How I Got Here: Helen Lewis MA (Oxon)

I teach English to young people in Japan. I help them hold conversations and write in their non-native language more clearly, gracefully and confidently. I hope the skills they practice with me help them engage more deeply with the world.

It sounds so simple, but it has actually taken me a long time to really understand how to do this. When I first came to Japan, I struggled with the intercultural lifestyle and with being a woman living far from her native country. However, when I came to FEW in 2012, I realized what had been missing: community and stimulation. I loved the energy and intelligence of the women I met in my first meeting, and when I was asked to be Special Events Director, I happily accepted.

We’ve all heard the saying, “It isn’t what you know, it’s who you know.” To that, I say, “Often, who you know IS what you know.”

For two years, I was given the chance to host all kinds of creative events and deepen the knowledge and skills of FEW members and their friends. Almost on a monthly basis, someone came to me and offered to do a workshop. I found that this opportunity to try different things combined with the support of a friendly army of women helped me get my groove back in the world of teaching. The connection between community and stimulation is something that now runs through all areas of my life.

I’ve stepped down from the board to focus on my other love, the Brazilian martial art Capoeira with Bantus Capoeira Japan, and I recently got my instructor’s belt. I hope this will be yet another way to put into practice the creativity and leadership skills gained with this wonderful dynamic group of women. I say a big thank you to FEW and look forward to being an active member for a long time to come.