| "Hi, I`ve been living in Sakata for two years now although, originally I`m from the U.K. I came to Japan after graduating university in 2000 and I teach in three senior high schools in Sakata and Yuza.
Being in Japan has been an amazing experience. I`ve been lucky to have met many very kind people and experienced various Japanese activities, lots of festivals, hot springs, traditional cooking, calligraphy, karate etc. I`ve also properly taken up taiko drumming and the tea ceremony (despite complete lack of rhythm or elegance). The Shonai ALTs have kept busy with different community activities, winter sports and heading out on trips around Japan and beyond.
I came to Japan hoping to learn Japanese, travel and enjoy teaching. My Japanese is still terrible but I have lessons every week and I`m getting there; I`ve also managed to see a bit of Asia and some beautiful parts of Japan; and whilst I haven`t done as much teaching as I thought I would have, the students make me smile every day.
However, I`m going back to England in July and I`ll be starting in the Home Office in London from the autumn. It is sad to be leaving a place once so many strong ties have been built up but I`m really looking forward to the new job and trying something different back home. |
