|
|
|
||||
|
||||
|
08-20-2009, 01:09 PM
Reading through the posts, I have to say this sounds more like you had skewed expectations of what moving anywhere would be like... Not just Japan. And, well, would most likely experience the same thing when moving anywhere unfamiliar.
It`s good that you`ve realized that your experience has a lot more to do with your own feelings and expectations than Japan being "bad". Expectations of what life may be in a location you aren`t directly familiar with are generally wrong... And even when they are, a whole life isn`t going to be set up and waiting for you - you have to make it yourself. I would personally advise you to give it a bit more time before deciding to just throw in the towel and call the whole thing a mistake. You say you discovered things - there is likely much much more out there to be discovered. Maybe not as much as you were looking forward to - cue the "Japan is not an amusement park" - but there is more than enough to do pretty much anywhere if you look. In the long run, you may have a better experience for not being with friends in the city... Although it looks like that is where you`re going to be heading soon. I agree with your advice to those who want to just leap into Japan with closed eyes, but I don`t agree that you should be leaving so quickly. No, make that "strongly against" you leaving so quickly. At least spend a bit more time going around - if you leave now all you will have is a bad taste left in your mouth and the feeling of having wasted huge amounts of time and money. Japan is a big country - travel a bit more and find a place that you do feel a bit more comfortable. Not everywhere is the sticks of Fukuoka. But the biggest question I can`t help but ask... What DID you expect? What did you intend to do once in Japan? (I`m not trying to be hostile in any way, just understand a bit more.) 
|
|
|
||||
|
||||
|
08-20-2009, 01:41 PM
I am finding on this forum that may users simply cannot feel what Japan is really like.
Many posters think it is all hairstyles, fashion, anime and cosplay. It just does not happen like that unless you are near the right train station. I arrived at Kansai airport in shorts from Sydney at 12am in winter. The first thing I noticed was that it was bloody freezing! I couldn't see anything on the train back to Kyoto so the next day was very exciting. Once I had my scooter, the streets entertained me. But, I was already well travelled, I had a wife in Japan plus all living aparatus, so I guess it was easy for me and would be different to the average "Alien" dropping in for the first time. I was interested inc ulture, and was lucky to have free tickets for a Kabuki theater in Kyoto and a Maiko dancing in Gion followed be a Geisha tea serving ceremony. These tickets were wedding gifts from friends of my wife. I worked in very country areas in Nara so that also opened the door for me learning about culture. I'm not sure what people experience in Tokyo, as I've had nothing to do with it. Kyoto was my home turf and I enjoyed every momebt of it. Cheers - Oz
|
|
|
||||
|
||||
|
08-21-2009, 01:14 AM
Thanks to all for the advice. What I get from pretty much everyone is relatively the same and I totally agree. However my life plans have actually changed now and I can see how I'll be fine just being in England. If I still had a strong long-term desire to live in Japan or become fluent ASAP then I'd agree that it would be worth sticking it out, but I feel I'll be fine at home.
As Nyororin rightly pointed out, this isn't a defamation of Japan in any way. If I liked rural areas more and had prepared more I would probably be enjoying myself, perhaps with a more hospitable homestay. In that way maybe it's a good recommendation not to get tied down somewhere with duties until you're sure you like who you're living with? Nyororin@ this was the problem actually, I didn't really know what to expect at all. As I said I wasn't really a japanophile, I was prepared not to like everything and for it to be hard. I think the main thing was just that I expected a city, so when I suddenly was left outside all day with no internet, no food to suit my diet and no easy way of meeting people, I got really emotionally strained. The main difference in my thinking is simply noting that Japan doesn't necessarily equal progress for me. Japanese isn't my life so much anymore. However there are people much more enthusiastic about it than me and I just wnated to help them make sure they were practically prepared for whatever they might experience in Japan. Oh just a few things I dislike about Japan (in comparison with what I'm used to in England). Again this isn't even a critique of Japan, just a description of what didn't suit me personally: 1, smoking is more widespread. In England I'm used to the inside being a smoke-free zone. I'm currently in a net cafe and have wofts of it going over me. 2, even in the city, less acknowledgement of alternative diets like my veganism. Forget about it in rural areas. 3, 'over'abundance of commercialism. There're always annoying advertising songs and people trying to sell you something, even outside of shops. I often wake up to political slogans being blasted out of cars. 4, rigidly respectful services and personal relations. In England I could talk to my boss almost like I talk to my friends, and not much different to shop assistants. I significantly feel the loss of this in Japan. Again, you could easily come to England and compare it to another country, listing its negatives and ignoring its positives. This is soley for the purpose of description from my own set of values. If you disagree then you're probably right, I'm not interested in an argument. 
|
|
|
|||
|
|||
|
08-21-2009, 06:27 AM
I went there for a month visit and was placed in a town waaay out from Nagoya (college program replacing otherwise boring credits). Before I even thought of entering the program, I did my studying. I knew a little about the culture, enough of the language to get around, and I had all my expectations in check.
The experience was a culture shock! However, I had 2 friends from the States with me the entire time (same program) so that surely dampened the whole shock. However, the host family was awesome. They were a nice old couple with an older daughter (she was visiting too). They were attempting English with us while we were attempting Japanese with them. It was so funny because I could understand them better when they spoke Japanese than when they spoke English. They cooked us some food that was pretty good (perhaps too bland for some Americans  ). They were pleasantly social (a far cry from most other people there). Other people associated with the program in Japan (Japanese people) even gave us a sort of tour walking around the town and city.Another thing that really amused me was the amount of attention we'd get. We'd get glances all the time (more than normal). Kids would say "Gaijin! Hello! How are you!" or whatever little phrase they've learned so far  . In other cases, I was avoided to strange extents (I guess due to uncertainty that I could even communicate with them). I was waiting in line once for a purchase waiting for one of a few cashiers. When I was next the girl called out to the person behind me... he went up before me. The next open cashier did wave me over. Whatever... lol. I certainly don't think I was over there long enough for a great experience (all too true for all the countries I've been to). I barely got a glimpse of the culture while I was there. I wish I could have stayed longer. However, I certainly agree that "Japan is not an amusement park". I treat it just as any other country I visit (I've been to several others). I am cautious and slow. I take my time and am sure to retain much patience, even for those who are not patient with me. Courtesy is a must. I am, after all, representing my country when I visit others'. I think your experience, Skuu, was pretty difficult one. I didn't have the same burdens you had with a job and such (I just had college assignments). Hope it gets better for you! Quote:
|
|
|
||||
|
||||
|
08-22-2009, 12:24 AM
Quote:
It sounded like the main different for you was your friends and a welcoming host family. It's really important to have people backing you up. Without this I feel I've let small things become mountains but there's nothing I can do about that. I got by by talking to my best friend online. Dunno what I would have done otherwise. Good to hear other experiences though. 
|
|
|
||||
|
||||
|
08-22-2009, 02:11 AM
Quote:
Yes, there are lots of advertisements. Advertising is big business in Japan. Even the insides of buses and trains are full of posters and hanging banners, and shops pay to get their business names mentioned when the bus driver announces the next stop. Vegetarianism is uncommon in Japan, even Buddhists who claim to be vegetarian usually are not. As for vegans, Japanese people tend to think of such people as absurd. It could be worse though, you could be staying in China right now where, as the saying goes "they eat anything with legs except chairs, and everything with wings, except airplanes". As for the last part, there is a rigid social structure in Japan, though things have become minutely more casual in recent years in some fields. When I first arrived here I was amazed at the amount of respect that the staff showed the head teacher and principle, little different from that which I used towards superior officers in the Army. It take a little getting used to, and I don't necessarily see it as a bad thing. The next time you go overseas on an extended trip, you should choose a place in the third world. It'll change a lot of your opinions and perspectives, and usually for the better.
|
|
|
|||
|
|||
|
08-22-2009, 10:53 AM
I think a large part of living in rural Japan, which I did for 9 months, is to feel comfortable within yourself. You could say the same about anywhere but it especially applies to Japan. If you can be like a leaf in the breeze, the ride will be easier. Remember, this is a short-term experience for most foreigners in the overall scheme of things. I vividly remember scouting new alleyways to see what I could unearth. That was fun in itself. Nyororin is right, there needs to be talk of concrete expectations rather than hazy, romantic ideals.
|
|
|
||||
|
||||
|
08-23-2009, 12:18 AM
Quote:
Not to imply that this is your position but many people I talk to tell me that travelling to a foreign country is like an essential life experience. I don't agree. To me it's more like, if you wanna do it then yes, if you don't or if you go off the idea, then you can get quality experiences in your own country as well. I guess I'm being defensive because i feel people have a different opinion to me. However I came to Japan at least partially on a whim which I now regret, and I just wanted to warn anyone else who has such a whim to question it. Youthful confidence and desire is useful but if you're not prepared things don't necessarily work out alright.
|
|
|
||||
|
||||
|
08-23-2009, 05:05 AM
This is a very interesting, and fun thread to read. Please, discuss! XD Though I think almost everything to know has already been put down, this bunch is very fun and entertaining. I thank all of you!
|
 |
| Thread Tools | |
|
|
