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2012 JET-MIP ESSAYOCTOBER, 2012: BREEZE ISSUE #60
A FREE MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER FOR FRIENDS OF JAPAN & TEACHERS OF JAPANESEBENJAMIN JOSEPH JOHNSON
Walt Whitman High School
Berwyn Heights, MD

MY JAPAN EXPERIENCEThe JET Memorial Invitation Program (JET-MIP) offers anincredible experience for anyone who has an interest in learning
Japanese; not only for advancing language skills, but foradvancing understanding of culture and current issues as well.
For me, being able to go to the impacted areas in Tōhoku wasthe most eye opening experience of the trip. It struck me thatnot very many of the participants, and certainly not myself, were
aware of the extent of the damage remaining from the tsunami.
Going to Rikuzentakata, Kesen-numa, and Ishinomaki, and seeing
the current state of the towns compared to how thereconstruction effort had been portrayed by American news.
What surprised me the most however, was how friendly thelocals were, how much they tried to make us feel welcomed intheir town, and how genuinely happy and sociable the people
were just one year after experiencing such a disaster. TheTōhoku people have touched my heart and increased my desire to become a bridge between Japan andAmerica.
The program was very well organized; although we had a lot of things to do we still managed to fit
everything in with enough free time for us to still explore the local areas on our own. After having such afast paced schedule it was nice to relax with shopping in Rinku, and karaoke at the institute's karaokeroom. Despite the fast pace, at no point did I feel like we were under-prepared for events. We werealways briefed on what we would be doing, there was very good preparation by staff, and the program's
class on Osakan made it so I never had trouble with local dialects which made the home stay a great
experience. The homestay, although short, was by far the funnest experience of the trip. If I had to change
anything about the program, it would be to extend the duration of the home stay to at least two nights if
not more. Staying with my host family was the most helpful in regards to practicing Japanese, and learning
about culture because they would always explain things I didn't understand and teach me new words.
Even if it was only for a day, my host family made me feel welcomed and like family, and I know that when IPrivacy - Terms
return to Japan that I have a second home waiting for me.

This trip to Japan has been an amazing opportunity for me. Before I got accepted into this program I had
no expectation to be able to go to Japan within at least the next 10 years if not longer. But being able togo, as a high schooler no less, has changed my perspectives and possibly even my personality. I am
normally someone who has a very mild-mannered disposition, very seldom taking initiatives. After going
through this program, I feel like I now have more confidence and am now planning on studying abroad forat least a year via exchange programs offered by my college, something that I would never haveconsidered before. I think this program has given me an edge going into college. Before even setting footin a college Japanese class I have a well-rounded grasp of the current issues facing Japan and many
Japanese friends who I can practice conversation with over social media.
I am sure that Monty Dickson and Taylor Anderson would be proud to see this program today, and to knowthat they are still helping to build relations with the country that they loved. If I could send them a letter
today I would like to tell them how much they accomplished. I will always remember the poem that MontyDickson translated, “There is nothing as beautiful as dedicating oneself to a cause.” How such a small act
as translating a poem can have such a large effect, with his translation being later read by Secretary ofState Hilary Clinton at the U.S.-Japan Council annual conference. It showed to me how even small actions
can have great implications and that even the small steps I take towards building the bridge between ourtwo countries can make a difference.

NIPPON THROUGH MY EYES PHOTO SUBMISSION"OSAKA CASTLE"
A blending of old and new with the outer walls and moat of Osaka
castle and a skyscraper visible in the distance.

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2012 JET-MIP Report Part 32012 JET-MIP Essay: Benjamin Johnson

2012 JET-MIP Essay: Carolyn Jeon
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2012 JET-MIP Essay: Connor Veale

2012 JET-MIP Essay: Corrine Quirk

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