Backtrack #15: Expect the Unexpected, and Prepare to be Unprepared (John Moraes, Toyo ALT 2004-2007)
In 2004 I moved from Wellington, New Zealand to Ehime, Japan with a suitcase, a backpack and five words of Japanese in my vocabulary. It would not be overstating things […]
Backtrack #14: Ships, Towels & Mikans! (Michael Dziesinski, Imabari ALT 1997-2000)
What’s your name, when and where was your placement, and where are you from originally? My name is Michael Dziesinski. I was an Ehime JET who was placed as an […]
Backtrack #13: The Most Inaka Place I Could Think Of (Bruce Baird, Matsuyama ALT 1992-1993)
What’s your name, when and where was your placement, and where are you from originally? My name is Bruce Baird. I was just about to graduate from college (Columbia University) […]
Backtrack #12: A Bigger Leap of Faith (Gary Haase, Matsuyama ALT 1996-1999)
What’s your name, when and where was your placement, and where are you from originally? Greetings! Thank you for reaching out. I am Gary Haase. I came to Japan in […]
Backtrack #11: A Thinking and Feeling Human (Stefan Hall, Matsuyama ALT 1995-1996)
What’s your name, when and where was your placement, and where are you from originally? I am Stefan Hall. I was placed in Matsuyama-shi, Ehime-ken, from 1995-96. At the time […]
Backtrack #10: Beyond All Expectations (Meredith Boos, Uwajima SHS 2003-2005)
When the cruise cancelled our family trip to China and Japan in 2020 there was much cursing, crying, and screaming. Then my 12-year-old daughter patted my shoulder and said, “Stop […]
Backtrack #9: A Tapestry of Compassion, Patience, Humanity, Individuality, and Safety (May Tsun, Ainan 2008-2010)
How did you find out about JET, and what led you to apply? The program was well known at my college. I was interested in an experience abroad before graduate […]
Backtrack #8: Another Home For Me (Joshua Aresty, Matsuyama ALT 2009-2011)
What’s your name, when and where was your placement, and where are you from originally? My name is Joshua Aresty. I’m from Boston, Massachussetts in the United States. I was […]
Backtrack #7: Earnestness, a bit of Naiveté, and a Sincere Interest in Japan (Nicole Uehara, Saijo ALT 1999-2002)
How did you find out about JET, and what led you to apply? I heard about the JET Program during a college internship from a few employees who participated in […]