When I thought of writing this blog, all the fond memories of Japan flooded in. I wrote to one of the teachers I had worked with about how I enjoyed working with them. I did not know if he would even remember me after 15 years. Pat came reply that he not only just remembered me but also as the best ALT he had ever worked. That wonderful compliment sent me straight on cloud nine or maybe ninety???
We arrived in Tokyo as JETs. But who is a JET? Under the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program, the Govt of Japan invites university graduates to teach English in public schools. JET Program participants are called JETs.
We had a two-day Orientation in Tokyo. At the orientation, an American asked me if I was an Indian as I had draped a saree. When I answered affirmatively, he congratulated me for being extraordinary. He smiled at the big question mark on my face. He said that he just got to know that the Indian JETs were 0.3% of the total applicants. Instantly a thankful smile replaced that big question mark. His out-of-way genuine appreciation touched my heart. I felt blessed.
The preparations, interview rolled in front of my eyes. I used to teach at the University of Mumbai. One day, the Consul from the Consulate of Japan came to the university for an introductory lecture about the JET Program. I had not heard about the JET program. Till then, JET was just JET airways for me. I was motivated to apply but had only eight days in hand. The race against time began. I shall always remain indebted to the teachers who gave recommendation letters on short notice. I submitted the application form on the previous day of the deadline.
A few days later, when I was at the university for the viva exam, a peon from the office delivered the message to me to call up my parents immediately. I started worrying. As I was at the examination center, my mobile was on switch-off mode. Hence my parents called the university office. I called them up at once. It turned out to be a pleasant surprise. A step closer to my dream.
As I was unreachable on my mobile, the Consulate had called up my residence to convey that they had shortlisted me for the interview. Since I had to confirm the interview date at the earliest possible, my parents called up the university office to tell me to call up the Consulate.
The interview was satisfactory. A few days later, the Consulate received the list of the JET participants from Japan, excluding my name. I was disappointed but not dejected. Around ten days later, the number of a call on my mobile caught my attention. I wondered why Consulate called me?
The Consulate informed me about the mail they received from Japan about my selection as one of the JET participants. My joy knew no bounds. Dreams do come true!
The Consul General hosted a dinner party for the JETs and their family. It was an honor.
One of my friends who worked with a Japanese company often visited Japan on business. She always invited me. My father encouraged me to go as he was ready to finance the trip. But I declined as it was my dream to visit Japan at my expense. I was in Japan on one of the most prestigious programs fully funded by the Govt. of Japan.
After the Orientation in Tokyo, we flew to our posting. We had a formal meeting with the education board members at the City Hall. I was assigned two junior high schools. YJHS and TJHS. YJHS was near the city border and TJHS in a big paddy field. It looked a bit like the countryside. I was curious and excited to work with both schools, received a warm welcome from the entire staff and students.
I was given a yellow bike for commuting. I went to YJHS by bike. Just as I thought that I know the road, one busy morning, I lost the route. Frantically I called up the school. As I could read Japanese, I told them the whereabouts. One of the teachers came to pick me up. We left my bike there. Later the vice principal went to pick up my bike. No… No ….. Please do not visualize VP riding my bike to school. He went to pick up my bike by car, as it was big enough to accommodate my bike. When I apologized repeatedly, he brushed it off as if not a big deal. Something unheard !!!!!!! Very embarrassing for me.
I took a bus to TJHS. It was a fun ride. After a while, the bus driver started recognizing me. The bus stop was just outside my apartment building. Once I was late by a few seconds. The bus was already at the bus stop and about to leave. Just then, the driver saw me running and hence, waited for me. That was very considerate of him. It was just the beginning of the thoughtful and kind gesture of the Japanese people. I encountered many more warm experiences that took me totally by surprise.
I started working Monday to Wednesday in YJHS and Thursday & Friday in TJHS. YJHS was a bigger school compared to TJHS. I used to work in one school in the daytime and prepare grammar-based worksheets or games for the other school after returning home. So, practically I was working for both the schools throughout the week. Although it was taxing, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was quite a task for my grey cells to design a grammar, spoken, or vocabulary-based activity or game every time. I usually planned an interactive activity to give them more spoken practice to gather more confidence in speaking and be eager to converse in English. Although the grammar was good, they lacked oral skills.
I requested the board to allow me a whole week to a particular school. This way, it wouldn’t disturb the schedule of the school as well because the school had to reschedule the timetable to fit my schedule in every class, including the differently-abled students.
The education board and both the schools readily accepted my request. I started working a week in one school.