Hiyadeh Boloorchi
Class of 2004

[Posted April 11, 2006]

Several months after my graduation ceremony in the spring of 2004, I was on a plane headed towards Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran, Iran.  Spending almost 4 months in Tehran was quite an experience to remember as is traveling to any place!  Iran is my father's homeland and I wanted to go and explore the country on my own.  Most people I knew, even my family, wondered why I had chosen to visit Iran.  Determination is difficult; the only option I had was to listen to myself and see where things would end up. 

Naghshe Rostam in Shiraz, Iran, December 2004.  Tombs of Old Persian Kings, about 2,500 years ago.

Film making was one of my goals; to show an American girl's love for Persian culture.  I even wanted to write a book revealing all the things the media seems to leave out these days.  Teaching English was another idea of mine.  In reality, I didn’t know how to achieve most of my goals in the four months that I was in Tehran.  I even had interviews at the UNDP branch in Tehran, but with my exam results in, my proficiency in the Persian language wasn't good enough for the workplace.  My expectations were high, some roads were blocked, but nevertheless, I finally understood why I made my journey to Iran... only, I understood a year later.

December 2004 visit to Takhte Jamshid or Persepolis, ruins of the ancient capital of the Persian Empire 550BC~330BC

Now at this moment, I am writing this update from my "mansion" in Fukui City, Japan.  Japanese people sure use interesting English... not only do I have to learn Japanese, but "Japanese Engrish!"  A "mansion" is a really nice, newly built studio-like apartment in Japanese!  It's a great little apartment, just a 5 minute walk from my school. 

Closing Ceremony at my school, March 2006.

I am an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) where I attempt to teach English at a Science and Technology Senior High School.  The school is pretty relaxed and I have about 14 classes a week.  It's a non-academic high school; most of my students say they will be factory workers or pet hair stylists once they graduate, 40% will go to technical junior college or college.  The majority of my students don't have much interest in learning English and I guess it was the same for me when I was learning Spanish in high school.

High-tech classroom.  Giving my self-introduction on the first day of school, September 2005.

The Japanese government, however, believes strengthening English in schools will help internationalization in Japan.  Roughly 6,000 participants from about 40 countries are on the Japan Exchange and Teach Program, JET Program.  There is an ALT for almost every high school, middle school, and now elementary school throughout Japan.  As a participant on this program, I have a one year contract with my Contracting Organization.  What I have come to realize is that I am more of a cultural facilitator than an English teacher, but as they say "every experience is different." 

Most Japanese think I am Spanish.  Flattering, but I say, "No, I'm American."  Then, with a puzzled look they say "Amerika-jin?"  With my brown eyes and brown hair, apparently I don’t look “American” enough for them.  To clear things up a bit, I say "Oh, my father is Persian...Persia-jin…"  And before I can say that my mother is American, they smile and say..."Hmmmm, I see, Persiajin.  Iran?  Iraq?  Where is that?"  

I know it is confusing for some Japanese to meet a half American, half Persian girl who looks Spanish out in the countryside of Japan, but that is exactly why I am here.  I am here to "internationalize" Japan as the JET statement of purpose proclaims. 

Six months into the program, I realized I carry a lot more responsibility than I thought.  People wonder about me because I look and act different.  My students comment on my "tall nose, big eyes, and small face."  One curious student even noticed that I had multi-colored hair on my arms, both dark and light colors!  Impossible he thought!  I almost took offense, but instead I started laughing... at least he was trying to communicate his observations in English.

I gave cultural introductions about Iran for my students at school as well as for other Fukui ALTs during our Mid-Year Conference.  Talking about my experiences in Iran and showing many photos of the ancient cities I visited was very intriguing for my students and colleagues.  In addition, I gave a Persian dance lesson at the annual International Festival in Fukui.  Everyone loved it!  But by no means am I a good dancer!  For material, I just used some traditional dances I remembered from watching the UCSB Middle Eastern Ensemble performers and of course from what I had learned from my family in Iran.  Further, I helped share the art of Persian cuisine at a Persian cooking class in Fukui.  My journey to Iran came in handy; it only took a year for my reasons to materialize. 

Persian cooking class, Japanese style!  March 2006. 

Being part American and part Persian, I have two cultures that I am able to share with the Japanese. My students see me as someone who is multi-cultural, someone that can speak two languages, and someone that is interested in Japan. I decided not to re-contract, but I plan take part in more cultural events showing the cross-pollinization of ideas and people. You would be surprised how similar the culture of Iran and the culture of Japan are, and there are even some similarities with American culture too. JET Program has given me a chance to work and live in Japan, but also has given me a stage to introduce multiculturalism... "internationalization" ...and I guess that's what the JET buzz word comes to mean.

 
Wearing a Kimono for the New Year’s Tea Ceremony Party.  January 2006.

My advice for upcoming Global graduates:  ask yourself how you can contribute to society.  You are getting a good education at UCSB; learn as much as you can.  Life after college is another world!  I chose to travel and teach English right after college.  If you are interested in the JET Program, contact me, and I will be happy to be of assistance.  If you are wondering what to do next, take the advice of my favorite Persian poet, someone that can better inspire direction than I, Rumi writes: 

Today, like every other day,
We wake up empty and frightened.
Don't open the door to the study
And start reading.
Take down the dulcimer
Let the beauty we love
Be what we do.
There are hundreds of ways
To kneel and kiss the ground.

がんばって　ください
Ganbatte Kudasai, “Go for it!” in Japanese

Hiyadeh Boloorchi
hiyadeh@gmail.com

Monday, April 11, 2006

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