I'll tell you: it's fascinating, daunting, challenging, ego-leveling, spiritual, and frightening all at the same time. During the last 7 months, I have witnessed several things that I have made me question my own cultural values, helped me to understand Japan better, and even allowed me to appreciate my own background and culture even more.
Lesson #1: Driving
Japanese people are very polite in all aspects of life, including driving. It is funny for me to drive around and not be honked at for cutting people off or pulling a "US" commuter move. People here honk instead for thanking others and use their emergency flashers as a special thank you to other drivers. I really do appreciate the quiet calmness that descends upon the city despite heavy Takasaki commuter traffic in the downtown areas. It certainly makes me think twice before honking out of western frustration to be somewhere faster! ;)
Lesson #2: Family life vs. Work life
As I have learned, many Japanese people value the work place as number one priority, putting work above the personal/private matters such as family and personal holidays. It is a new idea for me to value work before family, an idea that was difficult at first to fully understand.
As I have witnessed on a daily basis in both schools, teachers will come to work, despite being sick and teach all day without complaint (first of all let me add: there really aren't substitute teachers in Japan, so if a teacher is sick, the class doesn't get taught). This idea of no back-ups for teachers was also amazing to me! Teachers should get more support here, but instead, they are left to teach even when they are feeling their lowest. The only exception I have seen is when teachers are out with the flu, since this is highly contagious. Recently, my classes at the elementary school were cancelled because half of the classes were calling in sick with influenza.
As a teacher back home, I really do appreciate the substitute program that we have for teachers. I really wish that the Japanese would integrate this into the school system so that they can have a "break"--not because they are lazy, but because this would help everyone in the long run.
Also, working in a Japanese school has been challenging. I am the only westerner in the whole school and only the other English teachers can communicate with me. After a few months, some of the other teachers worked up enough courage to say more than just "Hello" to me in english. I am also trying to learn Japanese this year, so I try to communicate on a basic level with several teachers, whether it's in the copy room, getting coffee, or during lunch break. I think it's really important to create strong connections with my colleagues; however, the language barrier at work is my main hurdle. A little goes a long way in Japan--so I will continue to speak in broken Japanese with the hope that my efforts will not go unnoticed.
Lesson #3: Anti-conflict
Working in a country that doesn't like conflict has also certainly been a true test! I am integrated into a society that doesn't believe in saying 100% of what you mean, but rather leaving out sometimes important pieces of information. This has proven challenging for me since I am from a country that values honesty and polite bluntness (meaning--get to the point and don't go in circles!) Many Japanese people prefer to keep a public face of calmness, rather than embarrass themselves in public with unnecessary emotions. I can see the validity of this approach; however, sometimes I also feel that people need to assert themselves more if they truly believe in something.
My experiences in Japan so far have been extremely rewarding and exciting, as well as challenging and eye-opening. I look forward to seeing what else comes my way!
Happy Reading! :)
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