The year back in Melbourne has been mixed; up and down.
A period of unemployment. My first ever.
The humbling experience of going from being one of a handful of qualified librarians in an entire country, knowing my skills were useful, to being unable to find anything more than casual work for four long months back in Australia.
Things improved when I was offered an internship with the International Department of the Australian Red Cross, writing a history of where the Australian Red Cross worked internationally prior to the 1990s (all over the place, actually).
I found a librarian job soon after that. Things are better now.
Yet I still crave travel and adventure.
On February 17, 2011, I had my interview for the JET Programme, and, if I'm accepted, will spend at least a year in Japan.
I'd done my research:
Suited up:
And I think the interview went fine!
Here's what I was asked:
-Why do you want to do the JET program?
-You would like to have an international career?
-Why do you want to teach in Japan and not China or Korea?
-What three items would you take with you from Australia to show Australian culture?
-Would you really take Vegemite?
-What would you do if students asked you about inappropriate things?
-What do you know about the Japanese school system?
-What do you imagine the Japanese classroom to be like?
-Will your partner be coming with you?
-What would you say when people said negative things about Australia? E.g. Australia is a racist country?
-Why have you preferenced Osaka?
-You have an honours degree in English Literature, yet you'll be teaching middle school students. Do you think you'll get bored?
-What things do you know about Japan? What about negative things like whaling?
-What do you tell people in the libary when they ask about Japan? (Bet I was the only person who was asked that question!)
And now I play the waiting game...
