I have always been perplexed by the expression "You haven't changed a bit." Is it humanly possible, as this questions suggests, for us to stay the same? In my opinion, we are continuously evolving and changing with every second of every day. Scientists have shown us that the neural connections making up our brain display "plasticity" as we learn and experience our surroundings; neurons like these are literally capable of being "bent" and "remolded" much like plastic. We often seem to cast a dark stare on friends and family that have "changed" but I have come to realize how important the evolution of our character is. Whether we change for the better of for the worse, we must take the time to reflect upon the changes we have gone through (ask yourself: How have I changed?). From this reflection we can evaluate ourselves and set new goals (ask yourself: With these changes in mind, what is(are) my next step(s)?).
Basically, the purpose of this blog entry is for me to organize my thoughts concerning my trip to Japan. I have posed and answered a few questions, to myself, in order to gain a deeper understanding of how I have changed since August 18th, 2007.
Sheila's Reflection on Japan Short Answer Quiz (with answers!)
1. Why did you go to Japan?
The summer before my senior year at Binghamton University, I began to contemplate what I would do after graduation. A number of my friends would be going on to some type of graduate school. I thought about this option but I soon realized that I couldn't pinpoint an area of study. There were (and still are) so many things that I enjoyed doing and learning about. The idea of choosing one, while leaving the rest behind, was overwhelming. In terms of finances, I didn't want to spend the money (and time) studying something only to find out that I wasn't passionate about it. Because I wasn't interested in going to graduate school right away, I decided to apply for some engineering jobs. However, after visiting many career fairs, I was still unable to find a position that sounded interesting.
Throughout the summer and beginning of senior year, I weighed the idea of going into the teaching profession. Leah told me about a school she worked for in Japan and I also learned about programs like Teach for America and New York City Teaching Fellows. The two latter organizations emphasized a need for science and math majors, which was good news for me, an engineering major.
In the end, I decided to go to Japan for several reasons: 1. I was interested in teaching 2. I sent my application to Japan and was immediately accepted for the position 3. I wanted to do something daring (I had always aired on the safe side when it came to making big decisions.) 4. I had always wanted to travel to Japan and learn what it was like to live there 5. I thought a year away from school would give me a perfect chance to discern what I wanted to do as a future career.
2. What did you want to accomplish while you were there? What were your goals?
As I mentioned previously, one of my main goals in going to Japan was to try to figure out my future career path. How would I like teaching? More specifically, how would I like teaching English to students of all ages? I also hoped to develop independence and self-confidence. Some other goals included experiencing as much of Japan as possible: meeting new people, trying new foods, learning the language, learning about the culture, and seeing amazing sites.
3. Did you accomplish these goals?
I can honestly say that I accomplished a major portion of these goals, if not all of them. I wholeheartedly enjoy teaching and I hope to gain more experience in the future. Thanks to my participation in the Chiba, Japan Symposium on Global Warming and Biodiversity, I have also recognized my appreciation and desire to work in the environmental field. Since I was little, I have enjoyed the outdoors and I don't know why it took me so long to realize how important that was for me.
As far as independence and self-confidence go I, like many people, have a long way to go. However, I believe my trip to Japan supplied me with a solid foundation of experience which have taught me about the limitations of my character. For example, I learned the importance of standing up for myself as well as the necessity to hold my ground after making a decision. There are times when we cannot physically give our time. When this happens it is not "mean" to say "no thank you". Additionally, when we make the decision to say "no thank", it's important not to waver in our decision; we have to be firm.
Lastly, I was able to see and experience a great deal of Japan, but as always, there is still so much more that I want to explore. With a population of over 128 million people, there are still many more to meet. And besides, I still haven't visited the summit of Mount Fuji, swam in the tropical waters of Okinawa, or walked through the snows of Hokaido.
4. Name three of your worst experiences. Explain why.
Experience Number 1: One of the most difficult experiences during my time in Japan was witnessing Peggy's death. Peggy, the owner of my school, had become ill a long time before I set foot in the school's classroom. I considered her sister Hiroko my boss only because she had been there in Peggy's place from the start. This experience was a challenge because I didn't know how I should feel. Part of me felt sad because I had a chance to spend some time with her and understood her positive impact on the people in her family, her students, and her employees. The other half of me felt detached from the situation because I hardly knew her. Despite all of this, Peggy was a wonderful lady who was full of life and not afraid of trying new things. She was full of attitude and love. I remember Hiroko telling me that she once yelled at a police man for speeding while she was riding go work on her mo-ped. There were many other funny stories about the daring things that Peggy did.
Experience Number 2: When Lauren first invited me to her Korean church, I could hardly wait to get there. As time went on, Lauren and I realized how our feelings towards the church shifted. Upon several occasions we had been asked to contribute, spent time doing so, and our ideas were dramatically changed without any consideration of our opinions towards the changes. There were a number of other concerns that I will not take the time to mention here. In the end, a church that once felt uplifting began to feel oppressive. Lauren and I realized that we couldn't continue on this path and left the church in a civil manner; we wrote a letter outlying all of our concerns and sent it to our leader. We did not waiver in our decision and I am glad we stood up for ourselves.
Experience Number 3: There were all those times that I tried new foods only to find out that they weren't so tasty as I had hoped the would be. For example, the time I tried sea urchin sushi only to find out that it tasted like pool water. Another example, also involving sushi, was the time I tried crab miso sushi and had an allergic reaction. My entire body broke out in itchy hives.
5. Name four (three plus an extra one for good measure) great ones. Explain why.
Experience Number 1: One of the best things about teaching in Japan was being able to see the progression of my students. I would like to hope that I had a positive impact on all of them. I was able to notice definite improvements in one specific student. To make a long story short I was able to correct her pronounciation while teaching her how to read. I will never forget this experience and I hope my student remembers it as well.
Experience Number 2: Of course I have to mention how lucky I was to have an amazingly supportive and patient co-worker and apartment mate like Lauren. We did so many fun things together and got along so well. I miss waking up in the morning and asking her if she wants me to make her toast. She would always respond in a grogy voice, and then emerge a half an hour later to find her once hot toast, cold.
Experience Number 3: Whoever invented the onsen deserves a standing ovation! At first it felt strange to go into a public bathhouse but that feeling quickly subsided when I realized how relaxing the whole "spa" experience was. Thank you Hiroko (and family) for taking me to some of the best onsens in Japan.
Experience Number 4: I had a great time showing friends and family around. I just wanted to thank Jon, Mark, my mother, and sister for spending their time with me. I enjoyed taking them around and showing them what life in Japan is like.
6. What did you learn? What skills did you gain?
Answer is coming soon.
7. Would you go to Japan again? Why?
Of course! As I mentioned before, I still have to climb Mount Fuji. I also wouldn't mind visiting friends like Yuma, Yasuko, Kyoko, Ryochan, Hiroko and Azusa.
8. What are you planning to do next?
I am currently looking for a position in the environmental field. I'm also studying to take the GREs but have been considering holding off on graduate school until Fall 2010 (before I was planning on starting in Fall 2009). I want to make sure I get more experience in this field before going for more schooling; in fact, it is imperative that I do if I want to be accepted to graduate school in the first place. Specifically, I am looking into either doing environmental modeling (GIS) or teaching environmental education. I am looking for entry level positions in these areas.
9. What are your goals for this next step?
I sorta hinted at this question in number 8. I have narrowed down my focus to the environmental field and now I hope to find a position that enables me to discern a more specific direction under that rather large umbrella.
10. Name your top ten favorite moments in Japan.
(It doesn't have to be in any special order.)
- Sushi Fridays with Lauren (and sometimes other various guests)
- Receiving handmade notes from my students
- Seeing a rice paddy up close (on this trip I traveled alone to visit my friend Yuma)
- Laughing with Lauren until our stomach's hurt
- Realizing I could understand what someone was saying and be able to respond back (not well but I could get my point across)
- Surfing for the first time
- Teaching my students how to read a book on their own
- Reading to Peggy
- Sitting, reading, talking, and falling asleep in the train
- Ice Box and Gelato Wednesdays with Lauren
1 comment:
Uh oh! Where's the answer to #6??
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