Jenny Hayes

Aya’s ALT August 1998 – July 2000

Minasan konnichiwa! I am Jenny Hayes. I am the new "gaijin" (foreigner) in Aya. This year Aya loses its Canadian representative and gains an English one.

I have come to Aya having graduated from the University of the West of England in Bristol. I majored in Politics and International Studies and took up Japanese as a minor. Unfortunately, however, this does not mean that I am well equipped to face the everyday language that I come across...but I will endeavour to undertake further study and improve until people can at least understand my garbled mumbling first time around!

Although this is my first time in Japan, I am no stranger to life in East Asia, having travelled extensively in my year out, across Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia, before going to university. Whilst studying the Japanese language and its country's politics and economics, I was spurred on to actually make a trip out here. The JET programme, whom I am working for, gives me the chance to help others whilest helping myself. JET, to those who do not know, stands for the "Japan Exchange and Teaching" programme---something I believe it more than adequately achieves. This means my job is to teach English and further international understanding between Japan and England, both in and out of the classroom.

I can confidently say that one thing I have already achieved is that of standing out in the crowd! Being of the blonde hair, blue eyes, and tall (at least in this country), variety definitely causes a stir. For many in this small country town I am the first of my type and maybe even the last. Many of the townsfolk find it hard to grasp my actions as an independent young woman, and many can not begin to comprehend the fact that I've visited more than fifteen different countries in my life already, especially when the majority of people here have rarely ventured out of Miyazaki prefecture.

Hopefully however my experiences will be shared with them over time, and theirs with me... promoting further awareness of each other's cultures. Some of these differences will be acknowledged and understood; others will remain ignored. As for me, I've already learnt many a "trick" or two out here in so many weeks, like picking up some of the local dialect. Yet, I still remain in awe of the way in which the Japanese manage to sit for hours on their knees, in what seems like such an elegant and unpainful manner whilst I constantly shuffle from one cramped leg, aching with "pins and needles," to the other. Some things only time and practice can change. Hopefully with time and practice people here will come to accept me and my ideas, and I them and theirs.

I can gladly say that I've already made friends here and I only hope time will strengthen ties already made and stimulate new relationships too. As the saying goes, Ganbarimasho! (Let's do our best!)