Jikoshokai Corner
Today we would like to introduce one of our hard-working Event Coordinators, Avery Truman!
Welcome to JETAARM, Avery! Please introduce yourself.
Hello! My Name is Avery Truman and I was placed in Bungotakada in Oita Prefecture as an ALT on the JET Program from 2019-2021. Oita Prefecture is famous for its onsen and ryokan and you can bet I made sure to go as much as I possibly could while there!
What made you want to apply to the JET Programme?
In the summer of 2016 while working towards getting my undergraduate degree in Cultural Anthropology, I did a study abroad in Japan for 3 weeks. This trip cultivated my love for Japanese culture and its people and the rich history, culture, and beautiful landscapes. The kindness that I felt in Japan from the Japanese people was unlike any experience I’ve had in the past. Ever since this transformative experience, I had yearned to return to Japan. I applied to the JET Program as I aspired to be immersed in Japanese culture and, like a sponge, soak up and learn everything I possibly could about the language, culture, food, etc.
What was your most meaningful experience on JET?
I was only in Japan for 6 months before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, so much of my experience was stunted and I sadly did not get to experience Japan wholly. Although I was not able to experience much of Japan, like travel or experience festivals, It was the relationships I found along the way that made my time in Japan so meaningful. I cultivated a strong network and community of friends while in Japan and I also really enjoyed getting to know my students. Seeing their confidence in the English language and confidence in themselves grow was such a great experience.
What are you most looking forward to as a JETAARM board member?
I am excited to assist with JETAA’s mission of promoting America-Japan relations and Japanese culture in the form of social, cultural and community events. I am looking forward to creating fun events and experiences for all of our JET Alumni and assisting with developing a strong community in the Rocky Mountain Region.
Bonus Question: What was the most interesting thing you ate while in Japan?
My first year in Japan I visited Nagano with some friends to go skiing. While there, we stayed in a lovely rural town in an Airbnb. Our host said that her friend was a hunter and had gotten a tanuki (raccoon dog) the day before and had given the meat to her. Our host offered to make yakiniku from it if we wanted to try it. We grilled it up and it was actually quite good! Like a gamey kind of steak. After I had returned from my trip, I told all my coworkers and students that I had tried tanuki and no one believed me! Hahah. No one really eats tanuki in Japan so it was definitely a once in a lifetime thing to try!
