A Thousand Little Memories

"ONE MORE TIME!!" The kids yelled, begged, and screamed at me.

Over the past two years as an ALT with Interac, I've heard this phrase from over a thousand students. Maybe it's after a round of Simon Says, or a game I made up five minutes before class, or maybe it's when we're just going over a standard, listening exercise from the textbook...but when I hear this phrase, I know I'm doing something right.

"One more time," is a simple phrase, but those three words hold so much within them. It's an attempt at communication, a desire to have fun, and most of all, it's the courage to try again.

Some days, when half the class is in their own world or someone is dead asleep even when the TV is blasting on full volume, it's hard to feel like your existence is adding any value to their lives.

But then that day comes...the day you finish your final lesson, hear the kids' voices unite to sing the school song one last time, sign your name on the yearbook of that kid who was always sleeping in class...

And by the time you say your last "goodbye" to the graduating faces you will probably never see again, you realize that this time, it is YOU who wants to do it all over "one more time."

I can't remember all of their names, so of course, I don't expect them to remember mine. Maybe in fifty years, I'll just be "that one ALT from when I was young." But, like how I'll remember a thousand excited and smiling faces, I know that even if our paths never cross again, somewhere out there, there are a thousand little memories of me smiling back at them and saying, "Okay. One more time."

PROS:
The supportive staff! Acclimating to a new environment and a new career anytime is hard, but it is especially difficult when you are abroad and have the additional hurdle of a language barrier. However, the Interac team has been so responsive and helpful whenever I reach out with questions/concerns. The experienced ALTs offer great advice for any classroom/school-related matters as well as tips on life in Japan. The team is incredibly understanding when it comes to taking off days for sick leave, mental health, personal reasons, etc. and will call to check-in to make sure that you're doing okay. The company is also very helpful for visa-related matters which significantly lessens the stress of living abroad.

Location flexibility. Since I applied domestically from within Japan, my placements allowed me to stay in my area without relocating. However, because of Interac's widespread involvement in the Japanese education system, if you are interested in moving to another city, it is easy to communicate your preferences with the team.

Good work-life balance. Because the job revolves around the Japanese school schedule, that means in addition to weekends and long seasonal holidays (spring, winter, summer), ALTs also get all national holidays off. This means there are many 3-day weekends to explore and enjoy Japan!

CONS:
Depending on where you are placed, the salary might be limiting for certain lifestyles.