Last summer, I was given the opportunity to be in a job for around a month. A company took a visit at our university and offered to train students for a teaching job. My friends and I were not really specifically planning to work during the school break because, come on, you guys, you know that summer vacations are what we students are very much looking forward to. A time to spend with our loved ones, a time to live our lives without thinking about schoolwork or presentations. However, there was something about the job that encouraged me and my friends to join.
First, to give you a bit of a background, the job was to teach the English language to foreign students. The students that we will be teaching are high school Japanese students who came to the country for their English summer camp.
Since I was a kid, I grew up watching anime and later on started getting interested in Japanese dramas. Through that stuff, I could say that I somehow got exposed to their language and grew some interest in it, as well as in the Japanese culture. The curiosity I had on the country and on its people made me wonder how would it feel to interact with them in person. Thus, we decided to take the opportunity. After our training, the company was too kind to hire all of us for the job.
Together with 
Atet, Jera, and I decided to rent an apartment for us to stay in, and we instantly became roommates for a while. We divided house chores; Atet and Jera were in-charged in cooking rice meals, while I cook viands or other dishes.
We only cook heavy meals for dinner, but sometimes we chose to have it at the nearby 7 ELEVEN store or at a cafeteria near the hotel where we are working since our apartment is only a walking distance from it as well.
This was our first day at work and we literally got stuck at the hotel for hours due to the sudden heavy rain. We left our umbrella at the apartment because we thought it won't rain at all cause the sun shone so brightly during the day. And then it happened ಥ‿ಥ! Well, that was too much for our first day. 🤷
Despite of that, overall, it was such a nice experience to have each other’s company, as it helps us relieve the exhaustion we have after work. We sometimes do TikTok together at the apartment or sometimes I paint with Atet.
My painting session with Atet. We did the exchanging canvas every one minute challenge.
And here's a photo of the three of us after receiving our first ever earned salary.
Maayo Hotel
Maayo Hotel is situated at Plaridel St, Mandaue City—and that was where we held our classes with the students. The inside of the hotel holds an elegant vibe with its interior, from the lights to the paintings attached to its walls, which I really loved admiring.
Another thing I love about the hotel were its huge windows and the rooftop where you can take your breaks and view the busy streets and other infrastructures below.
Students to Tomodachi / Friends
The time I have spent with my students are very precious, and the memories I have with them are something I will hold dear forever. I think I was able to connect with each of them, since their interests are also an interest of mine. Aside from teaching them the lesson seriously, I tried to do it the fun way through varied activities and games. I also allotted time for some free talk every single day where we can exchange random conversations about our interests/hobbies, exchange information about each other’s culture, and other fun topics.
Meet Hinata! She is in my third class and I always enjoy my class with her. One specific point I remember about her are her eyes which I always get drawn into because of how beautiful it is. She is so pretty and adorable. She told me the secret of how to keep bangs still haha. I specifically need that advice honestly since I always keep my bangs with me tehe.
Meet Himari! She is in my fourth class. One of the fun things I love talking about with her is the distinction between the Japanese and Filipino culture. We also love talking about our favorite anime like for example Attack on Titan. Himari is quite funny and adorable. I love her reactions during our conversations. She's also smart!
And here comes Kana! She is my advisee and she has a smile that brightens my day. She is cheerful and kind. She is also very athletic. She enjoys playing games and doing activities so I always try my best to incorporate fun activities during our class. I always love talking to her and reading her diary. Oh, I miss Kana!
This one is Rino! She is my last class before lunch. Another smart kid. I love talking to her because she speaks English in a very sassy way which makes me do the same way. One thing we love talking about during our class are foods hahaha which always makes us hungry, good thing lunch always follows right after our class haha.
This is Haruna and I call her the Matcha Girl because she likes matcha a lot! Like the spring as what her name stands for, she radiates such warm that makes me comfortable. She is kind and sweet. And like me, she also loves to draw, so drawing became our favorite thing to do together.
Meet Hano! And she is my best buddy when it comes to K-dramas and idol stuffs haha. We love talking about movies. It's so funny how we both know almost the same actors/actresses and idols. Like Ryosuke Yamada and Kento Yamazaki. Aside from those, she is also very eager and interested in studying the language.
I also draw for them any characters they want me to draw, which we all find really amusing and fun. I could say thanks to my knowledge about anime that I was able to find that soft spot in them and connect with them.
Until today, my students and I stay connected with each other and would talk every once in a while. One time, I was so happy when a student of mine sent me photos of the trees last autumn, all because she remembered how I told her before how I love the fall season. Those tiny things really matter to me a lot.
In their last day, we joined together for dinner. In our company, those assigned as advisers were given the chance to spend time with their advisees at dinner after the students’ graduation. We had such fun conversation over the delicious foods we shared together, we took photos, served each other foods, teased one another, and exchanged tight hugs as we said our farewells.
Presents filled with love
My six students, unexpectedly handed me presents: some Japanese snacks, a fan, and sweet letters. My heart was so much filled with joy at that time, to realize how much I left such an impression in their hearts.
I never expected to find and meet such wonderful human beings and to have that kind of bond with them. I was also delighted that they loved and treasured the presents I gave to them.
It was such a wonderful summertime experience I always love looking back into. And I cannot wait to visit and meet them again someday. Manifesting that! ✨ 🛫 🎌