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![\"Photo](\"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/modern-languages-and-literatures\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/177\/2023\/06\/TatianaFigarola-Yahui-Olenik_200x200.jpg\")
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\nTatiana Figarola<\/strong>
\nMajor; Linguistics
\nMinor: Japanese
\nJET ALT: Aomori Prefecture, Japan
\nFuture Employer: Kinder Kids International Preschool, Osaka, Japan<\/div><\/div>\n
Emails to Prof. Yahui Olenik<\/p>\n
In July of 2023<\/strong>, I made my way to rural Japan to become an Assistant Language Teacher through the JET Program. It was my first time outside of the U.S. and has been an experience I\u2019ll always be grateful for. At my job, I work with a main English teacher to create activities and help run classes for students in kindergarten through 9th grade. It\u2019s been so rewarding being able to work with my students over a year and see their commitment and excitement towards learning English.<\/em><\/p>\n In and outside of the classroom I\u2019ve gotten to experience Japan and immerse myself in the culture in so many ways. Through the JET Program, I\u2019ve been able to meet so many different people from around the world and experience new opportunities in Japan. Next, I\u2019ll be moving to Osaka City to begin working as a kindergarten teacher at an international school. I\u2019m really looking forward to the new experience and will always remember the JET Program as my start to experiencing Japan.<\/em> Emails to Prof. Yahui Olenik<\/p>\n September 20, 2021<\/strong> I\u2019m so happy and excited the JLC is back!! I hope everyone else is too!<\/em><\/p>\n The biggest events for me these past 10 days was the 14 hour flight, the 3 hour adventure of getting our covid tests done and receiving our \u5728\u7559\u30ab\u30fc\u30c9 at the airport, and getting meals every breakfast, lunch and dinner from the hotel staff, which is now repeating so it\u2019s pretty predictable what the food is going to be\u2026 for me, I\u2019ve been spending the days watching the orientation JET videos and practicing\/studying Japanese.<\/em><\/p>\n Let me know if you would like any more details!<\/em> February 17, 2022<\/strong> In all honestly, I can\u2019t believe time is moving so fast! It feels like just last week I was still new here, but it\u2019s been almost a full 5 months. I forget how long it\u2019s been and that those back home need to hear from me more often. I don\u2019t realize how long it\u2019s been, especially since my usual day to day is pretty consistent.<\/em><\/p>\n My 6th graders are graduating next month, and I\u2019ll miss them. They\u2019ve been so good to me, and I\u2019m so impressed by their urge to learn English and to talk to me. Also, being around them and hearing their fast Japanese has help improved my listening comprehension immensely. As for my Japanese itself, I\u2019ve been studying everyday (I still use the many materials you made throughout the different classes I had with you on Canvas!) and I\u2019m planning on taking the JLPT N3 sometime this year. I have decided to re-contract, so hopefully Japan will be able to open up their boarders in the summertime so I can visit before I stay another year.<\/em> To the Japanese Language Circle, February 17, 2022<\/strong> The kids at my school make my day and I enjoy talking with them outside of class. My favorite time is when I get to play soccer or dodgeball with them. The teachers have also been so amazing, and I\u2019ve made many wonderful relationships in which I can ask for help whenever I need it and not feel shy or embarrassed. COVID has made traveling (and sometimes teaching) a lot harder in Japan, but I have managed to rent a car once in a while to drive around Gunma. Gunma is a prefecture all about mountains and onsen, and I love finding new places to site see.<\/em><\/p>\n I\u2019m excited to continue my new life here, developing more relationships with kind people and discovering off-the-beaten-path roads. I hope if you have a similar dream, that all your work pays off one day and you can have your own adventure too. January 1, 2023<\/strong> I hope you, your family and your Japanese students have a great year full of health and<\/em> Emails to Prof. Yahui Olenik<\/p>\n January 4th, 2019<\/strong> January 9th, 2023<\/strong> Emails to Prof. Yahui Olenik<\/p>\n After graduating from MSU, I was given the opportunity to teach English as an Assistant <\/em>Language Teacher (ALT) in Japan on the JET Program. Living in another country for an extended <\/em>amount of time and communicating with the people on a daily basis gives you a new <\/em>perspective on the country and its culture.\u00a0 <\/em>I am only halfway through the program, but can already say that I\u2019ve learned so much, not only <\/em>about the culture, but about myself as well. I\u2019s heartwarming to see my students eagerly listen <\/em>about the different countries and cultures around the world as well as talk proudly about their <\/em>own country. It has truly been a wonderful experience.<\/em><\/p>\n A special thank you to all the faculty and staff at MSU who have helped me along the way.<\/em> Emails to Prof. Yahui Olenik<\/p>\n January 17, 2018. Okinawa, Japan Having been here for so long, the students all know me well, but they also still get very excited when I come into the classroom. I feel very comfortable teaching them and it’s easy to joke around with them. Recently, while teaching about American New Year, a fourth-grade student <\/em>didn’t know the English word “shrine”, so instead he improvised and said, “God house”. The homeroom teacher and I couldn’t stop laughing, but we were still so happy he used the English he knew to explain what he meant rather than relying on the homeroom teacher to help. There are moments like that nearly every day, so I always have something interesting happening to me.<\/em><\/p>\n Finally, being here has been extremely helpful with my Japanese. Being surrounded by it helps not only in learning new things, but strengthening the things I already know so that I can pick up on them faster. When I first came here, I had some trouble with the native speed that a lot of people, especially my students, used. But I’ve gotten used to it and can understand so much more than I could at first. Not only that but having Kanji around me to read all the time has helped with my reading, as well. It feels nice knowing I’m progressing every day. I could not have asked for a better experience here.<\/em> June 1, 2023. Ibaraki, Japan<\/strong> Christopher Mack Emails to Prof. Olenik & to the Japanese class students<\/p>\n August 29, 2005. Yamaguchi Prefecture A long and very late hello from the other side of the world.\u00a0 I am very sorry to be emailing all of you after I have been here for a month. However, I have just recently gotten the internet at my apartment.\u00a0 So now I am free to share stories and pictures with you all.<\/em><\/p>\n A lot of stuff has happened in the past month so I shall try to catch u all up.\u00a0 My apartment is very large even for one person.\u00a0 The town and area where I live is very rural.\u00a0 Think Jurassic Park without the dinosaurs. Among the usual flora and fauna, I get to live with dragonflies, cicadas, grasshoppers, centipedes that can kill small children, beetles the size of your fists, frogs that come out when it rains, stick bugs, giant herons, two feet long snakes, wild boar, and yes even monkeys.\u00a0 I was graced with having the wild boar and the monkey having a territory battle over the mountain that my apartment is near the first week I was here.\u00a0 Oh, good time.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n I am leasing a car so I am mobile and can go shopping and sightseeing.\u00a0 It is really great because it is so small that it fits in my pocket.\u00a0 I save a lot on parking because I carry it with me wherever I go.\u00a0 To keep myself busy I have joined the taiko club (the large drums) and when school starts, I plan on joining the kyudo club (the 5 to 6 feet tall bow and arrows). There has been talk of a painting class, but I have to get specifics on that.\u00a0 I also think that the teachers are planning on me doing something with the baseball team because I told them that I used to play.\u00a0 Other than that, I have been keeping myself busy with sightseeing, meeting other JETs, and going to the beach.\u00a0 I am sorry to say but the beaches over here make the Jersey shore look like crap.\u00a0 People are impressed that I can cook but, in my situation, I have to because there are no places to eat over here.\u00a0 But anyway, school starts this week so I will be very busy and try to send you guys weekly email.\u00a0 So, if anyone has any questions please email and I will try to send you all pictures also once I play with the pics. December 1st<\/sup>, 2005.\u00a0 Yamaguchi Prefecture Hello everyone.\u00a0 my name is Chris Mack I am a JET living in Yamaguchi Prefecture.\u00a0 It is the western most ken (prefecture) on the big island of Honshu.\u00a0 We are a ferries ride away from Korea and few hours away from Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Osaka.\u00a0 I would like to say that if you continue to study Japanese the possibilities are endless.\u00a0 Not only will you learn about a truly fascinating culture and society through its language, but you will also be able to speak a language that at time is very difficult.\u00a0 But then again what language isn`t?\u00a0 I never thought that studying Japanese was ever a possibility in my life.\u00a0 Then again, I never thought I would get the opportunity to go to Japan. But once I got the chance to go to Kansai Gaidai, I fell in love.\u00a0 I fell in love with a country that is so rich in culture, language, world affairs, and just in general great people I could not imagine anything better.\u00a0 Japan is a country that has melded culture, history, technology, and sense of style that I think has not been matched anywhere else in the world. <\/em><\/p>\n I live in the inaka (the countryside) and I can`t think of living anywhere else in Japan. True the cities are quite a place and sight to see.\u00a0 When we were in Tokyo for orientation, I was speechless as we were driven through the streets to get to the airport.\u00a0 Tokyo definitely blows New York away in the sense that it is a megacity.\u00a0 However, if you want to get a sense of the real Japan, the place where you are family and you become a part of the community then you have to be a part of the inaka.\u00a0 I recently had a Thanksgiving dinner in which I invited a whole Japanese family because I teach all the children, along with some other JET`s (who were actually English and had never been to a Thanksgiving feast before) and it felt like it was at home.\u00a0 We all felt like one big family.\u00a0 And that\u2019s the type of Japan you all should experience. Don\u2019t come to Japan on vacation.\u00a0 Don`t be a tourist. Study abroad, apply to JET, hell even find another job where you are able to work in Japan.\u00a0 Just before you die find a way to make it out to Japan and live here. I mean live here.\u00a0 Don\u2019t just come for a visit.\u00a0 Live here and you will have a life experience that not only will change your life in a profound way, but you will be a better person because of it.\u00a0 Well, I hope that has helped you in your ideas about Japan and everything that goes along with it.\u00a0 I really have to go now my lunch of tonkatsu is getting cold.\u00a0 (For those of you who know what tonkatsu is oishii)\u00a0 I am very sorry that I could not be there to share this with you in person.\u00a0 So happy New Year, have a beer for me, and get off your ass and come to Japan. It’s great. <\/em>\u2013 Chris Mack<\/em><\/p>\n Ok some of that may not sound right but then again, it\u2019s weird to explain it if you have not been here before. Ok really got to go.\u00a0 Talk to you later sensei.\u00a0 And happy New Year.<\/em> July 21, 2009. Yamaguchi Prefecture<\/strong><\/p>\n Hello sensei,<\/em> So, after next year I have no idea what I will be doing and where I will be.\u00a0\u00a0Oh, the joy. But other than that, things are good over here.\u00a0\u00a0ok got to go so.<\/em> March 18, 2022, Osaka, Japan<\/strong><\/p>\n Hello Prof. Olenik, Congratulations on the Japanese minor. \u00a0That is great news.<\/em> <\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/em><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n CHSS \u2013 糖心vlog \u2013 Japanese Program Experience Choosing this major has been a truly enriching journey, expanding my knowledge of history, traditions, and global cultures. Through my courses, I have deepened my appreciation for the rich tapestry of our world. I have come to realize that no matter the circumstances, cultural differences can be bridged through exposure and understanding.<\/em><\/p>\n Moreover, my studies have provided me with invaluable opportunities to engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds, further enhancing my cultural competence. Looking ahead, I envision myself working as an event coordinator, building strong relations between Japan and the United States within a corporate setting. The ability to relate to and comprehend both cultures is essential in this role, considering their significant differences.<\/em><\/p>\n I am confident that my education at 糖心vlog will equip me with the necessary knowledge and skills to achieve my future goals. I am excited to continue learning, growing, and contributing to the bridge between cultures in our increasingly interconnected world. CHSS \u2013 糖心vlog \u2013 Japanese Program Experience CHSS \u2013 糖心vlog \u2013 Japanese Program Experience One of my favorite projects we had to do was make a presentation on a piece of Japanese culture. I chose to do a presentation on the Meiji Restoration as it played an important part in the modernization of Japan. Another great part about the Japanese language program was the J-Circle. Here me and many other students learning Japanese get together to study, learn, and do activities together such as origami or calligraphy. We even get to eat Japanese foods and snacks there which was a major bonus! Such experiences I had will never leave me and I will continue to cherish such experiences and I hope to continue making such memories in the coming years. I would like to thank my professors, friends, classmates, and the Japanese program itself for making Japanese such a wonderful experience and allowing me to explore my interests in East Asian culture.
\n\u2013 Tatiana Figarola<\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/em><\/p>\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>
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\nCara Rosner<\/strong>
\nMajor: Linguistics
\nMinors: Japanese\/Asian Studies\/Global Security and Diplomacy\/International Studies
\nJET ALT in Gunma Prefecture, 2021 – Present<\/div><\/div>\n
\nIt has been 10 days since we started our quarantine, and the days are starting to merge in a blur. We have until 9\/27 before we are finally free. We are allowed to go to Lawson\u2019s downstairs, or in the garden for a bit, but recently our group has gotten in trouble for congregating too much.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nIt\u2019s really good to hear from you, thank you for your kind email.<\/em>
\n\u2013 Cara Rosner<\/em><\/p>\n
\nHello Sensei!!<\/em>
\nFirst off, I want to apologize for not reaching out sooner. I had planned to send many new year\u2019s post cards out but never got the chance to find ones I wanted to send\u2026 Still, that\u2019s not an excuse to not write to you. This is very late, but I hope you had a good start to your new year!<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u2013 Cara Rosner<\/em><\/p>\n
\nI\u2019ve been working as an ALT (assistant language teacher) on the JET program at an elementary school in Gunma, Japan for about 5 months now. Living alone in a foreign country has its ups and downs, but it has been an absolutely amazing experience so far. It has helped me improve my language skills and has given me time to understand myself and how I work living alone.\u00a0 As an ALT, I help the main English teacher, as well as the homeroom teachers, conduct English classes. We follow teaching plans provided by our cities board of education. Sometimes, we like to throw in different ideas to keep the learning experience more fun for the kids, like adding a round of vocab karuta or having a gesture game.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n<\/em>\u2013 Cara Rosner<\/em><\/p>\n
\nHappy New Year Sensei!<\/em>
\nWhile the beginning of this month was hard with Covid and missing the JLPT, I passed my driver\u2019s test a few days ago! I finished off the year right and am looking forward to the opportunities this year. Thank you for being a person that has helped motivate me to strive for my best.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nhappiness! Here\u2019s to 2023!<\/em>
\n\u2013 Cara Rosner<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>
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\nAlexandra Mitchell<\/strong>
\nJET ALT 2018-2021
\nResides in Japan<\/div><\/div>\n
\nThis has been by far the busiest 6 months of my life haha. I live in Iwanai; the countryside of Hokkaido. It’s really beautiful and I like that it’s not too rural. I teach at two middle schools. I want to give the kids the experience of commonly celebrated holidays in America, so I did Halloween parties and Christmas parties at the schools.
\n\u2013 Alexandra Mitchell
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\nAt the moment I live in Osaka and I am attending a technical school for manga. I work three part time jobs in addition to being a full-time student. I work every day of the week in order to pay my tuition. Looking back the JET program was a great experience and I wish your students all the best in getting in. Have a happy New Year!
\n\u2013 Alexandra Mitchell<\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>
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\nLynka Tanaka<\/strong>
\nJET ALT, 2016-17<\/div><\/div>\n
\n\u2013 Lynka Tanaka<\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>
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\nJena Greco<\/strong>
\nMajor: Animation & Illustration
\nJET ALT, Okinawa, 2016-19<\/div><\/div>\n
\n<\/strong>I live in Japan on a small island in Okinawa Prefecture, teaching English to grades K-9. Nearly every day feels like I’m in some sort of movie, with how different life is here compared to how it was in America. Being in a small village, things are incredibly laid back, to the point where I recently learned that most people leave their doors unlocked and it’s not weird for the mailman to bring your mail into your home on a rainy day and place it on your table. I was shocked to <\/em>hear this at first, but knowing how friendly everyone is here, I realized how much it made sense. There are always social events, from cooking together, to ground golf competitions (similar to mini golf), to various parties at the local restaurants. Being on a small island, there <\/em>aren’t huge things like malls or movie theaters to keep people busy, so it’s easy to make friends here by going to the many events they plan. I’ve been here for about a year and a half, and I’m still shocked by how kind they can be. While I’m not much of a morning person, I still love going into my job every day regardless.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u2013 Jena Greco<\/em><\/p>\n
\nDear Olenik-sensei,<\/em>
\nHello! It has been a while! I moved back to Japan last year in March, so I’ve been here for over a year now. I live in northern Ibaraki (in Daigo) and I’m teaching again right now! I’ve been having a great time here. I love living in Japan so much.<\/em>
\n\u2013 Jena Greco<\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/em><\/p>\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>
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\n<\/strong>Major: Fine Arts, Graphic Design
\nJET ALT 2005, MSU Japanese Program\u2019s first JET
\nHirakata Board of Education, Osaka, Japan. 2011 ~ present
\nhttps:\/\/jp.linkedin.com\/in\/christopher-mack-35230b8<\/a> <\/p><\/div><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>
\n<\/strong>Ladies and gentlemen,<\/em><\/p>\n
\n<\/em>Ok talk to ya’ll later.
\n<\/em>\u2013 Chris Mack<\/em><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Hello sensei,<\/em>
\nI am sending this to you on Friday over here so hopefully you will get it before the bonenkai. Ok here it goes.\u00a0 Please have D (Deirdre Maino) read this to the (MSU) kids hopefully it will inspire them to come to Japan.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u2013 Chris Mack (in mitou)<\/em><\/p>\n
\nohisashiburi!!!\u00a0\u00a0So how are things?\u00a0\u00a0It’s summer vacation (finally) over here.\u00a0\u00a0I will also be starting my fifth and final year here on the program.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u2013 Chris Mack<\/em><\/p>\n
\n<\/em>I am extremely sorry for the late reply. But since my son has been born, I have been trying to manage raising him and trying to keep my career going. I am currently trying to obtain a master\u2019s degree in TESOL. Hopefully, I can do it. Other than that, I really don’t think there is much going on here.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nHope all is well.<\/em>
\n\u2013 Chris Mack<\/em><\/p>\n Voices From Our Students And Graduates <\/span>
<\/h2>\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>
\nKatherine Martinez<\/strong>
\nClass of 2025 (Expected)
\nAsian Language and Culture Major with a concentration in Japanese
\nJ-Circle Student Administrator, Fall 2023\n
\n<\/p><\/div><\/p><\/div> After my transformative trip to Japan in 2015, I decided to return to school and pursue a major in Asian Studies with a concentration in Japanese language. Immersing myself in a new culture during that trip was a profound experience that ignited my passion for understanding and embracing different cultural perspectives.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n<\/em>\u2013 Katherine Martinez<\/em><\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/em><\/p>\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>
\nSkell Longfield<\/strong>
\nExpected graduation date Fall 2024
\nIllustration Major, Japanese Minor
\nWinner of 2023 J-Circle Kotowaza illustration & Calligraphy Contest\n
\n<\/p><\/div><\/p><\/div> I began studying at Montclair in Fall of 2022 and have felt incredibly welcomed in the Japanese program since the beginning. I had spent about a year self-studying the language before enrolling but wanted to come out of my shell and learn among others. My previous efforts have not only been recognized by my instructors, but actively fostered. They are always encouraging and reassuring, reminding me of how far I\u2019ve come and to keep challenging myself. My peers in class and in J-Circle are also always fun and welcoming, and we strive to help each other learn and grow. Under my instructors\u2019 guidance, and alongside the student community in the program, I always feel right at home.
\n\u2013 Skell Longfield<\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/em><\/p>\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>
\nJacob Morenos<\/strong>
\nClass of 2024 (expected)
\nPolitical Science major, Double minor in Global Security & Asian Languages
\nRecipient of 2023 NJATJ (New Jersey Association of Teachers of Japanese)
\nJapanese Language and Culture Study Award\n
\n<\/p><\/div><\/p><\/div> As a political science student at MSU I have had an amazing experience taking part in Montclair State\u2019s Japanese language program. I have always had an interest in foreign cultures, especially of those of East Asia and the Japanese language program allowed me to continue my interest in that. The two professors that I learned under, Olenik Sensei and Narasaki Sensei, are highly knowledgeable, hard workers, and genuinely care about the material. Such dedication to the languages, culture, and the students was quite inspiring to see as it motivated me to work and study harder. <\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u2013 Jacob Morenos<\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/em><\/p>\n