Meet Anniina O’Rourke, Teaching Intern at Aoba-Japan International School 30 May 2018

Where are you from and how long have you been living in Tokyo?
I was born in the States (Washington to be exact), but I was raised in Oulu, Finland – which is where I’m still studying at the moment. It’s been about a month since this temporary move to Tokyo.

What brought you to Tokyo?
There’s two answers here; one being a simple ‘like’ for Japanese culture and the other an interest in Japanese educational systems. I’m assuming it’s a mix of those.

What is your first impression from Japan?
It’s really not that different from the pictures, so even after this month it continues to feel surreal.

What did you study, why, and what did you like the most?
I’m currently studying Intercultural Teacher Education in Finland (University of Oulu) because I’m interested in educational systems around the world and both their cultures and their histories. What I’ve liked the most thus far would be educational theory from developmental perspectives.

What are your roles here at A-JIS?
I’ve been mainly working with 5th graders as they prepare for their Exhibition, which sort of includes assisting/observing/trying to help keep students on track/trying to stay on track myself. Occasionally I’ll check out other classrooms, since my purpose is to research.

How is your experience in A-JIS going so far?
Excellent. I don’t have much experience, but I have felt very welcomed with all my flaws. In this short time I’ve already learned so much.

Would you recommend the practicum experience to someone?
Absolutely, A-JIS has been very accommodating and has provided me with various opportunities to learn. I am extremely grateful for all the freedom I have been given.
Not to mention, although I’m still a student, I have felt respected as a coworker by the staff and for this- thank you.

What do you like most about your profession?
I’m not sure if I should be answering this as a ‘teacher/assistant’ or as a student, but perhaps more accurate to now would be teacher/assistant. I’ve enjoyed seeing how learning can develop, it’s really exciting.

What do you do for fun?
I enjoy painting, studying, reading, going on walks (if it’s warm, which is rare where I come from) & playing video-games.

Is there something interesting about yourself you would like to share?
I’ve never felt comfortable about the idea of becoming a teacher, and I’m still unsure if it will be a career for me to pursue, but at A-JIS I have felt some of the feelings that I imagine passionate teachers feel when they explain to people why it is that they teach.

We are accepting applications