Prior to JET, I have only been in Japan on a 5-day trip in Tokyo and Yokohama. Having been born and raised in Jakarta and Singapore, my first year in Japan countryside has been full of new experiences and fond memories. While we still have to deal with various coronavirus measures, people I met at work, outside work, at events, izakaya, on trips, have been very warm. I rarely feel lonely, and being surrounded by nature is a refreshing experience. Whatever time of the year it is, there is always something going on: a taiko performance, tea ceremony, fireworks, traditional dance, shrine festivals.
Being a CIR has given me the opportunity to work in the cultural sector for the first time, one that I had always aspired to. While I have previously worked at a Japanese company in Singapore and had to use Japanese for work, working at a municipal office in Japan is a totally different ball game. At times, days can pass without me speaking any English. It takes some time to get used to how things are done, and yet I am still discovering something new every day! JET has been an unbelievable learning adventure so far, and as I begin my second year in Japan, I could not help but look forward to more to come.