I studied Japanese for 3 years and I absolutely fell in love with it. This is why I am doing a big career change because when taking Japanese classes I realized my passion for teaching was outweighing my CJ degree, however I was already too invested into my degree thus I graduated in CJ. I do not regret it, because that degree means so much to me. But now I want to get my masters in Asian studies with a focus in Japanese art history (specifically in Ukiyo-E and calligraphy) and soon hope to be an art teacher in Japan. Ever since my first semester in taking Japanese 1, my teacher told me I was very good in Japanese and told me that I should apply for JET and I waited 3 years to finally make that goal a reality. It was exciting when I received the news I got in, I honestly cried tears of joy, but I would be lying if I told you I wasn’t scared. Although I knew so many people who did JET teachers, friends, etc. I still was very nervous because it was my first time moving away from home, leaving my best friend; my mom and my other friends, but most importantly getting out of my comfort zone. I am ever so grateful for the wonderful opportunity, as I am the first in my family to ever say I taught English abroad in Japan. 

Furthermore, this is my first time being in a classroom setting, although I have had experience teaching kids in summer camp, or in theatre shows I directed, and I was even a private tutor for students from the ages of 3-18 aiding in any and all subjects even for ESOL. But this will be my first time in a full blown school and classroom environment so I am pumped to get it going.  I do have a connection to Japan, my mother has always been fascinated by Japanese media and pop culture. My mother would play NHK sometimes, play Japanese rock and techno bands and play anime when I was younger exposing me to the pop culture and media outlets of Japan, she also raised me in a very asian inspired manner as it was one of her favorite parenting method books she read way back when. Moreover, my father actually was Buddhist and lived in Japan for quite some time, thus he brought back pictures to show me of japan, Buddha’s and god like statues from Japan, and most important art. That is what got me into Japanese art history to begin in the first place. If it wasn’t for them and myself with my ever growing passion in the arts and japan I don’t think I would be here today.

I also speak four languages: English, Spanish, Japanese, and French (my French is rusty). People like to tell me I’m a Jack of all trades; I enjoy sports especially volleyball and basketball, art like theatre, makeup, costume designs, music, I play the flute, I draw, paint, sculpt, I can dance, i have done a lot of things and I’m grateful for each and every single experience I have gained from it. I also quite enjoy video games, anime and manga. Favorite games are Borderlands (any and all games) , Persona, Super Mario Sunshine, Pokémon (my first one was yellow) and many others. Favorite anime is Kill La Kill, Jojo’s bizarre adventure, Haikyu, Fully Cully and soul eater. For manga, currently practicing reading Jojo’s in Japanese, but I really do enjoy JJK, Chainsaw man and Tokyo Revengers. Also really enjoy KPOP, some favorite groups are Stray Kids, ATEEZ, P1Harmony, Dreamcatchers, (G)-Idle, and LE SSERAFIM. Back home I collect photo cards and I have two full binders of cards, didn’t bring them with me but I hope to collect new ones. I also really like Hololive, some faves are Suisei, Watame, IRyS, Gawr Gura, Mori.

Moving-to-Japan Mood Playlist: Do not play the crane with the cinnamon roll dressed up as Luffy… it ain’t happening.