I have always wanted to experience Japanese culture, and this was the perfect opportunity! This was also my first workaway experience, and I only can say this was absolutely incredible!!! If you are lucky to be chosen by Yuki, make yourself a favour a take the opportunity.
Yuki is the main contact, living in Fukuoka. Although I did not have the
… read more opportunity to meet her, she was genuine and like a mother to all the volunteers. She made sure that I am alright and feeling good at the island. She is a very kind person, we had long conversations on the company phone. Her English is also very good.
Mai at the school is also very nice, she introduced us to the system, gave our weekly schedules, and if there were anything we needed, we could ask her. Also when we had off days all the staff helped us planning, sometimes giving us lifts because the bus were really expensive and not very often. Also we do not have bikes and they won’t lend us cars( which is the only “negative” thing I could say) but you can definitely hitchhike, it is very safe and works!
About the work, in general it wasn’t very hard. At the school we had two type of work:
First we had ice breaking games with the student, where we should speak to them in English
Secondly, we had outdoor classes where we went on either to the beach or the mountain. It was very cool because you could have experience and see the places you wanted on your off days anyways.
I have a JLPT N3 in Japanese so I could practise my Japanese as well, but in my opinion all the workawayers wanting to come to Yakushima should speak at least basic Japanese, because not many people speak in English here, including teachers and students.
The other place where we had worked was the farm called Senvus Village. I must say this was my favourite of them all. We did very easy tasks, such as cutting branches, weeding, watering or planting but it was enjoyable! I have learned a lot about permaculture. Also the staff were incredible! Kazuko and Megumi prepared food for us every time and it was like a feast! Super delicious. They even thought me how to make gyoza, and if you are curious you can have great conversations with them. Tatsu is such a funny guy, his English is also very good. If you want to visit mountain routes you should definitely ask him first, he was a former hiker on the island, he was very helpful. Daimon was also a very nice person, he also works at the school. He always picked us up and helped, took us to grocery shopping etc. I really liked working there!
The accommodation was nice I had a private room, the bathroom and the toilet was shared with the female teachers. I was never hungry, we ate either at the cafeteria with the students or at senvus village. We also got wi-fi but do not relying on it very much, explore the island instead! I only had 3 weeks, passed so quickly but I made great memories and loved every moment!
Thank You for the wonderful opportunity!
Dora