Harry Potter in Japan

Over the last few weeks, I have been shipped off to a foreign country where languages, customs, and daily life are radically different. I’ve met many new people – some new ALTs like myself, others that have been here for a number of years, and some that were born here. I have been put into an institution, the JET program, which has streamed me through a number of orientations, placements, ceremonies, tasks, and goals. I am slowly discovering my way in this far off land as I develop my ability to cook and eat new foods, work in a different language, and grow accustomed to the norms of this world. I imagine that what I’m going through is a lot like what Harry Potter had to go through in his adventures of becoming a wizard and having to learn the ways of the wizarding world.

For Harry Potter, it all started when he was whisked away by Hagrid to his first days at Hogwarts where he would undergo his training in becoming a wizard. It was here that not only would he train to become one of the most promising wizards in this world, but also where he would make several good friends and essentially become the wizard that he was meant to be.

For myself, my entry into Japan was a bit less glamorous, in that I had to undergo a lengthy application process and attend several interviews and seminars. It was less surprising than it was arduous. However, I find that every new situation still bears a great sense of wonder for me. From the moment that I stepped onto the Japan Airlines aircraft, I was being whisked away into a world of bento boxes and genki smiles. Initially, every new stage of this experience was guided by a more senior JET staff member in a purple shirt who guided me to a new event – each one with sort of a patronizing smile of familiarity; it wasn’t so long ago that they walked the streets of Tokyo whilst jet-lagged and out of sorts. In the end, we are all just muggles trying to make it in a world of Japanese.

For new wizards in Harry Potter, their lives are initially filled with social events and ceremonies where they develop bonds with their fellow classmates and gradually find their places amongst the school. While everything is fantastic and exciting, the suspense in finding out whether they will become a Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, or Hufflepuff is almost unbearable. They try not to get their hopes up, but at the same time they all have their hearts set on a certain future. At last, at the sorting hat ceremony, their placements are celebrated and welcomed amongst the senior members of each house. If nothing else, this rejoice comes about with the knowledge that each placement is indisputable. One gets the sense though, that each placement is in fact grand -- and that each member of their respective houses truly appreciates their place. Could there be an unfortunate outcome when one finds out that they are a wizard?

One feels similar emotions when entering the JET Programme. While everyone has their hearts set on certain regional placements – and certain placements may be met with some initial hesitations, ultimately, each new JET is welcomed with such feverous euphoria, that one cannot help but grow excited. After all, how could one not feel the excitement of going to Japan? Of course, the build up to finding out these placements are stressful, especially amongst all of the orientations and social gatherings that are designed to build cohesion and comradery amongst this year’s fare. All of us latch onto each other as if to build a safety raft to take with us into new territory. These bonds are initially formed amongst those of us who come from the same place – for me, Vancouver, where we all partook in the same flight together. Then in Tokyo, we landed amongst countless other life rafts of people from different countries. We unmanned and sought anyone close to us who we could learn from and find commonalities – only to be broken up again when it became time to ship off to our respective prefectures. This cycle would repeat itself one more time in that we built bonds amongst this group only to break off into our individual cities, where there could only remain small remnants of the everyday comradery.

At this point, most JETs are now settling into their roles as ALTs and the daily work order is beginning. Classes are starting and students begin crowding the halls at our school. The reality of working for a living is starting to kick in. As for Harry Potter, as much fun it is riding broomsticks, eating every flavour beans, and trancing around in invisible cloaks, there is studying to do – spells to learn, potions to brew, and the like. I’ve definitely had a good fill of soba noodles, odd Japanese game shows, and J-pop. Now its all about lesson planning, teaching, and marking. While this work may seem tedious at first, it is ultimately rewarding – and I look forward to when it pays off and I can become a fully fledged Japanese wiz.

***next up, maybe I’ll write about vampires.***