have left such a legacy for not only the thirty two of us but everyone
else to follow. You touched so many lives and left such an impact on the world. As I toured the schools
you taught at and the cities you worked in it was clear to me how big of an impact you had on not only thepeople in those cities but also your students as well. It was a complete tragedy for the world to lose twopeople as dedicated and as caring as both of you were. But, I believe that even though you were taken
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away so suddenly that in the time you were in Japan you gave those children one of the greatest gifts.

You not only taught them English and helped them in school but you taught them to love learning and life.
I would also like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to make one of my own dreams come true. It
has been my dream to go to Japan and I know that I wouldn’t have been able to go if it wasn’t for yoursacrifice. I’m so sorry that your life was cut short but in that time you touched the lives of so many others
that you will not be forgotten. Even after your tragic death you have still managed to help people, yougave thirty two students the chance of a lifetime and I’m sure I can speak for everyone when I say itmeans the world to us. So thank you again, for all that you were able to do for others and all that you arestill doing. Rest assured that I will do my best to uphold your legacy and make you both proud.

NIPPON THROUGH MY EYES PHOTO SUBMISSION"RINKU TOWN FERRIS WHEEL"
It was a symbol of our home in Osaka.

Breeze #74

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2012 JET-MIP Report 8/8

2012 J-LEAP Report: Kanae Minagoshi

2012 J-LEAP Report: Wakana Hirata

2012 JET-MIP Essay: Samuel Duchovni

2012 JET-MIP Essay: Stephanie Krakow

2012 JET-MIP Essay: Samantha Schneider

2012 JET-MIP Essay: Sarah WadeBreeze #64

Breeze #63

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