*This article has been edited. See below.
Iwade-shi
I'm Mercedes Sperling (Amercian) and I live in Iwade-shi (shockingly it is a city). Iwade is in the northern part of the prefecture and about 20 minutes by train from Wakayama-shi. I am beginning my 2nd year as an ALT. I currently teach at six different schools; 2 junior highs and 4 elementary schools. Fortunately my past life as a teacher has helped me survive the busy rotation of schools. This past year has brought a lot of changes in my life. In addition to living in a new country and adjusting to it's culture, I also got married here. Rich (also American), moved here in March to be with me. We got married in Osaka on March 30. So it's been quite a journey so far; who knows what this next year will bring.
I just want to let everyone know that if you need any help, please feel free to contact me. If I don't know how to help you, you can count on me to find the answers or at least someone that can. Traveling, women's issues, insurance, immigration, taxes......those are just a few of the random issues I've dealt with this past year. I have definitely learned a lot. I must admit though, life here is good and really easy. Living in Wakayama is great. It has a lot to offer. Also the location of Wakayama to other amazing places is superb. Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe are relatively close. It has been a really fun first year. My advice to all (not just the newbies); enjoy it while you can! Live it up!
Wakayama-shi
Hello New Wakayamaians!! Tawnee here!! A.KA. タウ二ー (ta-u-ni-i) to the locals!! I am a 2nd year ALT living in the captial of our ken, Wakayama City!! I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio in the good ol' US of A!! Prior to coming to Japan, I was an elementary school teacher for 3 years. Now I teach junior high school at a private school here in the shi (which is how many of us refer to Wakayama City).
If you are lucky enough to live near this great city, which combines the charm of old, traditional Japanese, with a splash of modern designs, there are endless things to keep you busy. Such as: local temples and shrines, Japanese gardens, beaches, LOTS and LOTS of shopping, Wakayama-jo (castle), karaoke, beer garden, restaurants (pasta, pizza, Indian), batting cages, driving ranges, bookstores, a large movie theater and much more!! Gettin' excited yet???
We are also the home of WIXAS (Wakayama International Exchange Association), which happens to be one of the places our local CIR, Paco, works. They offer a variety of Japanese culture classes and/or lessons in Japanese calligraphy, ikebana, tea ceremony, free Japanese language classes, sumo wrestling and many more!!
As for me personally, you can usually find me hanging out with my friends (many of whom come from southern Wakayama on the weekends), practicing calligraphy, reading or traveling around Japan or Asia. I am also very passionate about volunteering. I hope to start up a volunteer group here in Wakayama this coming year!! And hope you might get involves!! You may also see MANY, MANY emails in your ‘inbox’ from me. That is because I am also the captain of the local AJET chapter, which we refer to as WAJET. You'll learn more about that later. So I apologize now!
SO, if you are ever looking for something to do when you are in the city, or if you just want to explore, just give me a call, or send an email and I'd be glad to show you around. Unfortunately I am currently out of the country, at home for a LONG awaited visit, until August 21st. But please feel free to get in touch ANY TIME after that!! I look forward to meeting you all when I return!!! Good luck in your first couple of weeks. Stay cool!
See you soon,
Tawnee
Gobo-shi
Welcome to the Rock. Let me be the first to tell you all how I am incredibly jealous of all of you because you are fresh and unadulterated by this island lifestyle. You probably don’t subconsciously slow down your speech patterns and/or insert untranslatable Japanese words into your conversations assuming that the person listening will know what you are talking about, yet. And that is what I am here to help you with.
I am Mike Kuzma, the Gobo City RA. Gobo is the smallest city in Wakayama. So, although you can enjoy the perks of having the country’s shortest railway, the fighting Festival and Roman City, you will find yourself surrounded in beautiful Japanese countryside, mini farm equipment, and lots of little old ladies putting in twice the hours of all of us combined in the fields. It is my job to help you find Gobo’s charm, it’s hidden treasures, and to help you through the inevitable times when you will find yourself wondering what language they speak here, because its not Japanese.
As for a little bit about myself, I am from Nebraska in the US of A. I am very proud of my state. So much, in fact, that Tawnee, the RA from Wakayama City, doesn’t actually know my real name; she only refers to me as Nebraska.・As a former college athlete, I am a self-proclaimed health nut, and spend much of my free time, as well as much of my work time, running, lifting, and playing any sport ending in the word ball.・I
also have a very domestic side. I love to cook and hold cocktail parties so come on over and raise a martini glass with me!
I am here to help you get adjusted to living in a rural setting in Japan. It’s not easy. There will be trials, tribulations, and times when you are surrounded by people, but alone because of a difference in language and culture. I am here to help you with those times, but also to enjoy the good times. So, as every student in Japan has erroneously
learned as dogma, LET’S ENJOY!!・
Mike Kuzma
Taiji-cho
Hello there!
I’m Nicola (aka Nicky or Nic) and I’m one of the ALT's living in southern Wakayama. I live in a small town called Taiji which is really only famous for one thing - whales!!! It is a quiet little town but (like most of southern Wakayama) a very beautiful place to live in. I'm from England and my hobbies include travelling and playing sports.
I'd like to say welcome to all the new Jets especially those who are arriving down south! Please feel free to email or call me anytime with any questions or worries. I will help you as much as I can and if I can’t help I will point you in the direction of someone who can. I know the first little while can be very daunting and confusing so please don’t hesitate to contact me.
I'm very knowledgeable about public transport (especially trains and train times!) and the locations of the nearest big supermarkets and shopping centres etc. Unfortunately I don’t have a car (i haven't yet learnt to drive!) but it hasn’t stopped me from enjoying exploring the local area using public transport or on foot! There are plenty of places worth visiting here (by car or public transport) and many things to do - such as canoeing, rafting, and hiking.
I teach in the junior high school, elementary school, and kindergarten in my town and also do eikaiwa classes so if you have any questions about schools I will do my best to answer them!
I hope everyone is able to settle in without any problems and will enjoy their stay here. But please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or worries.
Nic :)
Taiji Town
Tanabe-shi
Hello everyone!
My name is Glen Piskula and I will be your Tanabe City RA for the next year! I am an American JET and have been living in the Tanabe area working as an ALT for over two years now. I'm also married to a local; her name is Yuri. I got married here and will be living here for a lengthy period of time even beyond JET, so I can offer information about extended life in Japan and/or marriage. My hobbies are writing (you may read a lot of it) outdoor exercise (join me for jogging, biking, hiking, and mountain climbing!) and wine (collecting...and drinking...) Enough about me!
For the new people: I'm here to help you with getting settled, finding various places/things, and adapting quicker to your surroundings. Let me be the first to tell you that being chosen to live and teach in Tanabe, you scored! Here you will find most of the conveniences of home nearby. You will also find many interesting cultural points of interest such as historic temples, famous landmarks, World Heritage, and a vast shining ocean. In Tanabe City you will experience a healthy mix of urban life and nature, so there is something for everyone! On the outskirts, rivers clean enough to swim in, and hiking galore. For you party people, bars, karaoke, and clubs downtown. In my first year, I didn't know where anything was and I hated the town. Now that I found out where everything is, I love it here and don't look forward to leaving next year. Its because of that that I want to help you all overcome those initial upsets and settle in as quickly as possible so that you may get the most out of your time and life here. Call on me for anything! Welcome to Tanabe!!!!
Glen
*Note from the Master of Web (Yes, all of it)
The original intros contain the e-mails and telephone numbers for the ladies and gentlemen above. They have been removed for security reasons. Please contact wajet at wakayamaajet@yahoo.com or your fellow JETs for their contact information.
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