Rachel Hetherington
Introducing Rachel Hetherington, a proud alumnus of the Japan Exchange Teaching Program! She spent 2021-2024 as transformative years in Yamagata, where she not only taught English but also embraced the vibrant culture and community.. Dive into Rachel's story to see how their time in Japan continues to influence their life and career!
I was placed in Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture. After a few months of delays due to the pandemic, I was so happy to finally arrive in Yamagata. This beautiful prefecture isn't well known to many outside of Japan, but on seeing the city surrounded by stunning snowy mountains, I instantly fell in love.
I taught in elementary and junior high schools and felt so welcomed by the lovely staff and students, as well as the community of other JETs in the city and surrounding smaller towns.
A piece of Yamagata culture that I took to heart was kokeshi dolls. I loved spotting them in secondhand shops or visiting special artisan craftsmen to find different types of designs. I was so eager to learn about the different shapes and how each region in Tohoku puts their own spin on the doll. Before leaving Japan I visited Naruko Onsen in Miyagi prefecture, a hot spring town that is the birthplace of the distinctive Naruko kokeshi, and bought as much kokeshi merch as I could! I then shipped my kokeshi collection home (over 50 dolls in total) and they arrived safely back in the UK just a few days after me.
In my third year on JET I became Regional Advisor for my area, regularly checking in on all of the other ALTs in my areas and arranging social events to keep us all connected. This is a role I previously may not have applied for, due to lack of confidence or belief that I could take the lead. But I enjoyed the role immensely and particularly loved welcoming the new ALTs and acting as Yamagata's cheerleader! I would recommend volunteering for this type of role to anyone who wants to make a difference in their JET community. You never know who needs an extra helping hand or someone to reach out.
After leaving Japan last August, I returned to the UK to begin a Masters' degree in Library and Archive Studies at the University of Manchester. As an English graduate, this was a field I had always been interested in but had never pursued, working instead in digital marketing. After taking the huge leap of moving to Japan, a country so far away where I did not at that time speak the language, I was more confident in taking the steps to start a new career in a field I'm so passionate about.
My JET experience had an enormous positive impact on me, giving me tools I can use in both my personal and professional life. I also feel I now have a second home in Yamagata and can't wait to go back on holiday to visit. The confidence and self-belief it takes to build a new life in another country is something I never thought I would have but my time on JET has given me that.
Are you a JET alum with a story to share? Get in touch to be featured in an upcoming Senpai Spotlight.
