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Miami native Miguel Rischmaui, an FIU graduate and former head of the FIU Japan Club, currently is working in Takaoka, Toyama Prefecture, Japan through the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET) that arranges for participants from around the globe to work in schools, boards of education, and government offices throughout Japan.
“Back in 2015 when I was studying Japanese, I set my eyes on volunteering for the Tokyo Olympics,” Rischmaui recalled. “It had always been my dream to be involved in the Olympics in some way due to my love of sports. I was able to get into the JET Program in 2018 and that very same year I applied to volunteer for the Tokyo Olympics.”
Rischmaui was selected as a field cast team leader for the Language Services Department (LAN) at the Nippon Budokan. His responsibilities included serving as the Spanish translator and interpreter for Olympic judo, Olympic karate and Paralympic judo. Training lasted about two years as the volunteers learned how to communicate with others and translation practices. As a team leader, he also received additional training in navigating certain situations and working together with others.
“I was mainly in charge of helping athletes during media interviews,” Rischmaui said. “LAN volunteers are usually the first people to see the athletes right after their matches. This meant that I was able to see all the raw emotions that were happening when the cameras weren’t rolling. The tears of joy and sadness. The excitement and frustration. I saw every range of emotion so vividly that I was able to feel what the athletes felt. It was powerful and intense. The athletes were all so friendly as well.”
Founded in 1987, JET is the only teaching exchange program managed by the government of Japan and it offers a unique cultural exchange opportunity to meet people from all around the world, living and working in Japan.
“Volunteering at the Tokyo Olympics has been a highlight during my time as a JET,” Rischmaui said. “It was a truly unique experience where I met many international people and made amazing memories that will last a lifetime.
In the state of Florida, the JET program is managed by the Consulate General of Japan in Miami. To date, they have sent over 600 JET participants from Japan to Florida.
“Being accepted into and working with the JET program can open doors to once-in-a-lifetime opportunities,” said Christopher Brickey, JET program coordinator for the Consulate General of Japan in Miami. “As JET participants return to Florida, they bring valuable insights and continue cross-cultural conversations with fellow JET participants through international alumni associations such as the Florida JET Alumni Association.”
The JET program will begin accepting applications again in September. To learn more, visit www.miami.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/JETProgram.html or send email to jet@mi.mofa.go.jp.
