An essential aspects of a life-changing experience abroad is learning how to bring the lessons home, keeping them alive and active in who I am permanently. Still, in these last three weeks being back in Jerz, with so much going on, its almost hard to believe Japan ever happened! But, I'm trying to keep it alive by talking about it, thinking about it... reminding myself of all that I accomplished, and how that can be a part of me, here, now. So, to close this blog, some reflections from JAPAN:- Everyone knows a positive attitude is important. BUT, that's different from sincerely proving how an experience can be completely altered at the power of a changed perspective. Although this blog is filled with hot spring adventures and the like, the truth is that I didn't like Japan, not at the beginning. Its a place where an American quickly learns, "I am American." A culture so completely opposite in values, beliefs and way of life, one can't possibly become Japanized without sacrificing some essential elements of being American. This contradiction was hard at the beginning, and I found myself being antagonistic to the very-defined culture I was living in.
Half way through my Japan experience, something startling occurred where I realized I needed to be a positive force in Japan, and I could do this by truly supporting the society: not criticising, but continually acknowledging the good and being a positive example of something different (a Marina the American approach). The easiest way I found to do this was through my classroom...-Teaching. Believe it or not, I actually did come to Japan to teach. The great thing about teaching conversation classes is that the teacher can get away with anything. As long as the students are talking, they are learning. I was able to create a classroom geared towards analyzing, debating and sharing opinions in a relaxed atmosphere, very uncommon to the Japanese education system, where the line between teacher and student is very clearly drawn.
I pushed the students to use English as a way to share their opinions, express themselves as individuals and develop relationships with their classmates. The last day of class, I realized how important all this was to their lives. The students gave me gifts, wrote thank you cards, and a few even cried as I forced them all to give me a hug (hugging is not a part of Japanese culture!) It was really touching to see the difference I was able to make.- AYANO! I can't even begin to imagine these three months in Japan without my onsen bud, Ayano. Her cafe was my safe haven in this startling country. I feel so close to her, as not only my best friend in Japan but as the person I could go to with all my questions, and not need to censor my opinions, but speak deeply and sincerely about the cultural differences I was constantly confronted with. Saying goodbye to Ayano, we both knew it wasn't really goodbye and it was so inspiring to see how a three month friendship can go so deep. I needed her in my Japan adjustment, and I also opened up a whole world for her. Our friendship was really beautiful.
My last day her grandmother gave me one of her own kimonos, made by her mother (Ayano's great-grandmother)! It was so amazing, communication being translated through Ayano as her grandmother dressed me up in the very kimono she wore for her "Japanese growing up ceremony" at age 19. Her brother and his family were there as well, everyone needing to talk through Ayano to connect with me. It was such a great send-off, being in the presence of a real Japanese family for the first time. Now I'll close with an embarrassing story: So, as a culture the Japanese are shy. For example, if I smile at a boy my age, he gets flustered and walks the other way. Its quite amusing actually, I like to see how many boys I can scare. One time towards the beginning, I was waiting for an elevator and it opens to be stuffed with a group of drunk Japanese male 20ish year-olds. One motioned for me to come on, and I squeezed in, my back to everyone, and face up against the door. After a few minutes one guy in the back says, "Hi," with a little laughter, and I ignore it. Two seconds later, I get another "Hi," and so still facing the door I say "Hello," met with silence. All I can think is how this is so Japanese.... a guy finally is brave enough to say hello to a foreign girl and she responds, and hes speechless. Or so I thought. Minutes later as I walk down the street, I realize he wasn't saying hi to me at all. He was just whispering to his neighbor friend, saying "Hai," the Japanese word for yes. And I, the weird foreigner who doesn't speak Japanese, randomly out of nowhere yells out "hello" on the elevator. Please laugh at me.
