Reflections on My Time in Japan
August 15, 2022
I find it difficult to put into words just how impactful my time in Japan was. I feel that I not only grew as a person, but that I also strengthened my empathy and communication skills. I have a fresh perspective regarding the unique backgrounds of others.
Going into my experience in Japan, I had built up a toolbox of techniques and methods to adjust to culturally diverse situations, thanks in part to courses at my university. I don’t think that I ever faced a situation that was particularly unexpected in Japan, but I did have to consciously adjust my behavior on a day-to-day basis. While at times I would be surrounded by familiar sights such as fast food restaurants, shopping malls, and even bottles of bourbon at the bar, I was always quickly reminded that I was residing in a foreign country. I think that Japan and the USA have a lot of similarities when it comes to competition. The people of both countries are driven towards being the best, whether that comes down to the brands that one purchases or one’s position on the corporate ladder. When collectivism and individualism are addressed, however, the differences between the two countries become rapidly apparent. There is an extremely prescient Japanese proverb, “the nail that sticks out gets hammered.” In the USA, going against the current and rejecting the norm often garners praise. While resistance to such changes always exists to some extent, group harmony isn’t put above individual expression. The very first time that I experienced rain in Japan, I left the house with a rain jacket, only to be faced by a sea of umbrellas. I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed by how much I stuck out as a foreigner. While I was never told anything directly, I still felt an unspoken pressure to conform to everyone else. I think that this implicit pressure that exists in Japan is very interesting. As with all things, I am sure that there are both positive and negative aspects resulting from such a system. While good behaviors are propagated, so too are bad behaviors. It’s important to note that when it comes down to it, at the most basic level, we really are all the same. I always smiled whenever I saw children running around and just being kids. In most situations, Japanese adults are much more reserved than American adults, but seeing those children running around helped me to understand how similar children are, regardless of background.
I would say that the most direct effect of my time in Japan was a change in perspective. It’s one thing to read about people with a vastly different background than your own, but having the opportunity to directly interact with those people is invaluable. I now have a greater awareness of how differing backgrounds might manifest within one’s behavior. I believe that cross-cultural competency is something that must be actively honed through the entirety of one’s life, but at the very least, I now have a stronger foundation than if I had spent all of my time staying in Ohio. It might sound silly to say, but I feel that I now have a better idea of how great the differences between different cultures may be. It’s very easy to fall into a position where you take your life for granted, without ever considering the trials and tribulations of not only your neighbors, but also of those on the other side of the world. I think that my experience with the International Co-op Program has opened my eyes, and I can only hope that I will continue to grow to be a better and more understanding person.
~ JHE
