Go to Gotō: Teaching Abroad in the Land of the Rising Sun

My name is Will and I have lived in Spokane, WA since 2004. Since 2009 I have worked at Snap Fitness, a 24 hour fitness facility that is fast, affordable, convenient, and very clean; in 2014 I was promoted to manager. While working at Snap Fitness, I studied for my lucrative history degree at Gonzaga University (GU) before later transferring to Eastern Washington University (EWU). After writing an excessive number of papers, I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in June 2015. I am now poised to teach abroad in Japan starting this July.

​

I studied Japanese in high school and college and began admiring the culture and rich history; my passionate and capable language teachers at Lewis and Clark High School and GU encouraged this interest. As a junior at GU I studied abroad at Akita International University in Akita, Japan for a semester. I met new friends, increased my knowledge of the language and culture, and returned home already wanting to go back to Japan. You could say I have unfinished business. I knew about the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program and applied at the earliest possibility. After a long wait and an interview, I learned of my appointment in April. This will be my first time teaching and while I am anxious I am also excited for a new range of experiences. I am signed on for a one year contract but if my work is satisfactory I am inclined to renew for up to two-three years.

​

My hobbies include reading, traveling, exercising, poker, and becoming a connoisseur of beer, wine, and sake. I enjoy writing as well and am hoping this blog will refine my abilities. I welcome your feedback and appreciate you accompanying me on this thrilling journey.