Annelise Wilp - Saitama (2018-2020)

Annelise at an enkai (宴会 - party, banquet, reception, dinner) with other teachers

Where were you in Japan as a JET and when? 

I was in Saitama 2018-2020. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic started a few months before my contract ended, but I had a great 18 months before that.

What sparked your interest in applying for the JET program? 

I actually found out about the JET Program through YouTube, and started watching vlogs from the participants. I was still in high school, and thought living in Japan was a faraway dream. It wasn’t until I went to Western Michigan University and met JET alumni in real life that made me realize that I could do it too.

Annelise visiting Kinaku-ji in Kyoto with her now-husband when he visited over the holidays

What are some of the things your prefecture is known for? e.g. food, hotspots, etc. 

My town Warabi was known for Warabimochi. Kawagoe is a town that is modeled after the Edo period, and Chichibu is known for its lush landscape and flower festival. I was very close to Tokyo, so I ended up going there almost every weekend.

Did you pick up any of the regional dialects? What are some of your favorite words or phrases? 

Living near Tokyo helped me learn very standard Japanese. Kanji never clicked with me, but I loved picking up the slang. The most common phrase was definitely “yabai”. It has so many meanings, but I always thought it was a rough translation of "OMG!"

Annelise posing with Chichibu’s mascot, Potekuma-kun, with other Saitama JETs

If you were to return to live in Japan, would you choose to live in that same prefecture? 

I was very lucky to be near Tokyo, and life was very convenient in an urban area. I had the chance to reunite with several friends from college in the Tokyo area, and I ran into one of my college professors by complete coincidence. One area that I fell in love with, though, was Nagano. The lush mountains and onsen towns were so charming, and I definitely pictured myself living there.

How has your connection in relation to Japan changed since living in Japan? 

Though I no longer work in a Japan-related field, JET was a stepping stone for my career in education. Being an ALT on JET made me realize how much I enjoy helping students succeed, and I now work as an academic advisor at a university. I recently met up with my local JETAA chapter, and we talked for hours about Japan and gave advice to departing JETs. It’s amazing how a common experience connects people, and that is the power of transformative experiences like the JET Program. 

Annelise's farewell party with her English club before leaving Japan

Thank you, Annelise, for sharing your JET story!