Moving to a prefecture I knew nothing about to start my first job in the middle of COVID-19 was definitely a risk, but it was one that really paid off! In just a single year, I’ve been able to learn so much about Toyama that I find myself talking it up to almost anyone, and genuinely feel like it’s my home. My placement has been a true diamond in the rough, and I want more and more people to know about it.
Even with cultural exchange being limited by the pandemic, I was still able to discover my strengths as a CIR, particularly in PR and interpretation. JET has allowed me to feel at home in a completely new location, be a part of a diverse and welcoming community, and challenge myself to bring my language skills and perspective to a job filled with as many valleys and peaks as Toyama’s famous Tateyama Mountain Range!