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2014 JET-MIP REPORT: ANGELA ZHUAPRIL, 2015: BREEZE ISSUE #90
A FREE MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER FOR FRIENDS OF JAPAN & TEACHERS OF
JAPANESEANGELA ZHUWestview High School
Portland, ORI thought I hadn’t gotten into the program. After
failing the interview I was sure I didn’t get in.
For some reason I convinced myself that I wasgetting a phone call instead of an email
notifying whether I got in or not. I remember
my friend Jina, a past MIPper, telling me tocalm down during Japanese class because Iwas freaking out so much. When I finallychecked my email I thought it was a rejection, but after reading it I was extremely ecstatic to be
accepted into the JET Memorial Invitation Program.
The fact that I was actually going to Japan didn’t really hit me until I met everyone in LA. I wasextremely nervous and excited after making a few friends over an online chat session we had,but all those nerves went away after becoming friends with everyone.
I could barely sleep on the flight to Japan, but I was wide awake when we arrived in Kansai. I
didn’t experience any jet lag and with our schedule, rest wasn’t an option anyway. I remember
being awestruck while staring outside our bus window on the ride to the institute. We all
pointed out how cars drove on the left side of the street and how the outlet mall had familiar
brands. When we arrived at the Kansai Institute I was amazed at how welcoming and hospitableeveryone we met was. I quickly adjusted to our new base and explored with my new friends inour free time. The days flew by and a typhoon did as well. Unfortunately we never got to go toRikuzentakata because of the typhoon, but the time was well spent.
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The trip to the Tohoku region, although a little off schedule, wasn’t what I expected it to belike. The people we met were extremely kind and friendly and showered us with warm
welcomes as we visited schools and met Taylor’s friends. The Watanoha Elementary students,
although shy, quickly warmed up to us as we played “Split Splat” with them. We had a greatlunch and dinner with the Koubunkan High School students as well. Even though the people
we met were happy and cheerful, there were a few things that felt a little off about thesurroundings. There was a general emptiness around the coast. Houses that were swept away
still haven’t been rebuilt. It really signaled how much reconstruction still needs to be done forthe people who still don’t have homes. I forgot that everyone we met had to experience thehorrible earthquake and tsunami because they were all so happy and cheerful around us. This
just shows how strong they all are. Japan and its people are strong and their will to rebuild
and move forward is even stronger.
I’m extremely grateful and glad that my first visit to Japan was through the JET Memorial
Invitation Program. We got to experience Japanese culture and language first hand while
meeting incredible people and seeing amazing sights along the way. Getting to see people’s
daily lives and living alongside them was the most important part of the trip to me. Connectingwith people, sharing their stories, and understanding their experiences made the trip
worthwhile. It’s something you have to go to Japan to experience. I have also made 31
incredible friends I would have never expected to bond with so quickly, a second family inOsaka, and countless other friends I can always contact over Facebook and LINE.
On the car ride home from the Portland International Airport I realized why I felt so comfortable
in Japan. Being home felt so out of place, yet I adjusted to the Kansai institute and myhomestay without any trouble at all. The people, the surroundings, the food, and all my friends
made Japan feel more comfortable than my actual home in the states. With this in mind I am
more determined to continue my studies in Japanese in order to go back some day. Afterlearning more about the JET program I will definitely apply once I graduate from college.
Before then I’ll be taking any other opportunity I have to go back to Japan, my second home.
To Ms. Taylor Anderson, thank you for sharing your dream with us. Your teaching affected somany great people we had the honor to meet and become friends with. The stories from yourfriends in the JET program, Mr. Endo, your students, and the Kiwi Club touched us all. I hope to
one day be a quarter of the person you were.
To Mr. Montgomery Dickson, I’m sorry we never got to visit Rikuzentakata, but it was a greathonor to learn about you and your dream through your beloved family. We loved youreducational video and we all tried to pose like you while taking pictures. I hope to masterJapanese and become a JET like you in the future.
And lastly many thanks to the Japan Foundation for making Taylor, Monty and all 32 of ourdreams possible.

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NIPPON THROUGH MY EYES PHOTOSUBMISSION“Two Nations Together”
This pole was in a park on top of Mt. Hiyori inIshinomaki. I chose this picture because thesaying on the pole "May Peace Prevail onEarth", with Japanese and English, reallyrepresented the friendship between the twonations and our purpose during our trip.

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Japanese Langauge Education Update 172014 JET-MIP Report: Angela Zhu

2014 JET-MIP Report: Jayson Wood2014 JET-MIP Report: Joshua Warnick

2014 JET-MIP Report: Konou Xiong

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