Jul 26

Volunteering in Tohoku – message from a JET alum

Earthquake Tsunami, Japan Local, Return on JET-vestment, Travel/Tourism, Volunteer Comments Off on Volunteering in Tohoku – message from a JET alum

This helpful info was recently posted to the Nagasaki JET yahoogroup by a JET alum for the benefit of current JETs, though it contains a great deal of potentially helpful info and perspective for the JET alum community as well.  Have a comment or perspective on volunteering in Tohoku to share?  Post to the comments section:

Hi. My name is Andrew Morris and I was an ALT in Sonogi, Nagasaki prefecture from 07-09. After that I moved up to Kyoto for two years and then I just moved back to the U.S..

However, the reason for this email is that just before I made the fabled journey “home” this month, I was able to free up enough time in my schedule to allow myself to take two separate volunteer trips up to the Ishinomaki City area in Miyagi Prefecture, which was amongst the hardest hit areas by the tsunami/quake in March. The part where I did most of my work was on the Oshika Peninsula, which was actually the very area that was featured in the great short movie (http://vimeo. com/24037794) made by Mark Flanigan another former JET.

My experiences up there were both just as I thought and completely different. I shoveled an insane amount of mud, I hauled debris of all varieties for days, I crawled through mounds of fly infested ropes trying to salvage buoys, and I sang drunken karaoke with the local fisherman when it was all done. It was an experience I will carry with me forever and in that short time I met some of the most amazing people I ever have and made connections that will last a lifetime. I can assure you that my experience was not unique.

The reason I have for wanting to tell you about my experiences, though, is that I want to encourage each and every one of you to seriously consider going up there to try to do the same. As I’m sure you’re well aware, summer vacation is nearly here, and you may still be considering how to spend yours. I know sitting in the office figuring out new and interesting ways to stay busy sounds like fun now but… Who knows, if you’re industrious enough, you may even be able to put together a project out of taking a trip up there help out and convince your school you should be able to do it without taking nenkyu. Worth a shot at least right? Even if you have to take vacation, it would be much more meaningful in a lifelong sense then lounging on a beach somewhere (though no offense if you’ve already got your tickets to do that). Trust me, if you do it your stature in the shokuinshitsu will increase 100 fold.

To see pictures from my trip please visit – anmorris.photoblog.com

Further to my encouragement, I’d like to offer some information about going up there and hopefully dispel a few myths that I myself was quite worried about before heading up there.

  • Transportation myth – It’s hard to get there. Reality = It’s not. I mean, it’s far but trains and buses to Sendai are in full working order. In fact I found it quite cheap. Turns out there’s a ¥6,000 night bus from Kyoto to Sendai. Or if you have access to a car you could even make it into an epic road trip. It would also definitely benefit you to have personal transport while up there, although not essential. From Sendai City there’s a ¥800 highway bus (bus stop 33) that takes you directly to Senshu University, which is the volunteer basecamp for Ishinomaki. Downtown Sendai itself barely looks like it even suffered any damage really.
  • Lack of volunteer groups myth – It’s not easy to join a volunteer group. Reality = Depends on the group. Some of the bigger groups like peace boat, while great, require volunteers to attend an orientation in Tokyo before going which can be a huge hassle if you’re not from there. However, there are a bunch of other smaller groups doing great work in the area that need all the help they can get. Contact Robert Mangold and he can put you in touch with a bunch (idrojapan [at] gmail. com)
  • Food myth – It’s hard to get so you have to bring it all up with you. Reality = It’s not hard at all to get it and the people there have more than they need. In fact volunteers are fed off of left over food from the shelters, and sometimes there is even more than they can eat. Plus there are supermarkets and convenience stores open in the town you can use. Even down on the peninsula the konbini‘s are starting to open up. Water is pretty much the same issue, and drinks of all varieties are now readily available, which is going to be especially important in the coming summer months.
  • Work myth – It’s all really hard manual labor. Reality = That is available in spades, but so are any number of other jobs. Some people help cook food for the shelters. People go and spend time with the kids or do performances at the shelters. Some people give massages or acupuncture to people who suffer from physical issues or stress (obviously licensing or some professional experience is highly valued in such a case). Some people work cleaning photos found in the rubble for display so that the owners might find them again. If you have any sort of applicable skill or an idea for a project that might be useful in this sort of situation I’m sure they’d love to hear about it. Heck, you could probably just go and offer free “English Conversation” and they’d love it!
  • Gear myth – You have to go out and buy tons of gear before you go like boots, a helmet, gloves, masks, etc. which can cost a lot of ¥¥¥. Reality = Unless you sign up with a volunteer group that requires you to have these things, or unless you go up with a whole herd of volunteers then it’s probably not necessary. The group I volunteered with had plenty of that equipment for me and all the other volunteers. Especially if you aren’t going to be doing the nitty gritty work, you won’t need any of that type of equipment. However, one thing I would suggest bringing if you do plan to do debris cleanup is steel insoles for boots. There’re lots of nails and other sharp things all around as you can imagine so they can really save you a very painful experience. Also, if you have “outsized” feet or hands, etc. it may be good to bring your own gear.
  • Sadness myth – The overwhelming sadness of the situation will leave you depressed. Reality = Well, obviously this is entirely an individual issue, and everyone reacts differently to these situations. However I will just say that although the destruction you encounter there is just entirely unbelievable, and the people you meet there have often been through absolutely devastating experiences, in general, I found both the locals and the volunteers to be in incredibly high spirits. The positive energy they displayed in taking on this massive project of putting their lives and communities in order was nothing short of inspirational. I dare say that a good portion of the time I was having… fun (see drunken karaoke above).

Some words of caution:

-All that said, it is a difficult, trying experience and should not be undertaken on a whim.

-As was pointed out in a previous email from CLAIR, it is extremely important to think about “Volunteering Responsibility.” It is not a vacation, and you should do your very best to make sure that you do not need to be taken care of.

-Some of the jobs are quite dangerous (although every precaution is taken) and you should consider which role you can play safely.

Some words of advice:

-Speaking Japanese is not entirely essential, but it is extremely beneficial. This goes in the “making sure you’re not a burden” section. Try to go up there with someone who can communicate well so you can receive instructions and know what’s going on if possible.

-As you’re well aware it’s going to be bloody hot. They told me it’s cooler along the coast than many places thanks to the cool breeze, but still, it’s Japan in July/August… Be prepared. That means lots of fluids, and buckets of sunscreen.

Feel free to contact me with any questions too (anmorris [at] gmail. com). Good luck with whatever you do and enjoy your remaining time in that wonderful wonderful country!

Ganbaro Nippon!


Jul 18

JET Memorial Invitation Program for High School Students ready to head to Japan

Cultural Outreach, Earthquake Tsunami, JETs in the News, Return on JET-vestment, Travel/Tourism, Video Comments Off on JET Memorial Invitation Program for High School Students ready to head to Japan

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Thanks to Andy Anderson, father of Taylor Anderson, for sharing information and the video link below.  FYI, JETAA USA had the honor of Mr. Anderson attending the National Conference this past weekend in Washington, D.C. and speaking to the conference attendees (2 representatives from each JETAA chapter in the U.S.)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced an exchange program on June 24, 2011 (press release here) to send 32 American students to Japan as a way of commemorating the work of Taylor Anderson and Monty Dickson.  Those students, who come from all over the U.S., have been selected and are now in San Francisco getting ready to depart for Japan.

The majority of the 10 day program takes place in Japan and includes a pre-departure orientation and a wrap-up meeting and farewell dinner in San Francisco. During their stay in Japan, the participants will have an option of participating in a day trip to visit the Tohoku area.

KTVU (San Francisco) did a story on the student group as they gathered in San Francisco for a pre-departure orientation before heading to Japan.  Here’s the link to the video:  http://www.ktvu.com/video/28580191/index.html

Minasan ganbatte kudasai!

Note: If anyone can figure out how to get the embed code for the video, e-mail it to jetwit [at] jetwit.com so we can post it here.

Update 7/21/2011: Here’s a Japanese article about the event, forwarded by Andy Anderson:

http://sankei.jp.msn.com/world/news/110718/amr11071818190005-n1.htm

2011年07月18日
日米の懸け橋へ努力
日本研修に向け米高校生

【サンフランシスコ共同】東日本大震災で犠牲になった米国人の英語教師２人の業績をたたえ、創設された日本研修事業に参加する米国の高校生３２人の壮行会が１７日、サンフランシスコの日本総領事館で行われた。代表のトーマス・クドさんは「帰ったら、この体験と日本語を生かしたい」と話し、日米の懸け橋となるために努力することを誓った。猪俣弘司（いのまた・ひろし）総領事は、大震災で亡くなった外国青年招致事業（ＪＥＴプログラム）の英語教師テーラー・アンダーソンさんとモンゴメリー・ディクソンさんの死を悼み、「研修を成功させるかどうかは皆さん次第」と激励した。米側のデボラ・ダニエルズさんは「同じ高校生がどんな風に（大震災で）被災し、どんなことを考えて毎日暮らしているのか知りたい」と話した。一行は今月１９～２８日、大阪の地元高校生との交流や、ホームステイを体験。京都訪問のほか、希望者による岩手視察も予定されている。


Jul 11

Visit all 47 prefectures in Japan in 100 days — for free! (But there’s a catch…)

Cultural Outreach, Japan Local, Local Government, Travel/Tourism Comments Off on Visit all 47 prefectures in Japan in 100 days — for free! (But there’s a catch…)

I’ve seen this posted several places and also had it sent to me by JET alum and President of Music City JETAA Terry Vo (2007-09, Kumamoto-ken) .  So while no JET alums would be eligible, maybe our extensive alumni community might know someone who is.

The Offer: Some lucky person will win 100 days to visit all 47 prefectures in Japan and blog about it.

The Catch: You can’t have ever lived in Japan before.

More Info Here: http://travelvolunteer.net/

By the way, for tourism info on all 47 prefectures, here are the tourism sites for each prefecture (which I organized in a JETwit post back in early June):

 


Jun 23

Free one-week stay for Tohoku JET alums interested in helping out former communities

Earthquake Tsunami, Japan Local, Jobs, Local Government, Return on JET-vestment, Travel/Tourism, Volunteer Add Comment (2)

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I saw the below on the Pacific Northwest JETAA yahoo group, and apparently the Chicago Consulate has sent this out as well.  MoFA and JNTO are willing to fly Tohoku JET alums back to Japan for a week for any JET alums willing to play a role in helping out their former communities and then help spread word of what they saw and experienced after their trip.

This sounds like a great opportunity for any Tohoku JET alums who can make time to do this.  And a great opportunity for the JET alumni community to really help out Japan in a very concrete way.

Details are below.  And you may get (or have already received) an email from your JETAA chapter or local consulate.  There were also two attachments–guidelines and an application form–that I wasn’t able to access for some reason.  If interested, hopefully you can get the documents from your consulate.

Minasan ganbatte kudasai.

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This message is being posted on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japan Tourism Agency

DEADLINE for applications to be received by the Consulate-General of Japan:  July 11, 2011

INVITATION PROGRAM OF JET ALUMNI TO DISASTER STRICKEN AREAS IN TOHOKU:

  • One week stay to take place within the period of July – September 2011
  • Transportation to Japan & per diem provided.

Conditions for application:

2.   CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATION

(1)    No limit of ages and sexes.

(2)   To have a work experience for two years or more either as a Coordinator for International Relations (CIR) or as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) in local governments in Iwate Prefecture, Miyagi Prefecture, Fukushima Prefecture or Sendai City.

(3)   To be able to contact directly by themselves with a school and a local government where they were assigned.

(4)   To be accepted by the organization for which the participants worked as a JET, and to be able to arrange with the organization some exchange activities.

(5)   To be able to travel without an escort from their arrival to their departure from Japan.

(6)   To send out the information such as their experiences of the stay in Japan this time and their impressions from foreign visitors’ viewpoints by various measures including contributions of articles to the mass media, blogs, homepages, facebooks.

(7)   To consent interviews by Japanese and foreign medias, in case they are  arranged during their stay

For full details & required form, see attached documents.

******************

Additional eligibility stipulation for Fukushima-ken applicants:

For any former Fukushima JETs, who are considering applying for the previously posted “Special Invitation Program” for JETAA to re-visit their CO’s to report on the post-disaster situation, special consideration is being taken regarding personal safety.

In respect for the official US guidelines of an 80 km radius from the Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, applications for former Fukushima JETs will only be accepted for areas beyond the US recommended safety zone.


Jun 6

Japan Local: Hokkaido e-newsletter

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Via AJET June 2011 Newsletter:

The Red Brick Bulletin

For anyone interested in learning about Japan’s northernmost prefecture, HOKKAIDO! The Red Brick Bulletin is an electronic newsletter published by the Hokkaido Government and prepared by the prefectural English language CIR (i.e., JET). Topics range from nature to history, cuisine to tourist attractions, and much much more!

http://www.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/ss/tsk/akarenga_eng.htm


Jun 5

Japan Local: JET blog on Aomori sightseeing

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Here’s a really nice JET blog on sight seeing in the Tsugaru region of Aomori by Aomori JETs Emma Sayers, Mike Moses and Kelly Isom: 

Let’s Go Tsugaru:  http://letsgotsugaru.blogspot.com.

*If you’re aware of any other JET blogs about sightseeing and tourism in Japan, please let us know at jetwit [at] jetwit.com.  Yoroshiku.


Jun 2

Local Japan: Prefecture Tourism Links

Japan Local, Local Government, Return on JET-vestment, Travel/Tourism, Uncategorized Comments Off on Local Japan: Prefecture Tourism Links

 

Here are the results of the “Local Japan Prefecture Tourism Websites Project.”

Reminder: One of the purposes of the project is to help increase the “Return on JET-vestment” for Japan by helping to promote tourism to Japan, especially to more local and regional areas.  JETwit also intends to use this list so it can hyperlink to prefectures when mentioned in future JETwit posts.  (e.g., “Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, Kariya-shi, 1992-94)”)

How you can help further:

  • Build the list: If you’re aware of any additional links that might be helpful–e.g., a blog (especially by JETs) or sites for a region or a city or a town–feel free to post in the comments section or e-mail to jetwit [at] jetwit.com and I’ll add them to the appropriate section.
  • Tell readers one reason why someone should visit your (former) region/prefecture/city

*Note:  Where prefectures didn’t have their own tourism website or English language info guide, I’ve used the Japan National Tourist Organization’s (JNTO) reference page for that prefecture.

Regional  Tourism Sites:

Prefecture Tourism Sites

Aichi

Akita

Aomori

Chiba

Read More


May 31

JQ Magazine: JNTO “Meet Japan 2011” Familiarization Trip

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By Gil Cardon (Hiroshima-ken, 2001-04), for JQ magazine. Gil is the convention manager at the Japan National Tourism Organization in New York. He is the primary contact for promoting Japan MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) within North America.

Every year at about the same time, the Japan National Tourism Organization hosts the “Meet Japan” familiarization trip. This year, ten guests from six different countries (U.K., France, Italy, Greece, Israel, and the U.S.) participated in the trip.

The guests are representatives of international organizations and professional associations that are planning to hold a conference in Japan in the near future. Through the course of the Meet Japan trip, the representatives visit convention centers and hotels in various cities throughout Japan, as part of a study tour to learn about the many amenities that the venues have to offer. Participants also have the chance to visit “unique venues” for holding their conferences, such as traditional Japanese ryokans, historic castles, museums, and Noh theaters.

As a representative of the Japan Convention Bureau from the New York office, I had the fortunate opportunity to join the Chiba-Nagoya tour of the 2011 Meet Japan trip, from February 25–March 1, 2011. I had never been to Nagoya before, so I was looking forward to checking it out. I had been to Chiba once before, but I was sure that I would learn something new on this trip.

Read More


May 15

Group Project: “Local Japan” tourism websites?

Japan Local, Local Government, Return on JET-vestment, Travel/Tourism Add Comment (50)

Question: Do you know of any Japanese prefectures, cities, towns, regions, etc. that have their own tourism website in English?  (e.g., Shimane Prefecture:  http://visitshimane.com)  Or even their own English language website that might be helpful in some way to potential tourists?  And if not, do you have time to look some up?

Your help needed: Please either post the locations and URLs in the comments section below.  Or email the information to jetwit [at] jetwit.com.

Goal: To gather in one place a list of as many English language tourism sites for Japan as we can find.

Background: One more thing the JET alumni community can do to increase the “Return on JET-vestment” by helping to promote tourism to Japan, especially to more local and regional areas.  I thought about this when I stumbled on the visitshimane.com website and realized that there must be a bunch of other Japanese prefectures and local governments that have set up sites to encourage tourism.  In addition to gathering and posting them all in one place on JETwit, I thought it would also be great if every time we list a JET alum along with prefecture and years on JET (e.g., Steven Horowitz, Aichi-ken, 1992-94), we can hyperlink the prefecture and/or town to the appropriate tourism site.  This will help drive more traffic to those sites and also provide additional linkbacks, which are valuable to a website with regard to search engine optimization.

Thanks for everyone’s help with this collaborative effort.  Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

p.s.  I checked with Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO) as well as CLAIR and as far as I can tell there’s no previously existing version of this kind of list.


Mar 7

Notable JET Alums: D.H. Cermeño, author of “Rising Sunsets”

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The below was shared by Hiroshima JET alum Angela Perrone, herself a travel writer, who recently met another JET alum book author in the course of her research for JetWit on JET local travel writing.

JET Alum Author: D.H. Cermeño (Hiroshima-ken)

Book: Rising Sunsets (click to purchase via Amazon)

Book trailer on youtube at:  http://goo.gl/A4P8a

Website: www.dhcermeno.com

Below is a synopsis of the book along with Cermeno’s biography.

Synopsis:

Rising Sunsets is an enlightening journey through the mind of David Fletcher, a bright and ambitious young man who is determined to conquer the world and prove his unsupportive father wrong. When reality strikes and nothing works out as expected, an unusual opportunity to go to Japan to teach English to schoolchildren presents itself. There, he discovers his true self and finds an inner strength and independence he never knew existed. Throughout the story, David uncovers Japanese culture and easily embraces the traditions until suddenly, those age-old beliefs stand in the way of his happiness. And, through an unexpected encounter with love, the course of his life is changed forever.

About the Author:

A third generation Florida native, D.H. Cermeño worked in Japan as an English teacher for a year after graduating from Loyola University in New Orleans with a degree in Broadcast Production. Upon returning to the United States, he earned his M.B.A. from Crummer Graduate School at Rollins College and is a Database Marketing Manager in the hospitality industry. In his spare time, he writes, entertains, and volunteers in the local community and supports local theatre. D.H. has traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and Central America and especially loves visiting his extended family in the northern part of Spain. He currently resides in Winter Park, FL. Rising Sunsets is his first book.

Click here to see a list of other JET alum authors and their works.  (If you know of others not included in the list, please email jetwit [at] jetwit.com.)


Mar 1

Cherry Blossom Guide for Japan 2011

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I just saw this in the AJET March 2011 eBulletin and thought it might be useful to JetWit readers as well (or at least induce natsukashii feelings):

The Sakura Guide

Here are the predicted dates for the sakura first blossom opening and full bloom across Japan (for major cherry blossom sites in each prefecture). If you are travelling around, make the most of each prefecture!

Kyushu Area:
Okinawa:     Finished (Early February)
Kagoshima:     Open: 1st April        Full Bloom: 10th April
Miyazaki:     Open: 22nd March    Full Bloom: 30th March
Oita:       Open: 22nd March    Full Bloom: 30th March
Kumamoto:    Open: 21st March    Full Bloom: 30th March
Nagasaki:    Open: 22nd March    Full Bloom: 31st March
Saga:        Open: 22nd March    Full Bloom: 31st March
Fukuoka:    Open: 21st March    Full Bloom: 30th March

Chugoku/Shikoku Area:
Kochi:         Open: 20th March    Full Bloom: 28th March
Ehime:        Open: 25th March    Full Bloom: 2nd April
Kagawa:    Open: 25th March    Full Bloom: 2nd April
Tokushima:    Open: 28th March    Full Bloom: 4th April
Yamaguchi:    Open: 26th March    Full Bloom: 3rd April
Hiroshima:    Open: 26th March    Full Bloom: 3rd April
Shimane:    Open: 29th March    Full Bloom: 6th April
Okayama:    Open: 26th March    Full Bloom: 3rd April
Tottori:        Open: 30th March    Full Bloom: 7th April

Kinki Area:
Wakayama:    Open: 27th March    Full Bloom: 4th April
Nara:        Open: 28th March    Full Bloom: 4th April
Hyogo:        Open: 28th March    Full Bloom: 5th April
Osaka:        Open: 26th March    Full Bloom: 3rd April
Kyoto:        Open: 31st March    Full Bloom: 7th April
Shiga:        Open: 2nd April    Full Bloom: 9th April
Mie:        Open: 30th March    Full Bloom: 6th April

Chubu Area:
Aichi:         Open: 25th March    Full Bloom: 2nd April
Shizuoka:    Open: 26th March    Full Bloom: 3rd April
Gifu:        Open: 31st March    Full Bloom: 7th April
Nagano:    Open: 7th April        Full Bloom: 13th April
Yamanashi:    Open: 28th March    Full Bloom: 5th April
Fukui:        Open: 3rd April    Full Bloom: 10th April
Ishikawa:    Open: 4th April        Full Bloom: 11th April
Toyama:    Open: 3rd April    Full Bloom: 10th April
Niigata:    Open: 9th April        Full Bloom: 15th April

Kanto:
Kanagawa:    Open: 23rd March    Full Bloom: 31st March
Tokyo:        Open: 24th March    Full Bloom: 1st April
Chiba:        Open: 29th March    Full Bloom: 5th April
Saitama:    Open: 26th March    Full Bloom: 2nd April
Gunma:    Open: 29th March    Full Bloom: 5th April
Tochigi:    Open: 31st March    Full Bloom: 6th April
Ibaraki:    Open: 5th April         Full Bloom: 13th April

Hokkaido/Tohoku Area:
Fukushima:    Open: 8th April        Full Bloom: 14th April
Yamagata:    Open: 15th April    Full Bloom: 21st April
Akita:        Open: 24th April    Full Bloom: 29th April
Miyagi:        Open: 10th April    Full Bloom: 16th April
Iwate:        Open: 19th April    Full Bloom: 25th April
Aomori:    Open: 22nd April    Full Bloom: 27th April
Hokkaido:    Open: 1st May         Full Bloom: 5th May


Feb 28

JNTO: Win a free trip to Tokyo’s new Haneda Airport

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FYI, JNTO is running a quiz contest where you can win a free trip to Japan (i.e., round-trip ticket plus accommodations).  It’s part of their effort to promote Tokyo’s new Haneda Airport (i.e., the one that’s not actually 3 hours outside of Tokyo).  I just entered myself!

Here’s the link:  http://www.japantravelinfo.com/haneda_sweepstakes/

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Feb 22

Cooking in Japan: Share your stories!

Anecdote Article, Food & Drink, Japan Local, Return on JET-vestment, Travel/Tourism Comments Off on Cooking in Japan: Share your stories!

Update:  See submitted stories further below in this post!  Additional ones will be added as received.  So keep checking back.

I learned recently from our friends at the free Japanese weekly Shukan NY Seikatsu that “food” is the leading driver of tourism to Japan from the U.S. these days.  With that in mind, I thought it might be helpful (not to mention oishii and natsukashii) if the JET and JET alum community were to share personal anecdotes about cooking while living in Japan.

  • E-mail responses to Steven at jetwit [at] jetwit.com.  
  • Please make sure to include your prefecture, city/town and years on JET in the following format:  Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, Kariya-shi, 1992-94)
  • Responses can be as short as once sentence and as long as 5 paragraphs.  (*If you want to write something longer, that’s great too.  I just suggest checking with me first to get on the same page before spending a lot of time and effort writing.)
  • Responses will be aggregated into one easy-to-read post.
  • Yes, this is one more project intended to help boost the “return on JET-vestment” for local governments as well as for Japan on the whole.

Itadakimasu!

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Stories of Cooking in Japan

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Feb 18

National AJET’s “Life After JET”: Jabari Smith

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Jabari Smith Climbing Mt. Fuji

National AJET shares former JET participants’ experiences – and a little advice – with current JETs in their new monthly interview, Life After JET.  Contact lifeafterjet [at] ajet.net to be featured in future posts.

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This month we will have two special editions of Life After JET. Our first features Jabari Smith, an ALT in Aomori Prefecture from 2007-2009. Jabari now works to “serve as an online source of motivation and positive insight for others” via Twitter (@jabarinspires) and his VLOG.

He is currently competing in the final round of the Paradise Hunter Host Search. You can help Jabari on his way to becoming the host of his own travel series by voting here (early and often) until March 2nd.

Jabari shares how JET helped him “embrace and understand [his own] GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP” (and compelled him to inspire others to do the same), a peek into the competition to be the host of Paradise Hunter, and his best advice for current JETs…

NAJET: What’s the most important thing that you learned while on JET?

Jabari Smith: My experience within the JET Programme opened me up to the dynamic world that we live in and granted me the privilege of gaining firsthand insight on all the uniquely rich culture that is abundant in every nook and crevice of the GLOBE. Prior to living in Japan, I had only ever traveled internationally via cruises. Thus, the JET Programme introduced me to the international stage and all the wonderful opportunities that exist beyond America. During my two years as a JET I traveled to 7 countries and 16 prefectures. The JET Programme made me keenly aware of GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP and my ability to survive and thrive in any corner of the GLOBE.

NAJET: Many JETs struggle with the decision to re-contract or not to re-contract…How did you know it was time to leave JET after two years?

Jabari: I initially only intended to stay in Japan for one year, however within the first few months I knew that one year would be far too short. Thus, the decision to re-contract for a 2nd year was ideal as it gave me the life-changing opportunity to further indulge myself in Japanese culture and the language, as well as build stronger relationships with Japanese natives and members of the JET Community. It also gave me the chance to thoroughly travel throughout Japan and BEYOND! I knew that 2 years was the right amount of time for ME, because there were other goals and passions of mine that I was ready to pursue back stateside. I always say, “One year would’ve been too short, but two years was PERFECT!”

NAJET: Can you tell us a little bit about the history of Jabari Inspires? How exactly did this come about?

Jabari: Jabari Inspires was initially born as my Twitter name (@jabarinspires) when I joined the social networking site in March of 2009. Throughout my 2 years in Japan, and even before, I began to recognize the value of inspiring others and being inspired by others. Friends would always tell me that my life in Japan, various travels, and positive attitude were inspiring. Thus, it felt like the perfect moniker. And perfect it was, as the name slowly morphed into my personal brand. In July of 2010 I launched the “Jabari Inspires…” VLOG as the foundation of my striking out as an entrepreneur and the return to my roots as a public speaker (I competed in Speech & Debate for 9 years). What initially began as me creating 1-2 minute videos in the comfort of my living room quickly evolved into my shooting from various destinations on my travels across the GLOBE. It was via my “Jabari Inspires…” VLOG, and its positive reception, that I realized the viability of merging my passion for inspiration with my passion for exploring the GLOBE.

Click here for the rest of the interview.


Feb 15

Japan Local: Yadoriki Village in the Kanagawa mountains

Japan Local, Local Government, Travel/Tourism, Video Comments Off on Japan Local: Yadoriki Village in the Kanagawa mountains

“Japan Local“ is a new feature intended to share the small town Japan experience with potential visitors and tourists.  If you have videos or photos or writing about your town, please feel free to submit to jetwit [at] jetwit.com.

Thanks to JETAA Tokyo President Byron Nagy for sharing this video titled “Experience Yadoriki in Under a Minute,” made by a Friend of JET (or a “JET in spirit” to borrow Byron’s phrasing):


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