this day and age

Growing up in a small town in England I never envisioned that my life would bring me here. I remember the shops in my neighborhood consisted of a beauty salon, a newsagent (a British term for a small bookstore that sells magazines, newspapers and candies), a pharmacy, and a few others. They were closed on weekends and closed at 4pm on weekdays. It was a sleepy little town.

I haven’t been back there for over 18 years so I have no idea what it must be like today but, like everything in the world, I’m sure things have changed. I came to Hirakata 15 years ago and it’s amazing to see how everything’s changed. Stores have come and gone, colleges have expanded and all sorts of restaurants have sprung up.

Nowhere, in today’s world, is oblivious to change. 

Whenever I am out doing flyers I get to see the future right in front of me. The kids and teenagers of today are the leaders of tomorrow and it always makes me wonder what the world will be like in 10 years. College used to guarantee people a secure future but those days have come and gone. Nowadays most jobs require a college level education just to get in the door.  And many college students are amazed at just how much competition there is in getting work. With the financial crisis it has only made things more difficult. Older people with families to support are vying for the very same jobs that only college kids applied for in the past.

I considered myself blessed to be able to offer support to people of all ages in preparing for this new world. One in which English (the business language) and computers (how information is passed along) are two of the most important skills we can learn.  

Studying anything can be challenging which is why at Smith’s Hirakata our number one aim is for students to enjoy using English. We discuss our lives, our travels, movies we’ve seen and pretty much everything. Seeing students improve always brings a big smile to my face as I know I’ve done my job.

The world may have changed but I’m glad it has. Boundaries that once existed have vanished and each day brings us closer together. 

Adrian