I’ll be teaching in the city of Fukui as part of the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program.

Cover photo: Admiring the view on my flight from Houston to Tokyo (2021).

If you follow me on social media, you’re likely already aware that I’ve left the States; I have accepted a position as an Assistant Language Teacher with the prestigious Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program.

Established in 1987, the JET Program promotes internationalization and mutual understanding by inviting young people from all over the world to work with communities throughout the nation.

While some critics have questioned the program’s value in the globalized 21st century, I believe JET is more important than ever, as Japan’s borders have been tightly restricted in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The program is a vital means of keeping Japan connected with the rest of the world.

It has been a daunting wait, complicated by the novel coronavirus. I submitted my application over a year ago and I did not have my official date of departure (October 24th) until late August! Other JET participants have waited over two years since they accepted this opportunity, putting their lives on hold. Some quit their jobs, others moved in with their parents…

In the fall of 2020, I had accepted two part-time positions: as a substitute teacher with Uplift Education and as a marketing & ticketing coordinator at the brand-new Coppell Arts Center. My role as a substitute teacher concluded with the arrival of summer vacation and I left my position at the Coppell Arts Center October 17th, leaving just six days to prepare for my departure.

Following a four-hour-long road-trip with my parents to Houston, I boarded a flight to the Tokyo-Narita International Airport. I am currently in a hotel room for a two week quarantine, during this time, I am preparing for my role as an ALT with daily trainings and Japanese language lessons. At the end of this quarantine, November 9th, I will travel to my final destination, the city of Fukui, near the Sea of Japan.

The capital of Fukui Prefecture, Fukui is home to some 250,000 people (comparable to my own city of Irving). The area is known for delicious seafood, particularly snow crabs! I’ll have to adjust to the cold climate! I’ve been told the winters can be brutal — especially for a native Texan — but I’m up for the challenge!

I first visited Japan during college, in 2016, under the tutelage of Professor Seiji Ikeda, as part of his summer course Japanese Art & Design, taught at the University of Texas at Arlington. Among other traditions, Seiji sensei introduced the class to precise crafts such as wagashi (sweets), ikebana (flower arrangement), and machiya (wooden townhouses).

Completely enamored, I returned the next year, convincing two of my closest friends to join me. We had an incredible time, visiting museums, shrines, and an assortment of cafes. Even after this two week trip, I was eager to return again.

Japanese culture has always been a part of my life, from spending Saturday mornings watching anime, to playing Nintendo games with friends, to my fascination with contemporary artists such as Takashi Murakami and Yayoi Kusama.

As a child — or even as a teenager — I never imaged myself living in Japan but that makes this opportunity all the more thrilling. After having lived in both Florence and Amsterdam, I finally developed the courage to embark on this journey.

It has been an intensive process, one which involved the submission of my resume, professional references, a personal essay, and reports about my health. I was even asked to disclose my body piercings (one on each earlobe) and tattoos (none — as of now).

Prospective teachers apply from all over the world, from nations such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. The program — one of the largest of its kind — has an estimated acceptance rate of just 25%.

I have been impressed with every participant I have met. Everyone is so well-traveled, kind and enthusiastic. Several fellow participants have years of teaching experience, and are eager to take what they will learn here in Japan back to schools in their native countries. Many JET alumna pursue careers as diplomats. I’ve also met others — like myself — who are less sure of what their future holds after this experience.

As a college student, I dreamed of joining the ranks of a world-class design agency, pitching solutions for multi-million dollar clients but I’m happy to say that my life has taken me on a different path. Instead, I am excited to use my visual communications degree, as well as brand ambassador and marketing experience, to bridge language barriers and to establish meaningful connections.

Needless to say, you can expect a lot of content about Japan coming soon, as I’m thrilled to share this experience with you all!

I offer my sincere thanks to everyone who made this opportunity possible, especially Professors Seiji Ikeda and Ben Dolezal, as well as JET alumni Christine Adame and Jeremy Sorel. Of course I’m also grateful for my parents, Hanna and Xavier, for a lifetime of patience and support.