Kimiko sensei desu.
Trip Start
May 09, 2008
1
2
7
Trip End
Ongoing
Hiroshima, Chugoku, Japan
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Well it is official, after two weeks of living in Japan, I am now a registered alien. I had never thought of myself as the extra-terrestrial type until now. After only a short period of time, I now have a Japanese address, pension fund and keitai (cell phone) number! Reality has started to kick-in--Japan is my new home. I suppose I could look at it this way: everyone looks like family, so it must be home!
My training in Okayama was fun and rigorous . While I really enjoyed the company of my fellow colleagues, I nearly drowned in the loads of work Amity gave me for the week. Each day we had training from 10-7pm and then from 8pm-1am I would plan and rehearse my lesson presentation for the next day. My jet lag syndrome made it particularly difficult to focus, not to mention I was easily distracted with all of the sights and wonders of my new home. Outside of training, my friends and I would explore local geijin (foreigner) bars and some even satisfied their karaoke cravings in Okayama as well. It was a true bonding experience to say the least.
Last Sunday, I was dropped off at the train station in Okayama. This was the beginning of my journey--destination: Hiroshima. I must admit it was a little scary. I was told that on the other end, my new manager (the boss of my branch school) and my five fellow teachers would receive me, but what if they didn't show? After enjoying the beautiful landscapes of the Hiroshima prefecture on the Shinkansen bullet train, I had arrived at Yokogawa station in my new city. Sure enough, when I got off the train they weren't there and I immediately jumped into panic mode. Where would I go? What would I do? I didn't have a phone and I sure as hell didn't know how to use one. Finally after some of the longest minutes of my life, all of them greeted me with open arms and gifts. I was able to breathe a huge sigh of relief...
For the worst reasons, Hiroshima needs no introduction. On August 6, 1945 thousands of people were wiped out in one instant of apocalyptic destruction and the effects were felt by many of the generations that followed. Despite its sorrowful atomic legacy, there are many things to love about this reconstructed city. Known as the City of Peace and the City of Waterways, Hiroshima is incredibly unique historically, culturally and geographically. People here are considered to be more friendly and more grounded than the residents of Tokyo and Kyoto. Their lives take on a slower pace. Geographically, this coastal city is tucked away in an incredibly lush valley. The views of the waterways and the mountains are absolutely breath-taking.
This week was probably one of the most memorable weeks of my life. It was pivotal because in many ways it was a first for everything. It was the first time I had like a REAL job, it was the first time that I experienced living alone, and it was the first time that I was in a city pretty much all by myself where no one accounted for me and no one spoke my language. That was slightly nerve-wracking. It is a hard feeling to explain; only those who have been through it really understand. Emotionally, this week was a rollercoaster; one second I felt extremely curious and excited about my new home and then the next second I found myself drowning in nostalgia. This is what they call culture shock...it is during these hardships that you learn the most about yourself. This is exactly what happened to me. I learned that running is my therapy, I learned that healthy eating is crucial for my mental well-being and I learned that I have no idea how to cook! I can't even turn on my stove!
Teaching will be a very rewarding and energizing occupation for me. Among many other things, I have learned that I have a gift of working with kids. They have a wonderful influence on me as I do them. I will be teaching 27 classes each week and I will be responsible for 75 students ages 6 months to 35 years! What a range! I will be able to handle anything after this teaching experience.
Comments
Hi Kimiko sensei!
Wow, the pictures are beautiful, your program sounds intense (I remember my TESOL certification course, your training sounds very familiar), and you have a pretty heavy workload, huh? I am teaching English, too, and I have between four and five classes a day--I teach four classes every weekday at a language school called Maple Academy to students between 9 and 30 years old, and a private class three days a week to two sisters, ages 6 and 8. We should trade teaching tips! I hear the homesickness and the challenges of living abroad--you are very brave and have my support and, I'm sure, the support of many many more from home! Good luck and keep writing about your experiences!
Love Teacher Katharina
:-)