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2015 JET-MIP ESSAY: ANGELA LIDECEMBER, 2015: BREEZE ISSUE #98
A FREE MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER FOR FRIENDS OF JAPAN & TEACHERS OF
JAPANESEANGELA LI
University Laboratory High School
Urbana, IL
I have one big regret about the 2015 JET Memorial Invitation
Program: it was the final execution of the program. Other
than that, I have no regrets. I have already told my stories ofthe wonderful trip to many friends and family, and I enjoy
their reactions each time. Everyone I talked to wasimpressed by the amount of activities fitted into only twoweeks of being in Japan. I was surprised that many who
previously did not have much contact with Japanese
language and culture also expressed their wishes toencounter Japan for themselves. However, one of the mostinteresting reactions happened just today. I was talking to afriend who quietly absorbed everything I said, and later I
received a text from her asking how to apply. It turned outthat her sister, who is currently studying Japanese, had been
secretly listening to our conversation and was ecstatic about
the program. I agreed to talk to her sister more about JETMIP, but when I apologetically explained that the program was over, she nearly cried withfrustration. She explained that she had been looking for a viable way to finally understandJapan for herself before continuing the language in college, and JET-MIP seemed like an ideal
program.
I hope JET-MIP can continue in some form or another so that others may have a chance to feelthe great experiences I went through and to obtain memories as valuable as the ones I now
have. The program was a way to commemorate the work of Taylor Anderson and Montgomery
Dickson by bringing American teenagers to understand and connect with Japanese citizens
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after the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. Before the program started, I was excited
to finally be able to interact with the Japanese people and experience the country. Talking toprevious participants before the trip began, I noticed the numerous amount of former Mippers
who were spiritedly expressing their wish for returning to Japan a second time. Now, as aformer Mipper myself, I am also beginning to feel the fervor and desire to relive the trip. Afterthe journey, I’ve realized that the trip has done more for me than I originally expected it would.
Other than fulfilling an amazing two-week experience in Japan, the program has ingrained inme a newfound attachment to Japan that only came with firsthand experience of the countryand people. Looking back, I realize that my levels of attachment and excitement grew inseveral jumps during the span of the program. The opening days were full of anticipation but
admittedly quite long. I felt fatigued at times, but my weariness was often washed away, suchas during the film Live Your Dream: The Taylor Anderson Story and listening to presentations
from friends and family of Taylor Anderson and Montgomery Dickson--both ruffled my emotionsquite a bit.
The first true jump of excitement came when I opened the curtains in my room on the 16th floorof the Kansai Institute. I remember standing and staring at the great view; it refreshed mymindset, and from then I began to really take note of my environment. To me Japan has afeeling that is hard to put into words: the cities were towering and full of movement while themountains and countryside were refreshing and clear, but I loved both. I appreciated that wewere able to easily experience both during the program.
The event that really hooked me was the High School Summit in Rikuzentakata. It was the firsttime meeting with Japanese people of our age and I was thrilled to interact with them. I
particularly connected with a girl named Kaho; she was all smiles and very willing to talk to me.
Throughout our day together, Kaho told me a bit about life after the disaster and pointed out
the temporary housing in the town. The night before the Summit, we had a question-andanswer session with Mayor Toba about the disaster and reconstruction, which was helpful insolidifying my impression of what the citizens were going through. I was impressed with thewelcoming nature of the students and officials in Rikuzentakata, and at the end of the day I felt
the first, and very large, pang of regret on the trip while parting with them.
The rest of the program went by very quickly; a few particular events jump out in my memory.
East Sendai High School was a great day in terms of cultural experience with firsthand attempts
at sadou and kendo, which had only been textbook activities for me up to that point. Our visit
through the damaged building of Yuriage Junior High School was another eye-opening
experience in understanding the disaster. Near the end of the program was our homestay,which felt extremely short but is something I value tremendously. Compared to our otheractivities, it gave me enough time to feel like I truly built up a connection with the Japanesepeople there (my host family), let me see some amazing places such as Osaka-jo, and finallygave me a chance to use only and all Japanese for two days.

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The farewell at the end of the program was quite rushed, and I felt like I was already saying
goodbye to my friends before I got to fully digest the fact that I was on the trip at all. Only afew days after it was over did I start to feel the true impact of the experience. In Japan, wewere always busy, and I didn’t realize how much more the two weeks made me enjoy Japanand it’s people until returning to the the U.S. Now, I have a big yearning to wind back time tothe start of the program. But I am also beginning to realize that in some ways the trip has not
ended yet.
On the surface, JET-MIP only lasts for two weeks, but it leaves an amazing impression of Japanthat lasts much longer. I, my friends, and no doubt all previous Mippers have come out of theprogram with a new goal of returning to Japan as a JET member, for work, volunteerism, or justfor another visit. Before attending the program, I had finished all four years of Japanese at myhigh school with one year left, and wasn’t totally sure where to go from there. But after the trip,I feel resolved to continue studying on my own for the upcoming year and into college. I plan tokeep talking to my new Japanese friends, and continuously look forward to going on anothertrip to Japan in the future. I am extremely grateful for receiving this unique chance to attend
the JET Memorial Invitation Program as an unmatchable first experience of Japan.
Taylor Anderson and Monty Dickson,
Though I never knew you personally, I’ve taken your stories to heart. I was struck by both ofyour energy, fun attitudes, and diligence after hearing about you from your family and friends.
Just as you have inspired your school children, Mr. Endo, my fellow Mippers, and many more,
you have also inspired me to think of what I have and to love Japan. Thank you for loving
Japan, and thank you for helping me develop my own feelings for the country and its people.

NIPPON THROUGH MY EYES PHOTOSUBMISSION“Broken mirror from Yuriage”
The trip through Yuriage Junior High was also a unique experience for me, because walking
through a damaged school and seeing the destruction with my own eyes made the disaster feel
more real to me.

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Breeze #98

JF National Survey

Japanese Langauge Education Update 252015 J-LEAP Report: Kasumi Tago

2015 J-LEAP Report: Tamaki Yoshitome

2015 JET-MIP Essay: Angela Li2015 JET-MIP Essay: Taylor-Anne Kim

2015 JET-MIP Essay: Bridget Keeney

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