Natalie Broadhead studied Japanese for five years at Hamilton’s Fraser High School under the watchful eye of an enthusiastic and supportive teacher. She continued with her Japanese studies at the University of Waikato for a further two years. At the end of 2006, Natalie completed her Bachelor of Sport and Leisure degree with Japanese being her supporting subject and applied for a job in Japan through an internet based company called Booboo Ski.
Her first major job was working in the ski fields as a lift operator. She also worked for three months in the children’s park at the Tokasu Snow Park in Gifu ken. During this time, her Japanese skills rapidly improved. Natalie admits that before she embarked on her trip to Japan, her speaking fluency was her weakness. However because Natalie had to speak Japanese all the time at her workplace, she became more comfortable in speaking to a wide variety of people. She made many friends including her bosses and her workmates.
Since Natalie enjoyed her time in this job, she decided that she would like to continue working in Japan. She applied for a job in Okinawa, working at a four star buffet restaurant. Natalie says that working in this restaurant is very different from the snow fields. She says that the weather in Okinawa is so much hotter. She also has had to get used to the different dialects in Okinawa.
Natalie is very pleased that she chose to learn Japanese and she supports the push for second language learning in New Zealand schools. The experience of living in another country for a few months is something that she will also always cherish. Natalie has a passion for sports and the outdoors. When she returns to New Zealand, she wants to work in the emerging tourism industry. New Zealand is a popular destination for Japanese people so the many years of studying Japanese and her work experience in Japan will certainly prepare her for this kind of work. Natalie also wants to start learning Te Reo Māori. She would definitely love to be tri-lingual. Now that she is fluent in two languages, she feels ready for another linguistic challenge!
Natalie and friend
(profiled by William Flavell, 2007)