Jennifer Sherman - Mie (2012-2016)

Where were you in Japan as a JET and when? 

I lived in Mihama, Mie as an ALT from 2012 to 2016, and I taught elementary and junior high school.

What sparked your interest in applying for the JET program? 

When I was studying Japanese at Oberlin College, someone came to hold a session and speak about the JET Program. For most of my life before that, I never thought I could move across the country, let alone to the other side of the world. Suddenly, after that info session, something clicked with me. I gradually realized I could do it. The idea of participating in JET wouldn't leave my mind, and I knew I'd apply. Even though I wasn't chosen the first year I applied, and I was an alternate the second time, I had to persevere. Those four years turned out to be the most impactful time of my life so far, so I'm glad I stuck with it!

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

Although Mie isn't known well by many people, it's also a surprisingly diverse prefecture with a lot to offer. The narrow southern end of Mie that I lived in is famous for mikan (mandarin oranges). I'll also vouch for the beautiful natural opportunities with the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes, ocean, and mountains. Farther north, Ise Shrine is the center of the Shinto faith as the place dedicated to the goddess Amaterasu. Iga is one of the purported birthplaces of ninja, and Suzuka features a prominent raceway.

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

Mie definitely has a distinct dialect, though it's related to Kansai-ben. This is part of Kansai-ben overall, but I always found the use of akan instead of dame entertaining. Because I taught younger kids primarily, I spent most of my time practicing kid speak. I often thought about how I'd be a fish out of water if I tried to talk to a buttoned-up salaryman in Tokyo.

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

I'd want to be able to visit Mie often, but I'd love to live in one of the northern prefectures. The snow of winter creates my ideal scenery, so prefectures like Hokkaido and Aomori could be perfect for me. Because Nara, one of Mie's neighbors, is full of ancient forests and a somehow mystical vibe, it also sits at the top of my list of favorite prefectures.

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

My time on JET became a professional gateway for me to working in pop culture localization. I currently work for Square Enix Manga & Books, and we help open the door to Japan for readers through our books. In our own way, I love that we get to make the world a little smaller. While I don't get to visit Japan as much as I'd like, I'm looking forward to visiting for the JETAA-I International Meeting as a JETAA USA Country Representative. 

Thank you, Jennifer, for sharing your JET story!