Well, now that I have finished school (this semester was simply bananas, by the way), I have time to tell you good news!
I have been accepted into the JET Program! After waiting about a month after my interview in February (which apparently went pretty well!), I got that congratulatory email. Talk about a wave of emotions. I called my mom first and after I excitedly spit out the news, she said her congratulations and then she said a tearful "I'm going to miss you." That's when my waterworks started. It's unfortunate that I will have to leave my family and friends again, but this has been a dream of mine for quite some time. I can't wait to go back!
I will be leaving July 30th. This summer, needless to say, is going to go by really fast!
My friends, both those who have been accepted into JET as well and other friends in general, and I have been discussing whether JET will be placing teachers in the affected areas of the March 11th earthquake and tsunami. At first we thought, "Well, maybe not because, you know, it's sort of a mess right now." Yet at the same time, someone brought up, "Despite everything, they are still going to need English teachers, you know?"
So, I have decided. No matter where they place me, I will go. I won't know of my location until June but I've made up in my mind, that I will take my placement happily. I didn't work this hard to end up not going in the long run. This is an experience of a lifetime. I'm not going to give it up. Sure, I would rather not be placed in Tohoku (North-east), but if I am, so be it.
Honestly, I feel like I bring a lot of joy into the lives of my family and friends. I don't mean to sound cocky or anything, but it's something I noticed that I can do and it makes me happy, knowing that I can do it. I would bring me even more joy to share it with a community that needs it. Wherever I go, I want to share it.
