Hello, Internet. I
have a lot to discuss today, so grab a notebook, some shredded Wheaties, and
hop onto your favorite hammock. Let’s
get started.
As a foreigner, finding work in Japan typically requires a
Bachelor’s degree. Right now, I’m
working towards an Associate degree in Visual Communications, and I’m
considering continuing my education afterwards.
Anyway, what I’m trying to say is… There are opportunities to find work in Japan without a Bachelor’s
degree.
Before I go any further, I should admit that my work was
unpaid. But… my airfare, housing, food,
and transportation was all covered by Guy Healy, Japan, the organization that
sent me to Japan to teach English at seven different three day summer camps for
five and a half weeks.
It was a pretty sweet
deal. I wanted to go to Japan… and they
wanted to bring American college students over to befriend campers that were
eager to learn English in a fun environment.
My team and I worked with kids from elementary school
through high school, preparing them for Eigo Kai, which was an English-speaking
competition on the last day of camp. The
kids would perform a skit that the American counselors helped them write, they
talked about themselves for 3 minutes in the My Story competition, sang songs
that they wrote, and everyone had a good time.
During camp, we’d have dance parties with American music, a
carnival with games and prizes, and we even had campfires.
Above everything else, our main goal was to become friends
with the campers and provide them with a fun, safe environment for learning
English.
It was always sad when we had to say goodbye to our new
friends that were only in our lives for three days, but it was even more
difficult to leave the team that I lived with during my stay in Japan. We became a family, and I don’t use that term
loosely.
So, Guy Healy Japan’s USA Summer Camp was the perfect fit
for me, since I’m still working towards a degree that will allow me to work in
Japan full-time with pay. I applied for
the same program again this summer, and I was glad to be invited back for yet
another summer of building my personal confidence, as well as gaining some independence
that every adult should have.
Go onto the web, do some research, ask your school about
opportunities to go to Japan if you really want to. If I could go, then you certainly can,
too.
Remember to enjoy life, and take advantage of opportunities
that you’re given.
Take care,
Adam
アダム
I may have left my home, but I honestly haven't comprehended that I won't be back in Holmen, Wisconsin for another two months. I had my farewell parties with some of my high school friends and former Japan teammates, but it still hasn't sunk in that I won't be seeing any of them for a while.
