I want to return the favour

Name: William Vosburgh Nationality: New Zealand Currently Living In:  Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture

Message

The first time I visited Fukushima was in 2012 as part of a program called the Kizuna Project. It was a short time, but thinking back, part of the reason I had such a great time was because the people of Fukushima put so much effort into welcoming us.

After returning home, I applied for the JET program, and when I happened to be placed in Fukushima, I saw it as a chance to repay the people who showed me such a wonderful time, and quickly decided to return there.

It has been just over a year since I returned, and I have fallen in love with Fukushima Prefecture.

The beautiful nature, delicious food, rich history, Fukushima has many things to offer. But what really struck a chord in me is the kindheartedness of the local people.

Even though they have suffered the experience of going through the Great East Japan Earthquake, that is still having a large impact on the prefecture, they welcomed me with big smiles. They helped me with any worries I had, did their best to help me adjust to life in a foreign land, and treated me just as if I was one of their own family members. While I came hoping to help cheer up the children in Fukushima, somehow it always works the other way around. When I am feeling down, or having problems, just spending a day together with the kids here cheers me up immediately.

The people of Fukushima are positive, and put all their effort into living their lives.

I have the utmost admiration for them.

I came to Fukushima wanting to return the favour for how wonderfully I had been treated when I first visited. However while living here I have received an even greater favour from the people here. While it might be difficult, I want to do my best to return as much of it as I can.

I am still uncertain on where I will go from here, but I can see myself being happy living out the rest of my life here in Fukushima.

Thank you to everyone here in Fukushima!