Bianca Sanchez Alvarez - Hiroshima (2016-2018)

Bianca enjoying the cherry blossoms in Onomichi

Where were you in Japan as a JET and when?

I was placed in Hatsukaichi-shi, Hiroshima-ken, from 2016 to 2018. I taught at Hatsukaichi High School (“Hatsuko” for short) four days a week, and once a week at Hiroshima Prefectural Central Special Needs School (“Chuo” for short).

What sparked your interest in applying for the JET program?

My inspiration was my great-grandfather, Casimiro Ortiz. It's rumored in my family that, as a young boy, he fled Japan in fear of being exiled to the island of Oshima, a former leper colony. He set sail to Mexico and landed in the port town of Guaymas. He found work and made a humble living mining silver and building railroads. He settled down to marry and grew chiles in his garden. I don’t know how much of this is true. But learning that I have Japanese ancestry catapulted me on a journey to learn more about my long-lost heritage. I wanted to see Japan for myself, and understand the land my great-grandfather fled long ago. I studied Japanese in high school and college where I learned about the JET Program. The rest is history.

Bianca in front of the famous torii gates on Miyajima island, Hatsukaichi

What are some of the things your prefecture is known for? e.g. food, hotspots, etc.

Okonomiyaki, Hiroshima-style (the best, in my opinion). Hiroshima Prefecture borders the Seto Inland Sea, which is home to a string of islands and a unique collection of art museums and sculptures—including Yayoi Kusama’s famous red polka-dotted squash.

Ikuchijima, an island off the coasts of Onomichi, produces delicious lemons and

lemon-flavored treats.

In 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima. It destroyed the city and took many lives, but what remained was part of an old bank which still stands today, in the middle of what's now Peace Memorial Park. It's a beautiful and haunting site.

Did you pick up any of the regional dialects? What are some of your favorite words or

phrases?

“Hiroshima-ben” is the local accent. I love hearing, amejane~!/雨じゃね~! (It's

raining, isn't it!) Another favorite was Chottomattene?/ちょっとまってね？ (hold on a moment)

If you were to return to live in Japan, would you choose to live in that same prefecture?

Absolutely.

Bianca in the neighborhoods of Onomichi-shi

How has your connection in relation to Japan changed since living in Japan?

I've learned to appreciate its many different customs. I admire how considerate the Japanese are towards the group versus the individual. We have much to learn from Japan, but I also like to think that my Japanese students and community had a lot to learn from me.

I worked with a team of incredibly kind and bright English teachers at both Hatsuko and Chuo. We felt more like one big family than anything else. We shared meals, stories, and taught each other about what life was like growing up. My friend Mayumi, a music teacher at Hatsuko, would invite me to her favorite curry restaurant where we drew on napkins to explain different parts of American and Japanese culture. While we couldn’t exactly speak each other’s language with ease, we found common ground and joy in our conversations.

My students taught me a lot as well. I had the privilege of teaching some of the most creative and thoughtful young people I’ve ever met. Ken, one of my third year students who wanted to become a Hollywood actor, taught me the value of working hard to achieve your biggest dreams. Shunsuke was a shy freshman, but he expressed himself best when sharing his admiration of Lady Gaga and drawing colorful self-portraits. He taught me the importance of being true to yourself and surrounding yourself with people who accept you unconditionally.

My special needs students taught me that being strong means being unafraid to share your passions with others. Every Thursday at Chuo, we sang songs by The Temptations together, which also taught me the power of music as a universal language.

Thank you, Bianca, for sharing your JET story!