Journey Japan

I have had a lot of people supporting me over the year, who I am all very grateful for. Some of whom were working along side me everyday and others who just dropped me a message, sent a card or even came to visit me! I also appreciate how there were a lot of people who followed my blog! Thank you to everyone who was interested to follow my journey and witness my experiences with me.

The year has been an interesting one. Highs and lows. Ups and downs. Overall what an amazing experience. I’ve not only learnt new skills, languages and cultures, but a lot about myself. I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching English to all of the age groups I help over the year and it has influenced me to go ahead and take Linguistics with Japanese this September at Newcastle University.

I will miss a lot of the people of course, but also culture and everyday life. Some of the aspects are really appealing, but since being home a lot of its more negative sides are starting to show. But that isn't to say I didn't enjoy myself and that I won't be going back again! I definitely want to return to Japan to visit the people I worked with over the year, but to also see new parts of Japan I haven't been to yet!

Saying goodbye to the school was tough. I didn't want to walk away, but I knew it was time. On the day and weeks building up to it students and teachers alike kept asking me if I was sad, which of course I was. But I would always add on “But it is time to move on”. I would love to stay for a few more years and see the students I taught graduate and spend more good times teaching with some of the teachers, but for myself and for my development I have to take the next step. I wondered for a moment if I could stay another year as the next volunteer is by himself, so I could accompany him, but it isn't a good experience for him or myself as he needs to follow his own path, as do I.

I was all a bit nervous before doing a speech in front of the entire school despite practicing months before hand. The first half of my speech saw mistakes riddled all over it, but as it went on and I got a few laughs from the crowd I could finish proudly having expressed my time and emotions with the school.

I went around a couple of the classes saying goodbye and one of them was 3-1 junior high school class. They were happy to know they were join favourites and I let them know from the bottom of my heart what a pleasure it was to teach them and laugh with them.

The last class I visited and where I spent most of my time was 2-3 senior high school English class. They were receiving their grades while giving them a few final words of support. However, time was running short so I went ahead and started saying a few words. I kept it short because I knew my few tears would turn into sobs so I got a final group photo and had a group hug, and waved goodbye to my similarly teary students. They were an important bunch that class, and I hope to see them again in the future.

I remember taking a final walk around the school and seeing two students before finally heading back to the office to get my things. They couldn't believe it. Looking at the two of them, I wish I could stay and teach them all over again, but of course that cannot be the case. A final wave and smile told them all they needed to know before I went to the ELC.

It was a busy day so all I was able to do next was shake hands with my mentor for the year, Barney, and wish him well. He is an incredibly kind hearted man. He is as kind hearted as much as he cares for others, the school and his hard work. I really idolise him even in the funny times where he acts like a bit of a clown. But that’s who he is. A loving man who is able to cast a wide grin on anyones face. The last words I said to him was “We discussed a lot about basketball over the year. Who are the best teams, who will win, trade rumours and who we think the MVPs are. But you’re the real MVP”. 

They were a very important part of my year, so saying goodbye to them was hard. The basketball team from the school was amazing. For my final day with them, I wore my old jersey with a lot of signatures from the students; I thought it would be quite fitting for the event. I was lucky that the third-year students could come along, as they just retired from the club having lost their tournament games not too long ago.

Our final time together took place on Saturday, July 15th. We spent the first part of our time doing a seniors and myself against the second and first year students, which resulted with us taking an early lead but them making a rush for a comeback in the final quarter! We ended up just taking it by one point so it was a fun close game!

The second game consisted of us having a little more mixed teams, and with two of the coaches playing. It also had a great end, finishing as a draw!

As it came to a close, I had help from one of the third-year returnee students help me with a simple translation saying thank you for our time. Even though we are different on so many levels, basketball brought us together and really had a good time. Afterwards, the senior club manager told me thank you and handed me a basketball signed by a lot of the players from the junior boys and girls and senior boys and girls. It was really nice of them to put that together for me and I am very thankful. However, I did have to deflate it infant of them almost right after, as I had a flight in the next few days!

The time I spent with the club has revived my interest in basketball. Before it was a hobby I was doing because it was good to me and I am perhaps above average than the normal guy playing it. However, since being with this community, I really enjoy playing the game, watching others and just being around basketball. Sometimes even in the classroom some of us talk about basketball and shows the connection that is built between us because of a sport we both love. I hope to return to that gym one day. Maybe then I can beat the coach one-on-one but we’ll have to see!

Saturday was my farewell speech to Junten. Despite practicing a lot I was just so nervous and didn't want to say goodbye so I could concentrate! However that isn't to say that my final message was taken to heart: I managed to show them how I really felt and get through it! 

I was able to say a few more personal farewells, but the most emotional of all was definitely call 2-3. I was able to hold it together up until my final message to them because that class is just awesome. Some of their personal messages also brought me to tears.

Farewell to some of the teachers too was quite moving, but they know how it goes: I am just one in the chain of volunteers that come to the school. 

On Sunday I had a lovely meal with some of my ex-evening students. It was great to spend a nice time with them for one last time. 

Today I am just doing nothing. Waiting to get a nights rest before I head home tomorrow. 

For our last night together, my childhood friend and I had a lovely meal and drink at DevilCraft, an awesome restaurant that started off as a brewery. Although I typically go to the one in Hanamatsuchou, the one in Kanda is much closer and more funky! It is in a really small, tall building with winding stairs and a super relaxed vibe.

Thursday was the last day I spent with my friend in Tokyo. Before he went off to travel west Japan, we went to look for some nifty gadgets in Akihabara. We then parted ways and I went over to Tama for the remainder of the day.

Yesterday I spent the whole day with my childhood friend: we went out to Hamamatsucho where we saw the Tokyo Tower and Zojoji Shrine. Afterwards, we went to a nice pizza place, which we are also hoping to go to tomorrow but at a different location. As well as that, we went over to Don Quijote, where we bought a few bits and miscellaneous pieces before heading home because the heat was crazy hot!

Today on Tuesday, I managed to finally post my packages of coats and other bits home after asking for some help from a teacher from Junten. Then my childhood friend and I went over to Harujuku to see Meiji Jingu and Yoyogi Park for the day. Again, because it was scorching hot and ridiculously humid, we went home and had dinner at a local place.

The onsen was amazing! I went there before but didn't actually spend too much time in the onsen itself. This time around I went with my childhood friend and he really liked it so we went in twice. We agreed that the outside area is the best. Although we were finished with the onsen at three o'clock, we were so tired that we couldn't enjoy looking around the modern area of Odaiba so we just went home.

Saturday was great! Starting from nine o’clock I went over to my school’s sports campus for the last time. We played basketball together until 12 o'clock. We managed to do 2 whole games. One game ended up with my team winning by 1 point and the other game I was on both teams and it ended in a tie! It was great to see many of the members again and play with them for the last time. After a short goodbye speech they said a few words and handed me a basketball with messages from many of them. I am very proud to have been a part of that club.

Last night I had a wonderful dinner with my old host mother for the last time. We went to a stunning buffet-style restaurant and it was amazing! I’m happy I didn't eat too much that day so I could scoff down more than I usually would!

Today I went into school to confirm a few times for handing in my residence card and other bits like that. Also I helped out one of the teachers with marking some test papers as it has been overwhelming at the moment. Afterwards we went out for lunch at a very local curry place: it was fun to have a nice meal with two of the teachers again. 

Yesterday I finally managed to spend some quality time with my childhood friend: we went out for a nice meal and ended the short day watching a film. 

Earlier today I went into school to collect my final payment before having a meal with a teacher who has been with the school for only three months. He has always been advising me on what teaching licences I should pursue if I really want to go towards teaching abroad and his personal experiences. 

Just now I have finished packing some boxes of bits and bobs that I won't need for a while and will allow for more space in my suitcase. Hopefully I can pack everything now!

On the last day of school I received a lovely card with messaged from all of the teachers close to me and who I have worked with. I could talk days and days about each of them as they are so special in their own individual ways. I wish them all the best on their unique adventures and can't wait to come across them again someday.

About two weeks left... やだ...

I had my final week of school and it was much less gloomy than I thought. I guess I enjoy my school so much its hard to be sad! I have been asked on multiple occasions, “Are you sad that you are going back?”. My general response has been “Yes, of course. But it is time to go”. By that I mean I can have a sense of accomplishment that I am proud of and it diminishes a lot of the sad emotions about leaving.

Last night I had yet another farewell party! I was with what we call the ex-PTA class: moths of past students, who have now graduated from the school. This time we went to a very local Italian restaurant where we were just talking and enjoying our last ‘lesson’ together. I was so tired because of the two I have already had this week! It was very touching of them to put together such a lovely card with messages and of course a picture of us all together!

Yesterday saw an end to my evening class. We went to a nice Italian  restaurant in Iidabashi. We had several different courses of pastas and other bits. It was great for my friend to also join us for the night! They gifted me a really cool yukata like thing. It is a kind of summer traditional dress and is really soothing! I can't wait to whack it on in the summer!

Yesterday I made a surprise trip into Tama as basketball club was off. All clubs this week are canceled due to test week coming up. The school wants the students to study rather than spend time on club activities. I understand but I wanted to play basketball!

Classes are progressing as usual but ending with a thank you for our time together. Some students wish to exchange social media once I have left the school, but at the same time I have been thinking that it is best for everyone to move on. This is especially the case as two new volunteers will be arriving in two months or so to start the experience all over again.

Just now I had my last class with the second year junior returnees. Although they have been the most troublesome bunch in the whole, they have been a delight to teach in a unique, but still very irritating, way. I told them to treasure the gift they have in their English ability not only because they are fantastic at English, but also I can sense the 9 of them look down on their differences sometimes. Being unique in Japan can have more downsides than there would typically be in a less strict, western culture.

After saying what I had to say, two of the girls ran to the back to reveal a card everyone had contributed towards. It was a great surprise! We had a quick photo together after class!

I hope to be able to visit the school in two or three years time, in which case I would be able to see that class again but as senior high school students! Ahhh! So weird to think that at the moment!

Those guys were special and wish them all the best (and to listen more during class)!

Last night I was treated to an okonomiyaki restaurant and the special thing about it was because it was the last time I was going to see some of my evening class students! We laughed, drank and ate together before saying our goodbyes and heading off home!

In true Japanese fashion, they presented us with gifts. However, the quantity of gifts they gave was staggering..

I am so thankful for all of them for being so kind and for inviting me to all sorts of bits and bobs! I wish them all the best and can't wait to see them again!